Dymo Network Printer - hdcPrn is Null

[ALanArmstrong]

We have an App function that creates a Packing List and a label. The packing list goes to the default local printer, followed by a label printing on a network accessed Dymo 400 LabelWriter Printer, which is a UNC - IP addressed device. Under A5v8, this combination worked fine. We have since updated to A5V12 and now, whenever we try to print this combo, it chokes on the label with dialog "Printer error: preview - hdcPrn is Null". The Dymo is perfectly accessible via it's native Brother Software and via "Print Test". We have tried several different approaches and are coming up dead in the water here. Can anyone help?

[Stan Mathews]

Re: Dymo Network Printer - hdcPrn is Null

https://www.alphasoftware.com/alphaf...ghlight=hdcprn

[ALanArmstrong]

Re: Dymo Network Printer - hdcPrn is Null

Stan, Thank you for the suggestion. The provided link does not solve this issue for me (I carefully read and tried all options). The problem occurs at the printer assignment in the individual label properties. The one thing I have been able to demonstrate about this problem is the printer assignment (in label properties) apparently cannot be a UNC addressed device (non-UNC, or locally connected devices, all seem to work OK...). Do you know anything about this phenomena, or perhaps have a work-around (short of putting a Dymo printer at every desk)?

[Stan Mathews]

Re: Dymo Network Printer - hdcPrn is Null

Not my area of expertise, if there is one. Is there any possibility of setting the Dymo up as a network printer with an IP address?

[ALanArmstrong]

Re: Dymo Network Printer - hdcPrn is Null

I will investigate, but believe this will still require the infamous UNC (\\XXX.XXX.X.XXX) convention... Thanks for helping...

[Al Buchholz]

Re: Dymo Network Printer - hdcPrn is Null

Do you have a report that prints the Packing list and a separate label object that prints after that?

Just for giggles, Open Alpha as the admin, then try printing.

If it works as admin, then close Alpha and try running normally.

What windows version?

[ALanArmstrong]

Re: Dymo Network Printer - hdcPrn is Null

The report prints a packing list first, then the label. This is handled through a script. However, we can preview first. If we preview the packing list and print, it prints fine (to a local printer), then a dialog presents asking if want to view the label, when we select OK, the preview chokes and issues dialog saying: Printer Error - Preview hdcPrn is null... This does not happen if we change the label properties to print to a local printer, however, if we use this step to change the printer to the label printer, we get yet another script error and then the Alpha Default printer becomes the Dymo.
Running as "Administrator" does not remedy.
We are running Alpha5 Ver 12 with all current patches applied and under Win 10 (Redstone II - Creators Upgrade) with all updates in place...

[Al Buchholz]

Re: Dymo Network Printer - hdcPrn is Null

At the bottom of each page of a thread is an area of Similar Threads.

Stan pointed to the first one.

This is the 3rd or 4th one. Looks like they found a solution for their similar issue.

https://www.alphasoftware.com/alphaf...ting-any-ideas

Seems like the message board search for Similar Threads is much better than a regular search. But that may just be me..

[ALanArmstrong]

Re: Dymo Network Printer - hdcPrn is Null

I had already removed One Note from system and also tried reinstalling A5 print drivers. Also tried updating and reinstalling the Dymo drivers. Also, with almost every effort, I reboot the workstation (just to be safe). Still no dice. For some reason, the print selection in the label properties does not like the UNC named printers... I am working a couple of other angles to see if can find a work-around... but it ain't looking good so far.

[Al Buchholz]

Re: Dymo Network Printer - hdcPrn is Null

For some reason, the print selection in the label properties does not like the UNC named printers...

Can you post an image of what you mean by that?

[ALanArmstrong]

Re: Dymo Network Printer - hdcPrn is Null

Al,
UNC is Universal Naming Convention, which is the \\ (DOS double backslash) used to find named network devices - such as; \\MA1-PC-W001\Dymo 450 Central. If I USB this printer directly into my workstation then a label will print as expected when using the Label Properties Printer selection. However, if I select the network Dymo Printer (or any other network printer for that matter) within the Label Properties, I get the hdxPrn is null error.

LabelProperties.PNG

[Al Buchholz]

Re: Dymo Network Printer - hdcPrn is Null

Alan

Try setting up the printer with a simple name and have the port handle the UNC or the IP address.

[ALanArmstrong]

Re: Dymo Network Printer - hdcPrn is Null

Alan, I am not sure I am following you... Can you elaborate please?

[Al Buchholz]

Re: Dymo Network Printer - hdcPrn is Null

Alan, I am not sure I am following you... Can you elaborate please?

Sure. You should have a simple printer name like DymoLabel or AlphaLabels where the printer is configured to a port with the designated UNC .

That way Alpha uses a simple name (without any special characters).

Go to windows Devices and Printers and use the Add a printer wizard, but don't accept the defaults.

Another advantage is you control the printer outside of Alpha. Similar to mapping a drive.

Alpha has been known to hiccup with special characters in object names, so I try to avoid them.

[ALanArmstrong]

Re: Dymo Network Printer - hdcPrn is Null

Mr. Buchholz, You have given me the answer. Problem solved! I am eternally grateful!

PS: Also nice to deal with an Alan who spells his name correctly!

Thanks again!