Microsoft KB Archive/21003

IBM Pageprinter and Using the Second Paper Bin/Tray

PSS ID Number: Q21003 Article last modified on 11-02-1994

3.00 3.10 3.11 3.12 4.00 5.00

MS-DOS

Question:

How can I get Word to use the second bin (paper tray) on my IBM Pageprinter?

Response:

Word does not support the second paper bin in the printer drivers for the IBM Pageprinter (3812) because there is no specific code to select the second bin. The Pageprinter sets the page length by sensing switches in the primary cassette. Thus, Word can support any size paper in the primary cassette, as long as you have set the sensing switches in the cassette properly.

If Word tries to use a specific, set page-length, it still does not look to the alternate cassette if the page size is different from what is in the primary cassette.

Please note that the second paper bin is now supported in Word Version 5.00. No modifications are necessary, just select bin2 in the “feed:” field in the Print Options menu.

The Pageprinter, as part of its initialization, sets up certain macros for control of the printer. This is done with an initialization file supplied on the font disk that goes into the printer. The macro that causes the page to be printed (macro number 10, print page), sets the primary cassette as the place from which to get the paper. The Pageprinter manual states, “You could change this macro to print multiple copies or to print from the alternate paper drawer.”

However, to accomplish this, you must have the IBM PC/DOS 3812 Pageprinter Font Management System, which is sold separately from the printer. This program allows you to alter the initialization files supplied on the Pageprinter font disk.

In actuality, a second print page macro needs to be defined and added to the PMP.INI file. This macro should select paper from the alternate cassette. The control sequence that called the new macro then must be added to the bin 2 selection location (bytes 46 and 50 in the PCSD table) of the printer driver. The disk format of the font disk in an IBM PC uses standard DOS utilities, so it is not possible for Microsoft to provide such a change that you could copy to the font disk.

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