How to Print .prn or .ps Files with Windows 95

 Last reviewed: February 5, 1997
Article ID: Q158081
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Windows 95

SUMMARY

This article describes how to print files containing raw printer data (.prn or .ps files) in Windows 95. These files are created by printing from a program to a file using a PCL or PostScript printer driver. .prn files are typically created using a PCL printer driver; .ps files are typically created using a PostScript printer driver.

MORE INFORMATION

To print from a command prompt, type the following line 

   copy <path><filename.ext> LPT<x> /B
where <x> is the correct LPT port number (such as LPT1).

To enable Drag and Drop Printing for .prn or .ps files, follow these steps:

  1. Using any text editor (such as Notepad), create a file called Printer.bat and add the following line

    copy %1 lpt<x> /b

    where x is the correct LPT port number (such as LPT1).

  2. Save the file in the Windows folder.

  3. Start Windows Explorer, and then click Options on the View menu.

  4. On the File Types tab, click New Type.

  5. In the Description Of Type box, type "Printer" (without quotation marks).

  6. In the Associated Extension box, type "PRN" or "PS" (without quotation marks) as appropriate for your printer driver.

  7. Click New.

  8. In the Action box, type "print" (without quotation marks).

  9. In the Application Used To Perform Action box, type:

    c:\windows\printer.bat

  10. Click OK.

  11. Click Set Default.

  12. Using Windows Explorer, locate the Printer.bat file in the Windows folder. Use the right mouse button to click the file, and then click Properties on the menu that appears.

  13. Click the Program tab, and then click the Close On Exit check box to select it. Click OK.

  14. Using the right mouse button, drag the Printer.bat file to the desktop, and then click Create Shortcut Here on the menu that appears.

NOTE: If you are printing to a network printer, you must redirect an LPT port to your network printer. For information on how to capture a port for your network printer, see the "To Capture a Printer Port" topic in Windows 95 Help.

After you follow the above steps, you can print .prn or .ps files using any of the following methods:

  • Drag a file onto a printer icon.
  • Drag a file onto the Print.bat shortcut on the desktop.
  • Use the right mouse button to click a file, and then click Print on the menu that appears.
  • Double-click the file.

NOTE: For correct output, you must create the file using the same printer type as the printer you plan to use to print the file. In other words, you must send a file created with a PCL printer driver to a PCL printer; a file created with a PostScript printer driver must be sent to a PostScript printer.

KBCategory: kbprint kbhowto
KBSubcategory: win95
Additional Reference Words: 95

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Last reviewed: February 5, 1997
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