print to file

  • Thread starter Thread starter alanlap
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A

alanlap

I check the print to file option. Otherwise it will send to printer. As a
result, it is saved in My Documents and Settings/Alan/Desktop with the file
name: xxx.prn.

Then I tried to open this file with wordpad after the os asked me for an
appropriate program to associate with it. It came garbled with chinese
characters etc.

Is there a way to see it in readable form. at this writing I just thought of
try different extension:rft.(rich format)
Will it provide solution or I need to download a printer utility.

Help.

Alan
 
It is a postscript file. You will probably need some type of printer
utility. If you have a fax program it is easy to create a print file which
is actually an image of the print. Just fax a report to anyone and when you
come to the screen asking if you wish to preview the fax say yes. You then
should be able to save it as a file viewable in any graphics program. This
is a good way to email a copy of a report to anyone who has a graphics
program.
 
I check the print to file option. Otherwise it will send to printer. As a
result, it is saved in My Documents and Settings/Alan/Desktop with the file
name: xxx.prn.

Then I tried to open this file with wordpad after the os asked me for an
appropriate program to associate with it. It came garbled with chinese
characters etc.

Is there a way to see it in readable form. at this writing I just thought of
try different extension:rft.(rich format)
Will it provide solution or I need to download a printer utility.

Help.

Alan
Click to expand...

Alan, what are you trying to do with the file? .PRN files contain the
contents of the file you sent to the printer *and* information for a
printer to use in the printing process. It's not unusual for them to look
strange when opened in a word processor type program. A very basic
reference page explaining PRN files:
http://www.mrkent.com/forms/tools/prntofile.htm

If we know what your goal with the file is, someone may be able to suggest
a better way to accomplish it.

For example, there are virtual document printers installed by programs
related to documents. An example would be the Fax Viewer the other poster
mentioned. I've seen "PDF printer" show up in my Printer/Fax control
program too. However, these virtual printers are typically used for
producing a file that can then be viewed using a specific application.
 
I subscribe to an electronic version newspapers.
Unfortunately my usb printer is broken. It has a feature either to use
printer or print to file. So I am trying to print it to file. Then i need
an utility to extract the file into readable form on screen. Can I download
fax viewer? and try that on this file?
 
where can I get fax viewer? can i download it from download.com?
I might try type printer utility in search atdownload.com.
 
alanlap said:
I subscribe to an electronic version newspapers.
Unfortunately my usb printer is broken. It has a feature either to use
printer or print to file. So I am trying to print it to file. Then i
need
an utility to extract the file into readable form on screen. Can I
download fax viewer? and try that on this file?
Click to expand...

Alan, in what format does the electronic newsletter come? Does it come
as an email? If so, why not just save the email and then print it later
after you've gotten a new printer?

Malke
 
alanlap said:
I check the print to file option. Otherwise it will send to printer. As a
result, it is saved in My Documents and Settings/Alan/Desktop with the file
name: xxx.prn.

Then I tried to open this file with wordpad after the os asked me for an
appropriate program to associate with it. It came garbled with chinese
characters etc.

Is there a way to see it in readable form. at this writing I just thought of
try different extension:rft.(rich format)
Will it provide solution or I need to download a printer utility.

Help.

Alan
Click to expand...
Alan,
Check this link:

http://www.ddms.com/Resources/Support/faq/windows/export-2k.pdf

Look at the first 2 or 3 pages. It tells how to set up a text
printer that will print to a file and you can read it with
notepad. The directions are for users of this software to be able
to set up text printers for reports so we don't have to print
them out. The instructions are for Win 2000 Server but I think
the process should be pretty much the same for XP. Give it a
try.

gls858
 
i think I am making it difficult.

Actually I am trying to convert the prn file to file.txt.
I ask you about this possible conversion because there are some files that I
want to read are already in .prn format or with .prn extension. It is clear
now that these prn files are for printer.

Is there a way that I can read them on screen from the prn file?
 
alanlap said:
I check the print to file option. Otherwise it will send to printer. As a
result, it is saved in My Documents and Settings/Alan/Desktop with the
file name: xxx.prn.
Click to expand...

What format is the original file in?
 
Not sure what you refer to when you say "original file"
If you saved the work from an application, it will be saved in whatever
format the application uses. If you only saved it with the print to file,
(xxx.prn) it is usually only saved in a printer dependent format. Some
applications generate a working copy/temporary file that may or may not be
available after you exit the application. It may be possible to install a
"generic text" or other psudo printer driver that will output a file in a
specific standard form. (PDL, Postscript, Fax, etc)
 
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