Newsgroups: vmsnet.networks.desktop.pathworks
Subject: Shared local printers via LAT
From: DUG@CZHETH5A.BITNET
Date: Wed, 8 Apr 1992 14:30:00 N
X-Original-To:  LANWORKS@MIAMIU, DUG

Comment: Mail not returnable through this path, use the list address
 
Author: AEOLUS::NOTES3B "Dillier Norbert"
Topic 984.0
Time:  8-APR-1992 12:39 ZRH
 
Problems with shared local printers as LAT-Services:
 
We have been able to set up local printers (connected to DOS-PC's via a
parallel port, e.g. LPT1) as Pathwork-Printer-Services via LAT (see below
for a step-by-step description).
The printers are HPLJIIp with postscript emulation. We can print text and
graphics from any PC in the net as well as from the host to these local
printers without problem once the system has been set up correctly.
However, after powering down the local PC or the printer the VMS-printer-
queue stops and will not restart once the PC is back on the net.
We have checked that the local LAT is working correctly and that
      USE LPT1: /CHECK
indicates "printer OK". The only way to restart the queue seems to be the
DCL-command "start/que locprt".
 
We have - as a temporary solution - put a
     "NFT SUBMIT "system password" node::[sysmgr]restart_queue.com"
command in the local AUTOUSER.BAT network-startup-command which is
undesirable because it requires operator privilege and a system password.
 
Does anybody have a better solution for this problem?
 
Our setup procedure was as follows (according to "Client Installation and Config
uration
Guide for the VMS Server", Ch. 9 ,Pages 9-3 till 9-6):
(We are using DOS5.0, PW-DOS 4.0, LAT4.1.11, LATCP4.1.1, VMS5.4-2)
 
        1. Printer HP LaserJet IIIp (postscript-cartridge) on PC-port LPT1
        2. Printer powered on and On Line before STARTNET
        3. DOS: \> latcp
                latcp> add lpt1 locprt
                latcp> sho port
                latcp> sho char --> Server-Name noted: LAT_AA0004000904
                latcp> exit
 
        4. VMS: $ cd sys$startup:
                $ ed lat$systartup.com --> create and set port lta101:
                $ @ lat$systartup      --> Start LAT
 
                $ cd sys$common:[sysmgr.tools]
                $ ed start_pq.com       --> init and start locprt-queue
                $ @ start_pq            --> start locprt-queue on lat101
                                            with /proc=latsym
 
                $ pcsa
                pcsa_manager> menu      --> add print-service locprt
                pcsa_manager> exit
 
                $ lo
 
Status report:
 
 Printer        PC on LAN       Queue           Jobs in Queue
 -------        ---------       ------------    -------------
    On              Yes         Running         Normally proceed
    Off             Yes         Stalled         "Printing"
    Off             No          Stopped         Retained on Error
 
The 3rd case is probably the most common problem: powering the printer on
and reconnecting the PC to the LAN has no effect on the queue: it will
remain "stopped" forever unless the DCL Command:
        $ start/queue Queue-Name
is entered. The jobs in the queue are "retained on error".
 
Norbert Dillier, ENT-Department, University Hospital, Zuerich, Switzerland
E-Mail: K365710@CZHRZU1A.BITNET