DOCUMENT:Q125634  17-DEC-2000  [win95x]
TITLE   :Printing to a File with a Network Printer
PRODUCT :Microsoft Windows 95.x Retail Product
PROD/VER:
OPER/SYS:
KEYWORDS:

======================================================================
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The information in this article applies to:

 - Microsoft Windows 95 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SYMPTOMS
========

Microsoft Windows for Workgroups version 3.11 contains the following text in the
[ports] section of the WIN.INI file:

   ; A line with [filename].PRN followed by an equal sign causes
   ; [filename] to appear in the Control Panel's Printer Configuration
   ; dialog box. A printer connected to [filename] directs its output
   ; into this file. The file must be on one of your local drives; you
   ; cannot print to a network file.

In Windows 95, when you create a local printer connection to <filename>.PRN
there is no option to share the printer. You cannot share the printer even if
you add it to the WIN.INI file.

CAUSE
=====

Windows 95 does not provide support for sharing <filename>.PRN when
attached as a printer.

WORKAROUND
==========

To work around this behavior, follow these steps:

1. Double-click My Computer.

2. Double-click the Printers folder.

3. Double-click the Add Printer icon.

4. Use the Add Printer Wizard to add the Generic/Text Only printer as a local
   printer.

5. Use the right mouse button to click the Generic/Text Only printer, then click
   Properties on the menu that appears.

6. On the Details tab, click Spool Settings. In the Spool Data Format box, click
   RAW. Click the OK button.

7. Click OK.

8. Use the right mouse button to click the Generic/Text Only printer, then click
   Pause Printing on the menu that appears.

When you print to the Generic/Text Only printer, the print job is spooled to the
Windows\SPOOL\PRINTERS subdirectory as an editable temporary file with an .SPL
extension. A header file with an .SHD extension is also created. An .SHD file is
a "shadow" file that contains all the information the spooler needs to resubmit
a print job in the event that your computer restarts before the print job is
finished.

======================================================================
Keywords          :  
Technology        : kbWin95search kbZNotKeyword3

=============================================================================

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS
PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND.  MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS
ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES
OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  IN NO
EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR
ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL,
CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF
MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE
POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.  SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION
OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES
SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.

Copyright Microsoft Corporation 2000.