Re: Finding a printer; need help

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Finding a printer; need help
\ Deane.Rothenmaier (7 May 2008)
. \ Campbell, Scott (7 May 2008)
. . \ Deane.Rothenmaier (7 May 2008)
. . . \ John W Kennedy (7 May 2008)

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Subject:	Re: Finding a printer; need help
Group:	Activeperl
From:	John W Kennedy
Date:	7 May 2008

On May 7, 2008, at 11:57 AM, Deane.Rothenmaier wrote:
> What I've been asked to do is report on whether a printer is
> physically present, and what printer it is. Note that even something
> like polling the LPTx: (or USB_x, or USBx, or COMx:) ports won't
> work, 'cause I don't think that would pick up a connected printer
> that's not turned on. Or will it? And would it be able to identify
> it? Don't think so (but I could be wrong...).

You're being asked to do the impossible. There is no difference
between no printer and a printer turned off. You couldn't tell even in
assembler language. The available options are:

Look for printer queues in the operating system (which may reflect
a long-removed printer, a virtual printer, like a PDF writer or FAX
writer, or a multi-mode printer, a printer that appears to be more
than one printer, such as one PCL and one PostScript.

Look for attached and turned-on printers. If you do this, don't
forget that printers can also connect via Ethernet, etc..

--
John W Kennedy
A proud member of the reality-based community.

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