topic Re: LG12 Line Printer Problem in Operating System - OpenVMS

LG12 Line Printer Problem

Ira Melamed — Wed, 16 Aug 2006 07:56:14 GMT

We are running OpenVMS 7.3-2 and TCPWare V5.6-2.

We have a little problem with a new LG12 Line Printer from Tally-Genicom (Model 621).

The print que is setup for TCPIP using "/PROCESSOR=TCPWARE_VMSLPRSMB", and continuous form green-bar paper.

When we print multiple files with one print command (PRINT *.TXT), the printer does not page break between files. The first line of file two will overprint the last line of file one, and just continue printing. It page
breaks correctly when it gets down to our lines-per-page setting.

We can't find the correct way to set this up, either via the LG12 configuration menus or VMS print queue setup.

It seems like we want VMS to be able to send a form feed, between all of the files in a single PRINT *.* command. Is this possible?

Any suggestions would be appreciated...

Re: LG12 Line Printer Problem

Karl Rohwedder — Wed, 16 Aug 2006 10:02:59 GMT

Ira,

please post the SHOW QUEUE /FULL output.

We had a bunch of such printers (mainly LG31),
which were setup with /DEFAULT=FEED and worked o.k. (but where attached serial via DECservers).

regards Kalle

Re: LG12 Line Printer Problem

Ira Melamed — Thu, 17 Aug 2006 07:51:37 GMT

Kalle,

Thanks for trying to assist. We have tried several configurations here is the info you requested:

$ show que/full lg12
Server queue LG12, idle, on SFARVA::, mounted form DEFAULT/BASE_PRIORITY=4
/DEFAULT=(FEED,FORM=DEFAULT) /OWNER=[SYSTEM]
/PROCESSOR=TCPWARE_VMSLPRSMB /PROTECTION=(S:M,O:D,G:R,W:S) /RETAIN=ERROR
/SCHEDULE=(NOSIZE) /SEPARATE=(FLAG,TRAILER)

Print commands that specify a single file process correctly. We just realized that a print command that includes a "/copies=n" parameter is causing the same problem as the original issue - printer does not form feed and the first line of the second "copy" prints over the last line of the first "copy"

Thanks...

Re: LG12 Line Printer Problem

Volker Halle — Thu, 17 Aug 2006 08:42:46 GMT

Ira,

printing-related questions and symbiont processing can get quite complicated, especially if foreign print-symbionts are getting in the picture.

The FILE_SETUP_2 input function is supposed to send a formfeed to the output stream, so that every file printed starts at TOF.

Print-symbionts can also filter out formfeed character from the input stream or the output stream. There may be logicals controlling this operation.

If you print a simple .TXT file, which includes a formfeed character (x0C), does the get to the printer ?

Volker.

Re: LG12 Line Printer Problem

Ira Melamed — Fri, 18 Aug 2006 14:36:34 GMT

Volker,

I created a small text file using LSE and placed a form-feed in the middle of the file.

Using "print test.txt" the file DOES correctly form-feed in the middle. If I use the command "print/copies=2 test.txt" the second copy does not start on a new page, but the middle of the second copy does (forced by the form-feed imbedded in the file).

I am not familar with FILE_SETUP_2 is that a printer specific command or VMS related?

Thanks again...

Re: LG12 Line Printer Problem

Volker Halle — Sat, 19 Aug 2006 01:41:37 GMT

Ira,

FILE_SETUP_2 is a standard print symbiont input routine (all of this is described in the Utility Routines Manual under PSM routines). It is being used to insert a into the input stream to make sure, that a new file starts at TOF.

It looks like this is somehow 'lost' on the way to your printer. The most likely culprit would be the TCPWARE_VMSLPRSMB print symbiont. You could try to trace the IP data between the VMS node and the printer, to see, if the is missing in the data stream to the printer.

If you have another line printer (driven by the standarad PRTSMB or LATSYM), you could test the PRINT/COPIES=2 behaviour with your test file on that printer to prove, whether it's an OpenVMS problem or not.

Volker.