The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #148346   Message #3445088
Posted By: Bernard
30-Nov-12 - 07:21 PM
Thread Name: Tech: TSR to redirect LPT to file - DOS only
Subject: RE: Tech: TSR to redirect LPT to file - DOS only
Sorry to have been away...!

The problem is simple... the software (Microgem) only runs under DOS with the hardware present. It's an elderly, dedicated system that cannot run Windows, and cannot be transferred to a Windows PC because the hardware is integral to the system. Sorry, but I'm obliged to be somewhat vague...

Its job is to monitor a system, and only sends its output to the LPT port connected to a printer. It will be decommissioned fairly soon, the Epson LX printer died, and it seemed to me they could probably redirect the output to a file for the last few days before final switch-off.

A simple DOS pipe would be okay if the programme only had to run and exit, but it's running 24/7, so it needs something to intercept the LPT output and redirect it to a text file, or series of text files (better).

I used to have a TSR that would probably do it, but I've no idea where to start looking for it! Maybe it's on the old Opus III XT PC with a massive 30Mb hard drive...! But it needs an EGA monitor (9 pin D sub), and the hard drive is RLL with a full length 16bit card...

Time's running out, so finding a compatible printer may well be more expedient...