DOS Printing: System Error 66

[Jimbo]

I just replaced a WinXP laptop with a WinVista laptop. I was able to
print from DOS programs to a network printer on the XP machine via
'redirecting' LPT1 via the command

NET USE LPT1 \\servername\printername password /user:username

Using the same script on the new Vista laptop, however, gives me the

System error 66 has occurred
The network resource type is not correct

response. This occurs regardless of whether I precede the correct
command with a precautionary 'delete'

NET USE LPT1 /delete

Any thoughts? Web based research turned up several dead ends.

Thanks,

Jim

 

[Guest]

Are you opening the command prompt with "Run as administrator"?

 

[Jimbo]

Are you opening the command prompt with "Run as administrator"?

Thanks for the response, Paul. I don't know the answer to that
question--I just checked, and my "Command Prompt" shortcut has all
options in the relevant tab ("Compatibility") greyed out.

FWIW, I am logged in as an administrator, and all of the other NET USE
commands succeed. (The "NET USE LPT1" command is part of a start-up
type batch file that I run manually when needed.)

Jim

 

[Guest]

Right click on the CMD shortcut and click on "Run as administrator" When the
Command Prompt opens the heading will be Administrator Command Prompt.

 

[Jimbo]

Thanks Paul. Doing this still gives me the error #66. Given that I'm
signed on as Administrator anyway, should I have expected different
results?

Jim

 

[Guest]

I went back and reassigned LPT1 on my system and the only time I get that
error is when the servername\printername is wrong. I'm not sure what the
problem is.

 

[Jimbo]

I went back and reassigned LPT1 on my system and the only time I get that
error is when the servername\printername is wrong. I'm not sure what the
problem is.

Thanks PaulB. Here is the specific syntax, and as mentioned, it works
fine on my XP clients but does not work on my Vista clients. I've
tried adding colons, etc., to "LPT1", but I always get error 66. Is
it possible that the syntax has changed from XP to Vista? The 'net
use' help appears to be very similar between the two OSes.

Net Use LPT1 \\server2007\hp50000 password /USER:Administrator

Jim

 

[Guest]

Hi Jim,
The only part of the syntax that I'm not sure of is the password. I don't
use that.
You probalby know this but type net use /? and check it out. I wish I
could be of more help.

 

[Jimbo]

Thanks Paul; it's not the first Vista bug I've encountered

 

[Chuck]

So far the information you gave is not sufficient to even define your exact
problem, let alone try to find a solution. System Error 66 has several
possible causes, many related to network printing.
Since you did not give the conditions that exist when the error occurred,
all I can suggest is that you do is search the MSKB using Vista and system
error 66. At least half a dozen references were visible when I recently did
so. I should also mention that the search engine or the web site seemed to
be acting up a bit.

What printer make & model?
Which Vista version?
What are you doing when the error occurs?
Is there any reason why you are using "DOS" ? (Obsolete Application, etc)