Procedure for Working Around Printer Errors

["Robert Holmgren" holmgren@xxxxxxxx]

Procedure for Working Around Printer Errors
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Suppose you can't print to your printer. Spooler problems maybe, a wierd
non-LPT port inaccessible to XyWrite -- or whatever. This procedure bypasses
the entire M$ printing system and sends data directly to the printer (assuming
it is attached, has been "Added" as a recognized system printer, has paper, and
isn't defective). Although written for W95 and W98, I've tested this in Win2K
SP4 and WinXP SP2, and it works perfectly. It is simpler than a
[network-based] LPR procedure (for those who might have tried that).
Requirement: an appropriate XyWrite PRiNter driver (PRN) for the target
printer.

Download this ancient utility (a self-extracting EXE) from Micro$oft:

http://download.microsoft.com/download/platformsdk/Utility/95/WIN98/EN-US/RAWPRN.EXE

Beware line wrap above! Extract (unZIP) constituent file RawPrint.exe ("unzip
RAWPRN.EXE RawPrint.exe"). Locate RawPrint.exe in your Xy4 or Xy3 directory
(same location as Editor).

On command line:
 TYF[/switches] [filename]
then:
 do/nv [d:\path\]RAWPRINT.EXE "{Printer_Name}" "d:\path\FO.TMP"

Printing is nearly instantaneous and all formatting is reflected on paper.

Examples:
 do/nv RAWPRINT "HP LaserJet III" "G:\XY4\FO.TMP"
 do/nv RAWPRINT "EPSON Stylus C60 Series" "G:\XY4\FO.TMP"
 do/nv RAWPRINT "\\PRINTSRV\P1" "G:\XY4\FO.TMP"

Note the last example: this procedure works with network printers too. If you
don't know the technical "Printer_Name" of your printer, download this file:

http://users.datarealm.com/xywwweb/OED-GPF.ZIP

Extract SDP.EXE and SDP.INI from OED-GPF.ZIP into any directory, run SDP.EXE,
and it will display the system name of each of your printers (the _first_ name
reported for each printer, before the comma).

I will automate this for U2 if people have good results. You'd simply command,
e.g., "TY" instead of "TY".

-----------------------------
Robert Holmgren
holmgren@xxxxxxxx
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