PRINT Ejects a Blank Page

[webrabbit]

I have an old DOS application that prints checks, including the MICR. It uses graphis for the MICR, and at the end of the run, puts in a reset command, which also ejects the last page. Without the reset command, subsequent reports are scrambled. My new computer has no LPT ports, so my printer is connected through a USB port. As the old software cannot write directly to either a USB port or a network printer, I redirect the output to a file, then print it with the PRINT command. Unfortunately, when PRINT does not see a form-feed at the end of the file, it adds one, which feeds a blank page. Is there any way to surpress this action?

 

[linney]

Sorry if I have misunderstood your question but see if any of these are relevant.

"USB to parallel adapters are available to use parallel-only printers with USB-only systems. However, due to the simplicity of its implementation, it is often used for interfacing with custom-made peripherals".

Parallel port.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parallel_port

DOS programs not printing in XP
thread779-688514

HOWTO: Print to a USB Printer from DOS in Windows XP

http://geekswithblogs.net/dtotzke/articles/26204.aspx

How to print to a network printer from an MS-DOS-based program in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;314499&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

'net use lpt1' Oddity
thread779-1112896

Non-administrators cannot remap an LPT port to a network printer

http://support.microsoft.com/?id=313644

How do I add additional LPT ports on Windows .NET Server, Windows 2000, and Windows XP?

http://www.windowsitpro.com/article...-net-server-windows-2000-and-windows-xp-.aspx

 

[webrabbit]

None of these are relevent. I can print to the printer just fine. I just want to surpress the blank page that comes out after the checks print.

The blank page comes out because after the checks are printed, a reset is issued to restore the printer defaults so that subsequent reports print ok, then PRINT (or the Windows driver, if I print directly to a NET USE port) issues a form feed as it does not see a form feed at the end of the checks. The reset itself causes a form feed, then the extra form feed prints out a blank page.

 

[JockMullin]

Have you tried copy instead of print (ie copy /b whatever.txt lpt#)? It shouldn't do anything extra.

Jock

 

[webrabbit]

How do you COPY to a USB printer?

 

[JockMullin]

You said you were rinting to a net use printer. I was thinking you could copy to the same device you are PRINTing to.

Don't have any such setup here, so can't test myself. Sorry if my response was less than useful.

Jock

 

[chrislg987]

Does your computer have a 9 pin serial com port. You may be able to use a serial to parallel converter to print to the printer if your printer has the connection for LPT printing.

Next question would be into what is the manufacturer and model of the printer. Do you have an up to date driver for your printer? Is there a new driver for this printer that can help with the form feed problem. Usually certain printers have the ability to state not to print an extra page or a page break.

 

[webrabbit]

It's an HP 2200D, and yes, the drivers are up to date. I have no problem with Windows applicaations, it's the DOS applications that print graphics, and then issue a reset when it's all over. The HP reset command also causes a form feed. But the PRINT command and the Windows driver both issue a form feed after the report if they don't see one at the end of the report. So I get two form feeds at the end, one from the reset command and one from the form feed command. I just want to surpress that extra form feed. I cannot surpress the reset command, because subsequent reports are then scrambled. I can manunually do a reset by turning the printer off, then back on, but that's rediculous. How can a tell Windows not to do the form feed?