Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!wuarchive!uunet!comp.vuw.ac.nz!massey.ac.nz!ABishop
From: ABishop@massey.ac.nz (A.G. Bishop)
Newsgroups: comp.os.msdos.misc
Subject: Re: 3.3 print command on binary files?
Summary: How do you make it work?
Keywords: Binary print
Message-ID: <944@massey.ac.nz>
Date: 3 Sep 90 21:55:01 GMT
References: <11114@spool.cs.wisc.edu>
Organization: Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
Lines: 29
X-Reader: NETNEWS/PC Version 2.2

In message <11114@spool.cs.wisc.edu> Mike Ward writes:

>I often print large graphics files to my mx80 style printer.
>I would like to use the MSDOS 3.3 print command to spool them, but
>'print' only likes text files. If anyone knows of a undocumented option
>or patch that makes 'print' work with graphics (binary) files rather
>than just ascii text files, I would appreciate it if you would send me
>the info. Thanks.

How about using the Dos COPY command, if the printer is connected is
connected to the first parallel port type:

	copy fred.txt lpt1: /b

the /b indicates a binary transfer so that things like ASCII 26 (^Z)
won't muck you up.  To print to a serial port you need to set the port up
first using the MODE command (this sets baud rate, stop bits, etc).  You
would need to check the printer's manual to see what it expects then work
aout the right MODE parameters from your Dos manual's syntax description.

Parallel is much more straightforward.

Tony



-- 
Tony Bishop				Computer Centre
Email: A.G.Bishop@massey.ac.nz		Massey University
Standard disdainer applies		Palmerston North, N.Z.