HP does still make printers that will print text in DOS -- you just need to make sure it supports the PCL protocol, and not one of the "Windows-only" protocols (HP calls their "Windows-only" protocol LIDIL). The inexpensive HP printers are almost always LIDIL -- you'll usually need to spend some extra money to get one that supports PCL. There are also other manufacturers (like Brother) that make PCL printers.
If you're trying to print plain ASCII text, a PCL printer will work just like the HP printers from the 90's (like the early LaserJets). The fancier DOS programs from that era (word processors, spreadsheets, CAD, etc.) usually came with a PCL driver, and you can usually get them to work OK even on a new PCL printer. Perhaps the bigger issue, though, is that new printers use USB ports instead of parallel ports, and DOS programs don't know how to print to USB ports. Modern DOS USB drivers can sometimes help with that, though they aren't universal. You'll just need to experiment some. The way many people get around both the protocol and USB issue is to run DOS inside a Windows or Linux virtual machine of some sort, and let Windows/Linux virtualize the printer for DOS to use. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Live Security Virtual Conference Exclusive live event will cover all the ways today's security and threat landscape has changed and how IT managers can respond. Discussions will include endpoint security, mobile security and the latest in malware threats. http://www.accelacomm.com/jaw/sfrnl04242012/114/50122263/ _______________________________________________ Freedos-user mailing list Freedos-user@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/freedos-user
