[Ham-Computers] DOS Ap Printing to Network Printer (was USBCable Length

[nn6o]

Hi Robert (et al),

Using local network printer redirection requires you to make sure any
firewalls are configured properly.  Even though you're technically connecting
to your own computer, it's still using the network ports to make the
connection and the ports are controlled by your firewall (if any).

If you're using the Windows firewall, then go to the Exceptions tab and check
the "File and Printer Sharing" box to configure the firewall to allow file and
print sharing (sorry, AFAIK, can't just have print sharing without also file
sharing).  If you're using a 3rd party firewall, there's usually an option to
allow Windows file/print sharing without having to manually configure the
ports. If you do need to manually configure the ports, you'll want to open UDP
ports 137 & 138, and TCP ports 139 and 445.  More info can be found here:

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc787076.aspx


Also, rather than using your computer's "computer name" (DNS or WINS name) for
the share, it's easier to just use "127.0.0.1" which *always* points back to
your own computer.  It also ensures that if you change the name of your
computer for some reason, the redirection will still work.  So, for example,
if you wanted an "LPT2:" to print to, you could use:

  net use LPT2: \\127.0.0.1\PrinterShareName

This will allow local programs to print to LPT2 and Windows will handle the
network redirection via file and print sharing.

And, last but not least, the "net use" command has "permanance" switch.  By
default, Windows will "remember" all "net use" shares you create, so the next
time you power-up the computer, the "mappings" will return.  If you don't want
the permanence (aka "persistence"), then use the following command:

  net use /persistent:no


To check your persistence setting and view the current mappings, use:

  net use

and it will show the persistence at the top with the mappings below.  If you
want persistence on, then substitute "no" with "yes".


And, if you wish to delete a mapping or resource:

  net use ResourceName /d
or
  net use * /d     (to delete all mappings/resources)


This might be a bit more info than you wanted, but just being thorough -
sometimes it helps to know the additional options for a particular command,
especially if you accidentally created a mapping and now want to delete it.

73,

  - Aaron, NN6O


p.s.  Please note my new e-mail address - my previous e-mail address is no
longer valid.



-----Original Message-----
Sent: Saturday, April 25, 2009 3:56 PM
Subject: Re: [Ham-Computers] DOS Ap Printing to Network Printer (was USBCable
Length

OK.  Bought a 10' USB extension cable and the HP Office Jet is now connected
to the XP laptop.  And passed the test page test.

However, under XP (and 2000), you cannot set the port to LPT1, but only to the
Virtual USB port that gets created.  And of course no DOS ap knows about USB
(or none that I know of, anyway).  So I ran the Print troubleshooter and it
suggested redirecting LPT1 to a shared printer using the Net.exe command.  So
I did that, after I figured out that the name of the print server in this
setup was the name of the computer.  The system reported that the command
completed successfully, meaning that anything sent to LPT1 should have been
redirected to the USB port and then to the HP.  The DOS ap was happy so the
report went somewhere.  But it never came out of the HP.  I also tried
redirecting it to the Xerox LAN printer but same results.

First question is, given that there is no physical LPT1 in this box, should it
have worked?  The OS seemed happy with it.  It isn't just some glitch with the
particular DOS program either because I tried it with another one (PFM) and
that didn't hang up or anything but no print.

Robert Downs - Houston
wa5cab dot com (Web Store)
MVPA 9480