shortcircuit,
Thanks for the opportunity to answer this question.
I see a couple of possible options.
- The DOS machine could become a client of the Netware server, which
could utilize the printer. The DOS machine would use the Netware
server for printing.
- If the DOS machine is running a relatively current version, sharing
the printer from the Windows machines would work well, according to
this knowledge base article Q154498 from Microsoft. [MSKbArticle01]
e.g. Establish a persistent connection using NET.EXE. To do so, use
the following syntax at a command prompt: net use lptx:
\\printserver\sharename /persistent:yes I think this only works under
NT 3.5 and above but may be functional for DOS. The Microsoft Network
Client may be required, which should still be available.
My recommendation would be option #2. Alternatively, an option you
may not be thinking of (and please discard at will) would be to use
Linux on this machine and install a DOS emulator on it, which will
provide a foundation for advanced services while still allowing access
to old DOS applications.
Good luck!
arimathea-ga
Google Answers Researcher
[MSKbArticle01] http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;en-us;q154498
Search methodology: Google searches using terms and combinations: "DOS
Ethernet LPT TCP/IP printing Microsoft" |
Request for Answer Clarification by
shortcircuit-ga
on
26 Dec 2002 07:10 PST
I need to clarify that the fact that there is no separate "DOS
Machine", but rather I am simply opening a "DOS Window" on each PC.
Each of the PCs have the ability to logon to the Netware server, but
HP does not provide any method of connecting this printer to a Netware
server. Reguardless, I would want the ability to print even when this
Netware server is not available.
The printer driver supplied by HP let's each PC be it's own print
server, so that is how I have the printer configured and all works
fine as long as I am printing from a Windows application.
I do not have (and hope not to have) MS file-and-print sharing loaded
on any of these PCs, so the NET USE syntax is invalid.
Linux is not a possibility.
Any other possibilities?
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Clarification of Answer by
arimathea-ga
on
26 Dec 2002 07:34 PST
I'm sorry about that, shortcircuit. Price of it being too early in
the morning :)
Other solutions:
- http://www.dosprint.com/
- The BIOS in some computers incorrectly reports the printer port as
being busy or not available. By default, Windows checks for these
errors. Clearing the Check Port State Before Printing check box causes
Windows to ignore these messages.
- If you continue to have this problem, use LPT1.DOS as the printer
port. To add this port, use the following steps:
1. Click the Start button, point to Settings, then click
Printers.
2. Use the right mouse button to click the printer you want to
use,
then click Properties on the menu that appears.
3. On the Details tab, click Add Port.
4. Click the Other option button, click Local Port, and click
OK.
5. In the Enter A Port Name box, type "LPT1.DOS" (without
quotation
marks), and then click OK.
Try these solutions. If none of these meet criteria, i'll do a little
more research and withdraw my answer, if appropriate.
Good luck!
arimathea-ga
Google Answers Researcher
|
Request for Answer Clarification by
shortcircuit-ga
on
26 Dec 2002 08:52 PST
I looked at the program offered at dosprint.com. It requires that the
application print to a file and then shell out to dos to complete the
print job. My DOS application does not have an option to print to a
file, so this could be difficult.
I then proceeded to install MS file-and-print sharing on my W98 PC to
try the NET USE suggestion that you presented in your first response.
I gave the 6127 a share name of "hp6127". Rebooted.
I then opened a DOS window and issued the following command:
NET USE LPT1: \\5397\hp6127
where 5397 is the name of the W98 computer and hp6127 is the share
name of the printer. I got the following response:
"Error 2106. This operation cannot be performed to your own computer;
it can be performed only on a server. For more information, contact
your network administrator."
Apparently one cannot share his windows printer to his own lpt port.
I did not understand the relevancy of the statements on LPT1.DOS.
Any other suggestions?
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Clarification of Answer by
arimathea-ga
on
26 Dec 2002 09:12 PST
LPT1.DOS is supposedly a way to fool DOS into thinking you have an LPT
printer attached to that port, when it's really just a Windows
printer.
Can you check out this URL and see if it works for you?
http://www.lexpro.co.za/en/sundry/dos2win.html
arimathea-ga
Google Answers Researcher
|
Request for Answer Clarification by
shortcircuit-ga
on
26 Dec 2002 10:46 PST
I reviewed the information on the dos2win.html page and attempted to
use the CAPTURE button per the example. At the "Capture Printer Port"
window, I entered "LPT1" for the device and "\\5397\hp6127" for the
path and checked the Reconnect at Logon option. When I clicked OK, I
got the following error message:
"The following error occurred while trying to connect LPT1 to
\\5397\hp6127
This operation cannot be performed to your own computer."
It would appear that this is trying to accomplish what we tried
earlier at the DOS prompt with the NET USE syntax. It still doesn't
work.
Any other suggestions?
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Clarification of Answer by
arimathea-ga
on
26 Dec 2002 12:24 PST
I'm down to my last few options here.
- If these printers are connected to an HP Printer, what is the port
named on the Windows side? HP Support documents suggest that by
naming the printer port an LPT name, (e.g. LPT1) DOS may behave, but
only for applications which support virtual DOS ports.
- You could potentially set up a travelling salesman situation - each
machine prints to another machine. I realize this is clumsy and
probably won't suit your needs.
If we've run out of options, i'll be happy to withdraw the answer so
another researcher can give it a go.
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Request for Answer Clarification by
shortcircuit-ga
on
26 Dec 2002 13:25 PST
At the W98 PC, Printer Properties, Details tab, the "Print to the
following port:" box where you would expect to see LPT1, LPT2, etc.
instead contains the following text: "deskjet6127_copy_3 (HP Standard
TCP/IP Port)"
The "Print using the following driver:" box contains "hp deskjet 6127
series"
Thanks for your efforts, but it would appear best if you would
withdraw from the question.
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Clarification of Answer by
arimathea-ga
on
26 Dec 2002 13:56 PST
Try renaming that port name
deskjet6127_copy_3
to an unused LPT port
e.g.
LPT1
If that doesn't work, i'll withdraw.
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Request for Answer Clarification by
shortcircuit-ga
on
26 Dec 2002 15:18 PST
I renamed the port "deskjet6127_copy_3" to LPT1. Rebooted. Then
tested by opening a DOS window and entered the following command:
DIR > LPT1:
The result was:
"Write fault error writing device LPT1
Abort, Retry, Ignore, Fail?"
I also created a new port named LPT1.DOS per an earlier suggestion and
then assigned it to this device with the same failure notice.
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Clarification of Answer by
arimathea-ga
on
26 Dec 2002 16:05 PST
OK, we may be getting somewhere here...
There should be an option somewhere in the printer properties to
either print directly to the printer, or to avoid checking the printer
status.
Can you validate those are checked and unchecked respectively?
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