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Printing to Network Printer

(from MS-DOS Based Programs - from the Microsoft Knowledge Base)

The information in this article applies to DOS or Windows 16-bit programs running under:

Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition

Microsoft Windows XP Professional

Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional

Microsoft Windows 2000 Server

Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server

Microsoft Windows NT Server versions 3.1, 3.5, 3.51, 4.0

Microsoft Windows NT Workstation versions 3.1, 3.5, 3.51, 4.0

Microsoft Windows NT Advanced Server, version 3.1

SUMMARY

This article describes how to print to a network printer from a 16-bit or MS-DOS- based program in Windows. By default, most MS-DOS-based programs print directly to either LPT1 or LPT2. However, the output is not automatically routed across a redirector to a print share unless you use one of the following methods.  

MORE INFORMATION

Method 1

Establish a persistent connection using NET.EXE. To do so, use the following syntax at a command prompt:

net use lpt<x>: \\<printserver>\<sharename> /persistent:yes

Method 2

Print directly to the printer share by using the following syntax at a command prompt:

print /d:\\<printserver>\<sharename> <drive>:\<path>\<filename>

Because Novell NetWare's CAPTURE command is not supported in Windows NT 4.0, use the following command to map the LPT port to a Novell NetWare printer queue:

net use lpt<x> \\server\queue

If the LPT port is redirected successfully, the following message should appear:

The command completed successfully.

To disconnect persistent LPTx connections, use the following syntax:

net use lpt<x> /delete

NOTE: When attempting to use the CAPTURE command, the may receive the following error message (The error message may vary depending on the version of NetWare):

CAPTURE-4.01-923: An unexpected error has occurred: 255 (00FF).
(SPOOL.C: [426])

For additional information, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Q156429 Supported 16-bit Utilities and NetWare-Aware Applications

Netware is manufactured by Novell, Inc., a vendor independent of Microsoft; we make no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding this product's performance or reliability.

© 2008 by Carlson Software, Inc.   Last modified November 18, 2008