Calls BIOS printer services, using INT 0x17.
#include <bios.h>
unsigned _bios_printer( unsigned service, unsigned printer, unsigned data );
| service | Printer function desired | |
| printer | Target printer port | |
| data | Output data |
The _bios_printer routine uses INT 0x17 to perform printer output services for parallel printers. The printer argument specifies the affected printer, where 0 is LPT1, 1 is LPT2, and so forth.
Some printers do not support the full set of signals. As a result, the “Out of Paper” condition, for example, may not be returned to your program.
The service argument can be any of the following manifest constants:
| Constant | Meaning |
| _PRINTER_INIT | Initializes the selected printer. The data argument is ignored. |
| _PRINTER_STATUS | Returns the printer status. The data argument is ignored. |
| _PRINTER_WRITE | Sends the low-order byte of data to the printer specified by printer. |
The _bios_printer function returns the value in the AX register after the BIOS interrupt. The high-order byte (AH) of the return value indicates the printer status after the operation, as defined below:
| Bit | Meaning if True | Bit | Meaning if True |
| 0 | Printer timed out | 4 | Printer selected |
| 1 | Not used | 5 | Out of paper |
| 2 | Not used | 6 | Acknowledge |
| 3 | I/O error | 7 | Printer not busy |
Standards:None
16-Bit:DOS, QWIN, WIN, WIN DLL
32-Bit:None
/* BPRINTER.C: This program checks the status of the printer attached to
* LPT1 when it is off line, then initializes the printer.
*/
#include <bios.h>
#include <conio.h>
#include <stdio.h>
#define LPT1 0
void main( void )
{
unsigned status;
printf ( "Place printer off line and press any key\n" );
_getch();
status = _bios_printer( _PRINTER_STATUS, LPT1, 0 );
printf( "Status with printer off line: 0x%.4x\n\n", status );
printf( "Put the printer on line and then\n" );
printf( "Press any key to initialize printer\n" );
_getch();
status = _bios_printer( _PRINTER_INIT, LPT1, 0 );
printf( "Status after printer initialized: 0x%.4x\n", status );
}
Place printer off line and press any key
Status with printer off line: 0x0018
Put the printer on line and then
Press any key to initialize printer
Status after printer initialized: 0x0090