dos app serial printer issues on xp

[scott]

Hi,

I got a printer working in a com/serial port with dos based software on the
following operating systems by using these commands in autoexec:

windows 98
mode com1:9600,e,8,1

windows 2000
mode com1:9600,n,8,1

With windows XP i cannot get any response from the printer. I tried:

- loading a command prompt
- entering mode /? to see command available
- entering mode com1:9600,n,8,1
- enter "mode" in command prompt to see if it worked (it did)

Still no response from the printer.

Any idea how to print a file to a serial printer on xp ?

Thanks
Scott.

 

[null]

Hi,

I got a printer working in a com/serial port with dos based software on the
following operating systems by using these commands in autoexec:

windows 98
mode com1:9600,e,8,1

windows 2000
mode com1:9600,n,8,1

With windows XP i cannot get any response from the printer. I tried:

- loading a command prompt
- entering mode /? to see command available
- entering mode com1:9600,n,8,1
- enter "mode" in command prompt to see if it worked (it did)

Still no response from the printer.

Any idea how to print a file to a serial printer on xp ?

Thanks
Scott.

This works with an LPT port, it might work with a COM port. First, share
the printer, and make note of the computername and the printer's shared
name. Go to a command prompt and type:

net use COM1 /delete
net use COM1 \\computername\printersharename

Exit the command prompt and try it. If it works, then great!

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All postings carry no guarantee or warranty, expressed or implied.
Proceed at your own risk, and perform system and data backups prior to
making changes to your system, and on a regular basis, to protect your
system.

 

[scott]

Hi,

1. I installed a generic txt driver for the printer and printed a test page
which worked. (printer designed for retail environment so i don't think
there is a windows printer driver available for it, but im checking with
epson tech support).

2. I shared the printer and mapped it using "net use" command to LPT1.

3. I then tried the following test from the machine hosting the printer:

copy c:\text.txt LPT1 (access denied error)
copy /a c:\text.txt LPT1 (access denied error)
copy /b c:\text.txt LPT1 (access denied error)

copy c:\text.txt COM1 (1 file copied, but no print out appears)
copy /a c:\text.txt COM1 (1 file copied, but no print out appears)
copy /b c:\text.txt COM1 (1 file copied, but no print out appears)

(where /a is ascii format and /b is binary format).

NOTE:
- printer shared for full access for "everyone".
- when copying to COM1 the windows printer spooler displays file for brief
second.

Any ideas on this basis ?

Thanks
Scott.

 

[Alex Nichol]

Got it working when doing the following:

1. start machine
2. run command prompt and enter "mode com1:9600,n,8,1"
3. in command prompt "copy c:\eposp.csv com1" (eposp.csv contain printer
commands).

The problem i have now is how can i get XP to retain the settings "mode
com1:9600,n,8,1" at startup. I tried entering the line into
c:\windows\system32\autoexec.nt but settings were not retained.

Try making a shortcut to cmd.exe (or use the one already in Accessories
as 'Command Prompt'). Right click it, Properties and extend the Target
command line that runs it to be
C:\WIndows\system32\cmd.exe /K mode com1: etc

That loads cmd up, executes the mode command and then keeps the cmd
resident ready to do other commands. IOW putting you ready to do your
step 3

Do a
CMD /?
to see more switches for it and fuller description.

The entry in autoexec.nt might work if you run your program direct from
a shortcut rather than through cmd. But that depends on how the program
is handling the port: If is is through DOS calls, well and good - if as
is only too possible it tries to handle the port hardware direct, XP
will not let it

 

[scott]

Thanks for the response.

I just created a batch file and added it to startup for "all users" with the
line:

mode com1:9600.n.8,1

It seems to work ok at startup. Can you anticipate any problems with this ?

Thanks again.
Scott.