New Printer for MS-DOS System

[owensdj]

I need to find a new, hopefully inexpensive, printer for someone with a legacy 386 processsor computer that runs MS-DOS applications. It needs to be able to print from the DOS applications now and work with a new Windows XP computer when the person who needs the printer buys a new computer. Any suggestions? I was thinking a low-end inkjet that has DOS support would be the best choice.

 

[Peter]

The problem is that none of today's printers still support any kind of text mode. It's all pure raster graphics.

You need to find a Windows user who is willing to replace their slightly older inkjet with a current one, and migrate this older unit to the DOS box. E.g. Canon's last series to support text mode was the BJC-4000 series.

 

[RedFox1]

If you turn to ebay or another used solution, I'd suggest looking for an HP Deskjet 600 or 600C.

They're pretty tough -- I've had several and they're all still operating. The ink cartridges are very high capacity, and the print quality is really pretty good. The biggest downside is that it only holds one ink cartridge at a time - black or color. If you only need grayscale output, it's convenient.

-Russ

 

[Macro2]

will a hp 690c work?

OTOH, heres a program that will allow you to print DOS via a windows printer.
http://www.dosprn.com/

 

[Peter]

... which only helps if you got Windows running. On a native true DOS box this no work.

 

[Macro2]

RE:"which only helps if you got Windows running. On a native true DOS box this no work"

I used to run windows 3.1 on a i386. Maybe he has windows on there too?
OTOH, someone running an i386 then switching to an XP based machine is bridging about 13 years of technology. Thats a lot of bridge.
It makes more sense to upgrade to a modern computer and get a modern inkjet.

Mac

 

[Peter]

And then what? I guess that's a highly proprietary piece of software running on that old box, else they wouldn't have been stuck with that thing for so long.

 

[Pretty Cool]

If I remember correctly, most HP printers have PCL3 built in, so if the model is not host-based and has a parallel connection, you should be okay. Since DOS printing must be supported by the application and not the operating system, you should see what types of printers the programs support. Usually, HP PCL for lasers and the Epson dot matrix printers are the most popular. Thus, my guess is that most HP inkjets printers should work as well as any laser with a parallel port, PCL, and is not Windows-dependent. Because DOS is hardly used anymore, I would certainly inquire about compatibility before purchasing.