Garbled Graphics Output on Shared PostScript Printer

The information in this article applies to:

• Microsoft Windows NT Workstation versions 3.5, 3.51, and 4.0
• Microsoft Windows NT Server versions 3.5, 3.51 and 4.0
• Microsoft Windows for Workgroups version 3.11

SYMPTOMS

When you send a graphics print job to a shared postscript printer on a Windows NT Server from a Windows for Workgroups 3.11 computer using the IPX/SPX compatible transport protocol (NWLink), the first page of the output is garbled.

CAUSE

This problem occurs when the Windows for Workgroups 3.11 computer sends the print job to the Windows NT Server using direct hosting over IPX. Direct hosting allows the Server Message Block (SMB) file sharing protocol to be used over a connectionless datagram transport such as IPX. This bypasses the NetBIOS layer and sends the data in blocks, which are re- assembled at the server. These blocks are not re-assembled correctly.

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, use another protocol such as TCP/IP or NetBEUI on both the Windows for Workgroups 3.11 computer and Windows NT Server. Make sure you disable the binding of Server and NWLink on the Windows NT Server.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows NT version 3.51. We are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.