Prompt if Cant Write to LPT1

Hi,

I wanna include this lines in the autoexec.bat file:

@echo ff
copy test.txt lpt1


What this txt file does is to reconfigure the printer's setting. It will set the paper size to A4.

Now, I got a problem here. The file updates the printer at boot time. But sometimes, the users do not turn on the printer. And then the error will be shown saying

Write fault error writing device LPT1
Abort, Retry, Ignore, Fail?

How do I program in such a way that if the above error appears, another message also shows telling user to turn on the printer, if they have not done so. Something like this:

Please turn on printing device.
Write fault error writing device LPT1
Abort, Retry, Ignore, Fail?

Thanks!

Hi There,
Could you add the following lines above your copy command ?

@ECHO OFF
ECHO Please make sure the printer
ECHO is turned on before you continue
PAUSE
copy test.txt lpt1

Dave

hi davidgsmith,

thanks for your suggestion. but i got one problem with that.
most of the time the printer will be on. so, by adding those additional lines, the batch will pause every time, irregardless whether the printer is turned on or not.

any other way?

thanks!

Wait a little longer and I'm sure one of the DOS gurus will supply the answer.

Vernon most probably.

Hey topdome,
I was thinking about this, this afternoon :D
Unfortunately I'm at the limits of my batting skills :(

There should be some time of function that could be run at this time in the autoexec.bat to see if the printer is turned on.

Don't know what if any, info about your printer or what type connection it has would be relevent to performing that function.

The gentleman mentioned above, Vern, has a website site with many batch file links. You could start looking yourself for something that might work.

http://www.comp-air.com/vfrazee/batch/index.htm

Let us know,
Dave

Hi topdome, here's a group of batch utilities that I find almost indispensible, including one called PCHECK.COM that checks to see if a parrallel printer is present. Looks like what you're looking for.

Dex

EDIT: You want to download the file called horst32.zip.

And, authors homepage has more good tools and info.

Also, if you decide to use this, I would suggest this: Make the printer test as a separate batch file that you call at the end of the autoexec.bat. Call it something like PRNTTEST.BAT, or whatever you want. Then, add this line to the end of your autoexec.bat:

PRNTTEST.BAT

Then, use something like this for the actual batch file:

:: prnttest.bat
@echo off
pcheck.com
if not errorlevel goto Main
cls
echo.
echo Please turn printer on before continuing!
echo.
pause
:Main
copy test.txt lpt1

And obviously, either put PCHECK.COM in your C:\DOS or C:\WINDOWS\COMMAND directory, or include its full path in the batch file, ie.,

C:\DOS\HORST\PCHECK.COM

or where ever you put it. :D

Here and example of one way to do it using nothing more than DOS:

Code:

---

@echo off
echo [Alt-12]>~
:PRNtest
command/f/ccopy ~ prn|find "1 file(s) copied">nul
if errorlevel 0 if not errorlevel 1 goto PRNready
echo.
echo Please make sure the printer is ready and then press [Enter] ...
pause>nul
goto PRNtest
:PRNready
del ~
:End

---

Notes:

1. You'll need to replace that complete "[Alt-12]" string, (including the square-brackets), with the single form-feed character. Save the above as a text file then load it in EDIT. Delete the "[Alt-12]" string then, while holding down the [Alt] key, press the [1] then the [2] key on the numerical keypad, (not the keys at the top of the keyboard), then release the [Alt] key. The character you get should look like the one next to the "12" on this page: http://64.70.165.184/vfrazee/ascii.htm
   
2. I'd probably add the above, (minus the "@echo off" line), to the C:\AUTOEXEC.BAT file.
   
3. There is one small downside to using this approach. If the printer is not on when DOS processes these lines, as soon as you do turn it on, the printer will eject a piece of paper. :(

thanks alot vernon!

didnt noe tat DOS is capable of all these!!!

cool !

You're Welcome! Glad I was able to help. :)