hp DECprint Supervisor (DCPS) for hp OpenVMS
System Manager's Guide


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10.9.2 Incorrect Sheet Count

The sheet count reported on the job trailer page and in the OpenVMS accounting file may be several sheets too few due to a limitation with the LN17ps printer. There is no known workaround.

10.9.3 Downloading and Deleting Fonts

You may download or delete fonts from the LN17ps printer's optional hard drive using the FONT_DOWNLOADER.COM procedure described in Appendix C.

10.9.4 Colored Separator Pages and Tray Switching

The LN17ps can switch between input trays when a specified tray becomes empty. By default, tray switching is disabled. If you currently specify colored separator pages by using the DCPS$queuename_SEPARATOR_PAGE logical, you may want to ensure that tray switching is disabled.

You disable tray switching from the printer console, under the PostScript menu. See the LN17ps User Guide for more information.

Use one of the following PostScript tray numbers as the value of the DCPS$queuename_SEPARATOR_PAGE logical:
  0 Main tray
  1 Front tray
  2 Lower 1 tray
  3 Lower 2 tray

10.10 DIGITAL Laser Printer LN20

10.10.1 Incorrect Sheet Count

The sheet count reported on the job trailer page and in the OpenVMS accounting file is incorrect due to a limitation with the LN20 printer. There is no known workaround. The LN20 has, however, an accounting feature that can be used to track printer utilization.

10.11 DIGITAL Laser Printer LN40

10.11.1 Incorrect Sheet Count

The sheet count reported on the job trailer page and in the OpenVMS accounting file is incorrect due to a limitation with the LN40 printers. There is no known workaround. The LN40 has, however, an accounting feature that can be used to track printer utilization.

10.12 Compaq and DIGITAL Laser Printer LNC02

10.12.1 Minimum Firmware Version

To use the LNC02 with the Raw TCP/IP protocol from DCPS, the printer must be running a minimum firmware version of System Release 1.1.1, Revision 3.11. This firmware version number is displayed on the printer's startup page.

10.12.2 Incorrect Sheet Count

The sheet count reported on the job trailer page and in the OpenVMS accounting file is incorrect due to a limitation with the LNC02 printer. There is no known workaround. The LNC02 has, however, an accounting feature that can be used to track printer utilization.

10.13 DIGITAL PrintServer 17 Printer

10.13.1 Colored Separator Pages and Tray Switching

PrintServer Software, Version 5.0, adds input tray failover to the PrintServer 17 series printers. This feature allows the printer to automatically switch to another input tray containing the same size media when the current tray becomes empty. This feature is enabled by default.

If you currently use colored flag pages, you may want to disable this feature. To disable input tray failover, perform the following steps:

  1. Edit LPS$SUPPORT:LPSDEFAULTS.<printer name>
  2. Search for the /TraySwitch parameter:


      /TraySwitch true  % Controls input tray failover. 
                        % false = disable 
                        % true = enable 
    

  3. Change the value of the TraySwitch parameter from "true" to "false". PostScript is case sensitive; the only valid values are "true" or "false".


      /TraySwitch false % Controls input tray failover. 
                        % false = disable 
                        % true = enable 
    

  4. Enable the changes by issuing the reconfigure command from the remote console facility.


    $ MCR LPS$CONSOLE <printer name> 
    LPS> PRIV 
    Password: <password> 
    LPS> RECONFIG 
    LPS> EXIT 
    

Refer to the DEC PrintServer Supporting Host Software for OpenVMS Management Guide for additional information.

10.14 HP LaserJet IIID Printer

10.14.1 Job Remains in Starting State

The DCPS$queuename_NO_SYNC logical name can be used to solve reported problems printing to HP LaserJet IIID printers with HP-supplied PostScript Level 2 cartridges. Those cartridges have a known problem where they corrupt status messages they send to a host. This can cause jobs to get stuck in the "starting" state when DCPS tries to use its synchronization sequence. See Section 3.5.3 for more information.

10.14.2 Incorrect Sheet Count on Duplex Jobs

The HP LaserJet IIID and several other HP LaserJet printers do not internally count physical sheets but instead count pages imaged. Therefore the "Sheets printed" data of the trailer page will reflect the number of images processed. For example, a six-page print job with burst and trailer pages enabled and /PARAMETERS=(SIDES=2) specified will show "Sheets printed" as eight when only five sheets are printed.

10.15 HP LaserJet IIISi Printer

10.15.1 Incorrect Sheet Count on Native PCL Jobs

The HP LaserJet IIISi printer does not keep track of the sheet count while printing native PCL files. The sheet count reported at the end of the job, both on the trailer page and to the OpenVMS accounting system, includes only those sheets printed in PostScript mode, such as the job separation pages. There is no known workaround for this problem.

10.15.2 Incorrect Sheet Count on Duplex Jobs

The HP LaserJet IIISi printer exhibits the same behavior with sheet count as mentioned in Section 10.14.2.

10.16 HP LaserJet 4SiMX Printer

10.16.1 Incorrect Sheet Count on Duplex Jobs

The HP LaserJet 4SiMX printer exhibits the same behavior with sheet count as mentioned in Section 10.14.2.

10.17 HP LaserJet 5M Printer

10.17.1 Problems Selecting an Input Tray

DCPS may ignore explicit INPUT_TRAY parameter values for the HP LaserJet 5M printer, instead utilizing paper from another input tray. DCPS may also report that TRAY_1 is not available, even though the tray is a standard tray, when tray 1 is empty.

Both classes of problems are related to the printer attempting to select an alternate input tray if the desired tray is empty or otherwise not satisfactory. To avoid these problems, use the HP 5M console to specify that tray 1 is a "cassette" and to lock out all but one of the available input trays. Refer to the printer's user manual for more information.

10.17.2 Incorrect Sheet Count on Duplex Jobs

The HP LaserJet 5M printer exhibits the same behavior with sheet count as mentioned in Section 10.14.2.

10.18 HP LaserJet 5SiMX Printer

10.18.1 Job Trailer Pages Print in Next Bin

If the network manager has placed the mailbox bins into "job separator mode" using the administration software supplied with the printer, the DCPS job log and trailer pages print in the next bin, separated from the rest of the job.

10.18.2 Tray Is Not Available Due to Lack of Memory for Loaded Paper

If an input tray is loaded with a paper size that cannot be printed with the current memory configuration, DCPS reports the tray as not available. (Refer to the HP5SiMX users's guide for memory requirements.)

10.18.3 Duplex Not Supported Due to Lack of Memory for Loaded Paper

If an input tray is loaded with a paper size which cannot be printed in duplex mode with the current memory configuration, DCPS reports that duplex is not supported. (Refer to the HP5SiMX users's guide for memory requirements.)

10.18.4 Incorrect Sheet Count on Duplex Jobs

The HP LaserJet 5SiMX printer exhibits the same behavior with sheet count as mentioned in Section 10.14.2.

10.19 HP LaserJet 2100 and 2200

10.19.1 Media Size Not Selectable

The HP LaserJet 2100 and 2200 printers cannot detect the size of paper in their trays. Therefore, the following restrictions apply when using DCPS with this printer:

To avoid printing on the wrong size paper, set the tray with the default paper size "unlocked" and set all other trays "locked".

10.19.2 Problems Starting Queues

Some models in this series may not allow DCPS jobs to start. To resolve this, either set the printer to PostScript mode or suppress DCPS's PostScript synchronization. See Section 11.1.1 for more information.

10.20 HP Color LaserJet 2500 and 5500

10.20.1 Problems Starting Queues

These printers do not respond to the DCPS synchronization request at the beginning of a job. Therefore, you must define the logical name DCPS$queuename_NO_SYNC before queues to these printers are started, or DCPS jobs will not start. See Section 11.1.1 for more information.

It is also recommended that the printer's personality setting be set to PS (PostScript). However, setting the printer's personality to PS (PostScript) alone will not solve the problem for this printer. This problem is expected to be resolved in a future version of printer firmware.

10.21 HP LaserJet 4000, 4050 and 5000

10.21.1 Minimum Firmware Version

To use an HP LaserJet 4000 or 5000 printer from DCPS, the printer must be running a minimum firmware version of 19980714 MB3.68. To use an HP LaserJet 4050 printer, it is recommended that the printer be running a minimum firmware version of 19991030 MB6.30. Earlier versions of firmware may cause problems such as misprinted or missing characters when using the DCPS ANSI translator, especially when printing jobs with landscape orientation or NUMBER_UP. This firmware version number is displayed as Firmware Datecode on the printer's configuration page.

If your printer is running an older version of firmware, contact HP and request the proper version. The new firmware will be sent on a SIMM to be installed in your printer.

10.22 HP LaserJet 4200 and 4300

10.22.1 Problems Starting Queues

These printers do not respond to the DCPS synchronization request at the beginning of a job. Therefore, you must define the logical name DCPS$queuename_NO_SYNC before queues to these printers are started, or DCPS jobs will not start. See Section 11.1.1 for more information.

It is also recommended that the printer's personality setting be set to PS (PostScript). However, setting the printer's personality to PS (PostScript) alone will not solve the problem for these printers. This problem is expected to be resolved in a future version of printer firmware.

10.23 HP LaserJet 8000, 8100 and 8150

10.23.1 Optional Mailbox

DCPS numbers the optional mailbox bins on the HP LaserJet 8000 printer from 1-5, 1-7 or 1-8, depending on the particular option installed. This is consistent with the numbers molded into the plastic beside the bins. The printer's console, in contrast, refers to these same bins as numbers two through nine. Refer to the HP LaserJet User Guide for your printer model for more information about the numbering and purpose of trays with different options and configurations.

10.23.2 Problems Starting Queues

Some models in this series may not allow DCPS jobs to start. To resolve this, either set the printer to PostScript mode or suppress DCPS's PostScript synchronization. See Section 11.1.1 for more information.

10.23.3 Minimum Firmware Version

To use a HP LaserJet 8000 printer from DCPS, the printer must be running a minimum firmware version of 19980610 MB4.28. This firmware version number is displayed as Firmware Datecode on the printer's configuration page.

If your printer is running an older version of firmware, contact HP and request the proper version. The new firmware will be sent on a SIMM to be installed in your printer.

10.24 HP XL300 Printer

10.24.1 Communication Problem

If a file printed to the XL300 printer contains multiple userdata messages that are returned in quick succession, some messages may be lost, and others returned incorrectly. Also, messages that the DECprint Supervisor wants returned to it will occasionally get garbled. This will result in spurious messages to the user's terminal (if /NOTIFY is set). Otherwise, the job prints correctly.

10.25 Lexmark Optra Rt+ Printer

10.25.1 Tray Linking and INPUT_TRAY

If tray linking is enabled by the printer console, the linked trays cannot be selected individually using the INPUT_TRAY parameter. Specifying any linked tray in the INPUT_TRAY parameter causes the printer to select among the linked trays in accordance with its own algorithm.

10.26 Lexmark Optra S, Optra T and T Series

10.26.1 Problems Starting Queues

Some models in the Lexmark Optra S, Optra T and T series may not allow DCPS jobs to start. To resolve this, either set the printer to PostScript mode or suppress DCPS's PostScript synchronization. See Section 11.1.1 for more information.

10.27 Tektronix Phaser

10.27.1 Printer Configuration Settings

You must change the following AppSocket settings when using Phaser printers with DCPS:

Table 10-3 Tektronix Phaser Configuration Settings
AppSocket Setting Value
Interpreter or Language PostScript
Filtering Interpreter-Based


Chapter 11
Troubleshooting Procedures

This chapter contains troubleshooting procedures for diagnosing error conditions on the printer system.

When a printer problem occurs, information may be displayed on the user's terminal if the /NOTIFY qualifier is included on the PRINT command line. This information may indicate the cause of the failure.

Check the job trailer page from the print job, which shows some of the messages that result from printing. Problems with the print files are indicated on a file error page (see Section 6.7).

When a printing system problem occurs, examine the console output or the OPERATOR.LOG file for operator communication manager (OPCOM) messages. If your terminal is not running OPCOM, use REPLY/ENABLE to enable PRINTER and CENTRAL messages. Restart the symbiont, and reprint the job. Then you can read the relevant messages. This procedure requires OPER privileges. Printer messages are listed in the User's GuideUser's Guide.

11.1 What to Do if a Raw TCP/IP Printer is Not Printing

11.1.1 Job Remains in Starting State for Raw TCP/IP or LAT Queue

Most printers respond to the PostScript synchronization command at the beginning of a DCPS job, but some do not. If all jobs to a queue remain in the Starting state, you may need to take one of the following steps:

11.1.2 Job Remains in Starting State for Raw TCP/IP Queue

If you set up a DCPS queue that uses a raw TCP/IP connection and specify an incorrect TCP port number for the printer, any print jobs that you submit to the queue will remain in a starting state. DCPS cannot determine that you have provided an incorrect port number, because the network failure that it receives is no different than if the printer had been busy or offline.

Note that a print job in a raw TCP/IP queue may remain in a starting state for other reasons as well.

Check the documentation for your printer, network interface card, print server, or terminal server to determine the correct TCP port number to use. The TCP port number may also be listed in Table 3-2.

11.1.3 Connection Terminations for Raw TCP/IP Queue

You may get CONTERMINATED errors for long print jobs when using raw TCP/IP connections. For jobs that consist of a single file or only use the native PostScript capability of the printer (for example, they do not use native PCL), these errors are most likely to occur at the end of the job, with job trailer pages (if specified for the queue) and print job accounting (if enabled) being lost. For other jobs, these errors may occur in the middle of the job, with subsequent documents as well as the trailer pages and accounting information being lost. DCPS requeues the terminated jobs, placing them in a Holding state so that you can reprint them once you resolve the termination problem.

Some network devices, including the HP JetDirect cards, drop a TCP/IP connection if they do not receive any input from the host system within a specified amount of time. This is a feature meant to prevent host software from monopolizing the device. DCPS, however, waits for the printer to acknowledge that previous documents are printed before switching from PostScript to some other native printer language and also before printing a trailer page and gathering accounting information. Even though the printer may be busy, the NIC may not receive any more input from DCPS before the timeout is reached.

If your NIC allows you to alter the TCP/IP idle timeout value, you can work around this problem by disabling or increasing the timeout. Check your NIC documentation to determine if this is possible, and how to do it. Then release any requeued jobs for which desired output was lost, and delete the other requeued jobs.

Note that it is the length of a job in time (versus size) that is important. For example, a very small PostScript program can take a very long time to print. Hence, it is difficult to predict how large a timeout is adequate.

11.1.4 NOT_READY Warnings for Unavailable Raw TCP/IP Printer

If a job is queued to a printer that uses a raw TCP/IP connection, and the printer is busy or offline, you will get NOT_READY warning messages for the printer.

If you believe or determine that the printer is busy, you can ignore these messages. DCPS cannot, unfortunately, differentiate between the printer being busy, offline, or otherwise unavailable.

11.2 What to Do if a PrintServer Printer Is Not Printing

The following troubleshooting procedures can help you diagnose error conditions that can occur during installation of DECprint Supervisor software for PrintServer printers.

If the printer is not printing, check the OPCOM messages. If the cause of the failure is not immediately apparent, check the queue characteristics, as follows:

  1. Execute the following instruction, inserting the name of the PrintServer device queue:


    $ SHOW QUEUE queue-name/FULL
    

    For example, the queue characteristics for the PrintServer device queue LPS40$FANG on node VIPER are as follows:


    $ SHOW QUEUE LPS40$FANG/FULL
    


    Printer queue LPS40$FANG, on VIPER::FANG, mounted form DCPS$$FORM 
    (stock=DEFAULT) 
        /BASE_PRIORITY=4 /FORM=DCPS$DEFAULT /LIBRARY=DCPS_LIB /OWNER=[SYSTEM] 
        /PROCESSOR=DCPS$SMB /PROTECTION=(S:E,O:D,G:R,W:W) /SCHEDULE=(NOSIZE) 
        /SEPARATE=(FLAG,TRAILER) 
    $ 
    

  2. If the queue characteristics do not match those recorded in DCPS$STARTUP.COM, delete the device queue and all generic queues that point to it. Then execute the DCPS$STARTUP.COM file. DCPS$STARTUP is located in SYS$STARTUP:. For example:


    $ STOP/RESET/QUEUE generic-queue-1
    $ STOP/RESET/QUEUE other-generic-queues
    $ STOP/RESET/QUEUE pserver-name
    $ DELETE/QUEUE generic-queue-1
    $ DELETE/QUEUE other-generic-queues
    $ DELETE/QUEUE pserver-name
    $ @SYS$STARTUP:DCPS$STARTUP
    

    Recheck the queue characteristics. If they are correct and the job still does not print, refer to the DEC PrintServer Supporting Host Software for OpenVMS Management Guide for further information.


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