KB154498 - How to Print to Network Printer from MS-DOS-Based Programs

Article ID: 154498

Article Last Modified on 2/27/2007

Microsoft Windows 2000 Server
Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server
Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional Edition
Microsoft Windows NT Advanced Server 3.1
Microsoft Windows NT Server 3.5
Microsoft Windows NT Server 3.51
Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 Standard Edition
Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 3.1
Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 3.5
Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 3.51
Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 Developer Edition
Microsoft Windows NT Advanced Server 3.1

This article was previously published under Q154498

For a Microsoft Windows XP version of this article, see 314499.

SUMMARY

This article describes how to print to a network printer from an MS-DOS- based program in Windows. By default, most MS-DOS-based programs print directly to either LPT1 or LPT2. However, the output is not automatically routed across a redirector to a print share unless you use one of the following methods.

MORE INFORMATION

Method 1

Establish a persistent connection using NET.EXE. To do so, use the following syntax at a command prompt:

net use lptx: \\printserver\sharename /persistent:yes

Method 2

Print directly to the printer share by using the following syntax at a command prompt:

print /d:\\printserver\sharenamedrive:\path\filename

Because Novell NetWare's CAPTURE command is not supported in Windows NT 4.0, use the following command to map the LPT port to a Novell NetWare printer queue:

net use lptx \\server\queue

If the LPT port is redirected successfully, the following message should appear:

The command completed successfully.

To disconnect persistent LPTx connections, use the following syntax:

net use lptx /delete

NOTE: When attempting to use the CAPTURE command, the may receive the following error message (The error message may vary depending on the version of NetWare):

CAPTURE-4.01-923: An unexpected error has occurred: 255 (00FF).
(SPOOL.C: [426])

For additional information, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

156429 Supported 16-bit Utilities and NetWare-Aware Applications

Netware is manufactured by Novell, Inc., a vendor independent of Microsoft; we make no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding this product's performance or reliability.

Additional query words: Capture Printer Port LPT1 LPT2 LPT3

Keywords: kbhowto kbprint KB154498