HP LaserJets on AIX, control sequences 1

[necsi]

I have configured 20 print queues on an AIX machine (4.3.1),which are using network printing and the hpJetDirect
functionality. All printers are printing across the network.
The problem is that we are send escape/control sequences which are only reflected in the first print job. Subsequent jobs revert back to portrait, 10 CPI.

I have tried changing the printer queue characteristics, but that doesn't make a difference. We want the escape/control codes to stay resident until new codes are sent.

We are using HP LaserJet 2100 & 2200.
We are also using HP Deskjets, but I have configured those as ASCII/Generic. Is there a better way?

Thanks.

 

[crowe]

How are you sending the escape sequences? If you are sending the sequence as a "header" on a file, only that print request will obey the escape commands.
There is a setting in the printer characteristics in SMIT for INITIALIZE PRINTER. I believe if you set that to NO, the reset command will not be sent to the printer, thus holding the escape sequences in the printers memory, until reset.
Another option is to set up seperate print spoolers for specific printing options, and "forcing" the escape sequences that you want. You might have a printer at 192.168.1.2, but three spoolers set up. P1, P1C and P1CL for "normal" "compressed" and "landscape-compressed"

Go into SMIT to the virtual printer section.

SMIT > Print Spooling > Programming Tools > Change / Show Printer Attribute Database (Virtual Printers)

Choose the print spooler that needs the characteristics set.
At the prompt, type ci=escape_sequence(s)

EXAMPLE: to set the top margin to 0, as well as reset the printer to clear any previous settings, it would be:

ci=\033E\033&l0E

\033E = reset
\033&l0E = sets top margin to 0

crowe