Stop being minimized (losing focus)

[Mike Doty]

When shelling to a Windows print routine
from a DOS program in full screen mode the
DOS program may be minimized if a print
error occurs or if any Windows print
monitors are displayed. Is there a way
to bring the program automatically back
to full screen or give it focus again?

[Dave Navarro]

One trick that I have used is to switch into SCREEN 12, wait a half-second, then switch back to SCREEN 0.

--Dave


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PowerBASIC Support
mailto:[email protected][email protected]</A>

[Sebastian Groeneveld]

I think this is a better way, since it will preserve the screen's contents... (copied from WinLib)

SUB FullScreen
   ! mov ax, &H168B
   ! xor bx, bx
   ! int &H2F
END SUB

This will cause the DOS program to regain focus and switch to fullscreen.

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Sebastian Groeneveld
mailto:[email protected][email protected]</A>

[Mike Doty]

Also received this code from Lance:

if bit(pbvHost,8) then
     if isfalse bit(pbvHost,5) then
         ! push DS
         ! mov AX,&H168B
         ! xor BX,BX
         ! int &H2F
         ! pop DS
     end if
 end if

Also need code for Microsoft Basic and would like
to know where WinLib is? Thank you both.




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[Mike Doty]

I've tried this and cannot get it to work.
On a Canon BJC-6000 the background print
monitor always minimizes the DOS application.
Anyone have another suggestion? Haven't been
able to terminate the Canon background program.



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[Lance Edmonds]

Mike, I'm putting something together to build into DOSPRINT to (hopefully) solve the "popup printer driver" problem. As a registered DOSPRINT user, you'll be getting a copy automatically (and as soon as I'm sure it's reliable).

--Lance

[Mike Doty]

Thank you Lance. I've been trying for days to get
something to work. Even tried shelling to an active
batch file to restart the DOS program unsuccessfully.


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[Brian Reynolds]

I, too, have had problems and Lance sent me some code but it didn't have any affect.

Interestingly, we have a couple of cheap Canon 2000's at the office and every time we print from DOS (using Lance's DOSPRINT)
the screen minimises and one must click on the programme name on the bottom bar, whatever it's called, to get back to focus and full screen.

At home, where I write programmes, I have a Canon 5000 but when I print from a DOS programme or the PB IDE, the screen doesn't minimise and it remains in focus.

Nevertheless I would certainly like something in DOSPRINT to prevent minimisation.

Regards,
Brian.


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[Mike Doty]

The BJC-6000 has 3 background programs that can kick in:
1. CJRSTR: (printing engine)
2. Canon BJ Printer Status Montitor - LPT1
3. Canon BJ Background Monitor

The status monitor seems to look for a full screen
application to terminate before beginning so changing
to a Windowed mode and then back to full screen solves
the problem, but getting the application to do that
is the problem. Would prefer being able to disable the monitor.



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[Lance Edmonds]

Guys, can you please point me to where I can download drivers for that printer so I can test DOSPRINT with that driver?

Also, if you know of any other drivers that install these silly "monitor" windows that cause similar problems would be appreciated too! Thanks!

I'm working on theis problem right now, so any help in test drivers would be appreciated!

TIA,
Lance.

[Mike Doty]

Not only are the monitors silly they really slow things down.
www.canon.com and follow the questions
for download. The driver is for a Bubble Jet BJC-6000.
It is about 12.5 megabytes. The file is BJRSTR61.EXE.
It will ask you a couple of questions.

I believe the HP Office Jets and All-In-One series may
also have similar print monitors.

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[This message has been edited by Mike Doty (edited February 11, 2000).]

[Bobby Gage]

How do I go about getting ahold of this DosPrint thing? I would like to give it a try on some of my programs. How do I become regestered?

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[Mike Doty]

The print monitor can now be turned off if background
printing is not checked. It is found in page layout.
The BJC-6000 is extremely fast and has multiple
cartridges for ink. I have never had to replace
any color except blank in a year of use.
Anyway the current driver 4.00 and software 6.1 fixed it.



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[Lance Edmonds]

Bobby, Thanks for asking!

DOSPRINT is a commercial application, but you can download and try a fully working "demo" version from the web site at http://www.amerimports.com/dosprint

Everyone who purchases (or has purchased) the current version of DOSPRINT will receive the upgrade to V1.2 free-of-charge. V1.2 features an optional Print Preview window, outline fonts, NT4 and Windows 2000 compatibility, etc.

Thanks for asking!

Regards,
Lance Edmonds
(Author of DOSPRINT and DLLPRINT)

[Eric Pearson]

Everybody --

I would (of course) suggest using Lance's fix for the problems that certain Windows printer programs cause, but Perfect Sync Software will be announcing a "generic" Shareware solution to this problem -- and many other problems that are encountered when PB/DOS programs are run under Windows -- in just a few days. Stay tuned to this forum for a formal announcement!

-- Eric


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Perfect Sync: Perfect Sync Development Tools
Email: mailto:[email protected][email protected]</A>