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Q170583: Zero Length RU Causes a Blank Page to be Printed

Article: Q170583
Product(s): Microsoft SNA Server
Version(s): WINDOWS:3.0,3.0 SP1,3.0 SP2,3.0 SP3,3.0 SP4,4.0,4.0 SP1,4.0 SP2,4.0 SP3
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): 
Last Modified: 13-JUN-2001

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The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft SNA Server, versions 3.0, 3.0 SP1, 3.0 SP2, 3.0 SP3, 3.0 SP4, 4.0, 4.0 SP1, 4.0 SP2, 4.0 SP3 
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SYMPTOMS
========

When a zero-length RU is sent to the SNA print server as part of a host print
job, a blank page will be printed. The following is an example of a zero-length
RU as captured in a SNA Server Data Link Control Message trace:

     04160080->01020101 DLC DATA     
        DAF:EC OAF:01 ODAI:off Normal 
        RQE FMD BC EC DR1 PI BB EB 

     ---- Header  at address 01034418, 1 elements ----
     04B00004 00002C00 EC010004 01002102     <......,.......!.>

     ---- Element at address 0152D5A4, start 10, end 12 ----
     0391C0                                  <.j.             >

The Element portion of the preceding frame contains a Request Header (RH) of
x'0391C0', but no actual data.

CAUSE
=====

Print Server treats the zero-length RU as a unique print job where 0D 0C (CR FF)
is sent to the printer. The print server calls "StartDoc" to start a new
document as soon as it receives a request, and "EndDoc" when the document is
complete. Even though there is no data submitted to the printer between the
"StartDoc" and "EndDoc" calls, the printer will still print a form feed (FF).

RESOLUTION
==========

There are two possible workarounds for this issue:

1. Configure the print session to use a PDF file. The PDF file uses
  "StartDocPrinter" and "EndDocPrinter" which do not automatically produce a
  FF. For instructions on configuring PDF files, refer to the SNA Server online
  help Chapter 6 Printer Definition Files.

  -OR-

2. Use the DelayPrintStart Registry parameter as discussed in the following
  Microsoft Knowledge Base article:

  Q172283 Title: Blank Page Is Printed Between Each Print Job

Additional query words:

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Keywords          :  
Technology        : kbAudDeveloper kbSNAServSearch kbSNAServ300 kbSNAServ400 kbSNAServ300SP3 kbSNAServ300SP1 kbSNAServ400SP1 kbSNAServ400SP2 kbSNAServ400SP3 kbSNAServ300SP2 kbSNAServ300SP4
Version           : WINDOWS:3.0,3.0 SP1,3.0 SP2,3.0 SP3,3.0 SP4,4.0,4.0 SP1,4.0 SP2,4.0 SP3
Issue type        : kbprb

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