I’m trying to set up an HP printer to be able to print UB92 forms. UB92 are just ordinary bill-type forms. However, the printer(s) don’t come with certain programmed controls to be able to print the necessary fields. So our documentation says to:
[quote]
Use Printer Control Sequence.
[ul]
[li]HP PORT 66 lpp 10 cpi[/li]–> {27}&12a0o7.27C{27}(s0p10h3T
[li]HP PORT 66 lpp 16 cpi[/li]–> {27}&12a0o7.27C{27}(s0p16.67h0T
[/ul]
We only need to use the 10 cpi setting but we have no bloody idea how to even send such a command to the printer. Is there some command line tool or a way to web to the JetDirect card? Anyone ever done something like this?
I used to use these all of the time back in the DOS days! You would just copy the string directly to the printer port (LPT1:) with the command ‘COPY CON: LPT1:’. I don’t know how you would do it with Windows or Mac, though since you don’t really have a “direct connection” to the printer port. I just tried to open a command window in Windows 2000, and use the Copy Con command and it worked, but then the window froze.
How old is your software? (I assume that it is your software that is telling what control strings to use) Maybe there is an upgrade available.
It’s been 15 years since I needed to do this. The program may send the information with the printer comand. Try to put the control sequence in the master documents header. Control sequence comands set the printer to print in a certain way. so it will continue to print in that way until it is shut down or sent a reset command. Some times the command is best sent via a blank setup document, and not in each document. You print the setup document to set the printer into the correct mode. You then run the documents that don’t have the code embeded in them. Be sure to restart the printer before you try to use it for something else. You might have to enter some characters as ascii code also. You may also set up a blank document to run after the jobs finish to reset the printer so you don’t need to physicaly restart it.
Put the code exactly as they have it typed, and do not add any spaces. Copy and paste if possible. Different programs will require different formats, Since they give you a sequence use it as is. It needs to be put in the header or a submenu that is for control sequence commands. Just to give you an ideal of the pain in the ass this can be, {27} is the decimal code equivalant for the <esc> key. The {} telling the program the number is in decimal. The & is the actual alphanumerical character that is sent and 12 is a hexadecimal number to send the printer as is a0 and 07. You know this because all hexidecimal numbers are represented in twos and nothing can seperate them, and the number is not in a bracket or preceded by a comma. Now you have a good example of why programers use slashed numbers. Hexadecimal FF gets you to 255 the highest number represented by a byte wihich is how the data is sent for the printer.
Don’t take it wrong if you know all this. I have to assume you don’t, to be sure you understand the material.
I’m afraid i don’t understand. Let’s make sure i’m wrong in this interpretation. If i open up Word and type in {27}&12a0o7.27C{27}(s0p10h3T to the blank word document then tell it print to an HP 8150n, then everything else i print will follow those instructions?? I feel obligated to tell you that this is McKesson software, unfortunately, so assumptions cannot be made about the effectiveness of the program.
The printer needs to receive the codes to put it into a mode the hardware supports. Extra fonts and such are stored in the printers eprom. before the current graphical operating systems evoled to where we are today, the printers had multiple fonts and other commands embeded in the eprom. That’s handled by the software printer drivers now. The program you are running requires the printer yo print in one of the alternate modes in it’s eprom. The printer will go into the alternate fonts and styles when it receives code that starts with certain control codes not printed in a test document, such as <ctl> <esc>. The data sent selects mode to go into. Once a printer is set to work how you want, it stays in that mode untill more code is sent to change it, or you turn off the power and turn the printer back on. The printer will come back online in the default mode set by the dip pins in the printer. Dip pins are miniture on off switches, look on the internet. Your printer may be able to be set using the dip switches or by the use of the panel buttons during the power up sequence. Both the previous methods only do a subset of all the available functions. The control codes are an expansion of the early teletype ascii codes.
The codes code be sent via the “Basic” program langage on early computers. You could send the code via “DOS” print redirection also. The last programs. to use embeded code were early “Windows” versions. Programs that used embeded control commands usually provide a place to put your prints specific codes. Many word processors had you put it in a print submenu. You have to find out from the software manufacturer or look at all options in the program.
Go to the HP web site and see if you can get the printer to go into the font you need with the panel buttons on power up. You then don’t need to embed any code. The dip switchs might also set the mode you wish to use on a permenant basis.
Someone that worked with software and printers in the 80’s would be your best bet in getting help wherever you are.
Wow! I haven’t seen a program requiring custom printer command sequences since the mid eighties. Out of curiosity how old is this hardware and software?