HP-UX

My version of the basic technique is in post #3.

How is the Windows printer configured? Does it have the Epson driver loaded and a configuration screen where you can change the page size? Or is it just configured as a dumb network printer?

Diagnostics:
Your printer should have a diagnostic mode where it prints all escape sequences rather than executing them. This is one way to find out if Windows is sending setup escape sequences to the printer - and what they are.

You should also add an additional escape sequence to return the printer to its power on settings at the end of the job, otherwise, every job will have to set its own page length.
Try setting the printer as a Generic text only printer within XP so that the Windows driver does not add additional escape sequences.

Code:

( echo "\0033C\0041\c"
 cat fileName
echo "\0033@\c"
 ) | lp -d printername    ....etc

EPSON LQ 680 / ESC P2 driver is loaded and i am able to change the page size . Infact i am able to see lots of options. Have tried over different sizes like A4,A5 Letter , etc . Also in the printer DIP settings i am able to set the printer page length and other options like Perforation , etc. Have changed and tried all those combinations. But was still unsuccessful.

---------- Post updated at 07:52 PM ---------- Previous update was at 06:59 PM ----------

After executing the following command ,

Code:

( echo "\0033C\0041\c"
 cat fileName
echo "\0033@\c"
 ) | lp -d printername

i see an empty box which is the form feed character and "C!" printed along with the data.

It seems that the printer is not recognizing the code or maybe i am wrong somewhere .

Looks like it is reading the escape sequence as "Esc C !" (i.e. taking octal 041 to mean character ! - not decimal 33).

Time to get hold of the manual for your printer. The first thing to check is what mode the printer is in.
(My codes came from an Epson LQ850+ manual and were used in a live script to print awkward sized labels).

I have had terrible trouble with this subject in the past because Epson marketed some printer model variants which responded to non-Epson control codes. (e.g. IBM codes) while they were trying to get market share. You can only tell from the part number.

Is there any difference in configuring the printer in unix server in LPR port and USB ?

How to identify whether the commands i execute from unix is properly received by the port and forwarded to printer?

Sorry but this question makes no sense whatsever. There is no such thing as a "LPR port".

Get the manual for your printer and find out how to put the printer into diagnostic mode where it will print any Escape Sequences rather than action them.


There is a massive difference when a Microsoft Windows computer is involved. Personally I have not configured a "LPR" printer in the last 20 years (it is very old technology).
Nowadays we expect the printer to be directly connected to the network. When it is an old dot-matrix printer we expect it to be connected to the network via a HP Jet Direct box.

Merry Christmas Guys. Still i have alignment issues in printing. Will update the post once i get the solution. Any other suggestions please help. Thanks