I have a client running an Arev 2.12 application on a Novell network. Since moving their local printers to become network printers, they have lost the ability to change fonts from regular print to compressed and/or landscape. In checking this, we have found that this problem occurs only if there is a getlist command after the font change commands are sent to the printer. In other words, if the font change command is sent, then a LIST sentence is done, the font change works. If the font change command is sent, then a GETLIST is done, then a LIST sentence, the font changes to not occur. They are using an HP Laserjet 4, in Windows 98.

Any help would be appreciated.

Skip Tinnell

I suspect that the problem is not the GETLIST but a timeout setting. I'm guessing that in cases where you are using a GETLIST, the timeout for the print queue is reached, thus ending the print session. When printing resumes, you initiate a new session with default settings. Try increasing the timeout or emiliminating it altogether.

The problem is possibly one of time-out - the GETLIST delays the output to the printer causing it to reset itself before the print out arrives. Complicated reports that take time to calculate also cause a problem - often with page throws where they are not wanted.

An answer may be to set the queue time out to 0 (TI=0) then despool at the end of the print job by:

1) executing a dummy .BAT file - the exit to DOS will start the print

2) re-issue the CAPTURE statement (the DOS command will cause a despool but so will the CAPTURE!)

3) Maybe a SETPRINTER command will also cause a despool - I've yet to test this theory.

I am currently perfecting software to solve this problem plus quite a few more that occur with Arev printing through NT and Novell. If you or anyone else is interested you can have the software for free if you are willing to trial it for me on your configuration.

Jocelyn Amon

I am uncertain as to why a getlist would obliterate the command. If you trap the output to file using PDISK and ensure that there are no escape E sequences for resetting the printer.

Another option is that you may need to enable the /NA (no Autoendcap) feature on the capture command.

It may be possible to use ID-SUPP and then compose a symbolic PRINTINGID whose formula is CHAR(27)….:@ID. Including this in the report would have the effect of reasserting the print font ahead of each line.

The HP 4 drivers under Windows 9x are notoriously buggy, but these addresses may help:-

PCL 5 escape codes

Drivers for the HP Laserjet 4P

All Laserjet 4 models

Hope this helps,

Steve

Thanks to all! We will try all of your suggestions.

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