Automatic Printing?

[estochin]

In an effort to keep my ink jet printer free from clogs - I'd like to create a batch file or something that would automatically print a small test document every Monday morning. Since I'm out of town a lot, this would keep my ink jet printer from drying out. Is there a batch file that would do this or maybe even a macro program that would open Word, open a doc file and print it automatically and then close - or am I dreaming?

Thanks in advance for any ideas.

 

[whs]

I would not worry about the clogging problem. I live in 2 locations (6 months each) and I let my printers (5 of them) sit for 6 months when I am at the other location. I never had a clogging problem. And I do not even bother to take the ink cartridges out. All printers are Canon.

 

[richc46]

I agree with WHS, I never had a problem and have limited printing needs. I use a HP printer. They suggest with limited use, you merely take out the cartridge and shake it. I think the problem that you suggest was more common with the old Dot Matrix type printer. Take care.

 

[RknRusty]

I hate to say it, but I've been known to suck on a clogged or nearly empty cartridge. Do not touch the print head with your tongue and do not pull more than a slight vacuum on it and the ink will start to flow. Be sure to look in the mirror after you're done. And don't let anybody see you doing it.

 

[ManyBeers]

In an effort to keep my ink jet printer free from clogs - I'd like to create a batch file or something that would automatically print a small test document every Monday morning. Since I'm out of town a lot, this would keep my ink jet printer from drying out. Is there a batch file that would do this or maybe even a macro program that would open Word, open a doc file and print it automatically and then close - or am I dreaming?

Thanks in advance for any ideas.

Yes I have exactly such a job, it prints a small image every Monday morning at 7 A.M. You do this via Scheduled Tasks. My image is just a .jpg and I use Irfanview exe as the Action with the /print switch. If you use some other program you must find out what the command line switch to print is.
These are the Action tab entries:
"C:\Program Files\CoolApps\Graphic Apps\Irfanview\i_view32.exe"
"C:\users\mark\pictures\AutoPrint.jpg" /print.
The first line points to Irfanview.exe and is entered in the Script/program field and the second line is the file with the /print switch. and is entered in the Argument field. Hpoe this helps.
Actually, if you have a program associated with a particular file type just point to the file to run in the first line with the correct print switch for the program. For instance i have a job called WakeMeUp which plays an MP3 file at 6:50 A.M. every morning and
in the Script/program field this is what is entered:
"C:\Users\Mark\Music\Kiss Goodbye(alarm).mp3" and Winamp will automatically open to play the file. I have associated MP3s with Winamp.

 

[computersplus]

you could always switch to a printer that uses toner instead of ink problem solved

 

[computersplus]

you know you could use remote VPN to access your machine while away and just run a print job that way also this could also benefit you in other ways

 

[Lebon14]

you know you could use remote VPN to access your machine while away and just run a print job that way also this could also benefit you in other ways

Let's not try to go over advanced networking... :\

For myself, I don't use too much my printer too. What I did is buy a cheap black and white laser printer from Samsung. Like that, I'm sure that there won't be any clugging.

 

[z3r010]

Have a look at this page - Print Files from Batch Files

You should be able to schedule a bat to do the job.

 

[WindowsStar]

All of these will print a test file:

cscript.exe prnqctl.vbs -e -p PrinterName

rundll32 printui.dll,PrintUIEntry /k /n \\<ComputerName>\<PrinterName>

PRINTUI /k /n "<PrinterName>"

 

[CyberZeus]

Printing from BAT file is good. But have you ever print from Task Scheduler? I'm a developer and I ensure you that it is very difficult. The point is that with Task Scheduler you don't have a full user environment and most printers aren't present or are present but unusable (especially virtual printers such as Adobe PDF printer).

CyberZeus

 

[win7clutz]

I agree with WHS, I never had a problem and have limited printing needs. I use a HP printer. They suggest with limited use, you merely take out the cartridge and shake it. I think the problem that you suggest was more common with the old Dot Matrix type printer. Take care.

FYI, dot matrix printers don't have cartridges...

 

[richc46]

I agree with WHS, I never had a problem and have limited printing needs. I use a HP printer. They suggest with limited use, you merely take out the cartridge and shake it. I think the problem that you suggest was more common with the old Dot Matrix type printer. Take care.

FYI, dot matrix printers don't have cartridges...

I am fully aware of that Win7clutz, I was referring to the clogging.

 

[WindowsStar]

Printing from BAT file is good. But have you ever print from Task Scheduler? I'm a developer and I ensure you that it is very difficult. The point is that with Task Scheduler you don't have a full user environment and most printers aren't present or are present but unusable (especially virtual printers such as Adobe PDF printer).

CyberZeus

If you need a PDF printer that sticks through reboot and if no one is logged on you can use DoPDF it works great.

www.dopdf.com

 

[estochin]

To ManyBeers and everyone else.... I was able to use Task Scheduler to open and print a file every Monday at 5:00 am. Thanks Very Much for all the suggestions - I appreciate it.

 

[richc46]

Congratulations, all who have contributed are happy for your success.