Generic Text Printer Driver Prints Differently on Different Versions of Windows (250636)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Server
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Datacenter Server
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server, Enterprise Edition 4.0
  • Microsoft Windows 95
  • Microsoft Windows 98
This article was previously published under Q250636

SYMPTOMS

When you print text boxes or other objects using the generic text printer driver (TTY printer driver), the results may be different for computers running Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows NT 4.0, and Windows 2000.

In some cases, Windows NT 4.0 adds extra blank lines to distinguish the text boxes, while Windows 95 and Windows 98 does not add lines.

There are other differences when you print from specific programs using the different platforms.

CAUSE

This issue occurs because of the different driver models for Windows 95 or Windows 98 and Windows NT 4.0 and Windows 2000. The conversion from GDI (Graphic Display Interface) objects to plain text has differences.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, use one of the following methods:
  • Contact your printer manufacturer to see if you can use a different printer driver.
  • Contact your program manufacturer to see if there is a workaround for the issue.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article.

MORE INFORMATION

The purpose of the TTY driver is as a last resort driver when the user has no existing driver for that printer.

Because of the TTY driver is limited to fixed size, fixed pitch printing, the position of the text on the page cannot be precisely specified.

The output depends on the printer itself. Even if you print the same text to different printers, you receive different output.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:12/20/2004
Keywords:kb3rdparty kbenv kbFAQ kbgraphic kbHardware kbprb KB250636
©2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.