Is it possible to have a non-spooled network printer?

[itfellow]

Hi guys,

I'm on OpenServer 5.0.5b. I recently had to convert our line printer from parallel connection to a network printer (using M305 printserver) because we needed to move the printer into the next room. However, the main software we use was designed for a non-spooled printer, so having the print jobs spooled can sometimes cause weird problems. For instance, some of the printouts can require a test print to make sure the paper is lined up correctly, after which it asks if it printed correctly. With the spooling, the actual printout isn't forced until the question is answered, so you have to say yes it printed correctly or no it didn't before you even see the printout.

A lot of these problems can be corrected with code changes, but I was curious if there was a way to make the network printer non-spooled again, or at least behave like it's non-spooled, so that we can use the code as is.

Anyone ever heard of this being done?

 

[piperent]

Sounds like a 'parallel line extender' would be better suited for what your trying to do. They'll let you move a parallel printer up to 100 feet from the machine. That should cover the distance. Look at Global Computer Supplies, Tiger Direct, CompUSA or maybe even Ebay for the device.

Hope this helps. Program mods in those situations can be quite difficult and troubling.

 

[motoslide]

Another solution would be to use an HP JetDirect on that printer. There is a utility to map a pseudo port to the device. Then, in your software, you can print directly to that port without going through the spooler. On some earlier releases of SCO, we occasionally had a situation where that background process chewed up all CPU resources. I believe that's been fixed, but be aware of the possibility.
For more information:
man hpnptyd

 

[edfair]

Or the equivalent to piperent's post, a pair of back to back serial to parallel adapters which can talk over cat5 network cable. More expensive than the parallel port extender but with stronger line drivers.

Ed Fair
Give the wrong symptoms, get the wrong solutions.

 

[mrregan]

We use netcat to print directly to the port of a print server. I believe it is available for SCO. try google "netcat sco". We use it for forms with test patterns.