Word for Windows Misreads Port Names Containing Spaces

ID: Q104666

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Windows NT 3.1
Microsoft Windows NT Advanced Server, version 3.1
Microsoft Windows 3.1
Microsoft Word for Windows, version 2.x

SUMMARY

The Microsoft Word for Windows Print Setup dialog box does not correctly display printer port names with spaces in them. It either lists printers multiple times, once for each word in the port name, or it lists the printer once with the port name capitalized and the spaces replaced with underscores.

For example, if you have a DLC connection to an HP LaserJet 4si and the printer driver is printing to the HP network port which you named HP Net Printer, then Word should display:

HP LaserJet 4si on HP Net Printer

Instead it lists the printer multiple times

HP LaserJet 4si on HP
HP LaserJet 4si on NET
HP LaserJet 4si on PRINTER

or with underscores:

HP LaserJet 4si on HP_NET_PRINTER

Word does print correctly regardless of which listed printer you choose.

The same problems occur if the port name, server name or share name contain spaces. The only resolution to this problem is to not use spaces. This behavior occurs under Windows 3.1 as well.

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem with Word for Windows version 2.0x. We are researching this problem and will post new information here as it becomes available.

Additional query words: prodnt

Keywords : kbinterop
Version : WINDOWS:2.x,3.1; winnt:3.1; :3.1
Platform : WINDOWS winnt
Issue type :