Installing mvBase Printer Drivers

A printer driver is a software program or configuration file that extends the operating system so that it supports a printer. Printer manufacturers typically supply drivers for their printers for various versions of Windows or other operating systems. Several Windows applications, including mvBase, may offer additional printer drivers to support the applications’ use of printers.

All types of mvBase printers require at least one printer driver.

Windows printers are first installed in Windows, then mapped for use by mvBase. This type of configuration requires the manufacturer’s printer driver for Windows, or the text-only mvBase printer driver.
Raw printers are Windows printers, but bypass the Winprint preprocessor within the Windows printer driver. This allows unfiltered output of printer data to the printer device.
MultiValue printers are serial printers that are connected on a COM port, a TCP port, or as an auxiliary printer. Serial printers configured exclusively in the MultiValue environment require the manufacturer’s printer driver, but no additional mvBase printer driver or Windows-compatible printer driver.

NOTE	When configuring a shared network printer, it is important to configure the printer so that multiple users can print from multiple applications. This mandates use of a printer driver that is compatible with Windows.

The printer driver(s) required for each printer configuration are described in greater detail in the pertinent procedures.

Understanding Raw Printer Operation

The raw printer mode configures Windows printers to allow unfiltered output of printer data which bypasses the Winprint preprocessor of the printer driver.

The raw printer mode resolves several issues, which include:

ESCAPE sequences not being recognized
Continuous forms not being supported (printing from mvBASIC with no explicit pagination)
ACCUPLOT output failing to print correctly
Graphical output to printers failing to print correctly
Oversized data being truncated

When the raw mode switch is activated for serial printers, output to the printer client from an mvBase printer process is sent directly to the connected printer, bypassing the Windows printer driver.The raw printer client allows embedded x'FF characters (255 ASCII) in print jobs, and allows ACCUPLOT to print correctly. Additionally, if you create a print job from mvBASIC with a PRINT CHAR(255) statement, the embedded CHAR(255) should pass through to the printer and not create an end-of-document condition.

Another factor in deciding whether to use the raw printer mode is whether a printer will be shared across the network. Shared printers are most likely to print from multiple Windows-based applications, and the raw printer mode is most suited for this user of printers.

The following mvBase serial printers are or can be configured as raw printers:

Windows printer clients configured in the Printers dialog box: the Raw option must be selected for the printer to operate in the raw mode. (The Printers dialog box is accessed via the Workstation tab of the Administration Utility.)

In this case, the raw mode passes embedded x'FF characters to the printer. An end-of-document x'FF character (only) terminates the document and nothing more passes through to the Windows Spooler. With the Raw mode cleared (off), any x'FF character terminates the document and nothing more passes through to that print job.

See Setting Up Windows Printers for mvBase for additional information.

MultiValue serial printer clients configured in the Ports dialog box (Serial Printer option selected) operate automatically in the raw mode. (The Ports dialog box is accessed via the Workstation tab of the Administration Utility.)

In this case, the COM port client passes embedded x'FF characters through to the COM port. An end-of-document x'FF character is deleted from the out-put stream. With the option cleared (off), all x'FF characters are passed through to the COM port.

See Setting Up Printers on COM Ports for additional information.

Telnet printer clients configured in the Telnet Servers dialog box (Serial Printer option selected) operate in the raw mode automatically. (The Telnet Servers dialog box is accessed via the Workstation tab of the Administration Utility.)

In this case, the Telnet client passes embedded x'FF characters through to the Telnet client (to which a printer on a Network Terminal is ultimately connected). An end-of-document x'FF character is deleted from the output stream. With the Raw option cleared (off), all x'FF characters are passed through to the Telnet client.

See Setting Up Serial Printers on TCP Ports for additional information.