printing in dos os HELP

Type in a command prompt:

net use lpt1: \\server\printershare <enter>

This will map the network printer to port LPT1 that is used by DOS.  

To verify it's working type:

net use <enter>

It will show all the network resources used.

i am running in a full do environment no windows dos 6.2

you'll most likely need to use a : net use lpt1 \\server\printershare /persistent:yes   so it will re-mount after the computer restarts

i am in a full dos environment with the dot matrix printers connected dircectly to the computer

Are your printers connected by serial or parallel ports?

Parallel Ports: LPT1, LPT2, LPT3 (limited to 3 per PC)
Serial Ports: COM1,COM2, COM3, etc.

Serial printers need communication settings setup in the OS for them to work correctly.  Often the application will have these settings in a DOS environment.

Please advise if you are still having difficulties.

premiumnz thank god for you already i am so lost :) they are setup parellel they are dot matrix printers and I have gone into printer setup if i turn them off i get printer not ready but if I have them on it acts like it is printing but noting is coming out I ahve tried all the printers listed and it will nt print oh please what do i do

Are these printers connected to the machine directly or are they hosted on another server? Can you print from the command line like so:

echo "Testing printer" > LPT1

OR

echo "Testing Printer" > \\server\printershare


this will let you know if it's an application configuration issue

What is the make and model of the printer?
What is the software you are using?

If you exit the application to the command prompt and type...

C:\>  copy config.sys lpt1:

Does this print anything?

if i turn the computer off the printer re alligns and in dos if i type dir>prn it acts like it printed but nothing prints as well the printers are both epson one LX-800 and lq-500

dos 6.2

printers are  listed above let me try what you asked to print
'

it says one file copied but nothing is printing

Sounds like either a cabling issue or the printer language setting.  You said you recently changed PCs.  This may sound dumb but are you sure you are using the correct cable on the correct PC port?  The parallel port is 25 pins in 2 rows.  You CANNOT use any other port even with adapters.  The printer should have a centronics port on it which is larger than the PC end.

Also, you can set the language on the printer with the dip switches.  Check Epsom for a manual and confirm the language/emulation mode used.  There are some printers that won't print from a command prompt with particular emulation but will print fine within the app.

Double check the printer cable connections?

Also, does Windows see the printers, and can you print to them from Windows? We're still not 100% clear if these are network printers or local printers.

no windows involbed he was using a old dell computer and was scared about hardware failures so I ghosted to new computer. Everything is working great but printing. I left teh cables connecte dto the printers when I switched out the computer and then just plugged back in the program we are using is patientbase version 4 in dos 6.2 i checked the cabes I have one add in pci parrellel card and then the built in parrellel card in teh dell computer what do you guys think I am stuck :)

i also have both manuals for the printers here in ront of me, and should i need to set anything in bios

dumb question is the built in parrelle port lpt1 or lpt2?

Swap the cables from the PCI card to the parallel card and see if one of the printers works.

This PCI card - are there dos drivers for it you had to load? How do you know it's being seen by DOS? Was it in the old computer?

no he had to crads in the old computer so i only had pci in the new compueter so I had to get a parrellel pci card and added it in. There were no drivers and I do not know if it was seen in dos I will try th edir>prn with then plugged into each and pist back

tried both no print

i turn the printer off and try the dir>prn and it fails on dos i turn it back in it goes on and acrs like it prints but nothing comes out?

check the BIOS settings and make sure LPT port is set to EPP 1.9.  Also try the other 3 options in BIOS, ECP, EPP 1.8.  (Sorry I may have the numbers wrong for EPP but I usually use the higher of the two numbers.)

ok i will try each and try dir>prn in dos each tim eand post back thank you so much hopefully this works

ok set to ap and lpt1 printed in dos and in th eprogram tried the other printer that is connected to te pci card that I added on?

Is there a way in dos to test printing to the other card printer?

Yes, the other card/printer should be LPT2:
Use same test commands.

i just used dir>prn how do i test lpt2 instead

Could be a conflict between the built-in LPT port and the add-on card.  Try taking out the add-on card and then make sure the BIOS port is enabled and see if it works on its own.
Do you have the manual for the add-on card?

i have the cd the install guide it is brand new but the built in is working fine

dir>lpt2:  (you may or may not need to include the colon)

Datedman is correct.  The addin card will need to be jumper set for lpt2:  Please check this.

ah ok then check the jumper settings on the add-on card might be a conflict.  You can also try putting it in another slot.

Besides setting it to LPT2 there is an address setting that you need to make sure doesn't conflict with the address of LPT1 in the BIOS.

What can make this even confusing, is that some manufacturers of Parallel Port Cards, have jumpers which allow you to set your Port to LPT1, LPT2, LPT3. Now what address is LPT1? - On the majority of cards LPT1 is 378h, and LPT2, 278h, but some will use 3BCh as LPT1, 378h as LPT1 and 278h as LPT2.

extract from... http://www.beyondlogic.org/spp/parallel.htm

i tried dir>lpt2 and it just hung i have the card out and will try another slot and post back

i put in another slot and tried dir>lpt2 and lpt2: and it just hangs there ? the card is netmos nm9815cv what do you guys think

Take a look at the port it's using?  Could be identical to the LPT1 port set up in BIOS or there could be another conflict, may have to just try another setting or two and see what works.

where do I check what port it is using

Are there any jumper pins on the card?  if so what are they?

there are no pins in the card

i might have a pin in my car shoudl I go grab it

If you have the manual it should say what the port is or what ports you can configure it for.

It usually says it on the card too...where do you set it to LPT2?  Should be close to that.

premiumnz's solution should work, his #4 should say enable onboard LPT in BIOS. :)

there is no manuall just install guide and cd i went into bios and set the onboard pareelel to ff now what?

i do not see where to set to lpt1 or two all i did was go to integrated devices and turned parellel to off is this right?

install guide should do it.  Anything about port settings?  If not, and there's no address setting on the card, try setting the card to LTP1 and disabling in BIOS as suggested above, etc.

Basically your objective is to make sure that the BIOS is set to either LPT1 or LPT2 and the card to the other, and that they are using two different ports.  If you can't change the setting on the card then you need to change it in the BIOS (after noting the setting that worked! [g]) and find a combo that works for both.

nothing it just says copy the nmdosexe to c: and run where do i set it to lpt1

oops sorry i am confusing my language, LTP1 and LPT2 are the ports, it's the address that's the other setting.

where in the bios do i make that change?

Sorry not familiar with that card.  Thought you said you had it set to LPT2; if so setting it to LPT1 would be the same deal...hmm can you post the install guide here?

all it sasy is cop[y nmdosin.exe to c: and run i never set any lpt information i do not see wher eto change that in bios fo rthe onboard crard or the add on card

Ok guys slow down.

BIOS - LPT/Parallel port is OFF (hopefully)
Now ensure card is installed and printer connected to card.
This should work as LPT1: - Is this correct?

^^^ good advice should work ^^^

i am in dos the parellel integrated is set to off i try totype dir>prn and nothing happens what shoudl I do

is that user guide on the cd? If so pls attach here.

here you go
DOS-Driver-Installation-Guide.pdf

Hmm.  Check you have the cable attached to the CARD.
Dateman is right.  Would be helpful if you could post the manual here.

u type nmdosin -a and i get this info

LPT1 added at ecfa (IRQ3)
Lpt2 added at ECDBA (IRQ3)

OK have you used the config utility at all?  I'd say re-enable LPT1 in BIOS, test it make sure it works.  Then follow the installation guide and see what port(s) it adds.

(all you should need is roman numeral III steps 1-4)

ok try re-enabling the BIOS LPT1 then run it with -a again

ok let me try

ok enabled lpt1 in bios

ran nmdosin -a and this is what it said

om1 exists at 3f8
LPT1 exists at 278
LPT2 added at ecfa (IRQ3)
Lpt3 added at ECDBA (IRQ3)

what shoudl i do now?

Datedman is correct.  Install as per section III (3) of the manual.  Re-enable onboard LPT in BIOS first.  Then you should have all correct ports.  Please post response to command here again so we can check that the port address for LPT2 is correct for application to find it.

OK now the card is LPT2 and LPT3, connect printer and test to see which one it's on. :)

Ah good catch pnz, hadn't thought that he might have changed that and left it. :)

It is working will post points later thanks so much guys

Man I forgot how quickly computers used to boot in DOS lol fastest updating page so far in EE.

LOL premiumnz split the points with himself I think. :)

i meant to give points to datedman and premiumnz 250 each is that not what hapened?