Cannot Print from MS-DOS to JetDirect Printer in Direct Mode

Last reviewed: September 5, 1996
Article ID: Q134778

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Windows 95

SYMPTOMS

When you try to capture a printer port to a printer attached to a Hewlett- Packard (HP) JetDirect device in Direct mode (without a NetWare server), you may receive the following error message:

   Windows Networking
   The following error occurred while trying to connect
   LPT1 to \\HP_Network_Printers\<printername>

   The computer or sharename could not be found. Make sure you typed it
   correctly, and try again.

You may see this error message when you click Yes in the Add Printer Wizard when you are prompted "Do you print from MS-DOS-based programs?".

CAUSE

You can connect to HP JetDirect devices in Direct mode with Universal Naming Convention (UNC) connections only. You cannot capture a printer port to an HP JetDirect device in Direct mode.

WORKAROUND

A workaround for this problem is to use Novell's CAPTURE command in your login script. The Windows 95 login script processor recognizes this command, and it spawns the results to all subsequent VMs.

STATUS

Microsoft is researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.

MORE INFORMATION

When the Add Printer Wizard prompts you to capture a printer port, the network path is automatically inserted and cannot be changed (as the error message stated above suggests). Many MS-DOS-based programs cannot print unless the network printer is redirected through a local port.

KBCategory: kbprint kberrmsg
KBSubcategory: win95
Additional reference words: 95 jet admin direct

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Last reviewed: September 5, 1996
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