Printing Problem

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grantm
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Printing Problem

Post by grantm » Sat Jun 25, 2005 6:54 pm

I have for wonderful program just to have (probally like most people) and don't use it for a store. But there is one glitch, if you will, when I print receipts. I have a USB printer (actually one of those HP all-in-ones, and great buy) so I have to use the APRINT program. The printer defaults to what looks like Arial font, so the spacing on some things on receits is off. I assume that it would look best if the font was one that all of the characters are all the same width. I have looked, but it doesn't seem like I can change the font. Any solution.

Also when I am in a transaction, and I hit + for total, choose a payment type, then the program prompts me to print a receipt, it doesn't. I have even tried to hit do not print thinking that it was programed backwards. I have read in a past post that it takes a bit of time for the printer/APRINT to respond.

Thanks for the help in advance.

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Dale Harris
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APRINT check list

Post by Dale Harris » Sat Jun 25, 2005 9:42 pm

Her is a check list for using APRINT.EXE

1. You have used the "Printer setup" feature of the POSCONFG.EXE program to set the "printer port" to FILE:

2. You have a copy of the VB40032.DLL file in your C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM folder.

3. You have started running APRINT.EXE before any other program files for the POS program and APRINT.EXE is still running.

4. The APRINT.EXE file is in the same folder as the POS program files that you are running.

5. If you have multiple folders that contain the APRINT.EXE file and the other POS program files, that the particular copy of APRINT.EXE and the particular POS program files you are running are all from the SAME folder.

6. APRINT is set up to use your computer's default printer and the computer's default printer is the one you are tying to print to.
Dale

Dave G

Post by Dave G » Mon Jun 27, 2005 10:43 am

Grantm

You might try PrintFile in the spooler mode instead of APrint (http://www.lerup.com/printfile). PrintFile allows setting to a fixed pitch font (such as Courier or Lucinda Console) which may correct your character alignment issue (Since Arial is a proportional font).

Hope this helps.

Dave G

grantm
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Post by grantm » Mon Jun 27, 2005 2:34 pm

I can't get the PrintFile to work right (or at least Windows won't let it print). I made a .bat file that starts the program, looking for the *.a01 file to print (I assume that this is the file that DHPOS creates to be printed. It finds the file, then the little windows printer icon appears down by the time, like usual. Then I get one of those XP speech bubble popups saying that the file can't be printed. I'm not sure if there is some setting that needs to be changed, or it just doesn't like my printer. Also, does it have to do with this fact that my printer isn't a PostScript printer (or at least I don't think that is is).

Thanks.

Dave G

Post by Dave G » Mon Jun 27, 2005 8:07 pm

First configure PrintFile by starting PrintFile and checking the "Enable Spooler Function" box. Select "Text File" box at the bottom of the PrintFile settings window. For a deskjet or laser printer, in the Text File Settings window, check "Print Formatted" box. Select a font that is non proportional (Courier or Lucinda Console). If you don't want a header, then delete the stuff in the header selection. Click OK. On the next screen, click Apply, then click Save.

Assuming you installed PrintFile in "Program Files" folder/directory, start PrintFile in the spooler mode by typing:
C:\Program Files\PrintFile\prfile32.exe" /s:c:\spool\WLSDFKJN.DRY

Run DHPOS just as though you had started APRINT. PrintFile takes the place of APRINT. If you want to select a different printer, go back to the PrintFile configuration and in the Printer selection box, choose whatever printer you want from the drop-down list. It doesn't need to be the default printer.

If you want to print unformatted to a text-only receipt printer, click on the Text file... box and check Sent to printer. The file will be printed without formatting.

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Dale Harris
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WLSDFKJN.DRY

Post by Dale Harris » Tue Jun 28, 2005 11:58 am

Grantm,

The print job file name is actually WLSDFKJN.DRY (don't ask "Why" it just is!) :)

APRINT.EXE looks for this file and then when the file is closed APRINT.EXE copies it to the printer and then erases it.

Just in case you are interested the files ?????????.A01 through ????????.A56 contain the sales data for each employee in compressed format. No wonder you cannot print them.
Dale

grantm
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Post by grantm » Tue Jun 28, 2005 12:27 pm

I got it to work now. It still is a little sluggish, but at least there is some response from my computer within a few seconds of the program printing. I didn't really think that the a01 file was it seeing as how when I opened it in Notepad, there was very little info in it. I thought that it was the file because when I hit print, that file showed up. Thanks for all of the help.

Dave G

Post by Dave G » Tue Jun 28, 2005 1:13 pm

Oops! I goofed in above post. Spooler line for use with DHPOS should be:
C:\Program Files\PrintFile\prfile32.exe" /s: (path to directory where DHPOS is located)\WLSDFKJN.DRY

Dave G

grantm
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Post by grantm » Tue Jun 28, 2005 2:30 pm

Yeah, I got that. I didn't think that my computer has a spool folder. Any way, thanks for all of the help. Now maybe I can actually find a use for the program :D . Again, you have made a great program Dale, keep up the good work.

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