PRN Is Always Associated with LPT1 (60203)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 3.1
  • Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 3.2
  • Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 3.21
  • Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 3.3
  • Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 3.3a
  • Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 4.0
  • Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 4.01
  • Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 5.0
This article was previously published under Q60203

SUMMARY

The MODE command cannot change the parallel port identified by PRN. At boot time, PRN is internally configured by MS-DOS to direct any communication with the PRN device to LPT1. In other words, PRN cannot be configured to communicate with any parallel port other than LPT1 using MS-DOS commands. For instance, the following command is sometimes mistaken as being able to associate a given parallel port with PRN: 
   MODE LPTn
The letter "n" specifies the parallel device number of 1, 2, or 3. The above command merely cancels redirection from a parallel port to a COM port.

There are various public domain utilities that switch the address specifications for LPT1 and LPT2, giving the impression that PRN is communicating with another parallel device.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:11/25/2003
Keywords:KB60203
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