LaserJet/ThinkJet Print Screen Utility for the IBM PC and PC/XT (U.S. Only) * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Hewlett-Packard disclaims any and all liabilities for and makes no * * warranties, express or implied with respect to this material, or * * its suitability for any purpose. HP neither endorses nor assumes * * any responsibility for the material, the supplier or its support. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Description This utility will enable you to print the contents of your IBM PC or PC/XT display screen to either the Hewlett-Packard LaserJet or ThinkJet printer. Once installed, the utility will automatically be loaded into memory each time your computer is booted up. It is executed using the normal sequence of keystrokes (Shift and PrtSc) used in transferring the contents of your display screen to a printer. Use of the utility is fully described in this document. Tested Configurations IBM PC and PC/XT with: IBM Color Monitor, IBM PC DOS Version 2.1 and IBM Color Graphics Board or Hercules High-Resolution Monochromatic Board Tested Applications Lotus 1-2-3 pfs: Graph Framework Microsoft Chart Microsoft Word Known Limitations (will not operate with) IBM PC/AT AST 6-Pak Multifunction Board IBM PC DOS Version 1.0 MS DOS Version 1.11 If another screen dump driver is installed, such as IBM "GRAPHICS" If an application programs the Graphics board in a non-standard way, such as changing the resolution Installation LaserJet Printer 1. Copy the file 'LASERJET.EXE' or 'HERCULES.EXE' (for the Hercules high-resolution graphics board) from the print screen utility disc to your operating system disc. Refer to your IBM PC DOS users guide for instructions on the use of the 'COPY' command. 2. Add the command 'LASERJET A' or 'HERCULES A' (for the Hercules high-resolution graphics board) to your AUTOEXEC.BAT file. When executed, this command will automatically load the print screen utility into memory. Refer to your IBM PC DOS users guide for instructions on using and maintaining 'BATCH' files. The following commands must be in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file to help insure proper execution of the print screen utility: MODE COM1:9600,N,8,1,P MODE LPT1:=COM1 LASERJET A or HERCULES A 3. Reboot your computer to automatically execute the commands in the AUTOEXEC.BAT file and load the print screen utility into memory. ThinkJet Printer 1. Set the switches on the back of the ThinkJet Printer as follows: Switch bank 1 Switch bank 2 (parallel and serial printers) (serial printers only) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1 2 3 4 5 down down down down down up up down up down down down down Note: Because of increased availability of software drivers to support the ThinkJet Printer in an HP mode, we now recommend the above configuration for Centronics printers on the IBM PC. This may be different from what is listed in your ThinkJet Owners Manual. 2. Copy the file 'THINKJET.EXE' or 'HERCULES.EXE' (for the Hercules high-resolution graphics board) from the print screen utility disc to your operation system disc. Refer to your IBM PC DOS users guide for instructions on the use of the 'COPY' command. 3. Add the command 'THINKJET' or 'HERCULES A' (for the Hercules high-resolution graphics board) to your AUTOEXEC.BAT file. When executed, this command will automatically load the print screen utility into memory. Refer to your IBM PC DOS users guide for instructions on using and maintaining 'BATCH' files. The following commands must be in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file to help insure proper execution of the print screen utility: MODE COM1:9600,N,8,1,P (serial ThinkJet Printer only) MODE LPT1:=COM1 (serial ThinkJet Printer only) THINKJET or HERCULES A 4. Reboot your computer to automatically execute the commands in the AUTOEXEC.BAT file and load the print screen utility into memory. Using the Print Screen Utility (either printer) Basics If you are using LOTUS 1-2-3, please read the next section before attempting to use the utility. When used with most software programs the utility is executed by pressing the 'Shift' and 'PrtSc' keys simultaneously. Notice that an 'A' will appear in the upper left corner of the screen indicating that alphanumeric data is to be printed or a '-' if graphics is to be printed. Use with LOTUS 1-2-3 When used with LOTUS 1-2-3, additional input is required to tell the utility what type of data is to be printed. First press the 'Shift' and 'PrtSc' keys then immediately follow them by pressing the 'G' key then the 'C' key. These options are described in the next section on printing options. Printing Options Although not required, several printing options are available with the utility. If you wish to use any of the following options, they must be entered within five seconds after pressing the 'Shift' and 'PrtSc' keys. Only one option from each group (orientation, print position and paper ejection) may be selected. The printing process will begin five seconds after the last key is pressed. Group Key Option ----- --- ------ Orientation * P Portrait (LaserJet only) L Landscape (LaserJet only) Print Position * T Top half of page M Middle of page B Bottom half of page Paper Ejection * Y Form feed at end of print N No form feed at end of print * indicates default value Note: When used on the LaserJet printer, the utility can print one graphics screen and one alphanumeric screen on the same page but cannot print two graphics screens on the same page due to the memory limit of the printer. However, two graphs can be printed on the same page by first printing one graph using the default options, then manually feeding the same page through the printer for the second graph (this time using the 'B' (bottom of page) option). Refer to your LaserJet owners guide for instructions using the manual feed feature of the printer. When the utility is used with most software programs it automatically determines the contents of the screen information to be printed. When the utility is used with a software program that does not provide this information (LOTUS 1-2-3 for example), you must supply it to the utility through printing options. If your output is not as expected after first attempting to print your screen using the 'Shift ' and 'PrtSc' keys, try the following options. These options are entered within five seconds after pressing the 'Shift' and 'PrtSc' keys. Group Key Option ----- --- ------ Screen content A Alphanumeric screen G Graphics screen Graphics color C Color graphics W Black and white graphics Characters/line 4 40 characters per line 8 80 characters per line Use with a Hercules High-Resolution Board Using the print screen utility with the Hercules high-resolution graphics board is performed using the same procedures described earlier. However, because this board allows for the storage of two 'pages' of graphics images, a printing option is provided to allow for selection of either page of graphics image. Enter a '1' for the first page of graphics image or a '2' for the second page. Also, the 'C/W' option is not available when the Hercules board is used. In Case of Difficulty Nothing Prints Insure that the printer and computer have been configured together correctly, refer to your owners manual for information on configuring the printer to your computer. Next insure that the utility has been installed correctly per the installation portion of this document. Finally, insure that your printer is on-line. Insure that this print screen utility is the only one that you are attempting to use. For example, an IBM program called 'GRAPHICS' is used for printing to an IBM color printer and will not work in conjunction with this print screen utility. Check your AUTOEXEC.BAT file for any command that may appear to load another print utility, and delete it from the file. Image Printed But Not Correctly The software creating the image may not be providing the necessary information to the print screen utility as is the case with LOTUS 123. Try using the options which describe the contents of the screen to the utility as described in the options section. Error 22 (buffer overflow) occurs when using a Hercules high-resolution board and the LaserJet printer The graphics image to be printed is too complex and must be simplified. Elimination of a border if used may help in eliminating the problem.