This chapter describes how to interpret messages and solve problems with printing on PostScript printers. If the problem cannot be solved without privileged authority, see your system manager for help.

17.1 Displaying and Saving Error Messages

To detect, understand, and solve problems with print jobs, gather information about the print job as it is processed. The following list describes some ways to gather the information:

• Include the /NOTIFY qualifier in the PRINT command to ensure that all printing system messages are displayed on your terminal.
• Read the job trailer page, if any. This page is printed to separate print jobs and to record information about the print job. If the print job includes any messages, the last of them are printed on the trailer page. If your print job completed printing but the printing system was not able to follow its instructions exactly, the messages on the trailer page reflect the action taken.
• Produce a job log page using the MESSAGES parameter with the PRINT keyword. For example:

  $ PRINT/PARAMETERS=MESSAGES=PRINT MYFILE.PS

• Store print job messages in a message log file. Use the MESSAGES parameter with the KEEP keyword to create a log file that contains the print job messages. For example:

  $ PRINT/PARAMETERS=MESSAGES=KEEP MYFILE.PS

• When the print job is completed or terminated, a file is created in your login directory (SYS$LOGIN) called DCPS$JOB_nnn.LOG. This file name contains the job number for job nnn.

Interpreting print job messages can help you to solve print job problems and to submit more successful and efficient print jobs.

You should try to determine the source of messages. Some messages come from the PostScript code in the printer (see Section 17.2.1).

Messages often come from the DECprint Supervisor software. The file you are printing or the OpenVMS system can send messages (see Section 17.2.2).

If you print to a PrintServer printer, you can receive messages from the PrintServer Supporting Host software (see Section 17.2.3).

17.2.1 PostScript Errors

PostScript errors can be identified by the phrase "offending command is name".

The PostScript printer contains a PostScript interpreter that translates PostScript code into mechanical functions that transfer the data onto the physical page through marking functions.

Many applications generate PostScript files, and many types of printers print in PostScript. Files and printers are not always completely compatible.

You can solve some PostScript printing problems using the techniques described in Section 4.7.

If your application generates PostScript Level 3 files, you need a printer that supports PostScript Level 3. If your application generates PostScript Level 2 files, you need a printer that supports PostScript Level 2 or Level 3. PostScript Level 1 files can generally be printed on PostScript Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 printers.

If a PostScript error is generated from printing non-PostScript files, the application that generated the files should be modified.

Virtual Memory Errors

Not all PostScript printers are capable of printing all PostScript images and documents. Depending on what type of printer you are using, certain PostScript files may or may not exceed the printer's virtual memory limitations. The success of printing these files depends largely on:

• How the file was generated by the application.
• How resources (fonts, setup modules, prologues) are retained in the printer.
• How the print job is handled by the DCPS software.

If your print job fails to print because of a virtual memory limitation, you receive the following error:

%DCPS-W-VMERROR, vmerror: PostScript virtual memory exhausted - offending command is string.

You can do one of the following to fix the problem:

• Recreate the PostScript file using options in your application to make better use of the printer's virtual memory.
• Use a printer with more available memory to print the file.

Messages from the DECprint Supervisor software start with the prefix DCPS. These messages and the actions you should take when they indicate problems, are described in Appendix A.

The OpenVMS system provides the queue manager for the OpenVMS batch/print queuing system. When your print job stops or is terminated by the queue manager, it sends OpenVMS messages to your terminal. When you have enabled message notification by including /NOTIFY in your PRINT command, you receive messages from both the OpenVMS queue manager and the DECprint Supervisor software.

17.2.3 Solving PrintServer Software Problems

The PrintServer Software provides the management of PrintServer printers and sends messages to indicate when print jobs encounter problems. You can use the Remote Console facility or the Printer Status monitor to check the current status of the printer.

17.2.4 Problems with Files Generated on a PC or Macintosh System

Files generated by PC or Macintosh applications may be incompatable with your printer or DCPS. See Section 4.3 for more information.

17.3 Getting Help On Line

If you receive error messages about your PRINT parameters, use the HELP command to ensure that you are using valid values. You can get help about the PRINT parameters by entering the HELP PRINT_PARAMETER command.

For those parameters that control printer-specific features, the HELP file lists the acceptable parameters. Enter HELP PRINT_PARAMETER followed by the parameter name (such as INPUT_TRAY). Then enter the name of the printer model.

For example, to display a list of the input tray values for PrintServer printers, enter the following command:

$ HELP PRINT_PARAMETER INPUT_TRAY PRINTSERVER

PRINT_Parameter INPUT_TRAY PrintServer_Printers +-------------------------------------+ | Input tray | PrintServer | | Values | 20 | 32 | 40 | 17 | +-------------------------------------+ | MANUAL_FEED | | | | X* | | NOMANUAL_FEED | | | | X* | +-------------------------------------+ | BOTTOM | X | X | | X | +-------------------------------------+ | TOP | X | X | X | X | +-------------------------------------+ | ENVELOPE_FEEDER | | | | X | +-------------------------------------+ | LCIT | X | X | X | X | +-------------------------------------+ | MIDDLE | X | X | X | | +-------------------------------------+ * With PrintServer Supporting Host V5.0

This chapter provides general user information about using DCPS with specific printers. Refer to the System Manager's GuideSystem Manager's Guide and Release NotesRelease Notes for additional printer-specific information.

18.1 DIGITAL Colorwriter LSR 2000⁺ Printer

The DIGITAL Colorwriter LSR 2000⁺ printer is an upgrade to the DIGITAL Colorwriter LSR 2000. References in the DCPS documentation to the DIGITAL Colorwriter LSR 2000 also apply to the DIGITAL Colorwriter LSR 2000⁺.

18.1.1 Requests for Unloaded Sheet Sizes

If you specify a sheet size that is supported by the printer but not currently loaded in any of its input trays, the printer will request that you load the specified sheet size. In other printers, the request is rejected with a SIZNOTAVL error.

18.1.2 INPUT_TRAY and PAGE_SIZE or SHEET_SIZE Parameters

DCPS does not allow you to specify both a paper size and an input tray when using the Colorwriter LSR 2000, due to a printer restriction. If you attempt to do so, you will get a NOSHEETANDTRAY error. You can, however, specify one as long as you omit the other.

18.1.3 ANSI Translator Limits Output to 64 Lines

The Colorwriter LSR 2000 printer has a minimum top margin of a half-inch, which limits the imageable area to less than the 66 lines required to display text at the default font size on A-size sheets. To prevent the top lines of each page from overlapping the nonimageable area, the ANSI translator reduces the normal output to 64 lines.

If you wish to use 66 lines you can do so by specifying parameters of (NUMBER_UP=1) or (LAYUP=COLORWRITER-2000-FULL-PAGE). These parameters cause DCPS to scale the image to the imageable area.

18.2 DIGITAL DECcolorwriter 1000 Printer

You can use the setup modules listed in the table below to change various printer attributes for your print job.

Setup Module	Description
DCW1000_STANDARD	300 x 300 dpi; fastest printing at 2 ppm
DCW1000_ENHANCED	300 x 300 dpi with dither enhance at 1.5 ppm
DCW1000_HIGHRES	300 x 600 dpi with dither enhance at 1 ppm
DCW1000_VIVDBLUE	More blue than purple
DCW1000_DISPLAY	Picture light; monitor display simulation
DCW1000_SIMPRESS	Printing press simulation
DCW1000_NOCORECT	No color correction; DEFAULT

For example, the following command prints at 300 x 600 DPI and specifies vivid blue colors:

$ PRINT /NOTIFY /SETUP=(DCW1000_VIVDBLUE,DCW1000_HIGRES) file

18.3 DIGITAL DEClaser 1152 Printer

Deleting a job printing on the DEClaser 1152 printer can cause the next job to hang when all of these conditions exist:

• The AppleTalk (LocalTalk) port of the DEClaser 1152 is used
• The deleted job leaves many pages in the printer's buffer so that the printer continues to print long after the job is deleted
• The next print job starts before all the pages of the previous job complete.

This next job does not print, but remains in the queue as printing, and the queue eventually stalls. The problem occurs because the printer has accepted an AppleTalk connection before it is ready. The hung job must be deleted and submitted again. The job may take some time (up to 90 seconds) to delete.

18.4 DIGITAL DEClaser 3500 Printer

The modules described in this section apply to the DEClaser 3500 printer only. They allow you to enhance resolution, enable toner saver modes, and download a version of the DECimage-Lite image enhancement technology to the printer.

18.4.1.1 Setup Modules for Resolution Enhancement

• DL3500_RET_DARK
• DL3500_RET_MED
• DL3500_RET_LIGHT
• DL3500_RET_OFF

The toner saver setup module DL3500_TSAVER renders all characters as outlines and outlines dark areas of any graphics as well. This feature is useful for draft copies of documents and provides a medium level of resolution enhancement to the page.

18.4.1.3 Setup Modules for DECimage-Lite

The DECimage-Lite modules provide five different contrast (punch) settings:

DL3500_DI_HC	Increase contrast by 20%
DL3500_DI_LC	Decrease contrast by 20%
DL3500_DI_BRIGHTER	Increase brightness by 10%
DL3500_DI_DARKER	Increase darkness by 10%
DL3500_DI_FLAT	Apply the special halftone without gray level adjustment

Notes:

• These modules are mutually exclusive. The last one listed will be the one that takes effect.
• The DECimage-Lite feature conflicts with the RET feature of the printer. One or the other may be used, but not both. Since the printer's default setting for RET is on, the DECimage-Lite setup modules turn it off for the current job.

The following example increases darkness for the specified print job:

$ PRINT /SETUP=(DL3500_RET_DARK) filename

18.4.2 Using the FAX Option

You can use four example files in [SYSHLP.EXAMPLES.DCPS] to help you send FAX messages with the DEClaser 3500 printer, and may freely distribute these files to driver developers and end users. These files may be used on OpenVMS, UNIX, or DOS operating systems that do not have an application for using the DEClaser 3500 as a FAX sender. For Microsoft Windows 3.1 and Macintosh systems, drivers are available for sending a FAX and should be used instead of these files.

Send these header files ahead of the actual PostScript or text file that is to be faxed from the DEClaser 3500 printer and modify the header files for each application. Each of the files is heavily commented and contains additional information on how to edit and use the files. In addition, the file [SYSHLP.EXAMPLES.DCPS]FAX_3500_PRINTME.PS explains how to use the header files.

• DL3500_SEND_FAX_PS.PS -- Used for sending a PostScript file as a standard CCITT FAX transmission, which can received by any FAX receiver.
• DL3500_SEND_FAX_PS_SENDPS.PS -- Used to send a PostScript file as PostScript data suitable for other DEClaser 3500 printers or other PostScript FAX receiver. If the receiver cannot accept the PostScript data, the call is terminated, and the printer re-computes the data into CCITT data format and re-dials.
• DL3500_SEND_FAX_TEXT.PS -- Used for sending a text file as a standard CCITT FAX transmission, which can be received by any FAX receiver.
• DL3500_SEND_FAX_TEXT_SENDPS.PS -- Used to send a text file as PostScript data suitable for a DEClaser 3500 printer or other PostScript FAX receiver. If the receiver cannot accept the PostScript data, the call is terminated, and the printer re-computes the data into CCITT data format and re-dials.

You can also fax ANSI documents using the DEClaser 3500 fax option, in addition to PostScript and text files as described above. Documents consisting only of lines of printable ASCII characters can be sent as a text file following the instructions in SYS$COMMON:[SYSHLP.EXAMPLES.DCPS]FAX_3500_PRINTME.PS, or as an ANSI document as described below. Documents containing tabs, form feeds, other control characters, or ANSI escape sequences must be sent using the instructions below.

To fax an ANSI document, a privileged OpenVMS user must first create a fax setup module which contains information about the fax recipient. Once the setup module exists, you use the PRINT/SETUP command to send ANSI documents to the recipient.

1. Create a fax settings file that includes fax information for a particular recipient. Use SYS$COMMON:[SYSHLP.EXAMPLES.DCPS]DL3500_SEND_FAX_PS.PS or DL3500_SEND_FAX_PS_SENDPS.PS as a template, depending on whether you are sending a fax to a standard CCITT fax machine or a PostScript fax device such as the DEClaser 3500.
2. Have your system manager create a custom PostScript device control library if your site does not already have one:

   $ LIBRARY /CREATE /TEXT SYS$COMMON:[SYSLIB]library_name

   
   where library_name is the name you have chosen for your library.

3. The system manager should ensure that the DCPS_LIB logical name points to both the DCPS device control library (DCPS$DEVCTL) and your custom device control library or libraries. See the System Manager's GuideSystem Manager's Guide and the comments in the SYS$STARTUP:DCPS$STARTUP.COM command procedure for more information.
   If the definition of DCPS_LIB is changed, the DCPS queues that will be used for sending faxes must be stopped and restarted.
4. The system manager then creates the fax settings module from the fax settings file:

   $ LIBRARY /INSERT /TEXT - _$ SYS$COMMON:[SYSLIB]library_name fax_settings_file

   
   where fax_settings_file specifies the file containing the fax information.

Now, you can fax ANSI documents with the following command:

$ PRINT /PARAMETERS=DATA_TYPE=ANSI - _$ /SETUP=fax_settings_module fax_file

where fax_settings_module is the name of the setup module that your system manager created and fax_file is the ANSI document that you want to fax.

18.5 DIGITAL DEClaser 5100 Printer

The following page-protection setup modules adjust the bitmap for the printed page.

Table 18-1 DEClaser 5100 Printer Page Protection Setup Modules

Setup Module	Description
DL5100_PAGEPROT_ON	Full page bitmaps
DL5100_PAGEPROT_OFF	Partial-page bitmaps and banding

Using the full-page bitmap is referred to as page-protection, and allows complex pages to print. However, the requested resolution may not be possible if memory resources are low.

Page-protection settings take priority over resolution settings. If low memory resources cause a conflict, the requested page-protection mode takes precedence. Add the /NOTIFY switch on the print command line when using these modules so that you can see any messages reported by the printer.

The modules have no order dependency on the print command line.

The following example prints at 600 DPI and enables page protection:

$ PRINT /NOTIFY /SETUP=(DL5100_PAGEPROT_ON,RES_600X600) file

18.5.2 Errors from PCL Jobs on the LocalTalk Port

When you print PCL files using the native PCL interpreter through the LocalTalk port, you may see the following error when the PCL job ends:

%DCPS-W-UNDEF, undefined: Name not known - offending command is <1B>E<1B> %DCPS-E-FLUSHING, Rest of Job (to EOJ) will be ignored

The entire file has been printed, but the printer may hang. The front panel displays PS Localtalk as an indication of the hang. To restore normal operation, press the Reset button on the printer's front panel.

18.6 DIGITAL Laser Printer LN15+

The DIGITAL Laser Printer LN15+ is an upgrade to the DIGITAL Laser Printer LN15. References in the DCPS documentation to the DIGITAL Laser Printer LN15 also apply to the DIGITAL Laser Printer LN15+.

18.6.1 Extraneous USERDATA Messages Appear

USERDATA messages from the job currently printing on the LN15 may appear when your DCPS job is waiting to print. For example, such messages will appear on your screen if you used the /NOTIFY qualifier when printing. These messages should be ignored, as they have no affect on your job.

18.6.2 Choosing Input Trays

You will get erroneous output or receive an error message when trying to print to the optional lower tray if the lower tray contains paper of a different size than the top tray. If both input tray and and paper size are specified using INPUT_TRAY=BOTTOM and either PAGE_SIZE or SHEET_SIZE parameters, you will get a SIZNOTRAY error. Specifying INPUT_TRAY=BOTTOM without specifying paper size will result in improperly positioned or truncated output. To avoid this problem, select the bottom tray by paper size only.