Problems Printing Graphics Using LPTx.OS2 or COPY Command

ID: Q90889

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Windows versions 3.0, 3.0a

SUMMARY

If you print a graphic or bitmapped image to a FILE or LPTx.OS2, part of the output may be truncated. This article discusses possible workarounds for this problem.

MORE INFORMATION

Printing to a FILE

When you print a graphic or bitmapped image to a FILE, the CTRL+Z character may exist in the FILE. Because the CTRL+Z character is misinterpreted by the printer as an end-of-file marker, part of the graphic image is truncated. Adding the /b (binary) switch corrects this problem. The syntax for the command is as follows:

COPY <filename.ext> LPTx: /b

-or-

COPY <filename.ext> COMx: /b

Note: This command must be entered at the MS-DOS prompt; it cannot be entered from within a virtual machine inside Windows.

Adding the /b switch tells the printer that the file is in binary format. As a result, all the data, including CTRL+Z, is treated as part of the graphic image.

Printing to LPTx.OS2

LPTx.OS2 option does not invoke the /b switch. To print a graphics image, you must print the graphics image to a FILE with the following steps:

In the Control Panel window, choose the Printers icon. Choose the Configuration button, and select FILE: as the printer port.

Choose the print option within the Windows application from which you are trying to print.

When you are prompted for a filename, name the file using standard MS-DOS conventions. The file is then placed in the current WINDOWS directory. You may also choose to include a full path before the filename to save the file to a path of your choice.

Exit Windows.

Move into the WINDOWS directory, or the path specified in step 3, and type the following:
- COPY <filename.ext> LPTx: /b
  
  -or-
- COPY <filename.ext> COMx: /b

Additional query words: msdos win30 3.00 3.00a

Keywords :
Version : WINDOWS:3.0,3.0a
Platform : WINDOWS
Issue type :