Zero Length RU Causes a Blank Page to be Printed

 Last reviewed: November 6, 1997
Article ID: Q170583
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft SNA Server, versions 3.0 and 3.0 SP1

SYMPTOMS

When a zero-length RU is sent to the SNA print server as part of a host print job, a blank page will be printed. The following is an example of a zero-length RU as captured in a SNA Server Data Link Control Message trace: 

   04160080->01020101 DLC DATA     
      DAF:EC OAF:01 ODAI:off Normal 
      RQE FMD BC EC DR1 PI BB EB 

   ---- Header  at address 01034418, 1 elements ----
   04B00004 00002C00 EC010004 01002102     <......,.......!.>

   ---- Element at address 0152D5A4, start 10, end 12 ----
   0391C0                                  <.j.             >
The Element portion of the preceding frame contains a Request Header (RH) of x'0391C0', but no actual data.

CAUSE

Print Server treats the zero-length RU as a unique print job where 0D 0C (CR FF) is sent to the printer. The print server calls "StartDoc" to start a new document as soon as it receives a request, and "EndDoc" when the document is complete. Even though there is no data submitted to the printer between the "StartDoc" and "EndDoc" calls, the printer will still print a form feed (FF).

RESOLUTION

The workaround is to use a PDF file. The PDF file uses "StartDocPrinter" and "EndDocPrinter" which do not automatically produce a FF. For instructions on configuring PDF files refer to the SNA Server online help Chapter 6 Printer Definition Files.

Additional query words:
Keywords : prodsna snaprintservice kbnetwork
Version : 3.0 3.0.sp1
Platform : winnt

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Last reviewed: November 6, 1997
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