Microsoft KB Archive/93358

= FastTips: Printing Questions & Answers for Windows 3.1 =

ID: Q93358

3.10 3.11 WINDOWS kbnetwork kbfasttip kbdisplay kb3rdparty kbfile kbappnote

The information in this article applies to:


 * Microsoft Windows operating system versions 3.1, 3.11

SUMMARY
This article contains questions and answers about printing.

MORE INFORMATION
The following information applies to Microsoft Windows(TM) version 3.1.

1. Q. Since I upgraded to Microsoft Windows operating system version 3.1, I have been experiencing printing problems that did not occur in Windows 3.0. What could be causing such problems?

A. Printing problems that did not occur with previous versions of     Windows may indicate that your printer driver was not updated correctly when you installed Windows 3.1. To ensure your printer driver is updated correctly, reinstall it using the following three steps:

1. In the Control Panel window, choose the Printers icon, select the printer driver, and choose the Remove button.

2. In File Manager, move to the WINDOWS\SYSTEM directory. Select the printer driver filename and press the DEL key.

3. Choose the Printers icon in the Control Panel window, choose the Add button, select your printer, and choose the Install button.

Note: Reinstalling the printer driver corrects approximately 90 percent of printing problems with TrueType(R) and third-party fonts.

2. Q. When I have newsletters printed at a shop that uses Linotronic(TM) printers, the shop tells me I must not be using the correct driver because the driver I'm using doesn't support &quot;extra sizes&quot; (oversized pages with space in the margins for     crop marks and other notations). How can I correct this problem?

A. This problem usually occurs if you are using an older version of     the Windows PostScript(R) driver that has limited functionality for printing to Linotronic printers and other imagesetters. Updated support files for Linotronic printers and the PostScript driver version 3.53 are now available from Microsoft.

3. Q. When I print in landscape mode on a Linotronic printer, the encapsulated PostScript (EPS) graphic portions of my document are rotated. How can I correct this problem?

A. If you are using the Linotronic printer driver (or another     PostScript driver), try adding the following line to the [] section of the WIN.INI file (the section that     reads [Linotronic 200/230,LPT1], not the section that reads      [PostScript,LPT1]):

LandscapeOrient=270

4. Q. My Hewlett-Packard(R) (HP[R]) LaserJet(R) II prints correctly in portrait mode; however, in landscape mode, it     generates corrupted output. I experience this problem with all my Windows-based applications, including Microsoft Windows Write (which I use to determine whether the printing problem is caused     by Windows or the application I am using). How can I correct this problem?

A. This problem is corrected in an updated Windows printer driver for HP LaserJet printers. You can obtain this driver on disk by      calling Microsoft Consumer Sales at (800) 426-9400.

If you are using an earlier driver, this problem may be caused by setting the Form Length option on the LaserJet to a value greater than 60. On the front panel of the printer, change this setting to 60 using the following six steps:

1. Press the ON LINE key to take the printer off line.

2. Press the MENU key five times until &quot;FORM=...&quot; appears on        the display.

3. Press the plus sign (+) or minus sign (-) key to adjust the setting to 60 lines.

4. Press the ENTER key to select the change. An asterisk (*) should appear on the right side of the display.

5. Press the MENU key once. &quot;00 READY&quot; should appear on the display; however, do not proceed until you complete step six.

6. Press and hold down the CONTINUE/RESET key until &quot;07 RESET&quot; is displayed. You must select &quot;07 RESET&quot; to make the form length change take effect.

5. Q. Can I use TrueType fonts with my Hewlett-Packard DeskJet(R) 500C and 550C printers?

A. Yes. You can use TrueType fonts with these printers as long as     you use the version 3.0 Hewlett-Packard printer driver for the DeskJet 500C and 550C. To obtain the 3.0 DeskJet driver, call Hewlett-Packard at (303) 353-7650.

6. Q. Can I print in color using my Hewlett-Packard DeskJet 500C and 550C printers?

A. If you use the version 3.0 DeskJet printer driver supplied by     Hewlett-Packard, you can print in color on both the HP DeskJet 500C and 550C printers. To obtain the 3.0 DeskJet driver, call Hewlett-Packard at (303) 353-7650.

7. Q. I'm having difficulty getting any output from my PostScript printer. How should I troubleshoot this problem?

A. Windows 3.1 ships with a special PostScript testing file called TESTPS.TXT, which is copied into the WINDOWS\SYSTEM directory when you install your PostScript printer in Windows. Use the MS- DOS COPY command to copy TESTPS.TXT to the PostScript printer's     port by typing either

COPY C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\TESTPS.TXT COM

-or-

COPY C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\TESTPS.TXT LPT

Note: In these commands,  is equal to the port number.

If your printer is functioning correctly, a page with the settings for baud rate, data bits, parity, flow control, and so     forth, is ejected. Use this information to correct the Windows Port settings in the Control Panel and the memory settings for the PostScript driver. If this page is not ejected, the problem may be with the printer itself. In this case, please refer to     your printer documentation for troubleshooting steps or call your printer manufacturer.

8. Q. I updated to version 3.52 of the PostScript printer driver and now I receive the message &quot;Offending Command&quot; when I try to     print to my IBM(R) Personal Pageprinter. When I use the same driver with other PostScript printers, I do not have this problem. What is causing this problem?

A. Version 3.52 generates the &quot;Offending Command&quot; error message on     the following printers:

IBM Laser Printer 4019 PS17 IBM Laser Printer 4019 PS39 IBM Personal Pageprinter IBM Personal Pageprinter II-30 IBM Personal Pageprinter II-31

To correct this problem, you must upgrade to the 3.53 version of     the PostScript driver.

9. Q. Why is the Network button unavailable in the Printers dialog box of the Control Panel?

A. The Network button is unavailable when any of the following conditions exists:

1. Network support has not been installed. (For example, the        Network button is unavailable if you are on a Novell(R)         NetWare(R) network but the Novell option was not selected         when Windows Setup was run.) To correct such problems, choose the Windows Setup icon, select the appropriate network option, then restart Windows.

2. The network you are using does not support this option. (There is no workaround in such cases.)

3. A valid LPT port has not been selected. If you select a        communications (COM) port or an invented port (such as         LPTx.DOS or LPTx.OS2), the Network button is unavailable. KBCategory: kbnetwork kbfasttip kbdisplay kb3rdparty kbfile kbappnote KBSubcategory: win31 Additional reference words: appnote 3.10 ivrfax fast tips AWW31

Keywords         : win31 Version          : 3.10 3.11 Platform         : WINDOWS Last Reviewed: January 1, 1999