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Printers, Font and Drivers |
If you're having trouble with your printer, the Windows 95 installation CD, that is. Put it into your CD-ROM drive, navigate your way to D:\Other\Misc\Epts, and double-click on Epts.exe. Introducing the Enhanced Printer Troubleshooter. Just answer the questions it asks, follow any instructions.
1.On the Start menu, point to Settings, then Control Panel and then
click Printers.
2.With the right mouse button, click the printer you are trying to
print to, and then click Delete.
3.Double-click the Add Printer icon.
4.Click Next.
5.Click to select either Local Printer or Network Printer, and then
click Next.
6.In the Manufacturers list, click Generic.
7.In the Printers list, click Generic/Text Only.
8.Click Next.
9.Follow the instructions in the Add Printer Wizard.
Due to the way video drivers and adapters interact with everything,
next check your Video.
To determine whether the video driver is causing your problems, install
the standard VGA driver:
1.On the Start menu, point to Settings, and click Control Panel.
2.Double-click the Display icon.
3.Click the Settings tab.
4.Click Change Display Type. Make a note of the adapter type in case
you need to reinstall the original video driver.
5.Click the Change button in the Adapter Type section.
6.Click the Show all Devices option.
7.In the Manufacturers list, click (Standard display types).
8.In the Models list, click Standard Display Adapter (VGA).
9.Click OK.
10.Click Close.
11.Click Close.
12.If you receive a message asking you to restart Windows, click Yes.
To change the settings for the current display driver:
1.On the Start menu, point to Settings, and click Control Panel.
2.Double-click the Display icon.
3.Click the Settings tab.
4.In the Color palette drop-down list, click 16 Color. Or, under Desktop
Area, set the resolution to Less (640 by 480 pixels).
5.Click Apply.
6.Click OK.
7.If you receive a message asking you to restart Windows, click Yes.
For additional information about troubleshooting video problems in
Windows 95, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge
Base: Q127139 Troubleshooting Video Problems in Windows 95
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q127/1/39.asp
Fonts do not print correctly.
To ensure that fonts are installed correctly
1. Double-click the Fonts icon in Control Panel, and make sure the
fonts are installed.
2. Double-click the font’s icon, and then click Print.
You can also try the following:
Print using a different font.
Print a different document using the same font.
Print with a different application using the same font.
Print to a different printer using the same font.
Verify the printer driver version, size, and date.
Try using a printer-resident font.
Print to a file, and then copy the file to a port to see if the driver
or the spooler is causing the problem. For example:
copy filename.prn /b lpt1:
If the printer supports PostScript and PCL, try printing in each format. If it is a TrueType font, enable Print TrueType As Graphics. Print with a different mini-driver, such as the Generic/TTY.
When printed, fonts appear distorted or unreadable.
In the application, change to Print Preview mode to see if the fonts
appear correct on-screen.
Change the font size to see if the problem recurs with a larger or
smaller font.
Use a different font to see if the original font is corrupted.
Check printer resolution. Most non-TrueType fonts are optimized for
300 dpi or greater.
Cut and paste the formatted text into another application and print
it. If the font errors still occur, the problem may be related to the specific
font.
Load a PostScript driver and select Download As TrueType. If the job prints correctly, the problem was with the printer driver or UNIDRV.DLL. Otherwise, the problem is probably in the GDI. Check printer memory. If the image is large, you may need more memory. For a laser printer, enable the option named Send Font As to print TrueType fonts as bitmaps.
When printed, fonts overlap.
Try different resolutions, using the same printer. If a higher or lower
print resolution works, the printer driver is probably at fault. Try using
another printer driver. Note If the problem persists with more than one
printer driver, the problem is likely to be at the GDI level.
For a laser printer, enable the option named Send Font As to print TrueType fonts as bitmaps, as described earlier. Try printing the same information with a different font.
Fonts do not print properly when underlined or strikethrough text is
selected.
Try a different application with the same font.
Print in a different orientation (that is, if portrait, change to landscape).
For a laser printer, enable the option named Send Font As to print
TrueType fonts as bitmaps, as described earlier.
You cannot convert Type1 fonts to TrueType fonts in the Fonts folder.
Windows 95 does not support this capability. Type1 fonts will work
with Windows 95, but you need to install ATM™ to manage them on the screen
and install them for a printer.
Fonts are clipped when printed.
Recheck the printable region by running a print test from the printer.
(Usually, there is a test button on the printer; press this to run a test.)
Adjust the paper orientation if you can.
For a laser printer, enable the option named Send Font As to print
TrueType fonts as bitmaps, as described earlier.
Check the printer memory settings for the driver and printer. If you
are printing large images, the printer memory may be insufficient; try
printing small images.
Some parts of a TrueType font are rotated, but other parts are not.
If this occurs because the printer can only print 180-degree and 90-degree
rotation (not odd-degree rotations), redefine the degrees of rotation for
the image.
For a laser printer, enable the option named Send Font As to print
TrueType fonts as bitmaps, as described earlier.
If the problem is font-related, try using another character set, or
download TrueType fonts to the printer, and then try again.
TrueType fonts do not display in an MS-DOS window.
Sometimes changing the displayed font to a TrueType font in an MS-DOS
window does not change the font on the screen. TrueType fonts cannot be
displayed in an MS-DOS window if the MS-DOS-based application is running
in graphics mode. To work around this problem, run the MS-DOS-based application
in text mode and use bitmap fonts in the MS-DOS window.
To change the font used in an MS-DOS window.
1. In the MS-DOS window, click the MS-DOS icon in the upper-left corner
of the window (or press ALT + SPACEBAR).
2. Click Properties, and then click the Font tab.
3. Under Available types, click Both Font Types.
4. Click the Font size you want to display, and then click OK.
You can distinguish TrueType fonts by the "TT" designation; fonts without
this designation are bitmap fonts.
Tip. If you print a document to a file, you can copy the print file
to print to a printer. At the command prompt, type copy filename.ext /b
prn
The [TrueType] section describes options that affect the use and display
of TrueType fonts in your Windows applications.
The [TrueType] section can contain the following entries:
OutlineThreshold=number-of-pels-per-em
This entry specifies the number of pels-per-em at which Windows will
render TrueType fonts as outline fonts instead of as bitmap fonts. Using
bitmap fonts is faster, but requires more memory. If your system is low
on memory, decrease this value. Do not specify a value over 300. If you
do, you might encounter problems with TrueType fonts. The default is 256.
To change this entry, you must edit WIN.INI.
TTEnable=0 | 1
This entry controls whether TrueType fonts are available. Setting this
value to 1 makes TrueType fonts available in your Windows applications.
Setting this value to 0 turns off TrueType fonts so they are unavailable
in applications. The default is 1. To change this entry, choose the Fonts
icon from Control Panel.
TTIfCollisions=0 | 1
This entry specifies whether to use TrueType fonts in place of other
fonts if both types of fonts are installed on your system and have the
same font name. If this value is set to 1, the TrueType font will be used.
For example, Windows provides both a bitmap and a TrueType version of the
Symbol font. If you set this value to 0, Windows will use the TrueType
version. The default is 0. To change this entry, you must edit WIN.INI.
TTOnly=0 | 1
This entry specifies whether to make only TrueType fonts available
in Windows applications. If this value is set to 1, only TrueType fonts
are available. If this value is set to 0, all fonts installed on your system
are available. The default is 0. To change this entry, choose the Fonts
icon from Control Panel.
In Windows 95, fonts can be installed in your computer in several ways:
Windows 95 automatically installs TrueType and its screen fonts during
Setup. When you specify a printer and other options in the Printer Setup
dialog box, Windows 95 includes information about font cartridges and built-in
fonts for your printer. Install more TrueType fonts from disks. After you
install TrueType fonts, you do not need to use the Fonts option in Control
Panel to install them again. Install soft fonts from other vendors on your
hard disk by using the utility supplied by the manufacturer. Then use the
Fonts option in Control Panel to install the fonts for Windows 95.
Note If a TrueType font becomes corrupted, Windows 95 detects this
and marks that font as unavailable during the remainder of that Windows
session and prevents it from being rendered any longer. You can choose
to uninstall the font at that point.
Is the network printer driver set to work offline?
1.Click the Start Menu.
2.Point to Settings.
3.Click Printers.
4.Click the right mouse button on the printer you are trying to print
to. If the Work Offline option is checked, uncheck it. If it will not uncheck
properly, you may need to correct a network problem.
1. From a Dos Window, C:\>
In this exampe I'll use PRINT.PRN IN DIRECTORY 2 [C:\2]
YOU WOULD TYPE AT THE C:\>
C:\>PRINT C:\2\PRINT.PRN LPT1 [enter]
The lpt1 is my printer port. You would substitute LPT1 for you printer
port. It well may be the same.
2. For making .prns to .txt, eliminating the prn altogeather..
Have you Windows 95 CD-ROM inserted. If you are running Win95 (any
version) go to start-settings-printers, click add printer and add the printer
Generic/Text Only (Manufacturer:Generic). The next time you choose "Print
to FILE" you can call the Filname.prn to Filname.txt. Of course you do
printer setup first and choose Generic/text Printer. If you then "print"
to this printer, it will create a text file. Nice Huh!!
Files used by this printer Driver:
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\TTY.DRV
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\TTY.HLP
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\UNIDRV.DLL
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\UNIDRV.HLP
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\ICONLIB.DLL
2. Double click on this icon.
3. The Add Printer Wizard window will pop up, click on Next.
4. Select the manufacturer and model of the printer you will eventually send the .prn files to. Rather than scrolling through the entire list of manufacturers, just press the first letter of their name (e.g. H for HP) on the keyboard and the list will jump to the manufacturers starting with that letter.
5. Once the correct manufacturer / printer has been selected click on
Next. Keep the existing driver for this printer, click on Next. You will
be shown a list of ports, select the one which says: "File: Creates a file
on disk", click on Next. 6. Enter a name for this printer, e.g. "HP Laserjet
(FILE)" and select whether to use this printer as the default, click on
Next. Don't bother 'printing' a test page, click on Finish. If you now
'print' to this printer a dialog asking you the name of the file to print
to will pop up.
Long answer
Add a new printer that prints to the special "File:" port (see question
1).
From the printers' panel, right click on the printer you have just
added and select Properties.
A panel showing the properties for this printer will pop up, click
on the Details tab of this panel.
Click on the Add Port... button.
The Add Port panel will pop up, click on the Other radio button, and
make sure Local Port is highlighted, click on OK.
A small panel asking for the name of the port will pop up, enter the
name of a file in the edit box, for example C:\Output.prn.
Click on OK to dismiss the panel asking for the port name.
Click on OK to dismiss the printer properties panel.
If you now 'print' to this printer the output will be sent directly
to C:\Output.prn (or wherever), overwriting what was there before.
Short answer
Use the "Generic / Text" driver.
Long answer
From the Start menu, select Settings > Printers, the Printers window
will pop up, showing an icon for each of the printers you have at your
disposal, plus an icon called "Add Printer".
Double click on this icon.
The Add Printer Wizard window will pop up, click on Next.
Now select the "Generic / Text" printer driver - press the 'G' key,
the list of manufacturers should jump to those beginning with G, highlight
the one which says "Generic". There should only be one model for the Generic
manufacturer, called "Generic / Text Only", make sure it is highlighted
and click on Next.
Keep the existing driver for this printer, click on Next.
You will be shown a list of ports, select the one which says: "File:
Creates a file on disk", click on Next.
Enter a name for this printer, e.g. "Text File" and select whether
to use this printer as the default, click on Next.
Don't bother 'printing' a test page, click on Finish.
If you now 'print' to this printer a dialog asking you the name of
the file to print to will pop up.
For all your printing needs
see:
http://www.gallicrow.co.uk/Imprint.html
Imprint is a windows utility that allows users to print text files,
including programers' source files, html documents, ASA (Fortran) output
etc.
Imprint can also be used for sending postscript and binary files directly
to a printer. This is particularly useful for printing ".prn" files, created
using the "Print to file" option in many applications plus much more.
Vern's Method of Printing .PRN Files to Text
I scoured the web to find the 'Print to *.PRN file, then Print out *.PRN file' method that works best for me. Some came from this forum, some from elsewhere. Anyway, thanks for your help.
There are three pieces to this method.
A) Set up a new entry in the Printers folder.
B) Create a (two line) batch file (printPRN.bat).
C) Associate PRN file type with printPRN.bat file.
Set up a new entry in the Printers folder.
1. From the Start menu, select Settings > Printers, the Printers window will pop up, showing an icon for each of the printers you have at your disposal, plus an icon called "Add Printer".
2. Double click on this icon.
3. The Add Printer Wizard window will pop up, click on Next.
4. Select the manufacturer and model of the printer you will eventually send the .prn files to. {Rather than scrolling through the entire list of manufacturers, just press the first letter of their name (e.g. H for HP) on the keyboard and the list will jump to the manufacturers} starting with that letter.
5. Once the correct manufacturer / printer has been selected Click on Next. Keep the existing driver for this printer, click on Next. You will be shown a list of ports, select the one which says: "File: Creates a file on disk", click on Next.
6. Enter a name for this printer, e.g. "HP Laserjet (FILE)" and select whether to use this printer as the default, click on Next. Don't bother 'printing' a test page, (Perform the above procedeure for each printer you plan to use in this way.) click on Finish. If you now 'print' to this printer a dialog asking you the name of the file to print to will pop up.
Create a (two line) batch file (printPRN.bat)
1. Using NotePad (or the like), Create a file called (in this example) printPRN.bat .
2. Enter the following two lines (exactly as shown):
ECHO OFF
@COPY %1 LPT1
3. Then 'Save as' c:\printPRN.bat .
Associate PRN file type with printPRN.bat file
1. In My Computer or Windows Explorer, click the View menu, and then click Options.
2. Click the File Types tab.
3. In the list of file types, click NEW TYPE.
a. In the 'Description of type' window, type Print *.prn file .
b. Click on the (lower) NEW button.
c. In the ACTION window, enter Open
d. In the 'Application used to perform function' window, enter c:\printPRN.bat
e. Exit out by clicking ENTER all the way.
Tip
For Help on an item, click ? at the top of the dialog box, and then click the item.
If you find any errors, please let me know. vm@gte.net
See Vern's Site at http://kcif.org/BestSites.shtml
If you are getting any of these messages below:
SPOOL32 caused a divide error in module GDI.EXE at 0023:00000393.
<Program> caused a divide error in module GDI.EXE at 0023:00000393.
Rundll32 caused a divide error in module GDI.exe at 0023:00000393.
Then
Your computer's processor (CPU) is failing or overheating.
Your computer's clock speed is set higher than the manufacturer's recommended
speed.
To solve this there are 3 methods:
1. Replace your computer's CPU.
2. Disable the internal and external CPU cache.
3. Reduce your computer's clock speed to the manufacturer's recommended speed.
Windows 95/98
SPOOL32 caused a General Protection Fault in module Kernel32.dll at
<address>.
SPOOL32 caused an Invalid Page Fault in module Kernel32.dll at <address>.
SPOOL32 caused a Stack Fault in module Kernel32.dll at <address>.