Removing LaserTools PrintCache from Windows (116398)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows 3.0
  • Microsoft Windows 3.0a
  • Microsoft Windows 3.1
  • Microsoft Windows 3.11
  • Microsoft Windows for Workgroups 3.1
  • Microsoft Windows for Workgroups 3.11
This article was previously published under Q116398

SUMMARY

This article contains steps to remove the PrintCache utility from your Windows configuration and suggestions for troubleshooting specific problems related to using PrintCache in Windows. If you need additional assistance with PrintCache, contact LaserTools Technical Support.

MORE INFORMATION

LaserTools PrintCache versions 3.0 and 3.1 modify all installed printer drivers to send their information to PrintCache's GDX.EXE instead of Windows' GDI.EXE. It is sometimes necessary to disable PrintCache for troubleshooting purposes.

NOTE: To use 32-bit file access (VFAT) in Windows for Workgroups 3.11, you must disable PrintCache. If you install PrintCache and then start Windows for Workgroups, you receive the following error message:
32-Bit File Access was unable to run.
This may be because you started the network before starting Windows, because Windows could not find the IFSHLP.SYS driver, or your hard disk(s) may be incompatible with 32-bit File Access.

Removing PrintCache

To remove PrintCache from Windows:

  1. Run INSTALL.EXE from the PCACHE directory and then press ENTER to continue.
  2. Select the Windows Pcache option.
  3. Choose Remove.
  4. If you are using PrintCache version 3.1, also remove the Voice Warning option.
  5. To complete the removal of PrintCache, exit and then restart Windows.
In some instances, this procedure may not completely remove the modifications made to the printer drivers. In addition to running the uninstall program, you may need to change to the PCACHE directory and type the following command:

nogdx \windows\system\*.drv

This removes modifications made to the printer driver files in the Windows SYSTEM subdirectory.

If this fails to repair the driver files, completely remove the printers from the Printers dialog box in Control Panel, rename the printer driver(s) in question, and then reinstall them from your original Windows disks.

Using PrintCache with Windows

When you use a PrintCache version earlier than 3.0 with Windows, you must either clear the "Fast Printing Direct To Port" check box in the Connect dialog box, or print to LPTx.xxx (any extension can be used). To access the Connect dialog box, choose the Printers icon in Control Panel, and choose Connect.

With PrintCache version 3.0, you do not need to disable "Fast Printing Direct To Port" because PrintCache 3.0 has a Windows installation utility and dynamic-link library (DLL) that handle routing data to the printer while taking advantage of MS-DOS interrupts. In both cases, because PrintCache is handling the MS-DOS interrupts, no performance degradation results from clearing the Fast Print Direct To Port option. Also, when you are using PrintCache with Windows version 3.0, you must choose the 386 Enhanced icon in Control Panel and select the Never Warn option under Device Contention. If Device Contention is not set to Never Warn, you receive a "Device Conflict" error when you print.

In PrintCache versions earlier than 3.0, if LPTx.xxx is not selected, Windows 3.0 bypasses the PrintCache buffer and prints directly to the parallel port.

PrintCache is manufactured by LaserTools, a vendor independent of Microsoft; we make no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding this product's performance or reliability.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:7/7/2005
Keywords:KB116398
©2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.