Print *.prn files in XP

  • Thread starter Thread starter Jeb
  • Start date Start date
Jeb said:
How can I print a *.prn file in Windows XP?
Click to expand...

If you're attempting to access these files on a system *other than the one
with the printer used to create them* then you're out of luck. PTF doesn't
work in the way the majority of people appear to think it does. The files
must be printed on the same system that was used to create them, PTF cannot
be used a la PDF (which, AFAIK) is the only way of printing a file from a
system which doesn't have the creator application installed.

If you no longer have access to the original system, or printer, then there
isn't really anything you can do; you could attempt to open the files with
GhostWriter, but this will only recover the text and, IMNSHO, is flaky at
best.
 
Strangely perhaps, Windows does not provide a way to do this natively. Open
a DOS window. Type
copy /b <finename> lpt1

The printer must be on a parallel port rather than connected by USB.
<filename> is the fully-qualified path to the printer file. The printer
connected to the lpt port must be the one for which the printer file was
created, i.e. that printer's driver or a compatible driver must have created
the printer file.

e.g. copy /b e:\printer_files\letter_NSPC.prn

If you do this frequently, it might be useful to check the instructions in
MS knowledge base article 158081. Although written for Win9x systems, it
also works in Win2000 and XP.
 
You make a valid point but perhaps somewhat extremely. You can print the
file on a different system. However, it must have available for that
printing a printer that either is the same as or compatible with the printer
for which the file was created.
 
Thomas said:
You make a valid point but perhaps somewhat extremely. You can print
the file on a different system. However, it must have available for
that printing a printer that either is the same as or compatible with
the printer for which the file was created.
Click to expand...

Thanks Tom, I will change my canned response accordingly.
 
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