KnowledgeBase Archive

An Archive of Early Microsoft KnowledgeBase Articles

View on GitHub

Q119573: Configuring Windows NT to Print to a Workgroup Add-On Machine

Article: Q119573
Product(s): Microsoft Access Distribution Kit
Version(s): MS-DOS:3.11
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): msdos
Last Modified: 27-NOV-1999

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Workgroup Add-On for MS-DOS, version 3.11 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY
=======

When you try to connect to a shared printer on a Workgroup Add-On for MS-DOS
machine from Windows NT, you receive the following error message:

  Cannot connect to printer: Invalid printer name

You can neither browse the shared resource nor type the full path to connect to
it; however, you may be able to print to a shared network resource using the
steps below.

MORE INFORMATION
================

Printing to a Workgroup Add-On for MS-DOS Print Server from Windows NT
----------------------------------------------------------------------

1. From within Windows NT, open an MS-DOS session.

2. Type the following command

  " net use lpt<x> \\<servername>\<sharename> " (without the
  quotation marks)

  where <x> is the port you want to connect to. NOTE: The LPT<x>
  port does not have to be physically present.

3. From within Print Manager, choose Printer and then choose Create Printer.

4. Install the driver for the printer, and select the same port chosen with the
  NET USE command at the MS-DOS prompt.

Even though the NET USE command is run within an MS-DOS virtual machine (VM), it
becomes global to the entire system. Additionally, it is a persistent and
ghosted connection--it is automatically restarted whenever the operating system
is restarted. To disable this print functionality, you must open an MS-DOS
session again and type the following command:

  " net use lpt<x> /d" (without the quotation marks)

This command deletes the persistent connection to the Workgroup Add-On for MS-DOS
machine.


Additional query words: wgao wfw wfwg err msg error message

======================================================================
Keywords          : msdos 
Technology        : kbAudDeveloper kbWFWSearch kbWFW311DOS
Version           : MS-DOS:3.11

=============================================================================

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.

Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1986-2002.