Problems Printing Graphics Using LPTx.OS2 or COPY Command

 Last reviewed: November 21, 1994
Article ID: Q90889
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Windows operating system versions 3.0, 3.0a

SUMMARY

If you print a graphic or bitmapped image to a FILE or LPTx.OS2, part of the output may be truncated. This article discusses possible workarounds for this problem.

MORE INFORMATION

Printing to a FILE

When you print a graphic or bitmapped image to a FILE, the CTRL+Z character may exist in the FILE. Because the CTRL+Z character is misinterpreted by the printer as an end-of-file marker, part of the graphic image is truncated. Adding the /b (binary) switch corrects this problem. The syntax for the command is as follows:

  • COPY <filename.ext> LPTx: /b

    -or-

  • COPY <filename.ext> COMx: /b

Note: This command must be entered at the MS-DOS prompt; it cannot be entered from within a virtual machine inside Windows.

Adding the /b switch tells the printer that the file is in binary format. As a result, all the data, including CTRL+Z, is treated as part of the graphic image.

Printing to LPTx.OS2

LPTx.OS2 option does not invoke the /b switch. To print a graphics image, you must print the graphics image to a FILE with the following steps:

  1. In the Control Panel window, choose the Printers icon. Choose the Configuration button, and select FILE: as the printer port.

  2. Choose the print option within the Windows application from which you are trying to print.

  3. When you are prompted for a filename, name the file using standard MS-DOS conventions. The file is then placed in the current WINDOWS directory. You may also choose to include a full path before the filename to save the file to a path of your choice.

  4. Exit Windows.

  5. Move into the WINDOWS directory, or the path specified in step 3, and type the following:
  • COPY <filename.ext> LPTx: /b

    -or-

  • COPY <filename.ext> COMx: /b

    • KBCategory: kbprint
    KBSubcategory: win30
    Additional reference words: msdos win30 3.00 3.00a

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    Last reviewed: November 21, 1994
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