Digital BW, The Print

Hi Roy,

Sounds like Michael is already in motion on this question, and may
have a response that can be validated using the DDSDK from MS.
However, what Michael suggested in terms of writing to the port itself
and what Ernst is also suggesting re the spooling issue is what caught
my eye...

The W2K printer resource (from the GUI perspective) allows user
controls over sharing, spooling methods (direct, RAW, ordered, etc.)
security levels, etc. Pushing data down the pipe directly to the
printer would definitely bypass those variables.

Also, on a personal note I think both you and Steve have been
incredibly generous in not only developing, but also supporting the
QTR and GUI code. From some of the very basic questions that are being
asked, it would be great to have an FAQ in the QTR section of the
files area -- lots of people are requesting solutions to the same
problems (which have simple fixes) and/or don't know that QTR and the
GUI can be tested independently to streamline the troubleshooting
processes you may want to address.

There are many helpful people here on the forum, but personally, I'd
like to see your time and Steve's be focused more on moving your own
respective product plans forward than fielding some of these simple
questions. That would be to everyone's benefit, and it seems like
(beyond monitoring the user process to see what may or may not be 
beneficial to include in your code/UE) too much reliance on you in
this area is way beyond reasonable scope for what will ultimately
deliver the greatest value to all from your generous efforts. 

Unfortunately, due to personal commitments I can only offer this as a
suggestion that perhaps some kind forum member might be willing to
undertake (i.e., the QTR/GUI "Basics FAQ") -- and one could rightfully
say that if I'm not willing or able to do it myself then perhaps I
shouldn't suggest it. But, it seemed like a good idea at the time...
;>)

Glad to help in any way I can, circumstances permitting...

Thanks for all you do, Roy and Steve!

Cheers,

Richard   

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Roy Harrington"
<roy@h...> wrote:
> 
> 
> Richard and Michael,
> 
> You guys seem to know a bit more of the Windows internals.  
> 
> As I guess you know, I'm getting to the USB port by simply
redirecting
> output to \\computername\sharename.   This works OK as long as a
network
> exists.  But obviously this is one of the major hassles with
getting QTR
> running.  Systems that are sometimes connected and sometimes not are
> particularly problematic.  
> 
> I'd be really interested in any info about other ways to do this
that are more
> reliable and fool-proof.  Or possibly just some diagnostic testing
to help
> identify what's blocking output on a particular system.
> 
> Thanks,
> Roy
> 
> 
> --- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com,
"richard_h95050" 
> <richardh@j...> wrote:
> > 
> > Steve,
> > 
> > Michael's got you pointed in the right direction here. You need to
> > break things down into simple pieces because the QTR/GUI isn't a
real
> > complicated duo. Two things:
> > 
> > 1. In case I missed it in an earlier part of your thread, have you
> > tried running QTR without the GUI? You're dealing with two
programs
> > here and it would be good to isolate the problem -- Roy has pretty
> > clear directions on how to run QTR "raw"
> > 
> > 2. When you run "net share" from the command prompt like Michael
> > suggests, do you also see both your printer and a line that reads
> > something like "print$ C:\WINNT\systema32\spool\drivers"?
> > 
> > Depending on whether that line is present and if you're spooling
your
> > output or sending RAW data to the printer may play a part in your
> > problem -- Roy and/or Steve can fill you in more on how their
> > respective code deals with the Win2K print spooler.
> > 
> > If you can print from Photoshop (or any other app) to your
printer and
> > you're not using a print server, the firewall is a non-issue as
> > Michael suggests. However, do you have any security software of
any
> > sort running on your machine? Are you logged in as and have you
> > installed all the software in this loop (including your printer
> > drivers, QTR and GUI with Admin privileges or as the same user?
> > 
> > And again, in case I missed it, you are networked on the machine
> > you're printing from or have a loopback adapter installed, right?
And
> > since you're using USB, you've checked for any port mismatches
that
> > may have been introduced when you set up your printer share, yes?
> > 
> > Michael -- FYI I've got about 30+ feet between my 9600 and my
editing
> > machine. It's a tad over "spec" but I am using a good heavy cable
with
> > ferrite cores, so I haven't had a bit of trouble with the
distance for
> > either my 9600 or 7000. Also, you can always drop a good powered
hub
> > or repeater in the line if noise is an issue, go ethernet, or if
your
> > network is wireless, the USB wireless adapters are getting very
> > inexpensive. Distance should be no problem for you...
> > 
> > Cheers!
> > 
> > Richard 
> >