install usb printer

Schuker · Nov 4th 2011

Hi,

I copied the files pcl.dll and usbprn.dll to the PicoMod in the \FFSDISK folder.
Then I plugged in my USB-cable (from printer) and the popup window to enter the Device Name opened.
I entered "usbprn" and pressed OK. But the popup window opened again.

What is wrong on my installation?

fs-support_ZU · Nov 4th 2011

Hello,
- is your printer PCL compatible?
- you may try to register by hand

Code

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Drivers\USB\LoadClients\Default\Default\7\Printer_Class]
"DLL"="USBPRN.DLL"
"Prefix"="LPT"
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Drivers\USB\ClientDrivers\Printer_Class]
"DLL"="USBPRN.DLL"
"Prefix"="LPT"

- i will look for more recent usbprn and pcl DLLs and put them into the "printer thread" in the sample section.

Schuker · Nov 4th 2011

I can not see any version information on the DLL property view of the dlls I have.

Schuker · Nov 7th 2011

If I print to the received HDC, the printed text will be displayed on the display, not on the printer.

I use the following code to create the HDC in c#

Code

DEVMODE dm = new DEVMODE();
dm.dmSize = (Int16)Marshal.SizeOf(typeof(DEVMODE));
dm.dmDeviceName = "Test";
dm.dmSpecVersion = 0;
dm.dmDriverVersion = 0;
dm.dmPaperSize = DMPAPER_A4;
dm.dmColor = DMCOLOR_MONOCHROME;
IntPtr yDevModeData = System.IntPtr.Zero;
// Initialize unmanged memory to hold the struct.
yDevModeData = Marshal.AllocHGlobal(Marshal.SizeOf(typeof(DEVMODE)));
Marshal.StructureToPtr(dm, yDevModeData, true);
return CreateDC(null, PRINTER_DEV, PRINTER_PORT, yDevModeData hallo);

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Calling the methods StartPage failes with -1. GtLastError delivers 6, which means invalid handle.
If I continue my printing, the text will be displayed on the disply and not on the printer.
How can I verify, that the HDC is valid?

fs-support_ZU · Nov 7th 2011

- Are the installation working now? If dialog is never closed i suggest there are some errors while installation so printing will not work! I will place prn-files tested under WCE6 on PicoMOD3 in the printer thread of the samples section.

Quote

How can I verify, that the HDC is valid?

- Refer MSDN, CreateDC() have to return a value >=1. Did you interchange parameter 1 and 2 of CreateDC()?

Schuker · Nov 7th 2011

With the latest dll I have the same problem.

As you can see, I interchange the parameter you had in the example.

Code

CreateDC(null, PRINTER_DEV, PRINTER_PORT, yDevModeData)

But why does StartPage fail?

fs-support_ZU · Nov 9th 2011

Just for clearification:
- does the installation work? If not did you try an other printer?
- Your C# CreateDC wrapper function really interchange the parameters one and two? (original API -> CreateDC(PRINTER_DEV,NULL,PRINTER_PORT,&dm);). If not, this will cause an error.

Schuker · Nov 9th 2011

I had to do the installation of the driver manually. I had to write all information into the registry.

I have to wait for a other printer. At the moment that is the only one I have.

As you can see, I use the CreateDC method as show in the code below. If the second parameter (Device) is null, the method call fails, which makes sense.
CreateDC returns with the correct parameter a valid handle.
This handle is used in the StartPage method call. The method fails with last error 6 (invalid handle).
If I continue, the text which should be printed is shown on the display!!

Code

IntPtr ret = IntPtr.Zero;
DEVMODE dm = new DEVMODE();
dm.dmSize = (Int16)Marshal.SizeOf(typeof(DEVMODE));
dm.dmDeviceName = "Test";
dm.dmSpecVersion = 0;
dm.dmDriverVersion = 0;
dm.dmPaperSize = DMPAPER_A4;
dm.dmColor = DMCOLOR_MONOCHROME;
IntPtr DevModeData = System.IntPtr.Zero;
// Initialize unmanged memory to hold the struct.
DevModeData = Marshal.AllocHGlobal(Marshal.SizeOf(typeof(DEVMODE)));
Marshal.StructureToPtr(dm, DevModeData, true);
ret = CreateDC(null, PRINTER_DEV, PRINTER_PORT, DevModeData);
//ret = CreateDC(PRINTER_DEV, null, PRINTER_PORT, DevModeData); // fails with ret == 0
StartPage(ret);

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fs-support_ZU · Nov 9th 2011

Ok, now i think it is clear.
The installtion is not ok. Wait for the new printer.

You wrapper does not interchange the parameters! So if you pass zero to second parameter the LCD is addressed (according msdn online help)!

Schuker · Nov 9th 2011

As you can see in the code before, I do NOT pass zero as second parameter. The line with the zero parameter is comment out!
I pass the device name (PRINTER_DEV which is "pcl.dll").

fs-support_ZU · Nov 9th 2011

Ok, this

Quote

So if you pass zero to second parameter the ...

was my fault.

But note printer is also a "display device". I already used "CreateDC(PRINTER_DEV, null, PRINTER_PORT, DevModeData);" without problems. If first parameter is zero you get always a screen DC.

Schuker · Nov 10th 2011

My new printer get registered now.
In the registry I can see the following wntry:

HLM
Printers->ZTC LP2844-Z-200dpi
string Driver "pcl.dll"
...

CreateDC is successful but the next step fails.
StartDoc return -1, and last error return 6 (Invalid handle)
What could be the reason for that?

I use c++ for my test, so I do not have any problems with invoking the API in C#:

Code

DOCINFO di;
memset(&di, 0, sizeof(DOCINFO));
di.cbSize = sizeof(DOCINFO);
di.lpszDocName = _T("Vibrograf-Print");
di.lpszOutput = _T("Output file");
di.lpszDatatype = NULL;
di.fwType = 0;
int iRet;
iRet = StartDoc(hDc, &di);
if (iRet <= 0)
{
DWORD dwError = GetLastError();
_tprintf (_T("StartDoc error %d\n"), dwError);
// 6: Invalid handle
}

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fs-support_ZU · Nov 10th 2011

Hello, thereby my code:

Code

#define PRINTER_PORT _T("LPT1:")
#define PRINTER_DEV _T("pcl.dll")
#define PRINTER_DOC _T("SW Select")
#define PRINT_FONTDOTSIZE_BIG 16
#define PRINT_FONTDOTSIZE_SMALL 12
#define MARGIN_X 240
#define MARGIN_Y 200
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
// CPrint
/***************************************************************************/
// Purpose: Construction
//---------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPrint::CPrint(XXXXDlg* pcTopDlg,DWORD dwCmd)
{
DEVMODE dm;
Memset(&dm,0x00,sizeof(DEVMODE));
_tcscpy(dm.dmDeviceName,_T("Test"));
dm.dmSpecVersion = 0;
dm.dmDriverVersion = 0;
dm.dmSize = sizeof(DEVMODE);
dm.dmPaperSize = DMPAPER_A4;
dm.dmColor = DMCOLOR_MONOCHROME;
m_hdc=CreateDC(PRINTER_DEV,NULL,PRINTER_PORT,&dm);
if(!m_hdc)
m_dwCmd=0;
else
{
m_dwCmd=dwCmd;
// Fonts
int lfSmall = -((PRINT_FONTDOTSIZE_SMALL*GetDeviceCaps(m_hdc, LOGPIXELSY))/72);
int lfBig= -((PRINT_FONTDOTSIZE_BIG*GetDeviceCaps(m_hdc, LOGPIXELSY))/72);
FONTINFO fiBig={FW_NORMAL,lfBig,IDS_FACENAME};
FONTINFO fiSmall={FW_NORMAL,lfSmall,IDS_FACENAME};
m_hfBig=CreateFontHandle(&fiBig);
m_hfSmall=CreateFontHandle(&fiSmall);
//
m_nHeight=GetDeviceCaps(m_hdc,VERTRES);
m_nWidth=GetDeviceCaps(m_hdc,HORZRES);
//m_nPageHeight=m_nHeight-2*MARGIN_Y;
}
m_pcTopDlg=pcTopDlg;
m_nPageCount=1;
}
/***************************************************************************/
// Purpose: Destruction
//---------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPrint::~CPrint()
{
if(m_hdc)
DeleteDC(m_hdc);
}
/***************************************************************************/
//
//---------------------------------------------------------------------------
DWORD CPrint::DoPrint()
{
static DOCINFO di={ sizeof(DOCINFO),PRINTER_DOC,NULL,NULL,0 };
SetLastError(0);
if(StartDoc(m_hdc,&di)>0)
{
if(m_dwCmd & PRINT_ACT_DATA)
{
PrintActParamSet();
}
if(m_dwCmd & PRINT_CONFIG_DATA)
{
PrintCfgParamSet();
}
if(m_dwCmd & PRINT_ALL_PARAM_SET)
{
PrintAllParamSet();
}
if(EndDoc(m_hdc))
return 1;
}
TCHAR sz[MAX_PATH];
wsprintf(sz,_T("Printer error %d"),GetLastError());
MessageBox(m_pcTopDlg->m_hWnd,sz, _T("Printer"),MB_OK);
return 0;
}

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Schuker · Nov 10th 2011

Can you please attach the code file for the example, because some parts like "fiBig" marco are missing.

fs-support_ZU · Nov 10th 2011

Sorry but this is not possible, because this is a custom project with more then hundred files! And for isolation will cost a lot of time.
But i think this is also not needed becauce the relevant structure for pinting is shown:
- Create printer DC
- Selcet GDI objects (font, ...) into the DC
- Start printing into the DC
- PrintActParamSet(), ... are only a functions which draw into the printer DC
- End printing

ClausSporer · May 22nd 2014

From where could I get the latest version of pcl.dll and usbprn.dll?
I want to connect a printer to PicoCOMA5.
Thank you!

fs-support_ZU · May 23rd 2014

Hello,

usbprn should be part of OS (try cmd command "attrib u*.dll"). Pcl.dll is available here How to install an USB printer on NetDCUX and PicoMODX. You may replace pcl.dll by a driver from your printer manufactor.

ClausSporer · May 27th 2014

Thank you for your answer. Now the printer is working (I had an older pcl.dll, that hadn't worked correctly).
Do you know the PCL-compatibility of this pcl.dll? Is it PCL-3?

fs-support_ZU · May 27th 2014

Yes as far as i know still pcl3:-(.

ClausSporer · Jan 11th 2017

OK, Thank you.
Do you have in the meantime a driver for a higher PCL-level?
Do you also provide drivers for further printer languages, e.g. GDI, PS, SPL?
Do you have a list of tested or compatible printers?

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