Hi there. Thank you for responding. The Symphony I use is the old Lotus Symphony that is a MSDOS programme that goes back to the 1980's. It was resurrected by IBM some years ago but in a windows format which I don't use or want. A little more info...when I send a print command to the printers there is a feature in the print settings called INIT STRINGS that I assume can control the print output like condensed etc (as per the HP PCL 6.0 version language guide). However the PCL guide is very technical and I spent a bit of time fiddling around with possible settings but no luck which I put down to my lack of understanding. I have 6, HP 840C's. 4 are used everyday and print as required in condensed or compress mode for Symphony files. 2 are 'spares' and they are the ones that I can't use to print Symphony files in condensed or compress mode. However, these spares and the 4 in active use are all functioning well for all types of printing including say Word in all font sizes and styles except for the Symphony programme.
As to your questions.
You can print the exact same file to one printer and it will work but if you send it to one of the two other printers, it will not print at all? No. The exact same symphony file will print on all printers. On the 4 in active use it prints in condensed or compress size as required (6 to 8 point). On the 2 spares it prints in 'normal' size (about 12 point) which is too large for what I need.
Do you get any error messages? No. I can however generate an error message for all printers if I use a stupid set of definitions for INIT STRINGS like ' /027ABCD' so that is an idication to me that INIT STRINGS has some control over the printers.
I'm not using the link you refer to. That seems to be a print service rather than the symphony programme on my computers.
Since the font is different on two of the six printers, they could either be the two newer models or two of the older models. Will you please private message me some serial numbers (two that work and two that don't) so I can compare and look at the age they were manufactured?
The 840c's that work in condensed or compress mode for Symphony (please note I used the HP procedure to generate the following on each and on the bottom of each printer too): They are all C6414A.
1. Serial number TH133130HQKV, Service ID 08249, FW Revision VR410058, PCL Default Symbol Set 341, MFG 0-2 000000000000 Error code 00000000. Made in Thailand Mar 3, 2001.
2. Serial number MY0991911XKV, Service ID 11101, FW Revision VR410058, PCL Default Symbol Set 341, MFG 0-2 000000000000 Error code 00000000. Made in Malaysia Sep 9, 2000
The 840c's that won't print in condensed or compress mode for the Symphony programme Are
3. Serial number MY08F191RSKV, Service ID 08249, FW Revision VR410058, PCL Default Symbol Set 341, MFG 0-2 000000000000 Error code 00000000. Made in Malaysia Aug 15, 2000
4. Serial number MY05N1901HKV, Service ID 08249, FW Revision VR410057, PCL Default Symbol Set 341, MFG 0-2 000000000000 Error code 00000000. Made in Malaysia May 23, 2000
Some more information that my help...when I perform the HP test to get the printer details (press second button 4 times and release), the report generated is always in compressed mode (6 to 8 point) for the printers that will print Symphony files in condensed or compress mode (1 and 2 above plus the others in active service). When I perform the same test for the other 2 (3 and 4 above) the report is always in the 'normal' or larger print (12 point).