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P r i n t e r B U D D Y (tm) A Setup Utility For All Printers Version v2.00 USER'S GUIDE Copyright (c) 1991 Lenard Dean All Rights Reserved December 22, 1991 Warranty ======== This software and accompanying documentation is provided AS-IS. Even though the author has tested the software and reviewed the documentation, NO WARRANTY OR REPRESENTATION RELATING TO THIS SOFTWARE IS MADE, WHETHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND OF FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. THE AUTHOR ASSUMES NO LIABILITY FOR DAMAGES, DIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL, WHICH MAY RESULT FROM THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE, even if advised of the possibility of such damages. THE USER OF THIS SOFTWARE BEARS ALL RISK AS TO THE QUALITY AND PERFORMANCE OF THIS SOFTWARE. IN NO EVENT SHALL ANY DAMAGES EXCEED THE PRICE PAID FOR THE LICENSE TO USE THIS SOFTWARE REGARDLESS OF THE FORM OF CLAIM. Trademarks ========== Product names mentioned in this documentation are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. PrinterBUDDY is a trademark of Lenard Dean TABLE OF CONTENTS ================= Introduction ................................................. 1 Getting Started .............................................. 1 Creating Printer Configurations .............................. 3 Using PrinterBUDDY ........................................... 4 Running from a Batch File .................................... 6 Customizing PrinterBUDDY ..................................... 7 Questions .................................................... 10 Appendix A: Registration ..................................... 11 Appendix B: Color Chart ...................................... 12 Appendix C: Scan Code Chart .................................. 13 Appendix D: Decimal-Hexadecimal Conversion Chart ............. 14 Introduction ============ Today's printers, particularly lasers, have an extensive set of programming commands and formatting codes built into them. How many times have you wanted to setup a printer but had no real simple way of doing so? If you are an intermediate or advanced user, probably more than once. PrinterBUDDY is elegant in its simplicity. No matter how complex your printer setups may be, PrinterBUDDY allows you to handle them with ease. And unlike other printer utilities, ANY type of printer can be configured with PrinterBUDDY. The more feature- rich the printer command set is, the more powerful PrinterBUDDY becomes. PrinterBUDDY is available as a "normal" program and as a memory- resident (TSR) program. Both versions allow you to select printer configurations from a menu list. However, with the normal program you can also select a configuration from the command line allowing you to run PrinterBUDDY in a batch file. The memory-resident version, on the other hand, lets you setup a printer from within most MS-DOS applications. PrinterBUDDY is completely customizable. Not only can you define the location where the menu list will pop up but also the menu's colors and border type. Since PrinterBUDDY is mouse-aware, mouse sensitivity, scroll speed, and cursor color can also be defined. With the TSR version, you have the option of specifying your own hot key and choosing how the TSR will load into memory (ie. normal, swap-to-EMS, or swap-to-disk). Getting Started =============== To run PrinterBUDDY, you'll need the following hardware: - IBM PC, XT, AT, PS/2, or 100% compatible computer - minimum 256K bytes of conventional memory - monochrome or color monitor - floppy disk drive or hard disk - mouse (optional) - printer You'll also need the software below: - MS-DOS or PC-DOS, version 2.00 or later to run the normal program - MS-DOS or PC-DOS, version 3.00 or later to run the TSR program - text editor or word processor that can save in ASCII 1 Executing the self-extracting file PB200.EXE should have produced the following files: PB.EXE PrinterBUDDY program PB.DOC Documentation SAMPLE.PCF Sample printer configurations file REGISTER.FRM Registration form INSTALL.EXE Installation program The quickest way to install PrinterBUDDY is to run INSTALL. If you are upgrading from a version older than v2.00, it is important that PrinterBUDDY be installed through INSTALL because your existing PB.PCF needs to be modified. When the INSTALL program is run, you will be asked about the following: 1) the directory to install PrinterBUDDY in. The default is c:\pb but it might make more sense to put it into your "utilities" directory. 2) if you are upgrading from a version older than v2.00. 3) whether you want PrinterBUDDY's location added to the PATH statement in AUTOEXEC.BAT. (If it already exists, it will not be added.) If so, the original AUTOEXEC.BAT will be saved as AUTOEXEC.OLD. 4) if you have a monochrome monitor with a color card. If so, you should select this option to force a "black and white" color setup. Check boxes are selected by clicking with the left mouse button. To use the keyboard, select the TAB key to move between check boxes and the SPACEBAR to mark them. When you're ready to install, press ENTER. If you're not upgrading, a file called PB.PCF will be created. (You'll be storing all your printer configurations in this file.) If you are not upgrading, you can install PrinterBUDDY manually. To do this, copy all the files to the destination directory. Then from the destination directory type: pb If you're installing on a system with a monochrome display and color card, use the "/bw" switch to force a "black and white" color setup as follows: pb /bw 2 Once PrinterBUDDY has been installed, you will need to add your printer configurations to the PB.PCF file. The next section shows how to do this. Creating Printer Configurations =============================== All printer configurations you create will be stored in the PB.PCF file. To create the printer configurations, use a text editor or word processor. Remember to re-save PB.PCF in ASCII any time it is modified. Most text editors will do this but if you are using a word processor this will not necessarily be true. Consult your word processor manual on how to save to ASCII format. Each configuration is distinguished by a unique name and enclosed in square brackets. When creating a name, any combination of upper or lower case letters may be used. The name should be no longer than 12 characters in length. (Any name longer than 12 characters will only be recognized from the command line.) For example: [CONDENSED] To setup a printer connected to LPT2 or LPT3, insert a colon after the name and type "LPT2" or "LPT3" like so: [CONDENSED:LPT2] For each printer command line, type some descriptive text of any length and follow it with the "=" character. Place the appropriate control codes after the "=" character, separating each value with a comma. (A list of printer commands and formatting codes for your printer can normally be found under a section called "Command Reference" or "Mode Commands" in the printer's reference manual.) PrinterBUDDY recognizes printer codes in decimal or hexadecimal format. Make sure if you use hexadecimal codes that you precede each value with "&H". Here are some examples: [CONDENSED:LPT2] Master Reset =27,64 TOF (1.4 cm) =28,126,84,1 Condense ON =15 Left Margin =&H1B,&H6C,&H7 Right Margin 27,81,127 Note how spaces (or TABs) may be inserted between the text and "=" or between "=" and the first control code value for alignment purposes. If you need to temporarily prevent a line from being processed, leave out the "=" as shown in the last line. (It may 3 be more convenient to duplicate the configuration under a different name without that line.) Keep things easy to read by using a blank line between configurations. Below is a copy of SAMPLE.PCF showing what a typical PB.PCF file may look like: HotKey=&H830 SwapMode=0 MouseSen=12 MouseSS=60 Sort=1 Row=7 Column=25 Length=10 Shadow=1 BorderType=3 BeepSound=6 TextColor=7 BorderColor=14 CsrColor=48 MouseCsrColor=71 [NLQ] Master Reset =27,64 TOF (1.4 cm) =27,126,84,1 Select NLQ =27,120,1 Roman Font =27,107,0 Left Margin =27,108,5 Bottom Margin =27,78,7 [CONDENSED:LPT2] Master Reset =27,64 TOF (1.4 cm) =27,126,84,1 Condense ON =15 Left Margin =&H1B,&H6C,&H7 Right Margin 27,81,127 Bottom Margin =27,78,7 Tab Increments =27,101,0,2 [GRAPHICS:LPT3] Master Reset =27,64 TOF (1.4 cm) =27,126,84,1 Graphic Mode =27,116,1,27,6 Using PrinterBUDDY ================== As was mentioned in the introduction, the normal version of PrinterBUDDY allows you to select a printer configuration from 4 the command line. Consider the following three "abbreviated" examples from SAMPLE.PCF: [NLQ] Master Reset =27,64 TOF (1.4 cm) =27,126,84,1 ... ... [CONDENSED:LPT2] Master Reset =27,64 TOF (1.4 cm) =27,126,84,1 ... ... [GRAPHICS:LPT3] Master Reset =27,64 TOF (1.4 cm) =27,126,84,1 ... ... To configure a printer through the command line, the syntax is: pb config_name Therefore, to setup your printer with the first configuration shown, you type: pb nlq To setup the printer with the last configuration, you would type: pb graphics If no configuration name is entered on the command line or if ALT+B, the TSR hot key, is pressed (assuming PrinterBUDDY TSR is installed), a menu list with all the configurations in PB.PCF is displayed. To navigate through the list, use the HOME, END, PGUP, PGDN, and ARROW keys. Alternatively, press the left mouse button and move the mouse up or down the menu. Clicking on the small arrows on the right side of the menu box moves the menu's cursor bar one line at a time. A configuration is selected by double clicking quickly over the name with the left mouse button or pressing the ENTER key. To abort from the menu list, press ESC or the right mouse button. That's all there's to it. If you are using the normal PrinterBUDDY program and NOT using DOS 3.00 or higher, make sure you execute PrinterBUDDY from its directory or an error "locating PB.PCF" will result. 5 If PrinterBUDDY is run with the printer off-line, an error will occur after a pre-determined amount of printer "checks". Depending on the speed of your machine, this will translate into a pause of anywhere from 72 seconds for a XT to less than 25 seconds for a 386 compatible. No delay will occur if the printer is turned off, however. Running from a Batch File ========================= When running PrinterBUDDY from a batch file or program, the following exit codes are returned to DOS after PrinterBUDDY finishes executing: 0 = Printer Configured (command line, menu list) 1 = Printer Not Configured (menu list) 2 = PB.PCF Not Found (command line, menu list) 3 = Printer Not Ready (command line, menu list) 4 = Configuration Not Found (command line) 5 = No Configurations Found (menu list) Remember to test error levels in a batch file in decending order since a true condition is only returned if the exit code is equal to or greater than the error level number. Therefore: echo off pb nlq /q if errorlevel 5 goto error5 if errorlevel 4 goto error4 if errorlevel 3 goto error3 if errorlevel 2 goto error2 if errorlevel 1 goto error1 echo Printer Configured (No Errors) goto quit :error5 echo No Configurations Found goto quit :error4 echo Configuration Not Found goto quit :error3 echo Printer Not Ready goto quit 6 :error2 echo PB.PCF Not Found goto quit :error1 echo Printer Not Configured goto quit :quit One final note. To run PrinterBUDDY in "quiet" mode so that no text is displayed when executing, use the "/q" switch. For example: pb nlq /q Customizing PrinterBUDDY ======================== PrinterBUDDY uses the beginning of PB.PCF to store information about itself. Both versions of PrinterBUDDY share the same PB.PCF file. Below is a description of each parameter: HotKey Defines the hot key that will activate PrinterBUDDY TSR. The default is "ALT+B". SwapMode Determines how PrinterBUDDY TSR will be installed: 0=normal, 1=swap-to-EMS, 2=swap-to-disk. To un-install the TSR, use the switch "/u". For example: pbtsr /u MouseSen Sets the mouse sensitivity. Useful values range between 0 and 100. MouseSS Sets the menu's mouse scrolling speed. Use values from 0 and up. Values reflect time in milliseconds. Sort Determines whether the menu list will be sorted. 0=don't sort, 1=sort Row Sets the row coordinate for the menu Column Sets the column coordinate for the menu. Length Sets the number of configuration names that will be displayed on the menu. The minimum number is 2. Shadow Determines whether a shadow will be projected when the menu is up. 0=no shadow, 1=shadow 7 BorderType Sets the menu's border type. There are four to choose from: 1 = single line all around 2 = double line all around 3 = double line horizontally, single line vertically 4 = single line horizontally, double line vertically BeepSound Sets the type of "beep sound" for error messages. Values range from 0 to 10. 0=no sound. TextColor Sets the menu's text color. (Appendix B) BorderColor Sets the menu's border color. (Appendix B) CsrColor Sets the menu's cursor bar color. (Appendix B) MouseCsrColor Sets the mouse cursor color. (Appendix B) If PrinterBUDDY TSR's default hot key conflicts with an existing TSR or program, you will need to define a new one. The hot key is made up of two parts: a shift mask and a scan code. The shift mask specifies the ALT, CTRL, or SHIFT keys to be used. Below are their shift mask values: Hex Value Key 8 ALT 4 CTRL 2 Left SHIFT 1 Right SHIFT When creating a hot key with more than one shift mask, simply add the hex values together. Because the shift mask values are less than 10, you can add the values as if they were in decimal. If the result is greater than 9 don't forget to refer to Appendix D to convert your result to hexadecimal. The second part of the hot key, the scan code, specifies the other keyboard keys. The chart in Appendix C lists all the valid scan codes. When creating a hot key, remember to precede the hot key code with "&H". Here are a few examples: 8 ALT+B HotKey=&H830 Shift Mask: 8 Scan Code: 30 ALT+P HotKey=&H819 Shift Mask: 8 Scan Code: 19 CTRL+B HotKey=&H430 Shift Mask: 4 Scan Code: 30 CTRL+P HotKey=&H419 Shift Mask: 4 Scan Code: 19 ALT+CTRL+B HotKey=&HC30 Shift Mask: 8+4=12, C in hex Scan Code: 30 ALT+CTRL+P HotKey=&HC19 Shift Mask: 8+4=12, C in hex Scan Code: 19 ALT+LSHIFT+P HotKey=&HA19 Shift Mask: 8+2=10, A in hex Scan Code: 19 CTRL+LSHIFT+P HotKey=&H619 Shift Mask: 4+2=6 Scan Code: 19 When PB.PCF is first created, SwapMode is set to 0. This mode installs PrinterBUDDY TSR as a normal TSR and uses about 38.2K of conventional memory. If you find the memory penalty too high, use one of the two "swapping" modes. The swapping modes create a small kernel of code (6.1K) in conventional memory when the TSR is idle. When the TSR is activated, the underlying program is saved to disk or expanded memory and the TSR program is loaded in its place. When the TSR is finished, the underlying program is re-loaded into memory and the TSR program saved back to disk or expanded memory. If PrinterBUDDY cannot install as a swapping TSR, check the amount of expanded memory or disk space available. Chances are that you don't have enough. If plan to install PrinterBUDDY as a disk swapping TSR, don't expect instant menu "pop up" and "pop down" like in the memory modes. It takes a couple of seconds to save and load the underlying program. Having a fast hard disk with a cache helps speed things up. 9 Questions ========= If you have any problems, questions or suggestions about PrinterBUDDY, I would like to hear from you. You can write to me at: Lenard Dean 3052 Cedar Ridge Dr. S.W. Calgary, Alberta T2W1X6 Canada You can also reach me through one of the following electronic services: CompuServe ID: 70312,415 GEnie ID: L.DEAN1 Happy Printing! 10 APPENDIX A ========== Registration ------------ Starting with version 2.00, PrinterBUDDY is being distributed as SHAREWARE. This method of distribution means that you may evaluate PrinterBUDDY for a reasonable period of time. (I'll leave the "reasonable" part up to you.) If you find that PrinterBUDDY meets your needs and continue to use it, please license your copy by registering it. (See REGISTER.FRM) If you are interested in a site license, please contact the me for liberal site license terms. The registration fee for using PrinterBUDDY is $15 US. When you register, you will receive a manual, latest version of PrinterBUDDY, and the TSR version of PrinterBUDDY. You will also be notified when important changes are made to PrinterBUDDY. Money orders and personal/certified/traveller's checks are accepted. Make sure the amount is in US funds although not necessarily drawn from an US bank. If you are ordering outside North America, please add an additional $4 US for registered or special delivery mail. If you would like to distribute PrinterBUDDY you may do so as long as NO FEES are charged. If you are a vendor, please contact me for the latest version. 11 APPENDIX B ========== Color Chart ----------- BACKGROUND Black Blue Green Cyan Red Magenta Brown White Black 0 16 32 48 64 80 96 112 Blue 1 17 33 49 65 81 97 113 Green 2 18 34 50 66 82 98 114 F Cyan 3 19 35 51 67 83 99 115 O Red 4 20 36 52 68 84 100 116 R Magenta 5 21 37 53 69 85 101 117 E Brown 6 22 38 54 70 86 102 118 G White 7 23 39 55 71 87 103 119 R Grey 8 24 40 56 72 88 104 120 O BrBlue 9 25 41 57 73 89 105 121 U BrGreen 10 26 42 58 74 90 106 122 N BrCyan 11 27 43 59 75 91 107 123 D BrRed 12 28 44 60 76 92 108 124 BrMagenta 13 29 45 61 77 93 109 125 Yellow 14 30 46 62 78 94 110 126 BrWhite 15 31 47 63 79 95 111 127 12 Appendix C ========== Scan Code Chart --------------- Hex Hex Key Code Key Code --- ---- --- ---- ESC 01 L SHIFT 2A 1 ! 02 \ | 2B 2 @ 03 Z 2C 3 # 04 X 2D 4 $ 05 C 2E 5 % 06 V 2F 6 ^ 07 B 30 7 & 08 N 31 8 * 09 M 32 9 ( 0A , < 33 0 ) 0B . > 34 - _ 0C / ? 35 + = 0D R SHIFT 36 BKSP 0E * PRTSC 37 TAB 0F ALT 38 Q 10 SPACE 39 W 11 CAPS 3A E 12 F1 3B R 13 F2 3C T 14 F3 3D Y 15 F4 3E U 16 F5 3F I 17 F6 40 O 18 F7 41 P 19 F8 42 [ { 1A F9 43 ] } 1B F10 44 ENTER 1C NUM 45 CTRL 1D SCROLL 46 A 1E HOME 47 S 1F UP 48 D 20 PGUP 49 F 21 GREY - 4A G 22 LEFT 4B H 23 CENTER 4C J 24 RIGHT 4D K 25 GREY + 4E L 26 END 4F ; : 27 DOWN 50 ' " 28 PGDN 51 ` ~ 29 INS 52 DEL 53 13 Appendix D ========== Decimal-Hexadecimal Conversion Chart ------------------------------------ To convert from decimal to hexademical, locate the particular decimal number (0-255) you want to convert. Then read up to the top row for the first hexadecimal digit and across to the first column for the second digit. To convert from hexadecimal to decimal, reverse the procedure. For example: 12 in decimal is equal to 0C (or C) in hexadecimal 0A (or A) in hexadecimal is equal to 10 in decimal 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 A B C D E F 0 0 16 32 48 64 80 96 112 128 144 160 176 192 208 224 240 1 1 17 33 49 65 81 97 113 129 145 161 177 193 209 225 241 2 2 18 34 50 66 82 98 114 130 146 162 178 194 210 226 242 3 3 19 35 51 67 83 99 115 131 147 163 179 195 211 227 243 4 4 20 36 52 68 84 100 116 132 148 164 180 196 212 228 244 5 5 21 37 53 69 85 101 117 133 149 165 181 197 213 229 245 6 6 22 38 54 70 86 102 118 134 150 166 182 198 214 230 246 7 7 23 39 55 71 87 103 119 135 151 167 183 199 215 231 247 8 8 24 40 56 72 88 104 120 136 152 168 184 200 216 232 248 9 9 25 41 57 73 89 105 121 137 153 169 185 201 217 233 249 A 10 26 42 58 74 90 106 122 138 154 170 186 202 218 234 250 B 11 27 43 59 75 91 107 123 139 155 171 187 203 219 235 251 C 12 28 44 60 76 92 108 124 140 156 172 188 204 220 236 252 D 13 29 45 61 77 93 109 125 141 157 173 189 205 221 237 253 E 14 30 46 62 78 94 110 126 142 158 174 190 206 222 238 254 F 15 31 47 63 79 95 111 127 143 159 175 191 207 223 239 255 14