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DMPLAS
Written by
Martin L. Waldman
A program to convert
Dot Matrix Printer Controls
to Laser Printer Control Sequences
Version 1.1
Copyright 1991
All rights reserved
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
PART 1. OVERVIEW
1.1 Introduction ..................... 1
1.2 Installing DMPLAS ................ 1
1.3 Page Size and Printer Modes ...... 2
1.4 Laser Printer Controls ........... 2
1.5 Printer Reset..................... 3
1.6 Printing a File .................. 3
1.7 Testing DMPLAS ................... 4
PART 2. CONVERTED PRINTER CONTROLS
2.1 Pitch Control .................... 5
2.2 Print Style ...................... 5
2.3 Special Effects .................. 6
2.4 Line Spacing ..................... 6
2.5 Vertical Movement ................ 6
2.6 Margin Control ................... 7
2.7 Horizontal Movement .............. 7
2.8 Dot Graphics ..................... 7
PART 3. PRINTER CONTROL CODE TABLE 8
PART 4. SOME HINTS AND TIPS
4.1 Screen Dumps .................... 11
4.2 Line drawing characters ......... 11
4.3 Using DMPLAS with a spooler ..... 12
4.4 Using DMPLAS on a LAN ........... 12
4.5 Using DMPLAS with Windows 3 ..... 12
DMPLAS Version 1.1 1
======================================================================
PART 1. OVERVIEW
1.1 INTRODUCTION
Some of your software may have the capability of being installed for a
laser printer -- but what about the other stuff ? The programs that
you've used so often that your fingers do the walking by themselves --
especially your favorite graphics programs designed for a dot matrix
printer ?
DON'T THROW THEM AWAY -- Smile -- now you have DMPLAS !
Now you can make your laser printer hum along using software designed
for a dot matrix printer -- just install DMPLAS and activate it when
you need it.
DMPLAS is a program that converts dot matrix printer control
characters (00h to 1Fh) and printer control escape sequences (1Bh +
character string) to the equivalent printer control commands used by
HP LaserJet compatible printers.
The program is written in 8088/8086 assembly language and will run on
any computer system that operates using DOS 2.x or higher.
Part 2 of this manual lists the dot matrix printer controls, by
functional group, that are converted to equivalent laser printer
controls by DMPLAS.
Part 3 contains a complete list, in ASCII value order, of the control
codes and escape sequences that DMPLAS recognizes and evaluates. Those
that have no equivalents or have conflicting meanings are trapped so
that your documents don't get messed up and your laser printer doesn't
start to spit paper.
1.2 INSTALLING DMPLAS
DMPLAS can be used in two different ways -- as a permanently installed
TSR (less than 6K) that can be activated and deactivated, and to print
files containing printer control data and text (see paragraph 1.6).
To install DMPLAS as a TSR, the command line to be placed in your
AUTOEXEC.BAT file must contain the drive and pathname where DMPLAS is
stored plus one of the following:
"DMPLAS /A" -- installs and/or activates DMPLAS.
"DMPLAS /D" -- installs and/or deactivates DMPLAS.
The first time either command line is executed, DMPLAS will be
installed as a TSR and remains in memory until the system is rebooted.
Subsequent entry of a command line will only turn DMPLAS on or off --
it will not be removed from memory and not be installed a second time.
Using /A switch with additional parameters (see 1.3 below) changes the
parameters in the installed program. The /D switch only deactivates.
2 DMPLAS Version 1.1
======================================================================
1.3 PAGE SIZE AND PRINTER MODES
Laser printers print on only 10" (e.g. 60 lines at 6 lpi) of an 11"
letter size page. If your software expects to use all 11" (66 lines),
enter "DMPLAS /AF" (full) as an intitial or subsequent command line.
DMPLAS then adjusts the space between lines (leading) to accomadate
the extra lines -- the adjustment works with whatever line spacing you
have programmed (i.e. 8 lpi yields 88 lines, etc).
To return to a normal (10") page, enter the command "DMPLAS /AN".
The page size adjustment is not effective until DMPLAS receives a line
spacing or printer reset command (ESC '@') -- see para. 1.5
Many dot matrix printers have a set of mechanical (DIP) switches or
setup panel buttons that set power-on defaults, some of which can be
changed by software commands -- see your printer manual.
Often one of the switches sets the printer to either the so-called
Standard (Epson) mode or the so-called IBM (Proprinter) mode and
cannot be changed by software. The exact way in which some of the
print controls from these printers work is different depending on how
the mode switch has been set -- again see your printer manual.
DMPLAS defaults to the Standard mode. Where no conflict exists between
the two modes, DMPLAS ignores the mode. In Parts 2 and 3 those
commands that depend on the mode are flagged.
You can set the IBM mode by an additional parameter to the /A switch
either at the initial command in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file or when
issuing subsequent activation command lines. The formats are:
"DMPLAS /ANI" sets IBM mode and normal page (10")
"DMPLAS /AFI" sets IBM mode and full page (11")
(The page size parameter must be included for the mode to be set)
On some printers setting the mode to IBM causes the printer to accept
FS (1Ch) as a substitute for ESC (1Bh) in some control sequences --
the remainder of the sequence is the same. DMPLAS therefore also
accepts FS as being the same as ESC without further ado.
1.4 LASER PRINTER CONTROLS
DMPLAS can send unaltered control sequences directly to the laser
printer. To do so send the leading ESC character (1Bh) twice followed
by the rest of the sequence. ~~~~~
For example, to set the end-of-line wrap around function you would
normally send ESC + the characters "&s0C" to the laser printer. If
DMPLAS is actvated you can send ESC + ESC + "&s0C" to achieve the same
result. See DLTEST-4 for other examples.
DMPLAS Version 1.1 3
======================================================================
1.5 PRINTER RESET
ESC '@' (Reset printer) is used by most dot matrix printers to reset
the printer to the power-on status defined by the settings of
mechanical (DIP) switches.
Some word processors take advantage of this by sending ESC '@' and
other condition resets at the beginning of a document to establish a
known base from which to proceed with formatting commands.
To emulate ESC '@', DMPLAS sets the following default parameters:
Pitch Pica (10 cpi)
Line Spacing 1/6" (6 lpi)
Auto Linefeed off
Left/Right margins cleared
Superscript/Subscript off
Horizontal Tabs set to every 8 columns
and a carriage return (0Dh) is sent to the printer.
The mode (STD or IBM) and page factor (10" or 11") are NOT changed.
To avoid the ejection of an empty sheet of paper from the laser
printer, DMPLAS does NOT send the laser printer soft reset (ESC 'E').
You may eject the current page by entering the command "DMPLAS /F".
This will send a formfeed (0Ch) to the printer whether or not DMPLAS
is active.
1.6 PRINTING A FILE
Some programs can create ASCII files that contain both the text to be
printed and the printer control data to format the printout. Such
files can be printed on your laser printer even if DMPLAS has not been
installed or activated.
Enter the folllowing command (entries inside brackets are optional):
"[drive:][\pathname\]DMPLAS /P [drive:][\pathname\]filename.ext"
You may also use both additional parameters with the /P command to set
the page size and mode. Note however that if DMPLAS has been installed
and activated, the TSR page size and mode takes precedence.
Before printing the file a printer reset is performed and the laser
end-of-line wrap and perforation skip functions are activated. The
laser printer soft reset (ESC 'E') is sent at the end.
NOTE: DMPLAS does NOT check printer status, neither as a TSR nor as a
file printer, but does return a normal status byte. You should make
sure your printer is on line and ready.
4 DMPLAS Version 1.1
======================================================================
1.7 TESTING DMPLAS
So that you can see if DMPLAS works well with your computer and your
printers, we have included a series of files on the distribution
diskette that you can use to check it out.
DLTEST-W.WS4 is a document written in Wordstar Version 4 to be printed
on a dot matrix printer. DLTEST-W.PRN is the result of redirecting the
printer output to a file -- it contains both formatting commands and
document text.
The other test files are named "DLTEST-n" (n = a number or letter).
There are two files each with the same name. DLTEST-n.BAS is the Basic
program that was used to create DLTEST-n.PRN -- the file that contains
both the printer controls and the text.
Before you install DMPLAS you may want to try the following:
1. Put your dot matrix printer on line, and at the DOS prompt enter
~~~~~~~~~~ "COPY DLTEST-n.PRN PRN"
2. Now put your laser printer on line, and at the DOS prompt enter
~~~~~ "DMPLAS /P DLTEST-n.PRN"
If you have installed and activated the TSR, you can print to your
laser printer with the command "COPY DLTEST-n.PRN PRN"
The test files contain examples of the more commonly used controls.
All use the normal page length and standard mode.
DLTEST-1 Print Pitch, Style, and Special Effects
DLTEST-2 The Master Print Mode
DLTEST-3 Line Spacing
DLTEST-4 Left and Right Margins
DLTEST-5 Vertical and Horizontal Movement
DLTEST-6 Horizontal Tab Commands and Backspace
DLTEST-F Dot Graphics - grey scale patterns
DLTEST-G Dot Graphics - cross hatch pattern
DMPLAS Version 1.1 5
======================================================================
PART 2. CONVERTED PRINTER CONTROLS
The following is a list of the dot matrix printer controls, by
functional group, that are converted to equivalent laser printer
controls by DMPLAS. The controls that depend on mode are indicated by
or . All others are available in both modes.
The test files listed demonstrate some of the controls available in
standard mode.
2.1 PITCH CONTROL
DMPLAS pitch controls attempt to use Courier fonts -- Pica translates
to 10 cpi/12 pts, Elite to 12cpi/10pts, and Condensed to 16cpi/8pts.
If you are not happy with the appearance provided by your current
laser printer fonts see FONT.DOC (in DMPLASFN.ZIP) for alternatives.
The standard print pitch controls are demonstrated in DLTEST-1
SO Expanded print - one line
SI Condensed print
DC2 Cancel condensed
DC2 Set 10 cpi (Pica)
DC4 Cancel one line expanded
ESC SO Expanded print - one line
ESC SI Condensed print
ESC DC2 Cancel condensed
ESC ':' Set 12 cpi (Elite)
ESC 'M' Set pitch to Elite (12 cpi)
ESC 'P' Set pitch to Pica (10 cpi)
ESC 'W' 1 Expanded print on
ESC 'W' 0 Expanded print off
ESC 'g' Set 15 cpi
2.2 PRINT STYLE
The standard print style commands are demonstrated in DLTEST-1
ESC '%G' Begin Italics
ESC '%H' End Italics
ESC '4' Select italic characters
ESC '5' Cancel italic characters
ESC 'E' Emphasized printing on
ESC 'F' Emphasized printing off
ESC 'G' Boldface on
ESC 'H' Boldface off
ESC 'P' 1 Select proportional printing
ESC 'P' 0 Cancel proportional printing
ESC 'p' 1 Select proportional printing
ESC 'p' 0 Cancel proportional printing
6 DMPLAS Version 1.1
======================================================================
2.3 SPECIAL EFFECTS
These special effect commands are demonstrated in DLTEST-1
ESC '-' 1 Underline on
ESC '-' 0 Underline off
ESC 'S' 0 Set superscript on
ESC 'S' 1 Set subscript on
ESC 'T' Set superscript/subscript off
ESC '!' n Set Master Print Mode n command is explained and
demonstrated in DLTEST-2
Not demonstrated
ESC 'I' n Set Master print mode n
2.4 LINE SPACING
The standard line spacing commands are demonstrated in DLTEST-3
ESC '%8' n Begin n/360 line spacing
ESC '+' n Begin n/360 line spacing
ESC '0' Set line spacing to 1/8"
ESC '1' Set line spacing to 7/72"
ESC '2' Set line spacing to 1/6"
ESC '2' Execute ESC 'A' n
ESC '3' n Set line spacing to n/216"
ESC 'A' n Set line spacing to n/72"
ESC 'A' n Set line spacing n/72" immediate
ESC 'A' n Set line spacing n/72" for ESC '2'
Not demonstrated
ESC '[' n Begin n/360 line spacing
2.5 VERTICAL MOVEMENT
These vertical movement commands are demonstrated in DLTEST-5
LF Line feed
FF Form feed
ESC LF Reverse Linefeed
ESC FF Reverse Formfeed
ESC 'J' n Onetime linefeed of n/216"
ESC 'f' 1 n Set print position to current line + n
Not demonstrated
ESC '%4' n Onetime n/360 line feed
ESC '5' 1 Auto Linefeed on
ESC '5' 0 Auto Linefeed off
ESC 'j' n Send one reverse LF n/216"
DMPLAS Version 1.1 7
======================================================================
2.6 MARGIN CONTROL
These margin control commands are demonstrated in DLTEST-4
ESC 'l' n Set left margin to column n
ESC 'Q' n Set right margin col n
ESC 'X' l r Set left & right margins
This commands is demonstrated in DLTEST-3
ESC 'N' n Set bottom margin n lines
Not demonstrated
ESC 'O' Cancel top & bottom margins
2.7 HORIZONTAL MOVEMENT
These horizontal commands are also demonstrated in DLTEST-5
ESC '$' n1 n2 Absolute horizontal position
ESC '\' n1 n2 Relative horizontal position
ESC 'f' 0 n Set print position to col n
These are demonstrated in DLTEST-6 (new in DMPLAS 1.1)
BS Backspace
HT Horizontal tab
ESC 'D' n1 n2 ...0 Set variable horizontal tabs at n1,n2,etc.
ESC 'e' 0 n Set horizontal tabs at every n columns
Not demonstrated
ESC 'd' n1 n2 Relative horizontal position
2.8 DOT GRAPHICS
Since dot matrix and laser printers differ in the way 8 bit dot
graphics (raster graphics) are printed, some adjustments are made by
DMPLAS. Horizontal spacing is maintained by adding dots to make it
equivalent. Vertical spacing of 8/72" per line is maintained by
duplicating dot rows on the laser printer.
These commands are demonstrated in DLTEST-F and DLTEST-G
ESC 'K' n1 n2 m1 m2 ... Normal density (60 dpi)
ESC 'L' n1 n2 m1 m2 ... Double density (120 dpi)
ESC 'Y' n1 n2 m1 m2 ... Double density/double speed (120 dpi)
ESC 'Z' n1 n2 m1 m2 ... Quadruple density (240 dpi)
ESC '*' n n1 n2 m1 m2 ... Select graphics mode n where
n = 0 = Normal density (60 dpi)
1 = Double density (120 dpi)
2 = Double density/double speed (120 dpi)
3 = Quadruple density (240 dpi)
4 = Semi-double density (80 dpi)
5 = Plotter graphics (72 dpi)
6 = CRT graphics (90 dpi)
7 = Double density Plotter (144 dpi)
8 DMPLAS Version 1.1
======================================================================
PART 3. PRINTER CONTROL CODE TABLE
The following table lists, in ASCII value order, all of the control
codes and escape sequences that are recognized by DMPLAS.
The symbols in the Flag column indicates what action is taken when
translating the code; * = trapped or > = translated to equivalent
laser sequence. Actions dependent on the mode are prefixed with
S (Std) or I (IBM).
Code/Sequence Flag Printer Function Performed
~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BEL * Sound printer bell
BS > Backspace
HT > Horizontal tab
LF > Line feed
VT * Vertical tab
FF > Form feed
CR > Carriage return
SO > Expanded print - one line
SI > Condensed print on
DC1 * Set printer on line
DC2 S> Cancel condensed
DC2 I> Set 10 cpi (Pica)
DC3 * Set printer off line
DC4 > Cancel one line expanded
CAN * Cancel a line (clear buffer)
DEL * Delete last character sent
ESC LF > Reverse Linefeed
ESC FF > Reverse Formfeed
ESC SO > Expanded print - one line
ESC SI > Condensed print on
ESC DC2 > Cancel condensed
ESC EM n * Sheet feeder commands
ESC EM 'T' n * Set print start on sheet feeder
ESC ESC > DMPLAS bypass - sends ESC once
ESC US n * Double/Triple height printing
ESC ' ' n * Add n dots between characters
ESC '!' n S> Set master print mode
ESC '!' n I* Select international char set
ESC '#' * Accept bit 8 as is
ESC '$' n1 n2 > Absolute horizontal position
ESC '%' n S* Download character set control
ESC '%4' n I> Onetime n/360 line feed
ESC '%8' n I> Begin n/360 line spacing
ESC '%G' I> Begin Italics
ESC '%H' I> End Italics
ESC '&' 0 ... * Define download characters
ESC '(' n * Select NLQ/HSD print quality
ESC '*' n ... > Select 8 bit graphics mode n
ESC '+' n1 .. . S* Macro instruction commands
ESC '+' n I> Begin n/360 line spacing
ESC '-' 1 > Underline on
ESC '-' 0 > Underline off
ESC '/' n * Select vertical tab channel n
DMPLAS Version 1.1 9
======================================================================
PART 3. PRINTER CONTROL CODES (continued)
Code/Sequence Flag Printer Function Performed
~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ESC '0' > Set line spacing to 1/8"
ESC '1' > Set line spacing to 7/72"
ESC '2' S> Set 6 lpi
ESC '2' I> Execute ESC 'A' n
ESC '3' n > Set line spacing to n/216"
ESC '4' S> Select italic characters
ESC '4' I* Set TOF here (IBM mode)
ESC '5' > Cancel italic characters
ESC '5' 1 > Auto Linefeed on
ESC '5' 0 > Auto Linefeed off
ESC '6' * Select IBM character set #2
ESC '6' * 128-159,255 = Italic Internat
ESC '7' * Select IBM character set #1
ESC '7' * 128-159,255 = contol codes 0-32,127
ESC '8' * Disable paper out detector
ESC '9' * Enable paper out detector
ESC ':' > Set 12 cpi (Elite)
ESC ':' 0 n 0 * Copy ROM font n into RAM
ESC '<' * Set uni-directional print
ESC '=' * Set bit 8 to zero
ESC '='n n 20 /1 * Define download characters
ESC '>' * Set bit 8 to one
ESC '?' n0 n1 * Redefine graphic mode
ESC '@' > Reset printer
ESC 'A' n S> Set line spacing n/72" immediate
ESC 'A' n I> Set line spacing n/72" for ESC '2'
ESC 'B' n1 .. .0 * Set vertical tab positions
ESC 'C' 0 n * Set page length n inches
ESC 'C' n * Set page length n lines
ESC 'D' n1 .. .0 > set variable horizontal tab positions
ESC 'E' > Emphasized printing on (Bold)
ESC 'F' > Emphasized printing off (Bold)
ESC 'G' > Boldface Double strike on
ESC 'H' > Boldface Double strike off
ESC 'I' n S* Character set selection
ESC 'I' n I> Set Master print mode
ESC 'J' n > Onetime linefeed of n/216"
ESC 'K' n1 .. . > Normal density graphics 60 dpi
ESC 'L' n1 .. . > Double density graphics 120 dpi
ESC 'M' > Set 12 cpi (Elite)
ESC 'N' n > Set bot marg n lines = skip perf
ESC 'O' > Cancel top & bottom margins
ESC 'P' S> Set 10 cpi (Pica)
ESC 'P' 1/0 I> Set Proportional on/off
ESC 'Q' n S> Set right margin col n
ESC 'Q' 3,35, 36 I* Deselect printer
ESC 'R' * Reset horiz and vert tabs
ESC 'R' n * Select character set n
ESC 'S' n > Set superscript/subscript on
ESC 'T' > Set superscript/subscript off
10 DMPLAS Version 1.1
======================================================================
PART 3. PRINTER CONTROL CODES (continued)
Code/Sequence Flag Printer Function Performed
~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ESC 'U' n * Unidirectional print control
ESC 'V' n dat a * Repeat data n times (LQ-1500)
ESC 'V' NUL * Cancel repeat data (LQ-1500)
ESC 'W' 1/0 > Expanded print on/off
ESC 'X' * Cancel all WP modes except propor.
ESC 'X' l r > Set left & right margins
ESC 'Y' n1 .. . > Dble dens/dble speed graphics
ESC 'Z' n1 .. . > Quadruple density graphics
ESC '[' n S> Begin n/360 line spacing
ESC '[' n ... I* Print double high/wide
ESC '\' n1 n2 S> Relative horizontal position
ESC '\' n1 n2 I* Print all codes as characters
ESC ']' n > Onetime linefeed of n/360"
ESC '^' 0/1 . .. * 60/120 dpi graphics
ESC '^' n ... * 9 pin graphics
ESC '^' n * Print char(n) from all char chart
ESC '_' 1/0 * Overlining on/off
ESC 'a' n * Align or center printing
ESC 'b' n ... 0 * Set vertical tabs in channel
ESC 'c' n * Set top margin n lines
ESC 'd' n1 n2 > Relative horizontal position
ESC 'e' 0/1 n * Set H/V tabs every n chars
ESC 'e' 0 n > Set horizontal tabs every n columns
ESC 'e' 1 n * Set verical tabs every n lines
ESC 'f' 0 n > Set print position to col n
ESC 'f' 1 n > Printer to current line + n
ESC 'g' > Set pitch to 15 cpi (Micron)
ESC 'h' n * Enlarged characters on/off
ESC 'i' n * Set immediate printing on/off
ESC 'j' n S> Send one reverse LF n/216" (STD)
ESC 'j' I* Deselect printer
ESC 'k' n * Select font/typeface n
ESC 'l' n > Set left margin to column n
ESC 'm' * Select Triple width printing
ESC 'm' 1/0 * Select/Cancel HX-20 graphic symbols
ESC 'p' 1 > Select proportional printing
ESC 'p' 0 > Cancel proportional printing
ESC 'q' n * Select character style n
ESC 'r' n * Select color to print
ESC 'r' n * Set top margin n lines
ESC 's' n * Set printing speed
ESC 't' n * Select graphic/italic chars set
ESC 'v' n * Custom character set n
ESC 'w' 0/1 * Double high off/on
ESC 'x' 1/0 * Set Near Letter Quality on/off
ESC 'y' n * Select quasi 8 bit graphics
ESC '~' 0/1 * Print normal/slashed zero
DMPLAS Version 1.1 11
======================================================================
PART 4. SOME HINTS AND TIPS
4.1 SCREEN DUMPS
Text screen prints (from pressing the Shift-PrtSc key) on some dot
matrix printers as well as laser printers have special characters
printed instead of true lines as shown on the screen. See 4.1 for a
solution to this problem.
The program GRAPHICS.COM included with DOS before version 5 worked
only with CGA screens and IBM/Epson dot matrix printers. DMPLAS /A
allows these screen dumps to be printed on HP LaserJet compatibles.
Unfortunately GRAPHICS.COM will still only work properly with CGA
graphic screens. There are other programs that handle EGA, VGA, and
Hercules graphics and DOS 5's GRAPHICS.COM accomidates these as well
as HP LaserJets.
For DMPLAS to be properly effective it should be loaded (DMPLAS /A)
before GRAPHICS.COM.
~~~~~~
4.2 IBM LINE DRAWING CHARACTERS
IBM Graphics and IBM Proprinters are capable of printing the IBM line
drawing characters. The Epson FX is effectively compatible with the
IBM Graphics printers except that italic characters are printed
instead. This is why text screen dumps have "e"s and other characters
instead of lines.
There are 2 solutions to this problem.
1) DOWNLOAD CO120RPN.SFP from the DMPLASFN font set pack.
2) With a HP LaserJet series II the following will change the
character set of the native font from Roman 8 (with italic characters)
to IBM-US (with line drawing characters).
Hold down the menu key until the display reads "SYM SET = Roman 8*"
Press the + key until the display reads "SYM SET = IBM-US"
Press the Enter/Reset Menu key to make the IBM-US the new default set.
(The display marks this with the asterisk from Roman 8)
Hold down the Continue/Reset key until the display reads "07 RESET"
You only need do this once. After this the LaserJet will power-on with
the IBM-US symbol set active.
12 DMPLAS Version 1.1
======================================================================
4.3 USING DMPLAS WITH A SPOOLER
Since a spooler can effectively hold up the physical printing of the
output until the laser printer can catch up, we recommend that you
load DMPLAS as a TSR after you load your spooler software into memory.
~~~~~
If your spooler works as a device driver (in CONFIG.SYS) there DMPLAS
should work fine also.
4.4 USING DMPLAS ON A LAN
Due to the way DMPLAS achieves activation and de-activation, DMPLAS
must be loaded on remote terminals (where the programs are actually
run) rather than on the file server (where the printer is attached).
DMPLAS will then translate the output to the HP LaserJet standard
before the LAN transfers the output over the wires to the printer.
4.5 USING DMPLAS WITH WINDOWS 3
DMPLAS works fine when used with DOS programs being run on the DOS
shell under Windows. DMPLAS can either be loaded before WIN is
executed or from the DOS shell after the DOS icon has been clicked.
DMPLAS can also be included in a batch file executed by a .PIF
routine. In this case there is no need to deactivate DMPLAS after the
program has executed.
Please remember that even in a multi-tasking situation, the activation
and deactivation of DMPLAS via DMPLAS /A and DMPLAS /D takes
place immediately. If there is print left in a spooler or being
outputted by another program running in the background the changes to
the status of DMPLAS might affect the final output to the printer.
Before issuing a DMPLAS command the system should be "quiet".
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