Printing Differences: Windows XP Versus XP

  • Thread starter Thread starter Tom Buggy
  • Start date Start date
T

Tom Buggy

Our Visual Basic app prints a custom form (a golf
scorecard), including use of character codes for
horizontal and vertical line characters, via the Printer
Object using the Lucida Console and Courier New fixed-
spacing fonts. Printing is to HP-compatible LaserJets.
The current printer for testing is the LaserJet 1200, but
HP Predecessors have also been used. The latest HP PCL 6
driver is being used.

Under Windows 98 and Me this form printed completely and
correctly. Under XP Home the printing is very
slightly "spread out" horizontally with the result that
the last two columns (character spaces) don't get
printed -- i.e. the right margin appears to have been
reached. Can anyone explain and provide a solution?
Thanks.
 
Unfortunately, HP no longer accepts email support
requests on the HP 1200 (another quickly discontinued
product in HP's lightning-fast new product cycle) and we
don't have the required product and serial number with
which to get such support for a newer product such as the
HP 1300. I intend to try by phone on Monday 10/25.

However, there's also a Microsoft aspect to this problem,
i.e. compatibility of Visual Basic's Printer Object with
XP printer drivers for HP lasers. (Of course, Microsoft
may say it no longer supports Visual Basic give Visual
Basic.net.
 
I have contacted HP Support on a paid basis. They had me
try the LaserJet 4+ Driver; it produced the same bad
result (as did the PCL 5e Driver). HP then claimed that
Visual Basic (ostensibly its Printer Object)
is "overwriting" the selected HP Driver and substituting
a different XP-based driver. I'm not sure I believe this
but it seems that the ball is now in Microsoft's court.
 
Was the computer with the HP LaserJet 1200 "Upgraded" from 98 or ME to XP,
or is this a new computer or "clean" install of XP?

Is the printer directly connected to the HP Home computer or is this printer
shared from another computer? If so, what OS is on the computer sharing the
printer?
 
Bruce,

The system was upgraded from Me to XP Home. SP2 is installed. The printer
is directly connected to the system on which the application is being run.

I've since resolved (or rather avoided) the problem by making slight
adjustments with Printer.CurrentX in the application coding for part of the
printed form. This has "recovered" the last two character spaces of the form
without affecting the form's usability. However, I remain curious as to why
the problem occurred. If you can address that it will be appreciated.
 
Well, all kinds of nasty things can go wrong when you "upgrade" from 95, 98
or ME if you don't delete all the printers and disconnect the printers
physically during the upgrade.

The upgrade process will not necessarily correctly replace the printer
drivers.

So, if you did do an "inplace upgrade" (as opposed to a clean install), you
might want to clean up the printer configuration and re-install the
printers - see http://members.shaw.ca/bsanders/CleanPrinterDrivers.htm.
 
Bruce,
Thanks, but I think I'll "leave this sleeping dog lie" since I've resolved
the situation in another way that is independent of the upgrade process.
Besides, I've gotten additional information that suggests driver differences
between the Me and XP bases could contribute to the original problem.
 
Back
Top