No Network card here. Any DOS command that will "bind"
lpt1 port to USB 1?
Main Topics
Browse All TopicsHOW can I print to a USB port using old DOS/WIN31 word processor?
Since USB isn't supported in WIN31 or DOS and my old Wordstar 2000 program seems can only print to LPT1 or LPT2.
Is there a way to intercept the PRINT and redirect to the USB port? Even under WIN98 when I run this DOS word processor it still won't let me send it to USB 1 or 2.
My printer only has a USB port and no parallel or serial port so
USB is the o nly option. If I direct the print output of the Wp TO
PRN, it still tries to send it to LPT 1 not USB 1.
Anyone?
P.
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LucF
What would the modem command be
Something that diverts Lpt1 to Com2 or something like that?
Could it be run in a batch file from a DOS window?
Like a Assign command?
I don't have an external modem or COM port so I am not sure this will work. It an Internal modem on COM2.
Does DOS support USB ports?
Please be clear.
Thanks
It doesn't matter, the only reason you need to have a modem or network card is that your computer knows how to use a network, you don't need to connect it to the internet to be able to use your printer. Just set your computer to share the printer (you can choose the name yourself, just as an example you could name it "PRINTER")
Then to bind the LPT1 port to the USB port, you can use:
Net use lpt1: \\localhost\PRINTER /persistent:yes
Let me know if you have problems with this.
LucF
Lucf
You are not being clear enough here.
Do I type "Net use lpt1: \\localhost\PRINTER /persistent:yes"
at theh C:\ prompt
Or do I put this in a line of a batch file that goes to A Dos WINDOW.
you are aware that I am not running this XP but from WIn 31 and WIn 98 system.
Does this mean also that my WORD processor should still be set up to print to LPT1?
P.
>>Do I type "Net use lpt1: \\localhost\PRINTER /persistent:yes"
at theh C:\ prompt <<
Yep, just start with sharing the printer: "Start" => "Settings" => "Printers" => right-click the printer and choose "sharing" there enable sharing and name it "PRINTER"
Then just "Start" => "Run" => type "Net use lpt1: \\localhost\PRINTER /persistent:yes" (without the quotes) and press enter.
This binds the lpt1 port too the printer (which is in your case USB) so you'll have to set the wordprocessor to use lpt1.
Let me know if and where you are running into problems.
LucF
Sorry LucF but I need to pull you up here before you get too carried away.
Palardo is running Windows 3.1/DOS.
USB device support commenced with windows 95OSR2.
USB devices *CANNOT* be used on Windows 3.1 or with DOS. (AFAIK)
Palardo, sorry but you will need another printer to satisfy your problem.
(unless I missed something here, in which case I sincerely apologise)
lucf
Remember I only have a interenal modem not a Net card here.
Doesn't "NET" command communcate sharing only thru a nic card?
If modem is the same thing as a NET card then, why can't I use this command under DOS 6.2/WIN31?
NET.EXE is in both of those operating system, in my Win31 dir(I am running windows for workgroups 3.11), and in my WIN98 dir.
You see I dual boot between WIN31 a nd WIN 98. So if method does work under 98 will it auto apply to my WIN 31 system as well?
If I apply this to either system and something goes wrong....
HOw do I UNAPPLY the NET Command.?
P.
NET.EXE is in both of those operating system, in my Win31 dir(I am running windows for workgroups 3.11), and in my WIN98 dir.
What part of the command....
"Net use lpt1: \\localhost\PRINTER /persistent:yes"
implies a USB1 port? Or is the USB ref built into the NET.EXE command?
Are you sure about this?
Since WIn31 also has a NET.EXE shouldn't this work as well?
P.
In win98 it WILL work.
Palardo, nothing in the Net use commands implies the USB port, PRINTER implies the sharename. Windows will take care of the conversion from "PRINTER" to "hey, that thing is connected to my USB port, let's use that one"
Net Use <= is just binding a port to a device (could also be a mapped disk on another computer etc.)
lpt1: <= what do you want the thing to be named
\\localhost <= Your own computer
\PRINTER <= The sharename (you'll have to set this on your printersettings)
/persistent:yes <= means nothing more than: "remember this comment after a reboot"
On win95 and win3.x this won't work as they don't have USB support so they won't be able to print either way.
LucF
ONE MORE THING...(again) THere is no PRINTER SHaring tab in WINDOWS 98
UNder Printer Properties on both 98 and 31 there is no SHare tab
Only buttons to capture a port and "add a port", and Add a path to a Network Printer"
HOw do I assign a Shared Printer name here under 98.
NOT like XP where Printer Propeties include a Sharing tab.
Mucho Thanks
P.
If you have win98 or other system I think your best bet is to convert your wordstar files to a doc or some other format. Then print using a more updated wordprocesser.
To do that go to http://www.wordstar.org/wo
and download one of the free programs.
There is printer sharing under Windows 98 but it must be enabled under the properties of the network. That should work if you have a NIC or a Modem in the computer.
Once you share the printer the commands that LucF provided with do exactly what he said. I would recommend using lpt2: as well unless you need to do a print screen.
Arjan_Brons
Did you just drop in here to contradict another long-standing and respected Expert, or do you intend to comment in some other topic areas and questions?
This question was closed on or about July 2004 and LucF's comment was accepted by the person asking the question. As such, it's now redundant and any further comments here will not be considered by the asker or administrators.
@BillDL
Sorry, I'm new here and in need a solution fast. So I had no time to studie the status of the 'long-standing and respected Expert', i just tryed the solution, it doesnot work!
In other topic here about capturing lpt1 to USB I found a solution:
net use LPT1: \\111.222.333.444\printern
This DOES work!
Yes, I intend to comment in some other topic areas and questions.
>> LucF's comment was accepted by the person asking the question.
Oke, but did it work? For me it did not. The last remark of Palarda was still a question, nothing mentioned that it works...
>>it's now redundant and any further comments here will not be considered
I'm not agreeing; I found this topic, Yo found this topic, and in the near future there will still be persons wich have the same problem, and would like a solution that works!
Again, sorry, I didn't want to offend LucF or anybody else, but I felt the need to submit my point of view.
Arjan_Brons,
No offence taken.
I have no possibility to verify this at this time, the last computer running win98 in my home and work network got ditched about 6 months ago.
And I'm not sure if I tried this all step-by-step at the time of posting my comments here on that win98 computer, but I can assure you I got it working on that computer (with a HP 880c printer which I still own, now connected through a Win2k server)
If you're having problems getting it to work, you might want to ask your own question and someone might be able to tell you what you're doing wrong.
But if you're happy with the local IP number solution you came up with for yourself, please use it, just make sure you don't broadcast your printer on the internet. You wouldn't be the first to find his printer printing advertizements.
LucF
Business Accounts
Answer for Membership
by: LucFPosted on 2004-06-06 at 03:13:27ID: 11242936
Hi Palardo,
ame> /persistent:yes
If you have a network card also in that computer, try:
Net use lpt1: \\localhost\<printersharen
to bind your lpt1 port to your usb printer.
All you have to do to get this command working is share the printer on the network.
Greetings,
LucF