Dos printer

Gewens

Hi guys
I really need some help,
At work we have a Pc running dos which has some software on, from which we need to print reports. The printer has stoped working and i need a replacment. The main problems being it has to be parallel and work with Dos.
Does anyboy have any sugestion as to where i can get a sutible replacment. Also do you need to install drivers to a Dos machine or does it work automaticaly?
Thanks in advance
Glenn

isofa

It all depends on the printer and the support given, older HP models like the DeskJet 800 series support DOS without any drivers (unless you want fancy fonts), and providing they are on parallel and connected logically to LPT1, it should be able to output directly. You may have more trouble with laser printers though...

Are you booting into DOS and running the application without Windows, or are you running via a command prompt without in Windows?

What is the current printer that's stopped working? Have a look on eBay for a replacement first.

You might find these two resources useful:

Software to print to windows printers from DOS - http://www.printfil.com/english.htm

and

How to print to a USB printer from DOS in Windows XP - http://geekswithblogs.net/dtotzke/articles/26204.aspx

skim

Probably easiest to pick a laser printer that supports DOS - I've got a Brother HL5150D.
I guess it might be a different model now but I believe they still do printer that support DOS.
Either that or look for a printer that supports Epson emulation.