unable to print from the DOS or command

[Guest]

I use to be able to print from the command windows and dos programs in
Windows XP Pro. the printer is hooked to LPT1. It just stopped 2 days ago.
Don't remember loading any software, or changing any setting. I go to the
command prompt and do a dir>lpt1 and it does not recieve the message. I
uninstalled the printer and reinstalled the printer and replaced the old
driver, still unable to communicate. Prints from windows just fine. Is
there any thing in the autoexec.nt or config.nt file that may need to be
changed. Short of reloading the O/S and checking the knowledge base at
Microsoft I don't know where to find the answer.

 

[JerryMouse]

I use to be able to print from the command windows and dos programs in
Windows XP Pro. the printer is hooked to LPT1. It just stopped 2
days ago. Don't remember loading any software, or changing any
setting. I go to the command prompt and do a dir>lpt1 and it does
not recieve the message. I uninstalled the printer and reinstalled
the printer and replaced the old driver, still unable to communicate.
Prints from windows just fine. Is there any thing in the autoexec.nt
or config.nt file that may need to be changed. Short of reloading
the O/S and checking the knowledge base at Microsoft I don't know
where to find the answer.

Is is a "WinPrinter?" Does it say on the box "Requires Windows...?"

If so, the manufacturer has saved fifty cents by removing a chip/circuit
from the printer and put the funtion in software.

This means that you have to pass the DOS printing stuff through their
software in some fashion. This software is not a "driver" in the common
sense. Usually there's a "Printer Manager" or "Printer Control Program" that
lives as a service, monitoring what you're doing and re-routing the printing
through the printer manufacturer's software.

Check out RPV (Remote Printer Viewer) for a software solution to the
hardware problem.

 

[Yves Leclerc]

The originial poster stated that they were able to print from DOS Commnad
window before, so it is not a "Windows Only" printer.

Warren:

Check with your anti-virus system. I seen this block the DOS printer access
before.

 

[Guest]

I am having the same problem. Same OS, older dot matrix printer, nothing new
on the system as far as I know. I have managed to work around the problem by
going in to the Device Manager and changing the port settings on the LPT port
to something different i.e. 'Never Use an Interrupt' from 'Try not to use an
interrupt'. This works until you restart the computer. I got the same
effect by changing the BIOS settings for the port. The OS recognized the
change and the printer worked until I restarted the system. It looks like
Windows is not initializing the port properly on startup? I have automatic
updates on and am using Norton Anti-virus with automatic update as well.
Hope this helps a little. If I figure it out, I'll let you know.