Unable to Print Directly to Ports from a Command Prompt (105993)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 3.1
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 3.1
  • Microsoft Windows NT Advanced Server 3.1
This article was previously published under Q105993

SYMPTOMS

If the Default Printer in Print Manager has the Print Directly To Ports option selected, you will not be able to print from a Command Prompt (CMD.EXE) to a local port.

NOTE: Printing from other applications such as Notepad or Write work correctly with the Print Directly To Ports option selected.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem, upgrade to Windows NT Workstation and Server version 3.5.

The only workaround is to not use the Print Directly To Ports option with Print Manager, and resend the print job.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows NT and Windows NT Advanced Server version 3.1. This problem was corrected in Windows NT Workstation or Server version 3.5.

MORE INFORMATION

You can control how Print Manager sends documents to the printer with the Print Directly To Ports option. By default, a document is spooled to the hard disk first, and then the spooler sends it to the printer. The spooler sends the document to the printer in the background. If you want to bypass spooling, you can print directly to the printer. However, you will have to wait until the document is printed before continuing to work with your application. This option is not available when a printer is shared.


Steps to Reproduce Problem

  1. From Print Manager, select a default printer that is local.
  2. Select Printer Properties, and then choose Details.
  3. Select the Print Directly To Ports option.

    NOTE: This option is not available if the printer is shared.
  4. Open a Command Prompt from the Main group and copy a file to a local port with a printer attached.
There will not be any error messages, but no printer output will occur.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:11/20/2003
Keywords:kbprint KB105993
©2003 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.