KnowledgeBase Archive

An Archive of Early Microsoft KnowledgeBase Articles

View on GitHub

Q220157: PRB: GETPRINTER() Behaves Differently Based on Machine’s OS

Article: Q220157
Product(s): Microsoft FoxPro
Version(s): WINDOWS:5.0,5.0a,6.0
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): kbOSWinNT kbvfp500 kbvfp500a kbvfp600 kbOSWin95 kbOSWin98 kbXBase
Last Modified: 28-MAR-1999

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

- Microsoft Visual FoxPro for Windows, versions 5.0, 5.0a, 6.0 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SYMPTOMS
========

The GETPRINTERS() function produces both a different dialog and different
results when querying printers from a machine running Windows 95 or 98 as
opposed to Windows NT 4.0.

RESOLUTION
==========

As a workaround, use the APRINTERS() function to store the available printers
into an array. Also, if you want to choose the printer when running a report,
add the PROMPT clause to the REPORT FORM command.

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

Steps to Reproduce Behavior
---------------------------

1. Start Visual FoxPro 6.0 or 5.0 on a Windows NT 4.0 machine.

2. In the Command window, type:

  ? GETPRINTER()

3. Expand the drop-down list and note the values that appear next to the Name,
  Type, and Where labels in the dialog box.

4. Perform the steps above on a Windows 95 or 98 machine.

5. On the Windows NT machine, the Name drop-down box contains the address of the
  printer if the printer is on a network. Therefore, the GETPRINTER() function
  returns the printer's network address, if the printer is on a network. The
  Type label lists the actual printer name. If it is a local printer, they are
  the same. The Where label has a number and the word PASSTHRU.

  On Windows 95 or 98, the Name drop-down box contains the name of the printer.
  Therefore, GETPRINTERS() returns the name of the printer and not its network
  address under Windows 95 or 98. The Type label also has the name of the
  printer. The Where label has the network address. If the printer is local,
  Name and Type are the same.

REFERENCES
==========

For additional information about APRINTERS, please see the following article in
the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Q155929 BUG: APRINTERS Function Behaves Differently in Windows 95

For more information about the APRINTERS function, search for APRINTERS, and then
in Visual FoxPro Help.

Additional query words: KBDSE

======================================================================
Keywords          : kbOSWinNT kbvfp500 kbvfp500a kbvfp600 kbOSWin95 kbOSWin98 kbXBase 
Technology        : kbVFPsearch kbAudDeveloper kbVFP500 kbVFP600 kbVFP500a
Version           : WINDOWS:5.0,5.0a,6.0
Issue type        : kbprb
Solution Type     : kbpending

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

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.