DOS apps Networked via Net Use statement - - issues

[Frank Harrell]

Client insists on using WordPerfect 5.1 a DOS app over XP
peer to peer network, printing to printers using a
net use \\computername\printer statement in autoexec.bat.

Last week, I enabled dsl internet access and in doing so,
required that client establish non admininstrator accounts
for each user w/strong passwords. When we did this,
printing became sporadic, then non-existent.

I can print to shared printers IF I log-on using the old
admin account on the client and host systems but not using
the new accounts. I have tried including the
username/password in the net use statement (which I have
removed from root:\ to the start-up folder) I have tried
each combination of new username password and old username
password in the net use statement to no avail.

Ideas?

 

[Tergiversative]

Client insists on using WordPerfect 5.1 a DOS app over XP
peer to peer network, printing to printers using a
net use \\computername\printer statement in autoexec.bat.

And this seems to offend you? Why? If it works, it works.

It is not necessary to use the NET USE, since WP5.1 DOS is network-aware
and can print to queues/shared-printers.

Last week, I enabled dsl internet access and in doing so,
required that client establish non admininstrator accounts
for each user w/strong passwords. When we did this,
printing became sporadic, then non-existent.

That seems an odd interaction.

I can print to shared printers IF I log-on using the old
admin account on the client and host systems but not using
the new accounts. I have tried including the
username/password in the net use statement (which I have
removed from root:\ to the start-up folder) I have tried
each combination of new username password and old username
password in the net use statement to no avail.

Ideas?

You haven't provided much info on how the printer is connected. Is it
on another XP system, on a print server, Jetdirect card, a server, or
??? Without that kind of detail, it's hard to diagnose.

Instead of resenting the use of a program that apparently works for
their purposes, figure out why you'd have problems with *any* DOS
printing. My guess might be that you either are using a username
startup switch for WP that is confusing things, or you haven't properly
given the new logins/passwords adequate rights to the printer, or similar.

Set up the printer in WP5.1 as a networked printer printing to the
queue/sharename, make sure you are starting WP5.1 in "network-aware"
mode (/NT=1 should suffice) and be sure you are not using a different
user ID for WP (if you are using WP5.1+ DOS, as you should be, hitting
F3 (help) will show you the user ID in the top right corner.)

If you continue to have problems, you might visit this site:
http://www.columbia.edu/~em36/wpdos/

-- DE

 

[Rob Schneider]

Client insists on using WordPerfect 5.1 a DOS app over XP
peer to peer network, printing to printers using a
net use \\computername\printer statement in autoexec.bat.

Last week, I enabled dsl internet access and in doing so,
required that client establish non admininstrator accounts
for each user w/strong passwords. When we did this,
printing became sporadic, then non-existent.

I can print to shared printers IF I log-on using the old
admin account on the client and host systems but not using
the new accounts. I have tried including the
username/password in the net use statement (which I have
removed from root:\ to the start-up folder) I have tried
each combination of new username password and old username
password in the net use statement to no avail.

Ideas?

I know you know this, but I'll say it anyway. It's something with
permissions. Re-check the permissions on the the printer shares, and
how they conform to the new ID's you setup.

Since you report it works if logged in with the old id's, adding DSL is
not the cause.

questions that come to mind that I'd look for as clues to debug:
-Is this using domain security? If so, do the permissions include the
domain name?
-what were the ID's previously used?
-what happens when under the new ID's you delete the old printer spec,
and then you use the "add printer" wizard to add the network printer for
the new ID's?

p.s. I only have a 90-degree view of the North Sea ... and it's now
too dark to see!