How can I print in WinXP from a DOS-based program?

  • Thread starter Thread starter M. B.
  • Start date Start date
M

M. B.

I am currently running Windows XP SP1. There is an old DOS-based program
that I still use for certain accounting activities. The problem is that my
printer on this machine (local) is now connected to an ETHERNET router.
The DOS-based program is still trying to print to LPT1.

Is there any way I can get a print-out with my setup? I need to somehow
redirect the LPT1 output so it goes to my IP 192.168.0.11 (thats where the
printer resides).

Any help would be appreciated!
 
Cari,

Thanks for the suggestion but:

Well, I now know that my computer name is:
violin1.workgroup

and the printer nameis:
brother

so, I tried the following:

net use lpt1: \\violin1.workgroup\brother

but I get an "System Error 66". I also tried using lpt2 with, and without
the semicolon afterwards, but still getting this error.

Any advice?
 
See if item 2.a at http://members.shaw.ca/bsanders/printfromdos.htm works.

If not, I suspect you have either the computer name or the printer share
name not correct.

To find the computer name:

1. click Start
2. right click on My Computer and select Properties
3. the computer name is the text that follows "Full computer name:" but
without the trailing "." that may show. The text shown for "Workgroup:" is
NOT part of the computer name.

To find the printer's Share Name:

4. click Start, Printers and Faxes
5. right click on the printer and select "Sharing..."
6. the text in "Share name:" is the printer's Share Name. Note that if this
name has a space in it, you can not use it in a net use command. Make sure
that the Share Name does not have any embedded spaces.
 
Forgot to mention that the printer is on a mini printserver. I have tried to use the same command set using the print server's name (with and without colon after lpt1

net use lpt1: \\PSED3336\HPLaserJ/ persistent:yes same results as above

Thanks, Bill
 
I've got the same issue at this time. System is wired lan, winxp home, hplaserjet 1200, computer has lpt1 active in hardware profile although I have no parallel port. I entered the following on the command line
C:\ net use lpt1: \\toaster\HPLaserJ/ persistent:yes The following was printed out on the screen
The syntax of this command is
NET US
[devicename : *] [\\computername\sharename[\volume] [password : *]
[/USER:[domainname\]username
[/USER:[dotted domain name\]username
[/USER:[username@dotted domain name
[/SMARTCARD
[/SAVECRED
[DELETE] : [/PERSISTENT:<YES : NO>]

NET USE <devicename : *> [password : *] /HOM

NET USE [/PERSISTENT :<YES : NO>

C
I don't have any idea what all that means, help please

Bil
 
What was displayed is a description of the possible forms of the command.
This means that what you keyed does not conform syntactically with what the
command (net use) expects. Things inside square brakets ([]) are optional -
you use one of these if it is useful for what you want to do. Note that ":"
is not the same thing as "|" which in the Command Prompt window shows as a
split vertical bar because of the font used. The "|" indicates
alternatives. The ":" means literally the ":" character. The "/" is used
as a prefix for a named optional parameter (e.g. /persistent:[y|n]).

See below; I've added extra spaces to make it easier to see where they go.

net use lpt1: \\toaster\HPLaserJ /persistent:yes

See the explanation of "print server" at
http://members.shaw.ca/bsanders/Glossary.htm. Most of the "mini print
servers" are of type 4, although some come with software that adds a new
"Port Type". You may find that using the "printer pooling" option (see
"pool" on the same web page) will work just fine and is easier to set up.

Does this help?
 
Your welcome. Thanks for telling us you now have success. Most times we
don't get any response, so don't know whether the person was helped or what!
 
Back
Top