scheduled printing of a text file using batch files or schtasks

Gadgetman wrote:
> Klaus Jorgensen;3796335 Wrote:
>> Try redirecting the output of the lpr command to a log file:
>> lpr -S MyIP_address -P 8550dp blank.txt >lpr.log
>
> I've attempted to try your suggestion for redirecting the output of the
> lpr command to a log file. (The log file remains blank?)
>
> Question:could it be due to the raw file data being passed?
> Also: do you have an example of a known working batch file syntax for
> using the LPR command?

If a log file is created and is empty, the lpr command is ok.
If the raw file is empty, the printer might probably just ignore the
file - try grab the output of a Windows test print to a test.prn and
use that file with the lpr command.
Also, the printer could be restrictive with the port name, try using
lpt1, lp1 or pr1 instead of 8550dp. If a printer server box (e.g.
JetDirect) has more than one port, the port name must specify the
actual port, but with a built-in network card in the printer, it
shouldn't really matter.


/klaus

Most Xerox devices REQUIRE lp as the LPD printer name.

--
Alan Morris
Windows Printing Team
Search the Microsoft Knowledge Base here:
http://support.microsoft.com/search/?adv=1

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

"Klaus Jorgensen" <kj@address.invalid> wrote in message
news:%235bK3DFzIHA.5520@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
> Gadgetman wrote:
>> Klaus Jorgensen;3796335 Wrote:
>>> Try redirecting the output of the lpr command to a log file:
>>> lpr -S MyIP_address -P 8550dp blank.txt >lpr.log
>>
>> I've attempted to try your suggestion for redirecting the output of the
>> lpr command to a log file. (The log file remains blank?)
>>
>> Question:could it be due to the raw file data being passed?
>> Also: do you have an example of a known working batch file syntax for
>> using the LPR command?
>
> If a log file is created and is empty, the lpr command is ok.
> If the raw file is empty, the printer might probably just ignore the
> file - try grab the output of a Windows test print to a test.prn and use
> that file with the lpr command.
> Also, the printer could be restrictive with the port name, try using lpt1,
> lp1 or pr1 instead of 8550dp. If a printer server box (e.g. JetDirect) has
> more than one port, the port name must specify the actual port, but with a
> built-in network card in the printer, it shouldn't really matter.
>
>
> /klaus
>
>

[Gadgetman]

Originally Posted by Klaus Jorgensen

Gadgetman wrote:
> Klaus Jorgensen;3796335 Wrote:
>> Try redirecting the output of the lpr command to a log file:
>> lpr -S MyIP_address -P 8550dp blank.txt >lpr.log
>
> I've attempted to try your suggestion for redirecting the output of the
> lpr command to a log file. (The log file remains blank?)
>
> Question:could it be due to the raw file data being passed?
> Also: do you have an example of a known working batch file syntax for
> using the LPR command?

If a log file is created and is empty, the lpr command is ok.
If the raw file is empty, the printer might probably just ignore the
file - try grab the output of a Windows test print to a test.prn and
use that file with the lpr command.
Also, the printer could be restrictive with the port name, try using
lpt1, lp1 or pr1 instead of 8550dp. If a printer server box (e.g.
JetDirect) has more than one port, the port name must specify the
actual port, but with a built-in network card in the printer, it
shouldn't really matter.


/klaus

Klaus,

Well no success with lpt1, lp1 or pr1

However, I decided to go a different route to make the batch file work.

SUCCESS!!!!

I decided to use "SCHTASKS" to call a batch file named "WARMUP.BAT"


BREAKDOWN OF METHOD USED:

The command string I used for "SCHTASKS" was:

SCHTASKS /CREATE /TN "PRINTER WARM UP" /TR C:\WARMUP.BAT /SC DAILY /ST 07:00:00 /ED 06/13/2009 /RU "username" /RP "password"


The contents of my Batch file "WARMUP.BAT" was:

NOTEPAD /P C:\PRINTER_WARM_UP.TXT


Once I was able to make the batch file work on it's own, I knew it could work using "SCHTASKS"

(As long as the batch file and text file were positioned on the system in the appropriate directory for "SCHTASKS" to correctly locate and execute.)

Now I just need to figure out the correct syntax for executing the task everyday at 7am, and make it run every 239 minutes until 7pm (M-F if possible ?) Since the printer goes into power saving mode after 240 minutes.
If I have to run it everyday of the week I don't mind, as long as I can get the above to work.

I'm unable to use the suggested /RI for some reason, and find no reference to this command anywhere. (Typo perhaps?)

Thanks for your continued help on this!

Glenn

[Gadgetman]

Originally Posted by Alan Morris [MSFT]

Most Xerox devices REQUIRE lp as the LPD printer name.

--
Alan Morris
Windows Printing Team
Search the Microsoft Knowledge Base here:
http://support.microsoft.com/search/?adv=1

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

"Klaus Jorgensen" <kj@address.invalid> wrote in message
news:%235bK3DFzIHA.5520@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
> Gadgetman wrote:
>> Klaus Jorgensen;3796335 Wrote:
>>> Try redirecting the output of the lpr command to a log file:
>>> lpr -S MyIP_address -P 8550dp blank.txt >lpr.log
>>
>> I've attempted to try your suggestion for redirecting the output of the
>> lpr command to a log file. (The log file remains blank?)
>>
>> Question:could it be due to the raw file data being passed?
>> Also: do you have an example of a known working batch file syntax for
>> using the LPR command?
>
> If a log file is created and is empty, the lpr command is ok.
> If the raw file is empty, the printer might probably just ignore the
> file - try grab the output of a Windows test print to a test.prn and use
> that file with the lpr command.
> Also, the printer could be restrictive with the port name, try using lpt1,
> lp1 or pr1 instead of 8550dp. If a printer server box (e.g. JetDirect) has
> more than one port, the port name must specify the actual port, but with a
> built-in network card in the printer, it shouldn't really matter.
>
>
> /klaus
>
>

AWESOME!
LP WORKED!

I was able to make the batch file work, however; it will not run using "SCHTASKS"

BUT!

Better Yet!

I was able to use the GUI version which does execute the LPR batch file, and it allowed me to utilize the advanced settings for executing all of my requirements: Start time: 7am, then run every 239 minutes, End at: 7pm

You Guys ROCK!

Thanks for all your help on this one!

Hopefully someone else can utilize this method as well!