Capturing data sent to LPT1:

Hi Guys,
I have this program written in pascal that dumps its output in HPGL format
direct to the LPT1 port. This is usually printed by a thermal plotter but as
I can no longer get thermal paper for the plotter I was wondering if anyone
knows a way to force WinXP to capture output send to LPT1: and store it in a
file somewhere?

Cheers

Michael Everson wrote:
> Hi Guys,
> I have this program written in pascal that dumps its output in HPGL format
> direct to the LPT1 port. This is usually printed by a thermal plotter but as
> I can no longer get thermal paper for the plotter I was wondering if anyone
> knows a way to force WinXP to capture output send to LPT1: and store it in a
> file somewhere?
>
> Cheers
>
>

Have you tried "print to file?" Do a search and you will find
instructions on how to do this, both from a prompt and possibly from a
menu. I am not familiar with HPGL format, but if it can be viewed one
would think it could be printed.

"Ken" <ken@invalid.com> wrote in message
news:zPudnX8nMP77jpPanZ2dnUVZ_hjinZ2d@comcast.com. ..
> Michael Everson wrote:
>> Hi Guys,
>> I have this program written in pascal that dumps its output in HPGL
>> format direct to the LPT1 port. This is usually printed by a thermal
>> plotter but as I can no longer get thermal paper for the plotter I was
>> wondering if anyone knows a way to force WinXP to capture output send to
>> LPT1: and store it in a file somewhere?
>>
> Have you tried "print to file?" Do a search and you will find
> instructions on how to do this, both from a prompt and possibly from a
> menu. I am not familiar with HPGL format, but if it can be viewed one
> would think it could be printed.

"Print to file" is an option in WinXP's print dialog. He has a piece of
software written to send data to the LPT1: (parallel) port. There will be no
print dialogs and options!

Google for:

lpt output capture

There's loads of stuff

Thanks GT, I think I've found what I need on google

"GT" <ContactGT_remove_@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:00658958$0$15809$c3e8da3@news.astraweb.com...
> "Ken" <ken@invalid.com> wrote in message
> news:zPudnX8nMP77jpPanZ2dnUVZ_hjinZ2d@comcast.com. ..
>> Michael Everson wrote:
>>> Hi Guys,
>>> I have this program written in pascal that dumps its output in HPGL
>>> format direct to the LPT1 port. This is usually printed by a thermal
>>> plotter but as I can no longer get thermal paper for the plotter I was
>>> wondering if anyone knows a way to force WinXP to capture output send to
>>> LPT1: and store it in a file somewhere?
>>>
>> Have you tried "print to file?" Do a search and you will find
>> instructions on how to do this, both from a prompt and possibly from a
>> menu. I am not familiar with HPGL format, but if it can be viewed one
>> would think it could be printed.
>
> "Print to file" is an option in WinXP's print dialog. He has a piece of
> software written to send data to the LPT1: (parallel) port. There will be
> no print dialogs and options!
>
> Google for:
>
> lpt output capture
>
> There's loads of stuff
>