Computer Printer Repair

In this post you get further information about Postscript printer support and how to Windows NT supports PostScript printers that uses industry-standard PostScript Printer Description (PPD) files. Windows NT installs PPD files using PRINTER.INF. This post provides detailed instructions on how to modify PRINTER.INF so that you can install PPD files obtained from print device manufacturers.

Follow the steps to install PPD files from print device manufacturers:

1. Obtain the OEMSETUP.INF from the DDK in the
\WINNT.NT\WINNT351.DDK\DDK\SRC\SETUP\INF\PRINTER directory.
Rename the file to PRINTER.INF.

-or-

Obtain PPDInst.exe from the Microsoft Download Center. http://download.microsoft.com/download/winnt351/driver/11/n351/en-us/ppdinst.exe
2. Create a file called DISK1. The content does not matter. The Setup procedure only checks to make sure it exists. If you perform the installation on a non-Intel (x86) computer, name the file CDROM.W.
3. Copy DISK1 (or CDROM.W), the PRINTER.INF file and your PPD file to a floppy disk or a sub-directory on your hard disk.
4. Copy PSCRIPT.DLL, PSCRPTUI.DLL and PSCRIPT.HLP from an existing Windows NT installation to the floppy disk or the sub-directory on the hard disk. If you install support for Intel-based (x86) computers, look for these files in the following directory:

%SYSTEMROOT%\SYSTEM32\SPOOL\DRIVERS\W32X86\1
5. The PRINTER.INF file installs support for one particular printer: the HP LaserJet IIISi. To install support for your printer, do the following:
1. Change each reference of RASDD to PSCRIPT and RASDDUI to PSCRPTUI.
2. Modify the following section using a text editor, such as Notepad:

[Files-PrinterData]
hppcl5ms = 1,hppcl5ms.dll , SIZE=999

Change the file name (for example: HPPCL5MS.DLL) to match the name of the PPD file of your printer. HPPCL5MS is an identifier and it does not require any change for your new PPD file name.
3. If you change the identifier, you must also change it in the [Options] section below:

[Options]
"HP LaserJet IIISi" = rasddui, hppcl5ms, rasdd

Change HP LaserJet IIISi to match the name of your printer. To determine the name, open the PPD file for your printer using a text editor and search for the NickName. If you have changed the identifier above, then you must change it in the following section:

[OptionsTextENG]
"HP LaserJet IIISi" = "OEM HP LaserJet IIISi"
6. In the [ProductType] section, make sure that STF_PLATFORM is correctly set for your computer, as follows:

STF_PLATFORM = x

where x is Mips, I386, Alpha or PPC (PowerPC).
7. If you are not installing the PPD file on an Intel-based computer, change the following line in the [Source Media Descriptions] section from DISK1 to CDROM.W:

1 = "OEM Disk (PRINTER)" , TAGFILE = disk1

8. Start Windows NT Print Manager. From the Printer menu, select Create Printer.
9. Enter the printer name and select a port.
10. For Driver, select Other. Enter the drive and path of the printer driver disk (the same directory on step 3 above).
11. In the Select Driver dialog box, select the driver and click OK.
12. In the Windows NT Setup dialog box, enter the drive and path of the printer driver disk (the same directory on step 3 above) and click Continue.

NOTE: If you supply the Windows NT CD-ROM path instead of supplying the driver disk path, the Setup program will successfully copy the PostScript files, and then prompt for the directory where the PPD file is located. At this point, the path cannot be changed back to the disk directory and will only accept the CD-ROM path.