Printers / Printing - Solutions

• Printer drivers
  Printer Manufacturers and their web sites with drivers and product information.
  http://www.printgrc.com/

• How to Print .prn or .ps Files in Windows 95 or Windows 98
  This article describes how to print files that contain raw printer data (.prn or .ps files) in Windows. These files are created by printing from a program to a file by using a Printer Control Language (PCL) or PostScript printer driver. A .prn file is typically created by using a PCL printer driver, and a .ps file is typically created by using a PostScript printer driver.
  http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=158081 (W95/98/se)

• Troubleshooting Printing Problems in Windows 95/98/ME
  This article provides troubleshooting steps that may help you solve printing problems in Microsoft Windows 95/98/Me.
  http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=128345 (W95/98/se/ME)
  
  
• Slow Network Printing from MS-DOS-Based Programs
  When you print from an MS-DOS-based program, it may take from 60 to 90 seconds before printing begins, causing the program to pause. Quitting the program causes printing to begin immediately.
  http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=140036 (W95/98)
  
  
• How to Change the Location of the Windows 95 Print Spool Folder
  http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=169734 (W95)
  
  
• OFF: Printer Name Not Listed in Print Dialog Box
  When you try to print your workbook, the printer name does not appear in the Name box in the Print dialog box. However, the same printer does appear in the Print dialog box of other Microsoft Office programs. This problem may occur when you have just one or two printers installed.
  http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=211391 (W95/98)
  

  ---

• Printed Colors Do Not Match the Colors on the Screen
  When you use a Windows-based program to print color text or graphics to a color printer, the printed color may not match the color on your screen.
  http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=241993 (W95/98/se)
  
  
• Printed Colors Do Not Match the Colors on the Screen
  When you print a file that has color patterns (halftones), the color on the printed document may not match the color on the monitor.
  http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=282897 (XP/NT5)
  

  ---

• How to Troubleshoot Network Printing Problems
  http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=243075 (W95/98/se/ME)
  
  
• Managing Network Printing in a Windows Environment
  http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=246855 (W2000)
  
  
• Cannot Print to Printer on LPT1 When Mapped or Captured to a Network Shared Printer
  http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=246971 (W95/98/se/ME)
  
  
• Unable to Print from Command Prompt or MS-DOS Program with USB Printer
  http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=259939 (W95/98/se)
  
  
• How to Troubleshoot Windows 2000 Printing Problems
  http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=260142 (W2000)
  
  
• Epson Printer May Be Unable to Print with the Epson "Print Preview" Option Enabled
  When you attempt to print to an Epson printer, the print document displays "Printing" in the Print Management window, and continues to display this until you cancel the print job; however, nothing prints.
  http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=282120 (XP)
  
  
• HOW TO: Configure Internet Printing in Windows 2000
  http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=313058)
  
  
• Problems Viewing, Editing, or Printing Some Images in Windows XP
  http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=318966 (XP)
  
  
• You Cannot Print to a Local Printer After Windows 2000 Service Pack 2 Is Installed
  You do not have permission to use the selected printer. If you need access, contact your network administrator.
  http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=319370 (W2000)
  
  
• Resources for Troubleshooting Printing Problems in Windows XP
  http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=308028 (XP)
  
  
• Printing with Windows XP: Hard Copy Made Easier
  Subjects:
  Choose an Inkjet or Laser Printer?
  Measure Speed and Resolution
  Troubleshooting Tips for Older Printers
  Other Printing Glitches
  http://www.microsoft.com/WindowsXP/expertzone/columns/crawford/hardcopy.asp
  
  
• Unable to print?
  http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/answers/36.html

• Print to a File in Windows 95
  
  
• Printing FAQ
  How can I "Print to File" if the program I'm using doesn't have that option?
  http://www.gallicrow.co.uk/PrintingFAQ.html
  
  
• PrintFile
  PrintFile is a freeware MS Windows utility program that will enable you to print files fast and easily. The program recognizes plain text, PostScript, Encapsulated PostScript (EPS) and binary formats.
  http://www.lerup.com/printfile/

• How to Add the Print Directory Feature to Windows Explorer
  http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=272623 (W98/se/ME)
  
  
• FileGrab
  Explorer gives you a list of filenames. You can save or print the list
  http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,4149,5748,00.asp
  
  
• TreePrint
  TreePrint, is a replacement for TREE.COM that you access from within Windows Explorer. Right-click on a folder or drive and use the TreePrint menu to print the directory tree or save it to a file.
  http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,4149,10879,00.asp
  
  
• Print Directories
  With Goetz's Directory Details you can easily display and print out the contents of your directories.
  http://www.lawrencegoetz.com/programs/gdird.htm
  
  
• DirPrinting
  DirPrinting is a simple program for viewing and printing directories.
  http://www.karenware.com/powertools/ptdirprn.asp
  
  
• Directory Printer
  Karen's Directory Printer can print the name of every file on a drive, along with the file's size, date and time of last modification, and attributes (Read-Only, Hidden, System and Archive)!
  http://www.majusoft.de/DirPrinting/index_en.htm

• Cannot Print to Epson Stylus Printer
  When you print to an Epson Stylus printer, the Epson Spool Manager may stop responding (hang), or you may receive the following error message: Error: Printer Not Responding
  http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=147448 (W95)
  
  
• Printer Activity or Garbled Text Printed When You Start Windows
  When you start Windows, a small amount of text may be sent to the local printer. When this occurs, the printer may or may not eject the page after the text is printed. The text varies, but typically includes extended or unintelligible characters. The printer may also display an error code. On Hewlett-Packard LaserJet printers, "Error 22" may be displayed and the printer may stop responding (hang). When you attempt to print a document, you may receive a message that the printer is off line or out of paper.
  http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=157145 (W95/98/se)
  
  
• Error Message Appears After Printing to a Network Printer
  The RPC server is unavailable. Could not start print job. Windows cannot print due to a problem with the current printer setup.
  http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=283833 (XP)
  
  "Operation Could Not Be Completed" When Using Add Printer Wizard
  Printer operation cannot continue due to lack of resources. The print subsystem is not running.
  http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=314876 (XP)
  
  
• WD97: Characters Appear as Square Boxes in Printed Document
  If you print a document containing extended characters, such as Greek symbols, to certain printers using printer drivers that do not accept Unicode characters, the extended characters are printed as square boxes even though they are displayed correctly on the screen.
  http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=159418)
  
  
• The Euro Symbol Is Not Printed
  http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=195041 (W98/se)
  
  
• Moving USB Mouse Causes Print Job to Terminate
  When a Universal Serial Bus (USB) printer and a USB mouse are connected to a computer without a hub, print jobs in progress may terminate prematurely if the mouse is moved. The printer may stop printing in the middle of the job, and advance the page.
  http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=234778 (W98)
  
  
• Error Messages When Printing to Hewlett-Packard DeskJet 870Cse
  Cannot print, be sure the printer is connected properly and use control panel to verify the printer is configured properly. Error initializing output device. A system error occurred while printing this document.
  http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=249042 (W98)
  
  
• Error Message Printing to an ECP Parallel Printer Port
  There was an error writing to LPT1.
  http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=304632 (W98/se)

• Printing from a Network Aware/Unaware MS-DOS Application
  http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=62362
  
  
• How to Print to Network Printer from MS-DOS-Based Programs
  By default, most MS-DOS-based programs print directly to either LPT1 or LPT2. However, the output is not automatically routed across a redirector to a print share unless you use one of the following methods.
  http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=154498 (NT4/W2000)
  
  
• How to: Redirect a DOS Application Print Job to a Network Printer
  Because MS-DOS-based programs support ports LPT1 through LPT3, you can redirect print jobs on port LPT2 to the network printer.
  http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=245017 (NT4)
  
  
• MS-DOS Print Jobs Do Not Display the Number of Pages in the Print Management Window
  http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=277538 (W2000)

• HOWTO: Add Print Preview to Visual Basic Applications
  Visual Basic Applications. Ver. 2 and 3.
  http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=113236
  
  
• How to: Add Print Preview to Visual Basic Applications. Ver. 5 and 6.
  http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=193379

• UTILITY: PrintNow Printing the Screen in Windows 95
  - Use PrtSc and Alt-PrtSc to send a screen to your printer. Read more and download.
  http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,4149,22418,00.asp
  
  
• Copying Entire Screen into a Picture Box in Visual Basic VB3
  http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=80670
  
  
• HOW TO: Capture and print the Screen, a Form, or any window
  http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=161299 (VB)
  
  
• PrintScreen Function
  Mimicking the PrintScreen Function Using OLE.
  http://www.mvps.org/vbnet/

• "Operation Could Not Be Completed" When Using Add Printer Wizard
  Printer operation cannot continue due to lack of resources. The print subsystem is unavailable.
  http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=158042 (NT/W2000)

Go into Start -> Settings -> Printers and add a new printer. 
This will bring up the wizard. 
Choose next and it will build a driver file database. 
When it is done scroll down and choose Generic from the left side. 
On the right side choose Generic/Text only. 
It will install your "printer" and will likely ask for the Win95 CD to get the drivers.
When you are done check it to make sure it uses the Create Text File
as a driver and Create File On Disk as the port to use.
Now when you are in an application and want to create a text file just go to 
the list of printers and choose Generic/Create Text file
and it will make a  regular .txt file for you.