Starting a Printer with the STARTPTR Command

This topic describes the general syntax and processes associated with the STARTPTR command. The STARTPTR command, found in the SYSPROG account, is used to start a system printer once it has been properly set up and defined for use with mvBase. The STARTPTR command allows you to:

Add new printer(s) to the system
Initialize the printer(s)
Assign the printer number
Assign the form queues handled by the printer
Define which line to which it is attached

Initialization Overview

Printer initialization entails these actions, which are manually defined with the STARTPTR command:

Assigns a printer number.
Assigns one, two or three form queues to a printer.
Defines the printer as a serial or parallel printer.
Assigns a communications line to the printer.
Sets the number of blank pages to eject between print jobs.
Sets the alignment of forms.

Startup (Initialization) Procedure

Any printer to be added or initialized must be physically connected to the system and set up for use with mvBase. See Setting Up mvBase Printers if required prior to completing this procedure.

Perform this procedure to add or initialize a printer:

From SYSPROG, issue the STARTPTR command.

Format

STARTPTR printer,form [,skip], Sline, [options]

Parameter(s)

A	Begins the alignment process. There must be a print job waiting in the queue in order for the alignment process to work.
Nn	Used with the X option to specify the number of lines per page (where n specifies number of lines per page). If the N option is not used, the default page length is 66 lines.
S	Specifies that the form-feed command at the beginning of a print file is to be ignored by a serial printer. This option is used when skip is set to a number other than zero.
X	Used to count page lines and output the correct number of blank lines when a serial printer does not recognize an X'0C' as a page-eject command. The X option can be used in conjunction with the N option.

Parameters must be entered in the exact order shown, separated by commas where indicated.

The printer is ready to receive print jobs once:

It has been connected physically to a system.
Handshaking parameters have been defined (if it is a serial printer).
It has been defined for use by mvBase.
It has been started (initialized) with the STARTPTR command.

Printer operation continues to follow the normal use of the STARTPTR command. Review the above procedure as required, or review other procedures related to using the print Spooler or stopping printers.

Example(s)

This example shows how to add one serial printer to the system.

STARTPTR 2,2,0,S6

This above command line assigns the number 2 to the new printer, assigns form queue 2 to it, specifies that no pages should be ejected between print jobs, and defines the printer as a serial printer connected to line 6.

The next example shows how to add the same printer as with the first example, but with three form queues assigned to it (form queues 2,3, and 4). Type:

STARTPTR 2,(2,3,4),0,S6