Disappearing fields when changing printers

[JodyAmy]

When printing a report using Crystal Reports 5.0 for PeopleSoft 7.3 using an HP LJ 8000, we are having no problems. Viewing the report shows all fields. When we print it on the 8000, we have no problems and can see all fields. When the printer is changed to an HP 5L, we still have no problems viewing the fields.

I have experience w/ designing reports to be used w/ different printers resulting in different sized fonts and other issues w/ different printer drivers, etc..., but on the HP 5L, I have certain fields disappearing completely when the report is printed. The remaining fields aren't even moving or are distorted. I thought it might be as a result of these fields being added to the report later on w/ a different printer driver, but that theory doesn't hold any water in this situation.

The only idea I have is that the 8000 is a network printer and the 5L is a personal desktop that is also shared but is only used by our system testers. Nonetheless, this printer might be used in the field.

If anyone can shed some light on this situation, then I would appreciate it!! TIA!!!

Jody

 

[dcm]

Jody: By any chance are the missing fields on the extreme left or right margins? This is a known issue with printer changes and can result in strange print behaviour David C. Monks
david.monks@chase-international.com

http://www.chase-international.com

Accredited Seagate Enterprise Partner

 

[StevenK]

I'm facing similar issues - is there any way to resolve this or should I be looking at providing slightly modified copies of the reports in question for the various machines/printer combinations ?
Thanks
Steve

 

[JodyAmy]

DCM,

The fields that come up missing are in the middle of the page and near the margins. It doesn't look as though that is the source of the problem. Thanks for the input.

Jody

 

[dcm]

StevenK: The only suggestion is to ensure that you design your reports in such a way that there is a margin of 'white space' available around your layout. That way any change in printer should avoid dropping fields David C. Monks
david.monks@chase-international.com

http://www.chase-international.com

Accredited Seagate Enterprise Partner

 

[kenhamady]

I have seen pretty wild behavior when an older printer driver is used. I have seen reports "ghost" extra fields onto reports, and then run perfectly when the printer driver is updated.

Also, are these fields formatted any differently? Borders, different size? It might be that they have a formatting option that somehow isn't supported by this printer. Ken Hamady

http://www.kenhamady.com/

Crystal Reports Training/Consulting and a
Quick Reference Guide to VB/Crystal (including ADO)

 

[JodyAmy]

Ken,

I think you're right on about the formatting differences. I'll take a look at the drivers. I managed to have these fields appear finally. What I did was to change my printer on the report to the HP 5L and save it. I then deleted all of the disappearing fields and added them back to the report w/ the 5L. The fields appeared when printed on both the 5L and 8000. I went back and saved the report back to the 8000 printer. The fields printed fine on both printers again.

My guess is that these fields may have been added w/ a different printer that no longer exists on my machine (we just moved locations) since most of the printer names on the network are different.

The only unknown variable in this situation is whether the same problem will come up w/ a different printer? Another question, is there a hierarchy of printer drivers where if a report is created w/ a "low-level" printer (HP 5L) then all "higher-level" (HP 8000) will recognize the lower's formatting, as in this situation. Next question is what happens when you go to a different brand of printer in response to the preceeding question?

We probably won't know the answer to that for a few weeks as this will probably pass through our testers, but most probably will be found by a user in the field.

Thanks everyone for your help!!!

Jody