DOCUMENT:Q109928 07-SEP-2001 [winnt] TITLE :Printing from MS-DOS Applications to Local Printer PRODUCT :Microsoft Windows NT PROD/VER:3.1 3.5 OPER/SYS: KEYWORDS:kbprint kbPrinting ====================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The information in this article applies to: - Microsoft Windows NT Server version 3.1 - Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 3.1 - Microsoft Windows NT Advanced Server, version 3.1 - Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 3.5 - Microsoft Windows NT Server version 3.5 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY ======= You may be able to print from some MS-DOS-based applications running in Windows NT to a local printer only after using a network redirection. MORE INFORMATION ================ Most MS-DOS-based applications in Windows NT are run in a Virtual DOS Machine (VDM). Some such applications tend to write to the printer port directly. Windows NT, on the other hand, does not allow any direct access to any hardware device. For serial printers, the MS-DOS redirection command does not usually work. To print to a serial printer attached locally, do the following: 1. Create a printer with the appropriate printer driver and port. 2. Select the option to share the printer and assign a name. 3. From the command prompt, type: NET USE LPT1: \\\ 4. Choose LPT1 to print from the MS-DOS application. The direction should be valid for the current VDM. If you are printing to a printer attached to LPT1:, the network redirection must not be LPT1:, otherwise the print job will never be released from Print Manager. NOTE: If you are using Windows NT version 3.5, an access violation in SPOOLSS.EXE may occur when you use LPT1 for the network redirection. You can avoid this problem by using LPT2 instead of LPT1 when you use the NET USE command. Additional query words: prodnt NET USE ====================================================================== Keywords : kbprint kbPrinting Technology : kbWinNTsearch kbWinNTWsearch kbWinNT350search kbWinNTW350 kbWinNTW350search kbWinNTW310 kbWinNTSsearch kbWinNTS350 kbWinNTS310 kbWinNTAdvSerSearch kbWinNTAdvServ310 kbWinNTS350search kbWinNTS310search kbWinNT310Search kbWinNTW310Search Version : 3.1 3.5 ============================================================================= THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY. Copyright Microsoft Corporation 2001.