DOCUMENT:Q170583 13-JUN-2001 [sna] TITLE :Zero Length RU Causes a Blank Page to be Printed PRODUCT :Microsoft SNA Server PROD/VER:WINDOWS:3.0,3.0 SP1,3.0 SP2,3.0 SP3,3.0 SP4,4.0,4.0 SP1,4.0 SP2,4.0 SP3 OPER/SYS: KEYWORDS: ====================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The information in this article applies to: - Microsoft SNA Server, versions 3.0, 3.0 SP1, 3.0 SP2, 3.0 SP3, 3.0 SP4, 4.0, 4.0 SP1, 4.0 SP2, 4.0 SP3 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SYMPTOMS ======== When a zero-length RU is sent to the SNA print server as part of a host print job, a blank page will be printed. The following is an example of a zero-length RU as captured in a SNA Server Data Link Control Message trace: 04160080->01020101 DLC DATA DAF:EC OAF:01 ODAI:off Normal RQE FMD BC EC DR1 PI BB EB ---- Header at address 01034418, 1 elements ---- 04B00004 00002C00 EC010004 01002102 <......,.......!.> ---- Element at address 0152D5A4, start 10, end 12 ---- 0391C0 <.j. > The Element portion of the preceding frame contains a Request Header (RH) of x'0391C0', but no actual data. CAUSE ===== Print Server treats the zero-length RU as a unique print job where 0D 0C (CR FF) is sent to the printer. The print server calls "StartDoc" to start a new document as soon as it receives a request, and "EndDoc" when the document is complete. Even though there is no data submitted to the printer between the "StartDoc" and "EndDoc" calls, the printer will still print a form feed (FF). RESOLUTION ========== There are two possible workarounds for this issue: 1. Configure the print session to use a PDF file. The PDF file uses "StartDocPrinter" and "EndDocPrinter" which do not automatically produce a FF. For instructions on configuring PDF files, refer to the SNA Server online help Chapter 6 Printer Definition Files. -OR- 2. Use the DelayPrintStart Registry parameter as discussed in the following Microsoft Knowledge Base article: Q172283 Title: Blank Page Is Printed Between Each Print Job Additional query words: ====================================================================== Keywords : Technology : kbAudDeveloper kbSNAServSearch kbSNAServ300 kbSNAServ400 kbSNAServ300SP3 kbSNAServ300SP1 kbSNAServ400SP1 kbSNAServ400SP2 kbSNAServ400SP3 kbSNAServ300SP2 kbSNAServ300SP4 Version : WINDOWS:3.0,3.0 SP1,3.0 SP2,3.0 SP3,3.0 SP4,4.0,4.0 SP1,4.0 SP2,4.0 SP3 Issue type : kbprb ============================================================================= 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.