Printing Problems V7

[Albert Cain]

I have searched through the message board and have not found an answer to the problem I am experiencing with Version 7.

I have many reports in the Typeset A4 format. These generally contain bar-codes which we use in our warehouse, and are a requirement.

Therefore, I want to use the MS DOS Typeset Printing mode at all times. The problem is that when I select a typeset printer and typeset report format I get an error when I print which reads that the printer has been assigned to Windows, and do I want to dedicate it to MS DOS. If I choose Y, dedicating the printer to DOS, I find that Alpha Four V7 is locked into DOS, unable to alt-tab back to Windows (95).

Maybe I am looking for the best of both worlds, but is it possible to permanently have the printer dedicated to MS DOS when I am in A4V7, but have the ability to alt-tab back to Windows, where I can use other Windows programs and also print in Windows mode?

Is this possible? Can I configure A4V7 to do this?


Albert Cain

[DSG]

RE: Printing Problems V7

Albert;
For sure, to use typeset mode, you must set up a DOS printer. Why don't you set up your existing (windows) printer in DOS and then use it whenever you need to do typeset printing. (This assumes, of course, that your printer has a compatable DOS driver for A4v7).

Duncan

[Albert Cain]

RE: Printing Problems V7

Thanks, Duncan. I will try it and advise.

Al Cain

[Albert Cain]

RE: Printing Problems V7

Duncan:

I tried what you suggested but it did not work. I placed an HP 895 CSE printer as a configured DOS printer. I then attempted to print my typeset form. In the typeset mode there are only a specific number of printers listed which are available to choose from. I chose the HP Deskjet, which is the nearest to the 895 CSE in emulation I think. The result was the same as I experienced before. When printing I was told that there was a device conflict, and asked if I wanted to dedicate the printer to DOS. I chose Yes and this caused an error in printing. I then retried and it printed acceptable typeset quality in DOS Typeset mode, but it locked me into DOS, unable to alt-tab out of Alpha into Windows. This device error occurs on the first print attempt, resulting in aborting of the job. When you try the second time apparently the system is set with DOS printing as the default and it works well in DOS from then on. But,again, Windows is locked out.

My real problem is the bar codes. I can print fine in the windows mode to my Lexmark laser printers and to the HP inkjet printer, but I cannot get the barcodes which I do get in the typeset Alpha Four DOS mode.

If you have any more ideas, or if I implemented your suggestion incorrectly, please let me know. I appreciate your help.


Al Cain

[Ken Fleming]

RE: Printing Problems V7

That DON'T Work. Like Al Said. It must Be a DOS Printer Not a Windows Printer set up in DOS. It MUST be in the list of DOS printers in the A4 Program. Not many around these and doubt if one can be bought. Time to go to A5 like I did which I put off as long as I could or wait for a update which I doubt if it ever happens. Was suprized when V7 came. Could have got A5 V4.5 for the same price and fixed ALL the printing issues talked about. ALL the fonts your heart desires in fact EVERYTHING IS in FONTS. Still avaliable too and a FREE trial version on the Alpha main page. Programing is SO much easier. I was scared of X-basis but YOU DO NOT have to write all these codes, it does it ALL FOR YOU. Not all the BOTTLE Feeding, just DRAG & DROP everything. And LOTS of HELP on the message board too.
So do yourself a favor and give the trial a whirl. Complete books in the trial that are in the full version. Last one is A5 V5 Run 266.

Ken

Happy Holidays to all.



Ken

[Albert Cain]

RE: Printing Problems V7

Duncan:

I appreciate your help. I wanted to pass this on. Being unsuccessful with the Typeset mode using the HP 895CSE at my office, I installed V7 on a computer at home with an Epson Stylus Color II printer. I also downloaded and installed the patch (the 2MB patch, not the 7.01 patch, which was already installed). The typeset printing is working! When I return to the office I will install the patch on that computer and retry. The computers are identical, and both are configured with Windows 95. There should be an answer and maybe it is the patch. Anyway, thanks, since I was running out of hope. The fact that yours worked OK kept me going.

Merry Christmas


Al Cain

[Ken Fleming]

RE: Printing Problems V7

That is a DOS Printer is the reason it works. It WILL WORK WITH ANY DOS Printer.

Ken

[Ronald Anusiewicz]

RE: Printing Problems V7

I do believe that there are only 2 reasons to upgrade to Alpha 4V7.

1. Your operating system is going to be Windows XP and you need to restructure your databases.

2. You wish to use a printer that does not support DOS printing nor uses the PCL printer code.

Otherwise, there is no reason to upgrade to Ver 7.

We just bought some brand new HP Laserjets, model 1200's for $360.00 or there abouts and they do a fantastic job of printing from Alpha 4V6. We didn't even have to load the windows software and no where on the box did it mention anything about supporting DOS printing. We print mainly typeset reports and this printer spits the pages out at a blazing speed. We used the same control codes as the HP Laserjet 5L which this printer replaced.

Now, even if you have upgraded to Alpha 4V7, if you are not using a windows only printer, then you do not need to load the portion of Alpha 4V7 that enables the windows printers. This is all covered in the documentation that comes with the software.

To verify if your printer will print from DOS:

Bring up the MS-DOS prompt window.
type DIR and press enter.
type DIR>LPT1 (Note, if your printer is connected to LPT2, then type DIR>LPT2, etc.)
Press enter
Your printer should print whatever you saw when you typed DIR and pressed enter.

If this happens, then your printer is capable of printing from DOS and should work just fine with Alpha.

If this doesn't work, your printer may not be configured to print from DOS or it's a windows only printer.

[DSG]

RE: Printing Problems V7

Al;
I'm glad you seem to have your problem solved. Sorry, but I have been out of the loop for a few days. But I would also like to make a few comments on the postings that Ken and Ron made.

I run a small business, and quite frankly A4v6 is the main engine that propels it. I have tried twice before to switch to A5 (v1 and v3) and have never had the time to devote to A5 to be able to uncouple myself from A4. In fact, I first heard that A4v7 was coming when I was on the first "Get Outta DOS" seminar run by Susan Bush and Francie. They told me it was coming. At our office we run a mixture of Win platforms on our peer to peer network (most , some Win 95, and even some Win 3.11!) Because of the A4 issues with XP I have avoided upgrading to Win 2000 or XP. But, I knew I was going to need a new laptop this past spring, and being pretty sure that it would have to be with XP, I bought one copy of A4 v7 to "play" around with it. But low and behold, this spring I was able to buy a new Thinkpad with Win 98. And, most of our printing is done on HP Laserjets (4100, 1200, even an old HP III) and the old A4V6 HPIII/IV/V drivers work perfectly on these new machines. As Ron so correctly points out, because I'm on Win 98 and Laserjets, I don't need V7. On my machine at the office I have both V6 and V7 and use them interchangeably, with no problems. So, I still do not understand your problem switching into other Windows programmes from v7. I have no problem. (Also, for colour typesetting I use some HP Inkjets, also with no problems)

But also, as Ken Fleming is saying, there will come a time. I have installed A5 v5, and am beginning to try and learn it. Long term there is no choice (I say that without knowing what the A4 V8 features and benefits will be ... and Alpha has told me there will be a V8). Everything you read about A5 V5 says that this is when us old A4'ers must finally switch. So far, it's not been as easy as I'd hoped (sorry Ken!), but I'm going to perservere. So, in summary, I think all the above posts have been good advice. You may get along without A5 for now, but eventually ....

Duncan

[Ken Fleming]

RE: Printing Problems V7

It takes a while to get the hang of it but once you get you will NEVER GO BACK. I have NOT tried V5 and may never. Ver. 4.5 is Very easy to get use to. I was scared of what they called the Learning curve & X-basic so I stayed from it for years and did not want rebuild all my forms but am having a BLAST doing it, and it is SO much Nicer. Some said it took a year for them to accomplish anything. I spent about 30 days learning the basics and playing around with it. Now it is NOT hard at all in just 3 months I have the BULL by the horns. The more I use it the MORE I Like it Nothing like A4. EVERYTHING or Almost Everything is done with the CLICK OF the mouse and you write nothing Right Click on a button in design mode and select action and it gives you a list and writes EVERYTHING FOR YOU with just a CLICK OR two that you can think of. Not like A4 having to type in ALL The keystrokes and set path which was NOT easy. Trigger keys is and setting paths is gone which was hard to get the hang of�. Choose SEND KEYS, you PRESS the key OR combination of and it puts it there for you what ever keyS you press. NO SELECTING from a list & getting it wrong. Forms are so easy to make too. Setting TAB order is so Simple, instead of the L F C{f2}P and then{f4} and move and Try and miss and miss and take forever to get it right It is Simple as One click to open the design of the form Click on {Arrange} then on {Tab Order} and CLICK them in the order you want with numbers showing you what order they will be in .NOT all the guessing of where it will fall going back and Trial and ERROR�.I too WAS HARD SET on A4 and thought there was NO better way. Give the FREE trial a whirl on the ALPHA.COM main page a Run Its FREE. Full manuals and training manuals with a full chapter of training is included that takes you through all the basics & gets you Started. TRY IT YOU MAY LIKE IT, I Did�.Like someone said � SOONER OR LATER� so go ahead and give the trail a whirl. It may change your mind too. So why UPGRADE to a product that is NOT up to date. DOS IS DEAD!!!!When you can get something BETTER for the SAME Price.

Ken