The following general hints may be helpful. These apply to both Windows and MultiValue printers. For specific information about troubleshooting these two types of printers, see the additional information later in this section.
Turn the printer off, then turn it on again. See if the problems persist.
If it is a serial printer, ensure the cable pin-outs are correct.
Execute the LISTLINES command from the SYSPROG account at TCL. Designate the port number to which the printer is assigned. If this command returns the line number for the COM port or TCP port, this verifies that there is actually a printer client connection on the intended line between the Server and the Workstation.
You can issue LISTLINES for a line that is not logged on.
Format
LISTLINES [linenum-linenum] [,linenum] [(A N)] |
Parameter(s)
linenum-linenum |
Specifies a range of line numbers to display. |
linenum |
Specifies a specific line to display. |
A |
(Optional) Displays (in the report) all lines with client type Unknown. |
N |
(Optional) Do not pause display at end of page. |
There may be many sets of line number ranges, and specific line lines separated by commas on the command line.
This command returns the following information:
LINE |
Number of the line connecting the mvBase client to the mvBase Server process. |
STATION |
Name of the system on which the mvBase client resides. |
CLIENT |
Name of the mvBase client. |
HOST LOGIN |
User's Windows account name. |
PROCESS |
Number of the process running on the mvBase Server. |
ACCOUNT |
mvBase account to which the user has logged on. |
If there is no apparent connection after issuing the LISTLINES command at TCL, then the connection needs to be made. Ensure that the Workstation has been started, and that the Workstation is connected to the correct mvBase Server.
If there are characters missing and it looks as if the printer is out of alignment, there is probably a handshaking problem. Make sure your printer’s communications protocols are set correctly, then use the LIST-LINE-CHARS command (or its synonym, LLC) to make sure the line characteristics as set on mvBase match the printer characteristics.
Perform the specific steps for troubleshooting Windows and MultiValue printers (the following topics), then return to the steps below.
Execute the LISTPTR command from the SYSPROG account at TCL. This verifies that the printer is configured for the specific line number, and that a spooler is defined (the printer despooling process starts).
Execute the BLOCK-PRINT user command to verify that the printer itself is operational.
Format
BLOCK-PRINT text [(P)] |
Parameter(s)
text |
Character string to be printed in block format. text may not exceed the current line length, as set by the TERM command. text can include any of the ASCII characters. If text contains any single quotes, enclose the entire string in double quotes; if it contains any double quotes, enclose the entire string in single quotes. The enclosing quotes are not printed. To include leading spaces, enclose text in double quotes. |
P |
Sends output to the printer. |
See Also
Troubleshooting mvBase Printers and the Spooler
Troubleshooting Windows Printers