How to Install the Windows Generic Text Printer in Windows XP, MFM Communication Software, Inc.

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How to Install the Windows Generic Text Printer in Windows XP

Quick Contents

[Introduction] [Installing a Generic Text Printer] [Related Information]

Introduction

PC Access® for Windows requires that you have installed a default printer in Windows. You do not actually have to connect a physical printer to your computer to do this. You can tell Windows XP to "print" to a file on your computer's hard disk. This allows any software that requires a printer (such as PC Access) to "think" you have a printer connected to your computer.

If you do not have a default printer in Windows, install the Windows Generic / Text Only printer and set the port to FILE. To install the Windows Generic / Text Only printer driver in Windows XP, see: Installing a Generic Text Printer.

Installing a Generic Text Printer

You can use the instructions below to install the Windows Generic / Text Only printer driver.

Note: MFM Technical Support does not support the following steps. These steps may vary from computer to computer and printer to printer. If you need assistance installing a generic text printer driver, contact your computer manufacturer or an independent consultant.

Click Start | Control Panel | Printers and Faxes. If you do not see Control Panel after you click Start, click Start | Settings | Control Panel | Printers and Faxes.
On the Printers and Faxes window, double-click Add a Printer.
On the Add Printer Wizard window, click Next.
On the Local or Network window, check Local printer attached to this computer and uncheck Automatically detect and install my Plug and Play printer. Click Next to continue.
On the Select a Printer Port window, select FILE: (Print to File) from the Use the following port: drop-down list. Click Next to continue.
On the Install Printer Software window, click Generic from the Manufacturer pane. Click Generic / Text Only from the Printers pane. Click Next to continue.
On the Name Your Printer window, use the Generic / Text Only printer name in the Printer name: field. In the Do you want to use this printer as the default printer field, click No. Click Next to continue.
On the Printer Sharing window, click Do not share this printer. Click Next to continue.
On the Print Test Page window, click No. You do not want to print a text page. Click Next to continue.
Click Finish to finish adding your printer.
If Windows XP displays the Print to File window, click Cancel.

To select the Generic / Text Only printer in PC Access, see: this topic in the PC Access for Windows Reference Guide: Printer Setup window.

If you chose to print while you are on-line with your MLS using PC Access, Windows will send the information you are printing to a file on your hard drive.

Related Information

Troubleshooting Guide Links

[Troubleshooting Home] [Installing PC Access] [User Authorization] [Setting up PC Access] [E-mail and Internet Problems] [Running PC Access] [Calling the MLS] [Logging in to the MLS] [Communicating with the MLS] [Printing] [Third-party Software Problems] [Miscellaneous]