Windows 3.1: Cannot Print Landscape on HP LaserJet II

ID: Q84037

The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Windows 3.1
  • Microsoft Excel for Windows, versions 3.0, 4.0
  • Microsoft Project for Windows, versions 1.0, 3.0, 3.0a, 4.0

SYMPTOMS

You cannot print mixed text and graphics in landscape orientation on a Hewlett-Packard (HP) LaserJet II printer under Microsoft Windows version 3.1 if the form length on the printer is greater than 60.


CAUSE

This is caused by a problem with the Windows 3.1 HPPCL.DRV driver version 1.1 dated 03-10-92.


RESOLUTION

This problem has been corrected in the HPPCL.DRV driver version 2.0.

The following file(s) are available for download from the Microsoft Software Library:

~ Hppcl.drv
For more information about downloading files from the Microsoft Software Library, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
Q119591 How to Obtain Microsoft Support Files from Online Services


STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the HPPCL.DRV included with Windows 3.1. This problem has been corrected and does not occur in later versions of the driver.


MORE INFORMATION

As a temporary workaround, keep the setting on the front panel of the printer at the factory default of 60. A front panel form length setting of 60 on the LaserJet II ensures that the initial cursor position is within the printable area so that the raster data isn't clipped.

The form length setting can be changed through the front panel of the LaserJet II as follows:

  1. Press the ON LINE key to take the printer off line.


  2. Press the MENU key five times until "FORM=..." appears on the display.


  3. Press the PLUS SIGN (+) or MINUS SIGN (-) key to change the setting to 60 lines.


  4. Press the ENTER key to select the change. An asterisk (*) will appear on the right side of the display.


  5. Press the MENU key once. "00 READY" will appear on the display.


  6. Press and hold down the CONTINUE/RESET key until "07 RESET" appears. This step is critical -- you MUST select 07 RESET in order for the form length changes to take effect.


Due to a the way the Universal Printer Driver version 1.1 calculates the starting location for the raster graphics row (data stream), if the form length setting is greater than 60, the starting location of the raster graphics row will be in the unprintable area of the page. The LaserJet II will not print the entire raster graphics row if the BEGINNING of the row falls in the unprintable region.


REFERENCES

"Windows 3.1 LaserJet series II Landscape Graphics Printing Problems using the Microsoft Universal Printer Driver v1.1" available from Hewlett-Packard's forum on CompuServe.

Additional query words: 3.1 3.10 LJ LJII HP HPII II lines per page borders

Keywords : kbfile
Version : WINDOWS:1.0,3.0,3.0a,3.1,4.0
Platform : WINDOWS
Issue type :


Last Reviewed: December 3, 1999
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