[Ham-Computers] RE: Using USB printer for DOS program??

Sun, 9 Jun 2002 16:16:35 -0700

Phil,

You've already got the basic answer(s) - DOS doesn't have native support for
USB and your best bet is to go with the parallel port.  But, I'd like to
chime in with my 2 bits...

Depending on your DOS program, using a 3rd party USB "enabler" for DOS or
using the serial port redirector (MODE LPTx: = COMx:) still may not work.
Many DOS-based programs used direct writes to the LPT port and will only
work with a "physical" parallel port (as opposed to a "virtual" port created
the other methods).

In your particular situation, the *KISS* principle works best...just get a
new parallel printer cable.  For the Epson Stylus printers (and most newer
printers), an IEEE-1284 compliant cable is preferred.  Major computer stores
carry these for about $20.  "Mom and Pop" computer stores and
swapmeets/hamfests have them for about $5.

73,

  - Aaron Hsu, NN6O
    (athsu)@unistudios.com
    (nn6o)@arrl.net
    No-QRO Int'l #1,000,006

p.s.  *KISS* principle - the Keep It Simple Stupid principle.  =)

-----Original Message-----
From: Philip Atchley [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Friday, June 07, 2002 8:08 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [Ham-Computers] Using USB printer for DOS program??

Hello all
I have a Epson Stylas Photo 820 printer on this machine.  It has either a
parallel or USB interface.  I'm using it  on the USB bus and it is set as
the default printer.

Problem is this.  I have a DOS logging program running in a window that I'm
using for all my Beacon logging as it is much more convenient and versatile
for that task.  BUT, if I attempt to print anything from that program to the
Epson, it bombs out saying there is no printer on LPT1.  It then tries to
print the task to the "Acrobat PDF Writer" which is a pseudo printer for
creating .pdf files.  Of course that bombs out too.

Anyway to tell the DOS program to look for the printer on the USB?

73 de Phil  KO6BB

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