Larry Flippo ([log in to unmask]) wrote:
: We have recently put an HP3000 server on our network wire for telnet
: access and network printing.  We have a lot of Epson 1070 printers
: that we want to hang off of HP JetDirect EX+ printer servers.  My
: problem is that when I print to the printer, the top portion of the
: print job is whacked off and a garbage line is printed.  I think it
: has something to do with NPCONFIG and the setup file.  If I hang an HP
: printer (ie. LaserJet, DeskJet) on the HP JetDirect, everything works
: fine.  I have disabled the PCL on the JetDirect, but I think I am
: still getting PCL commands, even though all I need to print is text.

: Any clue?  I urgently need to find a work-around using my existing
: hardware or a software solution that I can install on the HP3000 that
: will allow me to keep my Epson printers in production with JetDirect.

You have not read the ground rules for network printing using the
MPE-provided network printing package:
o   TCP/IP network connection        (possible OK, you don't say)
o   JetDirect interface              (check)
o   PCL-speaking printer             (Bz-z-zt)

We didn't invent them in a fog.  The spooler itself uses PCL sequences
to manage its printers.  That's why we require PCL printers.  I'm not
familiar with "disabl[ing] the PCL on the JetDirect", but I can assure
you it won't stop the spooler from sending PCL sequences such as
^[E (reset), ^[Z (turn off display functions) and ^[%-12345X (not really
PCL, but in PCL form and recognized (or ignored) by all PCL devices as
the Universal Exit Language (UEL) command.

Bottom line:  Your Epson printers will not work with the MPE-provided
network spooling package unless they speak PCL.  You will either have
to configure them on a serial link, buy PCL printers, or avail yourself
of a third-party solution which does not require PCL printers.

-Larry "MPE/iX Spoolers 'R' Us" Byler-