Unable to Print to LPT1/LPT2 on Novell NetWare 3.11

• Microsoft Windows operating system versions 3.0, 3.0a, 3.1, 3.11

SYMPTOMS

Microsoft Windows operating system versions 3.0 and 3.1 may not be able to print to either LPT1 and LPT1.OS2 or LPT2 and LPT2.OS2 on a Novell network.

CAUSE

Novell has confirmed that when using Novell NetWare 3.11 in conjunction with NETx.COM on Intel 80286 microprocessor-based computers, LPT1 parallel port address 0378h may be overwritten with 03BCh. LPT2 and LPT3 default addresses may also be overwritten on INTEL 80386 and 80486 microprocessor-based computers with the same address (03BCh).

NETx.COM changes the address in the BIOS that defines where to send data for LPT1 from the default (0378h) to 03BCh. When programs are printed to the parallel port through MS-DOS, the BIOS sends the data to 03BCh and the boards never see the data through their default addresses.

WORKAROUND

Sending Data to LPT1

For LPT1 to work properly, its default address must be restored. Two methods for restoring the LPT1 address are listed as follows:

• Program the following in C (using any standard C Compiler):

        int far *pt;
        pt=MK_FP (0,0x408);
        *pt=0x378h;
  

  Save the file as C:\FIXLPT1.COM and add the program to the AUTOEXEC.BAT file after NETx.COM, but before the LOGIN program, as follows:

        NETx.COM
        FIXLPT1.COM
        NET LOGIN
  

  -or-

• Use Windows Notepad to create the following Debug script for LPT1:

        E40:8
        78 03
        q (Press the ENTER key)
  

  NOTE: Do NOT include the parenthetical statement in script.

1. Save the file as C:\FIXLPT1.DEB and add the Debug script to the AUTOEXEC.BAT file after NETx.COM, but before the LOGIN program as follows:

         NETx.COM
         DEBUG < FIXLPT1.DEB
         NET LOGIN
   

2. Save the AUTOEXEC.BAT file and restart the machine.

Sending Data to LPT2

If data output should be sent to LPT2, use the value 040Ah in the C program (see step 1, above) by replacing

   (0,0x408);

   with:

   (0,0x40A);

REFERENCES

For further information concerning problems printing to parallel ports over a Novell network, contact Novell Technical Support.

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