Hardware & Devices

Re: HELP SOLVE THIS COM PORT QUESTION

11-Mar-09 20:07

It's a driver issue. Devices in the Windows world are software entities; what they're communicating with is irrelevant. Perhaps HP/Compaq support can shed some light on the problem. In my own recent experience, I bought a HP printer and found that none of the drivers supplied worked with Windows 2003 Server. When I called I was told that their printers are intended for home PCs, not servers (I have a server at home). With a little persistence I got them to admit to a secret website where they host a driver for Win2k3 Server; why it's secret I don't understand, but it's there, and the driver works. The point of this is to suggest that, even though the machine and OS may be obsolete, with a little patience and cajoling you might get them to admit that they have a fix you can download.

"A Journey of a Thousand Rest Stops Begins with a Single Movement"

Mr. Noatak12-Mar-09 9:09

Mr. Noatak

12-Mar-09 9:09

Thanks for the definitive answer. I will refocus on the drivers. I tried the trick of reinstalling the Fast Infrared Protocol suggested by Microsoft (didn't work), so that is out of the way. I can move on to the main driver possibilities now. Wink | ;)

Re: HELP SOLVE THIS COM PORT QUESTION

Roger Wright20-Mar-09 21:49

Re: HELP SOLVE THIS COM PORT QUESTION-question for Roger W. or others

20-Mar-09 21:49

Have you found a solution yet? I'm just curious. A lot of these threads just die without a solution posted, which means that the poster found a fix (best case) or gave up trying (worst case). But since other members might have similar problems it's always good to post a closing comment just so the rest of us can learn from your expeience. I do hope that you found a fix... and please share it with the group.

"A Journey of a Thousand Rest Stops Begins with a Single Movement"

Mr. Noatak6-Apr-09 9:47

Mr. Noatak

6-Apr-09 9:47

Roger,

The answer was as you said, it is a driver issue. I installed the IPX/SPX protocol in networks and three additional files were extracted from the CAB. IR works fine now. However, I notice that if IRMON is unchecked in the Startup, right-clicking and sending to Infrared Recipient produces a null result, the system just hangs. Only opening Infrared Monitor from control panel makes IR Transfer operate when IRMON is not a startup item. Is this because of driver dependencies, i.e. IRMON needs to be loaded during startup and not after startup?

Mr. Noatak

Re: HELP SOLVE THIS COM PORT QUESTION-question for Roger W. or others

Roger Wright6-Apr-09 13:54

Edit the PRN file generated by PCL driver

6-Apr-09 13:54

I'm guessing here, since I haven't worked with this, but I know that IR interfaces are not intended to be permanent. Like USB, the IR port can be hot swapped. IRMON probably polls the port periodically to see if anything infrared is walking by, then tries to connect if a device is detected. Without this service running the port is likely dead and the OS isn't listening to it. It sounds like IRMON performs a function similar to NTDETECT to discover devices on the port and register their presence. If it isn't running, attempting to send data would would probably hang things up, as I would expect if you tried to write to a serial port that isn't in the machine.

What I find interesting is that you had to install an obsolete networking protocol to get the proper functions installed. That's weird, and I would never think to look there. Good discovery! Big Grin | :-D

"A Journey of a Thousand Rest Stops Begins with a Single Movement"

balu1234511-Mar-09 3:48

balu12345

11-Mar-09 3:48

Hi All,

I have .Prn file which was generated out of PCL printer.I need to find a string in that file and then I have to replace it with another string.
Iam able to do it by using stream writer,streamreader,Binary reader,binary writer and file streams.

But if gave a print(LPR)for it, it get failed and giving me syntax error as Illegal tag.

If I print original file it is printing very well.
I came to know that while writing it has lost some of its originality ,so it was failed

The original file size is like 16k, after the editing it becoming as 22k..
more over it is not normal file,It is a file generated by PCL printer.
So may be during the conversion it is losing printer supported font.
so that's the reason printer cannot understand the file(after editing)to print.so it gives syntax error as Kernel and Illegal tag error.

I even cannot compare both file because the file is generated by PCL printer which has some non-readable data

I have no clues to overcome this problem

Please help me

Thanks in advance

Re: Edit the PRN file generated by PCL driver

Roger Wright11-Mar-09 20:16

Re: Edit the PRN file generated by PCL driver

11-Mar-09 20:16

There is no such thing as non-readable data if you can access the file; it just depends on how you read it. What are you using to edit the file? Swapping out a bit of text shouldn't increase the file size by 6k! You mention streamreader, Binary reader, etc, so I assume you're writing your own editing app. What language are you using? There are some interesting differences in the way various languages handle text - you may be getting invisible CRLF characters appended to your edits, for example, which will totally screw up the file format. A little more detail would be helpful...

"A Journey of a Thousand Rest Stops Begins with a Single Movement"

balu1234511-Mar-09 23:49

balu12345

11-Mar-09 23:49

Iam Using c#.net,I made the following 2 methods for it

First Method:
public void writetofile(string JobOwnerName, string genfilename)
{
try
{
string fileContent = string.Empty;
string NewOwnername = "@PJL SET JOBATTR=" + '"' + "@JOAU=" + JobOwnerName + '"';//@PJL SET JOBATTR="@JOAU + JobOwnerName + "

string strTextFileName = genfilename;
string strTextToInsert = NewOwnername;
ArrayList lines = new ArrayList();
StreamReader rdr = new StreamReader(strTextFileName);
//String search_str = "%-12345X@PJL JOB";
//String search_str = "%-12345X@PJL JOB MODE=PRINTER";
String search_str = "@PJL JOB MODE=PRINTER";
string line;
string s = "@PJL SET JOBATTR=" + '"' + "@JOAU=";
while ((line = rdr.ReadLine()) != null)
{
if (line.StartsWith(s))
{

lines.Remove(line);
}
else
{
lines.Add(line);
}

}
rdr.Close();
lines.Insert(lines.IndexOf(search_str) + 1, strTextToInsert);
StreamWriter wrtr = new StreamWriter(strTextFileName);
foreach (string strNewLine in lines)
wrtr.WriteLine(strNewLine);
wrtr.Close();
}
catch (Exception ex)
{

}
}

2nd method:
string JobOwnerName = "suman" + '"';
string path = @"C:\D.prn";
string temp = @"C:\DD.prn";
string test1 = "@PJL SET JOBATTR=" + '"' + "@JOAU=" + JobOwnerName + '"';
string s = "@PJL SET JOBATTR=" + '"' + "@JOAU=";
string line;
StreamReader sr = new StreamReader(File.Open(path, FileMode.Open));
StreamWriter sw = new StreamWriter(File.Open(temp, FileMode.Create));

while ((line = sr.ReadLine()) != null)
{
line = sr.ReadLine();
if (line.StartsWith(s))
{
line = line.Replace(line.Substring(line.IndexOf('"') + 7), JobOwnerName);
sw.WriteLine(line);
sw.Write(sr.ReadToEnd());
break;
}
else
sw.WriteLine(line);
}

sw.Close();
sr.Close();

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Sir,
Kindly go through the above methods I have developed..

Kindly help me Iam waiting for your favourable reply

Re: Edit the PRN file generated by PCL driver

Sebastian Schneider18-Mar-09 0:44

Sebastian Schneider

18-Mar-09 0:44

I guess your problem is the replacement of linefeeds and newlines with an incompatible alternative. You know, just like you have to choose "ASCII-Transfer" in your FTP-Tool so that notepad.exe can show the config-files of your linux-server correctly.

You need to preserve the whitespace. Try reading binary, replacing a single letter, then writing the otherwise unchanges binary result back to a new file. You have reached your goal as soon as the two files afterwards are of the same size.

Cheers,
Sebastian

--
"If it was two men, the non-driver would have challenged the driver to simply crash through the gates. The macho image thing, you know." - Marc Clifton

Bluetooth Communication and Device Drivers

Michael Fritzius8-Mar-09 12:35

Michael Fritzius

8-Mar-09 12:35

Hi all,

I recently got a hold of a USB bluetooth dongle and have been able to interface it with a phone to transfer media. Very cool. But as a huge nerd my next thought is "What else can I do with this thing?"

I'd like to be able to get another dongle and just run information between two points. This is a stepping stone for another group of wireless projects that are in mind, but the basics need to be covered first.

So I have a bank of questions that hopefully lead me in the right direction:

The dongle I have came with drivers to run the device. Things like bulk transfers, file transfers, pairing with different device profiles, everything. There's an interface that can be brought up that lets you connect to devices that you've trusted in the past. I understand the hardware inside the dongle could be nonstandard. Is there a way for me to get at the code in these drivers and see how these types of operations are done?

The device is obviously a USB device, so info and commands should be able to be sent to the port itself and whatever hardware is attached to it. Haven't seen much in the way of sending data to a USB port. Any help there?

Finally, short of any other solutions, is there some kind of development kit out there that allows complete noobs like myself develop applications to send information off the wire?

Thanks a ton for your time--I really appreciate coming on here and getting answers for obscure questions Smile | :)

Take care,
Michael Fritzius

Roger Wright11-Mar-09 20:22

11-Mar-09 20:22

I look forward to seeing what replies you get - I'm clueless, too. I've got a Motorola 'Bluetooth Enabled' phone, and I can think of a lot of things to do with it. But the only thing I can find that is supported is a wireless connection to a headset. When I got it I had hoped to find a Bluetooth adapter to give me a port on my computer so I can code things like address book replication, autodialing using my PC mouse, GPS access. etc. But so far I've found nothing but headsets...

"A Journey of a Thousand Rest Stops Begins with a Single Movement"

Michael Fritzius12-Mar-09 4:47

Michael Fritzius

12-Mar-09 4:47

I look forward to replies too. Didn't want to post in a more frequented forum and be way off topic though so who knows when someone will give an answer Smile | :)

Also, I tried that same kind of operation with my phone. I've got a Samsung C417 and it turns out that the bluetooth on that phone has been crippled down to only operate with the headset profile. My wife's phone does all the fancy stuff that I wish my phone did. Perhaps your Motorola is of the crippled down variety. Do you have a way of testing against another dongle or something on another computer?

Roger Wright13-Mar-09 2:59

13-Mar-09 2:59

No, I haven't even found a dongle. And I have no reason to expect that Motorola included anything useful in the phone's firmware. I suspect that if I want to do anything useful, I'll have to write it myself. Still, it would be fun to experiment with, if only I could find a device to communicate with. Big Grin | :-D

"A Journey of a Thousand Rest Stops Begins with a Single Movement"

Dave Kreskowiak13-Mar-09 8:56

Dave Kreskowiak

13-Mar-09 8:56

Hey Roger. There's a bit of a problem with Motorola Phone and Bluetooth. Apparently, they didn't do a good job of implementing the Bluetooth standards. It's only partially complete and really doesn't support much beyond audio/mic profiles, depending on the phone.

Where did I find this out?? A hearing aid manufacturer, of all places. They make a Bluetooth adapter to interface between hearing aids and cell phones. They told me their box works with just about every phone that supports Bluetooth, EXCEPT Motorola's! Then they went into a little bit of an explanation of why. It was very disappointing.

A guide to posting questions on CodeProject[^]

Dave Kreskowiak
Microsoft MVP
Visual Developer - Visual Basic
2006, 2007, 2008

Giorgi Dalakishvili13-Mar-09 9:36

Giorgi Dalakishvili

13-Mar-09 9:36

Hi
Here is an article by me which might interest you: Exploring OBEX Devices Connected via Bluetooth[^]

Also, visit this forum for programming bluetooth from .Net: 32feet.NET[^]

Giorgi Dalakishvili

#region signature
My Articles

Asynchronous Registry Notification Using Strongly-typed WMI Classes in .NET [^]

My blog
#endregion

Michael Fritzius16-Mar-09 4:29

Michael Fritzius

16-Mar-09 4:29

Hi Giorgi,

Thanks for the links. I got to looking at your stuff and other things that are similar. I think it has got me pointed in the right direction but I'll need time to figure out the code.

If I have any other questions would you mind if I email you directly?

Thanks,
Michael Fritzius

Giorgi Dalakishvili16-Mar-09 5:54

Giorgi Dalakishvili

16-Mar-09 5:54

Feel free to e-mail me, though I am not a bluetooth expert. My application just uses libraries I found in the web. I suggest you have a look at the forum I posted for bluetooth and .net integration.

Waiting for your e-mails Smile | :)

Giorgi Dalakishvili

#region signature
My Articles

Asynchronous Registry Notification Using Strongly-typed WMI Classes in .NET [^]

My blog
#endregion

About Lightscribe.

Nanda_MR5-Mar-09 18:19

Nanda_MR

5-Mar-09 18:19

Hello Experts!

I have ASUS Lightscribe DVD Writer. I want do the Lightscribe Label Plz guide me I have some doubts....

1. For that Normal CD/DVD is need or anything special CD/DVD Required ?
2. After Completed CD/DVD Burn turn CD/DVD and Burn once again for Label Is it right or not ?
3. Can i use complete space for burning or Lightscribe label deserved some space ?
4. Any design tutorial is for Lightscribe label plz give Website Name.

Thanks in Advance.

Sebastian Schneider5-Mar-09 23:18

Sebastian Schneider

5-Mar-09 23:18

1. Yes, lightscribe requires special CDs/DVDs.
2. That is correct. You need to turn the CD once. As far as I know, you burn first, then label later, because the labelling-process takes VERY long.
3. That probably depends on your DVD Writer. I believe that the coating for the lightscribe-labels covers the whole printable area - but I might be wrong.
4. You are using a monochrome labelling technique. This means, you will design greyscale-images, which will appear in the color-hue that your lightscribe-medium offers.

Cheers,
Sebastian

--
"If it was two men, the non-driver would have challenged the driver to simply crash through the gates. The macho image thing, you know." - Marc Clifton

Dave Kreskowiak6-Mar-09 3:31

Dave Kreskowiak

6-Mar-09 3:31

non-bugging Errors wrote:
1. For that Normal CD/DVD is need or anything special CD/DVD Required ?

Yes, the blank media you buy must support LightScribe.

non-bugging Errors wrote:
2. After Completed CD/DVD Burn turn CD/DVD and Burn once again for Label Is it right or not ?

After you burn the data on the disk, you flip the disc over to burn the label. This can take anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes to do, depending on the image.

non-bugging Errors wrote:
. Can i use complete space for burning or Lightscribe label deserved some space ?

Yes. LightScribe uses the entire label-side of the disc. I've never seen a disc that supports a partial label.

non-bugging Errors wrote:
4. Any design tutorial is for Lightscribe label plz give Website Name.

There are no tutorials. The burning software you use has to support LightScribe and will walk you through the process. The only thing you have to do is make sure the image you use has enough contrast in it to look good on disk. I suggest using some photo editing software to make a grayscale copy of the image, then increase the constrast. Use the grayscale image as your disc label.

A guide to posting questions on CodeProject[^]

Dave Kreskowiak
Microsoft MVP
Visual Developer - Visual Basic
2006, 2007, 2008

supercat99-Mar-09 6:21

supercat9

9-Mar-09 6:21

Are there any current-production drives which can draw pictures on the content side of the disk, the way Yamaha's CD-RW drive could? The results were pretty feeble with some types of media, but really cool with some others. Cooler-looking, IMHO, than those produced by LightScribe. Unfortunately my Yamaha drive quit working or else I'd keep using that.

Sebastian Schneider10-Mar-09 5:20

Sebastian Schneider

10-Mar-09 5:20

I've recently reread some older magazine, and they wrote that "Labelflash" was based on "DiscT@2" / DiscTattoo, which was how Yamaha called their technique before they stopped manufacturing CD/DVD writers.

Cheers,
Sebastian

--
"If it was two men, the non-driver would have challenged the driver to simply crash through the gates. The macho image thing, you know." - Marc Clifton