Printing in DOS Prompt Box (WIN98) Font size adjusting

[cgkeller]

In the 386 days, I was able to print out from DOS a directory
(let say: C:\batch\*.*) in compressed mode 15 cpi.
No such luck with WIN95 nor WIN98, it doesn't work anylonger.
I even tried with the program "Jetpilot", it works only for files, but not for printing out the contents of a directory.

Does anybody know how to tweak DOS in printing in compressed mode (15 cpi) instead of the regular size 10.

TT4U told me that the "plain text" fonts are Courier, New Courier and Lucida Console and they all seem to have adjustability in the range 10 to 16.

Your input will be very much appreciated.

Charles.

 

[micker377]

The problem isn't really the size of fonts in Windows, it is sending the correct code to the printer. Do you have the manual for the printer in question?

 

[micker377]

http://www.computerhope.com/printhlp.htm

Found this in Google.

 

[cgkeller]

Memo to Micker377:
Thank you for your input. The programs suggested in computerhope.com are quite interesting. However, they work only for printing files; they do not address my problem which is to print a directoy in DOS, like:
c:\batch\*.* (in condensed pitch of 15 points p.Inch)

in the 386 days, I was able to use a batch file, like this:

Batch file COND15.BAT (to set printing on CONDENSED Mode)
ECHO off
ECHO Setting "Compressed Printing on"...
ECHO >PRN
ECHO "Printing will now be in Condensed mode: 15 cpi, but ECHO only for Epson LQ-1000 and Epson Action Laser 1500
ECHO (and not for HP Deskjet 890C)

To revert to the normal pitch of 10 cpi, I used another batch file, called '"Cond-0ff.bat".

Any ideas how to do that with WIN98?

Charles.

 

[micker377]

Win 98 still has DOS, can you go to command prompt or even "re-boot to DOS"? Once in DOS, you should be able to run the old batch file.

 

[cgkeller]

To Micker377:
You are absolutely right....... I tried this morning (after a good night's sleep) to go into "Safe Mode", and then "Command prompt only(5)", this brought me into true DOS and voila,
the good old "Cond15.bat" worked like a charm.
It just shows you that Virtual DOS (DOS Box under Windows) is not the same as a "true DOS command".

Thank you very much for your help.
Charles.

 

[TekTippy4U]

yes micker377;
I thought cgkeller would have already tried that, and perhaps it's not a productive way to always have to boot into Real DOS just to print correctly.

cgkeller;
find info on using Mkcompat.exe
(Start > Run > mkcompat)
File > Advanced options
there are many settings there that may allow alterations, especially to using fonts..I haven't had the need to research this little known utility in 95 and 98 - though it became an issue it seemed within W2K, because of incompatabilities using 95 apps/programs/games in 2K. 2k's version isn't installed auto during Setup like 95/98's is....and XP has that 'compatability mode' tab in properties/advanced to use, so Win2K users were lulled/sold on upgrading to XP just to run older games.

see;

http://thpc.info/more/moreother.html

jump down to Create compatability for some info
this MS article

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q173/0/86.asp

is of NO USE whatsoever

suggest you try to run your batch file from Command Prompt Only (know how to get there?)..press and hold CTRL or tap F8 right before the win98 logo would appear on Boot..and the win98 startup menu will appear....choose Command Prompt only
OR
Start > shutdown > Restart in MSDOS mode

are you using the same printer?

TT4U

Notification:
These are just my thoughts....and should be carefully measured against other opinions.
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[TekTippy4U]

hi cgkeller;
We seem to have posted at almost the same time....
glad to hear it works in Real DOS (I guess I didn't make the diff clear enough from the other thread)..
BUT
looking into this further
I was able to Print in MSDOS Prompt Box using
NOTEPAD /p as the Print Command - so
NOTEPAD /p C:\BATCH\*.* may work for you

you can set up Notepad's Font Size to your liking from Edit >> Set Font
perhaps this is something for you from an MSDOS prompt box.

for more on using the Print Command in BATCH files.....see

http://www.robvanderwoude.com/index.html

scroll left pane to/choose "Batch Files"
scroll left pane to "Commands" section and beneath listed are PRINTERS and PRINT files...click each for more to appear in right pane.

funny;
I don't see any specific commands in your Batch file that would allow setting the print font smaller....I only see a pointer to output to PRN (>PRN). There may be an entry litsed in the various [Compatability] sections of Win.ini

TT4U

Notification:
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[cgkeller]

Hi TT4U,
Thank you for your latest posting. I also was able to work with MS-DOS Box in Win98 and
C:\NOTEPAD .p
and C:\batch\cond-15
now I am able to change the font and the size.

By the way, I looked at http:/

http://www.robvanderwoude.com/index.html

very interesting site, lots of info there !

Keep well:
Charles.

 

[TekTippy4U]

ahhhh....Joy at Last and thanks for the kind words....happy 4U

you keep well also now, ya hear?

TT4U

Notification:
These are just my thoughts....and should be carefully measured against other opinions.
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