Is LPT redirection possible with laser printers

[Linda C. Cave]

We have several DOS machines that run test stands. They are currently attached to a dot matrix printer. The output from this printer is poor and the department would like a laser printer.

The question is, can a laser print to lpt1. For instance, copy autoexec.bat >> lpt1. Can this be done with a laser and with what models. Please help!!!

[Sanjay Kumar Suri]

Can you try:

Select the printer --> Properties --> Ports --> Select (Tick) the LPT1 port.

Give the following command at DOS.

print file_name
or
type file_name > prn

You can also check the following site:

http://shareware.pcmag.com/category.php%5Bid%5D176%5BSiteID%5Dpcmag


sks

[Jon Finley]

Simple answer... Yes.
But without the additional control that Windows or even MS Word does, the paper will print with the default internal font, and will not page feed (formfeed) the output.

So you either have to send the additional codes to the printer by redirecting the formfeed character to LPT1, or you have to manually press the formfeed button on the printer.

As for which models? Any model that has a parallel port on it.

Jon

[Rune J. Winje]

Like Jon says, the simple answer is yes - but with limitations.

If sending a .prn file to the printer it is best to use the following from DOS:
copy file.prn lpt1 /B

The /B is for binary copy to ensure special escape characters are copied also.

The challenge with older DOS applications and new LaserJet printers is which driver or printer definition to use/select. Some of the new LaserJet printers are GDI-only (typically the lowest cost ones), meaning they require code made by a Windows display driver.

So keep this in mind when selecting a LaserJet printer that it should:
a) have a full PCL5 implementation (HP's printer language on many LaserJets and supported by many, many applications)
b) have some internal fixed fonts (to match with your printing requirements from the DOS program)
c) have a paralell port - and maybe this should also be configured to the Centronics (oldest standard) mode on the PC and the printer.

An alternative to a) is also PostScript if your DOS application is able to produce PostScript code.

A range of solutions called JetCaps is also available through HP to typically consolidate older printers. For example there are special DIMMS available which can be installed in some LaserJet Printers, making the printer emulate one or more older dot-matrix printers - compatibility with fonts/barcodes and printer language is then assured:

http://h40041.www4.hp.com/uk/overview/index.html



Cheers,
Rune

[Antoniov.]

Sorry, I disagree!
The most recent laser printer doesn't support DOS session; the real trouble isn't LPT port but comunication protocol.
Due to graphical needing, the new printer require a complex bidirectional handshake (for example to comunicate toner low level).
Before buy a laser printer (or else inkjet printer) you need knwon if exist a dos version of driver.
I've same problem when I need to print from remote host without graphical protocol.

Antonio Vigliotti

[Linda C. Cave]

I do not have windows on this machine at all.

[Antoniov.]

Linda,
if you haven't windows on machine, you need some old printer or else any printer working under linux/unix.
After this, if printer is a PCL5/6 printer you must send introducing escape sequence that's E (escape + uppercase E, Hex 1B 45, dec. 27 69); your text may follow introducing sequence and you have add form feed at end of page.

Antonio Vigliotti

[Bruno Ganino]

Printers compatible (with driver for Dos) http://www.beaverlog.com/therapist/dos_support/printer_compatibility.htm

Bruno