Msg: Re: printer problems {again}

Sorry, but I forgot one step that I take in starting up (though I don't think it's relevant to the problem):

After I hit "Enter (for OK to "This will end your Windows session," I get "C:\>" --without a "pause"--and I type editor (or editor.exe; doesn't matter which), and then I'm in Xywrite. Then, the steps as I wrote before continue on ("--Normally at this point, I call up a file from the disk on A:"....).

But, again, it's the "C:\pause" that comes up immediately after turning on the computer that seems to be the problem. The second "C:\>" after which I type "editor" has no "pause" and works as usual.

I hope this extra note hasn't made it more confusing!

----- Original Message -----

From: Leslie Savan

To: xywrite@xxxxxxxx

Sent: Saturday, April 02, 2005 1:49 PM

Subject: Re: printer problems {again}

Harry,

         You're right, this isn't really a printer problem. It's more of start up problem. I'm sorry, I didn't say what version of Windows I have; it's almost embarrassing: 3.1. (But that's only to work with my old printer, which btw is Hewlett Packard LaserJet 4L). I tried doing what you suggested, and here's what I found:

         --I turn on the computer and it goes through its initial, fast DOS-looking startup (I don't know the name for this), and then this shows up: C:\>pause, and right below that, it reads: "press any key to continue." In other words, the C: prompt with "pause" turns up immediately, before I've touched any key other than the button to turn on the computer. If my memory serves, this never happened before in all the years I've used this.

          --Next, I "press any key" and I get Windows' "Start-up" window. Using the keyboard (rather than a mouse, which I don't have for this setup), I then hit: Alt F (for file); X (for exit Windows), and Enter (for OK to "This will end your Windows session."

           --Normally at this point, I call up a file from the disk on A: (could also do it from C:), and I write out "ty" or "type" and the printing begins. However, for the last few days, it reads "printer error" and simply won't print. And as I said, the other new weird thing is that when I try to quit, either in C: or A:, it insists that I have a file open when I don't.

            I hope I described it a little better this time. It just seems as if something is stuck. Is there perhaps a directory or file I need to delete? Should I unplug and replug the entire works?

            Any help is very much appreciated, as I need to start making printouts this week. Thanks.

             Leslie

----- Original Message -----

From: Harry Binswanger

To: xywrite@xxxxxxxx

Sent: Friday, April 01, 2005 11:21 PM

Subject: Re: printer problems {again}

Hello Xywrite People,
        I have a printer problem

Doesn't sound like a printer problem, at least not at the first level. I find it difficult to follow your description, but I think we'd need to know what you do to launch Xy. It sounds to me like you may be (perhaps unknowingly) calling a batch file that, among other things is changing your prompt to put "pause" in. One thing you can do to check this is launch a DOS prompt entirely separately (you do not say what version of windows you are running). You say "when I get out of Windows"... but you don't want to or at least don't need to get out of Windows. Launch the DOS prompt from within Windows: Start/Programs and then, if it's an older version of Windws, find "MS-DOS Prompt," or if it's XP, Accesories/Command Prompt.

That should give you the regular DOS C:> prompt. If so, then execute Editor.exe.

Once that is working right, we can address any printing problems (should be no big deal to solve).

Harry Binswanger
hb@xxxxxxxx