Microsoft KB Archive/138370

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Nonstandard LPT Port Names Disable Access to Shared Printers

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Q138370

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The information in this article applies to:


 * Microsoft Windows versions 3.1, 3.11
 * Microsoft Windows for Workgroups versions 3.1, 3.11

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SYMPTOMS
When you are trying to connect to a shared network printer, the Network button in the Connect dialog box may be unavailable, preventing you from connecting to a network printer.

CAUSE
This behavior can occur if a port with a nonstandard name is being used on the local computer.

RESOLUTION
Use any text editor (such as Notepad) to edit the Win.ini file. Edit the LPT settings in the [Ports] section of the file to read as follows:

  LPT1:= LPT2:= You can add additional ports if necessary.

MORE INFORMATION
When you cannot connect to a network printer, use Print Manager or the Printers tool in Control Panel to verify that the port in use has a standard LPTx name. You cannot connect to shared printers if you are using a nonstandard LPT name (including LPTx.DOS). Note also that you cannot use COM ports to connect to network printers.

Additional query words: 3.10 3.11 gray grey

Keywords :

Issue type :

Technology : kbAudDeveloper kbWin3xSearch kbWFWSearch kbWin310 kbWin311 kbWFW310 kbWFW311