print server and Net use LPT1:

[Goofus828]

Hi All. I just installed a LinkSys psub4 print server to for my 2 laptops so i don't have to keep swapping the cables to my hp officeject 5160.

On one of the laptops I have an old DOS application that needs to print to LPT1:.
On a network I would simply do

NET USE LPT1: \\printservername\printername

but on a standalone PC i have no clue? One post I read I need to substitute the printservername with the computername but the printername leaves me stumped. I've tried to put in "HP officejet 5600" in the NET USE statemennt but that does not work.

Help!!!
Thanks

 

[edfair]

Try creating a printer on a windows machine and browse to the available printers. The linksys server will show up and the printer port name will be displayed.

As an alternative you could use a browser to get to the setup page of the print server and see it there.

Both of these may require you to change the ip addresses of your network to access the server. The ones I've dealt with allow you to change the IP and the server names to be more identifiable.

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

 

[Goofus828]

Hi Ed,
I tried that and this is what I found out. From the

browser I connected to the PrintServer and found the

name was PRINTERSERVER ( very original) and

I renamed by printer to be HP_OFFICEJET_5600.

next went to dos and did this.

net use lpt1: 

\\printerserver\hp_officejet_5600_home

and NET USE shows it's status is OK and local is

LPT1. BUT when go to print via my DOS application -

nothing. When I COPY x.txt LPT1: nothing.

ARRRR

 

[LawnBoy]

I renamed by printer to be HP_OFFICEJET_5600.

net use lpt1: 

\\printerserver\hp_officejet_5600_home

Is that a typo or does the net use statement really have the wrong printer name?

 

[Goofus828]

LawnBoy, typo where? in the quote? It should read "I renamed my prrinter to be...". The code: Yup. That's the way it is and DOS did not return any erros so I guess it is legit.

 

[LawnBoy]

What you wrote was that you named the printer HP_OFFICEJET_5600 but you're trying to connect to a printer named HP_OFFICEJET_5600_HOME. Take the "_HOME" part off the net use statement.

 

[Goofus828]

DOH! I make more Typos since I got my new fingers..

Yes those were typos.

I still get nothing.

 

[gbaughma]

The NET USE LPT1: command will only work if your software is in fact using BIOS PRINTER CALLS. If it is attempting to take direct control of the LPT port, then the device redirection won't work.

HOWEVER, there is something that you can try.

Install two copies of the printer driver, one on LPT1, and another on the print server.

Then, POOL the two printers.

When your program attempts to print to LPT1, and windows sees that the printer isn't available, it *should* send the job over to the other printer (where you want it to go).

This doesn't *always* work, but it's worth a try.



Just my 2¢

"What the captain doesn't realize is that we've secretly exchanged his dilithium crystals for new Folger's Crystals." -- My Sister
--Greg

http://parallel.tzo.com