Topic: HP Plotter and SME Question

[alejandro]

Hi All.
I'm having some troubles using a plotter conected to my SME server.
problem is that driver on workstations (windows xp @#!*#) takes very long times to actuate and respond to printer properties modifications and plotter status checking,
I've read something here in forums about some related with samba, but still no solution.
when I use the plotter conected to the local WS lpt port there are no delays at all, but conected to the SME box's lpt1 there are a minute or even more between clickink an OK and the response expected.
I've used cups with same results, and now again with lpr printing i'm trying to loock for something in samba or comunication with plotter.
Any clues or help is better than being stucked here, so don't be shy share some brain cells with me...
Many thanks in advance as always, and
sorry for my "english"

[matsk]

A bit on the side.

I hade a similar problems some years ago and solved it temporary like this:

I defined the printer port on the Windows workstation as : file

The printer was mapped to a LPT port.

Copied the file to the printer with "as binary", the batch command is :

Code: [Select]

copy /B filname lpt3


Maybee this helps you to a temporary solution


/Mats

[girkers]

This might seem like a silly suggestion, but have you checked the configuration of the LPT port on the SME box.  You may find (just a guess) that the port my be set to Normal, where as your XP box would you be using ECP which is much more efficient.

If you don't know where to check this, it will be in the BIOS of the SME box.

(Sorry if you already knew that, but with forums you don't always know the level of expertise of someone)

[alejandro]

Thanx for the answers,
First suggestion is effective but requires people in the office to type some code in a command windows, and you know what it means.....

the second suggestion was first thing I checked, I was sure it could be a port missconfiguration, but not, there must be a comunication problem between windows driver and sme port sharing. so I decided to install the plotter as a local printer and change the port in the advanced settings at printer configuration tab of windows control panel.(sorry for the use of all this windows's words together)

I changed the port from LPT1 to \\192.168.100.1\plotter and seems to work without any noticeable delay.
I will post again when I can confirm this result in more than one WS/OS
Thanks again

[girkers]

Ale,

I have found that it best to have the printer as a local printer, using the port as you described.  This way all the settings are kept locally and the only communication to the printer is the print job itself.  Obviously in a network environment this may not be ideal.

As to the LPT port redirecting, I don't think windows likes this sometimes, but with something like a plotter, the programs that you use with it may require it to be set this way.