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READ.ME
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1992-05-11
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This version of PRINTIT, 2.0, has several enhancements. See
the end of this file for details.
If you want to copy a file to the printer under Desqview,
you might be tempted to open a DOS window and type "copy <filename>
prn" or something similar. If the file you are copying is fairly
large, the results will disappoint you. You'll get a printed copy
of the file, but you will not be able to do any multitasking until
the file is printed (or your spool buffer is full, or whatever).
This is because COPY is an internal command. If you don't
know what this is, look it up in your DOS manual. Desqview cannot
interrupt internal commands. Most internal commands don't take
long, so this is seldom a hardship.
Also, there are some unfortunate souls out there for whom
the DOS PRINT command does not work properly under Desqview.
The enclosed program is a simple minded solution to these two
problems. It just copies a file (or group of files) to printer
number 1. To use it, either:
1. Set it up as a window of its own. I suggest you use the enclosed
PIF file (just put it in the same directory in which you will save
PRINTIT.COM, and use Add Program, Other, and type the path to
PRINTIT.PIF and PRINTIT.COM). You may have to edit the "Directory"
field of the PIF using Change Program.
Then open the window and type the file specification to print
(wildcard characters and path specifications are allowed).
2. Or, open a DOS window (a small one, the program only needs about
12K including buffers). Type:
PRINTIT <FILESPEC>
where <filespec> may contain a path specification and/or the standard
DOS wildcards "*" and "?".
Now, switch to another window and printing will continue. If
you have installed PRINTIT in its own window, the window will close
itself when printing is complete
Only one copy of PRINTIT should be run at one time (or else
the output of the two copies will be interleaved). PRINTIT cannot
accept more than one filename on the command line. PRINTIT only
prints to the DOS PRN device (LPT1 or your only printer if you
haven't redirected PRN using the MODE command or equivalent), but it
is easy to change the source for another printer.
PRINTIT is not Desqview-specific, but why would you want to
run it outside of Desqview? It doesn't even do any Desqview calls.
It just uses squeaky-clean DOS methods to read the file into a 10K
buffer, then push it out to the printer. It should run on any
system that will run Desqview, although I cannot guarantee this.
CHANGES 2/11/92, Rev 2.0:
A. Printit no longer requires you to type the filespec on the
command line (although it is allowed). This is because Desqview
insists on loading the command processor when there's a "?" in the
"Parameters" field of the PIF. Thus, if 4DOS is your command
processor, you need around 128K or more to open PRINTIT!
B. If running under Desqview, and any error occurs EXCEPT "not
enough memory", Printit will wait until a key is pressed (while the
PRINTIT window is active) before exiting. This'll give you a chance
to see the error message.
If there is enough memory allowed for Desqview to load
PRINTIT but the window shuts down immediately, add more memory to
that window (using Change Program) about 4K at a time until it works.
Jon Fleming BIX: jfleming
144 Nagog Hill Road
Acton, MA 01720
C/O Channel 1
617-354-8873 2400/1200 MNP
617-354-6155 9600/2400/1200 MC
617-354-3137 HST