Printing prn files

I have a situation with HP LaserJet 1200 printers at two locations, 17 =
miles apart. I have been using these printers primarily in association =
with Microsoft Word and Microsoft Word. I have been exploring ways to =
get completed reports from one location to the other. Faxing with Norton =
Winfax Pro v10 using an HP Scanjet 4300C works but the print quality the =
other end is less than ideal. Emailing files as attachments works but if =
any "pictures" are enclosed it results in very large files being stored =
both ends. However, it overcomes the print quality problem.

Looking for a better way I discovered an option to print to file option. =
Testing I discovered that using this option deposits a prn files on the =
hard disk. However, I cannot work out how you then open these files and =
print them. Can someone please point me in the right direction.


~~~~

Gerry

"Gerry Cornell" wrote in message
...
I have a situation with HP LaserJet 1200 printers at two locations, 17 miles
apart. I have been using these printers primarily in association with
Microsoft Word and Microsoft Word. I have been exploring ways to get
completed reports from one location to the other. Faxing with Norton Winfax
Pro v10 using an HP Scanjet 4300C works but the print quality the other end
is less than ideal. Emailing files as attachments works but if any
"pictures" are enclosed it results in very large files being stored both
ends. However, it overcomes the print quality problem.

Looking for a better way I discovered an option to print to file option.
Testing I discovered that using this option deposits a prn files on the hard
disk. However, I cannot work out how you then open these files and print
them. Can someone please point me in the right direction.


~~~~

Gerry

Surprisingly, Windows does not provide a way to do this directly. One method
is to use a command issued from a command processor prompt. To do this:

For printers connected by parallel cable to parallel port:

Open a command window by typing cmd in the slot in Start Run. Then,
type

copy /b filename lpt1

where filename is the fully-qualified DOS path for the file. e.g.
c:\printerfiles\letter.prn

Notes: The /b switch is necessary so that the file will be copied as binary
data rather than ASCII. If the latter, the copy will terminate if certain
ASCII printer control characters are encountered. Change LPT1 to the name of
the printer port to which the printer connects.

If you plan to do this regularly, you might prefer something somewhat more
elegant. Try the link immediately below. It was written for Windows 9x
systems but still applicable.

http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;158081

Tom
MSMVP DTS