Microsoft KB Archive/115865

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PostScript Loses Functionality After Upgrade/Installation

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ID: Q115865

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The information in this article applies to:


 * Microsoft Windows versions 3.1, 3.11
 * Microsoft Office for Windows, version 4.3
 * Microsoft Excel for Windows, version 5.0

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SYMPTOMS
After you update the Windows PostScript driver (PSCRIPT.DRV) or install or upgrade an application that automatically updates PSCRIPT.DRV (such as Microsoft Word version 6.0 for Windows or Microsoft Office version 4.2), your previously installed PostScript printer drivers may lose printer- specific functionality. Symptoms of this problem include the following:


 * You can no longer print in landscape orientation
 * Reduction in list of available paper sizes
 * Reduction or change in list of available fonts
 * Only 300 dots per inch (dpi) resolution available

CAUSE
This problem occurs when the PostScript printer driver loses the attachment to the Windows Printer Description (WPD) file for the specific printer model or when the PSCRIPT.DRV file previously installed was modified by the printer manufacturer for specific use with their printer models.

Use the following steps to confirm the problem:


 * 1) Open Windows Control Panel and choose the Printers icon.
 * 2) Select your PostScript printer in the Installed Printers box. (For example, select HP LaserJet PS on LPT1.)
 * 3) Choose the Setup button.
 * 4) Look at the title bar of the Setup dialog box. It should contain the same name as the one listed in the Installed Printers box. If, for example, the Installed Printers box contains HP LaserJet PS but the name in the title bar is different (for example, Apple LaserWriter), the attachment to the specific printer model information has been lost.

In most cases, this problem occurs when the connection to the .WPD file for the specific printer has been lost. It may also happen if your previous printer driver was a modified version of PSCRIPT.DRV. (NewGen, LaserMaster, and older QMS printers use this method.)

WORKAROUND
Method 1:

If the problem occurs because the connection to the .WPD file has been lost, remove the printer driver in Control Panel and then reinstall it using the original printer driver disks. You do not need to replace PSCRIPT.DRV; the new PSCRIPT.DRV works correctly once you reinstall the .WPD file.

Method 2:

If the old printer driver was a modified version of PSCRIPT.DRV (such as NewGen, LaserMaster, or an older QMS printer), contact the printer manufacturer to see if a .WPD file is available for use with the new PSCRIPT.DRV. If not, copy the old PSCRIPT.DRV file from the original disks to restore previous functionality.

Additional query words: win31 w4wprint w4wpostscript xl5

Keywords :

Version : WINDOWS:3.1,3.11,4.3,5.0

Platform : WINDOWS

Issue type :

Technology :