Is there some type of configuration we have to do in order for the program to get the information to the printer faster. The previous database was rbase and the okidata worked fine, without delay but we find now that it is so slow to print out the information, ie licenses that we question whether or not the access database is saving us time? Help!
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Using Access with Dot Matrix Printer Okidata 320T
- Thread starter Ninabunny
- Start date
I suspect that the issue you're facing is graphical versus text mode printing. Was your RBase a DOS version? If so, it used text mode, whereas any Windows-based product, unless told specifically to do otherwise, uses graphical mode printing. Graphical mode printing on a dot matrix printer is very slow.
To get around the problem, add a new printer for Manufacturers "Generic", Printers "Generic / Text Only" to your workstation(s). You can set the Okidata printer control codes on the "Fonts" tab of the new printer Properties.
Then, go into design mode on your Access report(s), select the new printer in File, Page Setup. Then select the various controls on the report and set their Font Name and Font Size properties to fonts and pitches resident in the Okidata printer. Save your report changes with this new printer definition.
If the new "Generic / Text Only" printer is not the default printer for the workstation(s), you'll need to provide a way for the users to select that printer for the report at print time. If your program offers Print Preview for the report, a full copy of Access provides printer selection capability, but the Run-time version of Access does not. For Run-time Access you'll need to program something for printer selection on a Toolbar/Commandbar. If you don't offer Print Preview for the report, then you'll need to get into some Windows API programming to have VBA select the "Generic / Text Only" printer for the report at print time.
This should speed up your dot matrix printing considerably.
To get around the problem, add a new printer for Manufacturers "Generic", Printers "Generic / Text Only" to your workstation(s). You can set the Okidata printer control codes on the "Fonts" tab of the new printer Properties.
Then, go into design mode on your Access report(s), select the new printer in File, Page Setup. Then select the various controls on the report and set their Font Name and Font Size properties to fonts and pitches resident in the Okidata printer. Save your report changes with this new printer definition.
If the new "Generic / Text Only" printer is not the default printer for the workstation(s), you'll need to provide a way for the users to select that printer for the report at print time. If your program offers Print Preview for the report, a full copy of Access provides printer selection capability, but the Run-time version of Access does not. For Run-time Access you'll need to program something for printer selection on a Toolbar/Commandbar. If you don't offer Print Preview for the report, then you'll need to get into some Windows API programming to have VBA select the "Generic / Text Only" printer for the report at print time.
This should speed up your dot matrix printing considerably.
Nina,
I've been through this before, my current client has several hundred 320's--Use the Generic/Text only driver--not the Oki driver. You'll be amazed. And for Access reports, look for the Printer fonts (the ones that show up with the printer icon in the dropdown).
--Jim
I've been through this before, my current client has several hundred 320's--Use the Generic/Text only driver--not the Oki driver. You'll be amazed. And for Access reports, look for the Printer fonts (the ones that show up with the printer icon in the dropdown).
--Jim
I am trying to print from a proprietary program which is windows based . I want to print to Okidata ML 320 Turbo.
I need exact codes which I can put in Fonts and Device options which will work for this printer . If you can post them it will be appreciated.
Bgupta
I need exact codes which I can put in Fonts and Device options which will work for this printer . If you can post them it will be appreciated.
Bgupta
You can download the ML 320 Turbo user manual from Okidata. The manual includes the printer control codes.
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