Bidirectional Printers Supported in Windows 95

 Last reviewed: January 3, 1996
Article ID: Q140284
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Windows 95

SUMMARY

Bidirectional printer communication in Windows 95 allows programs to query the printer directly to determine the printer's physical attributes. Bidirectional printer communication also allows for more detailed status reporting.

To use bidirectional printer communication, the following conditions must be met:

  • You must have a bidirectional printer.
  • You must use an IEEE 1284-compliant printer cable. Typically, such cables have the number 1284 printed on them.
  • You must use a correctly configured printer port. Some printer ports are set to AT-compatible mode by default; you must set such ports to PS/2 mode.
  • You must use a Windows 95 printer driver that supports bidirectional communication.

MORE INFORMATION

The following printer drivers included with Windows 95 support bidirectional communication:

Non-PostScript Drivers HP LaserJet 4 HP LaserJet 4M HP LaserJet 4M Plus HP LaserJet 4ML HP LaserJet 4MP HP LaserJet 4MV HP LaserJet 4Si MX HP LaserJet 5MP HP LaserJet 4V HP LaserJet 4P HP LaserJet 4Si HP LaserJet 4 Plus HP LaserJet 5P HP LaserJet 4L IBM 4039 LaserPrinter Plus

PostScript Drivers Apple LaserWriter Pro 810 with Fax card Apple LaserWriter Pro 810 Digital DEClaser 5100 HP DesignJet 650C HP DeskJet 1200C/PS HP LaserJet 4 HP LaserJet 4ML HP LasetJet 4MP HP LaserJet 4Si/4SiMX PS 300dpi HP LaserJet 4Si/4SiMX PS 600dpi HP PaintJet XL300 TI MicroLaser Pro 600 2013 PS23 TI MicroLaser Pro 600 2013 PS65

NOTE: The Hewlett-Packard printer drivers for the 600- and 800-series DeskJet printers support bidirectional communication, but do not use the same settings in Printer properties as Microsoft's printer drivers to enable or disable bidirectional communication.

KBCategory: kbprint
KBSubcategory: win95 windrvr
Additional reference words: 95

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.

Last reviewed: January 3, 1996
© 1998 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Terms of Use.