Solved Dot Matrix Printer

[KGMRW]

Hi,
I have a dos program running on a Windows 7 (32-bit) machine that requires a dot matrix printer on LPT1 to print reports. There is no LPT1 port on the machine so I have bought a converter to link the cable to a USB port.
What procedure do I follow to set this printer up on this machine?
Thanks.

 

[alphanumeric]

I've done that with an old laser printer. I didn't have to do anything special as far as windows goes. I just plugged it into a USB port and installed the drivers. If windows doesn't detect it at all, it may not work.

As far as your DOS program goes, it likely still won't work. What you have done is converted your printer into a USB printer. If that program is coded to look for a parallel port it won't see it. A better option may have been to add a true parallel port using a PCI adapter card.

 

[KGMRW]

Once before I have setup a dot matrix printer on a laptop running XP SP3.
I used a NET USE command to set LPT1 to the printer and changed the printer port to be the USB Virtual port.
This works for a test page but will not work from the DOS program. The printer loops between spooling and printing and doesn't print.
Thanks.
If the printer is set to spooling it works.
Thanks for your help.

 

[richnrockville]

I found this link that might help you.

HOWTO: Print to a USB Printer from DOS in Windows XP

even though written for xp, should be fine in windows 7


Rich