print to file

[Guest]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.basics (More info?)

I check the print to file option. Otherwise it will send to printer. As a
result, it is saved in My Documents and Settings/Alan/Desktop with the file
name: xxx.prn.

Then I tried to open this file with wordpad after the os asked me for an
appropriate program to associate with it. It came garbled with chinese
characters etc.

Is there a way to see it in readable form. at this writing I just thought of
try different extension:rft.(rich format)
Will it provide solution or I need to download a printer utility.

Help.

Alan

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.basics (More info?)

It is a postscript file. You will probably need some type of printer
utility. If you have a fax program it is easy to create a print file which
is actually an image of the print. Just fax a report to anyone and when you
come to the screen asking if you wish to preview the fax say yes. You then
should be able to save it as a file viewable in any graphics program. This
is a good way to email a copy of a report to anyone who has a graphics
program.

"alanlap" <alan4100@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:uakQEuroFHA.1416@TK2MSFTNGP09.phx.gbl...
>I check the print to file option. Otherwise it will send to printer. As a
>result, it is saved in My Documents and Settings/Alan/Desktop with the file
>name: xxx.prn.
>
> Then I tried to open this file with wordpad after the os asked me for an
> appropriate program to associate with it. It came garbled with chinese
> characters etc.
>
> Is there a way to see it in readable form. at this writing I just thought
> of try different extension:rft.(rich format)
> Will it provide solution or I need to download a printer utility.
>
> Help.
>
> Alan
>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.basics (More info?)

On Tue, 16 Aug 2005 19:38:20 -0400, alanlap wrote:

> I check the print to file option. Otherwise it will send to printer. As a
> result, it is saved in My Documents and Settings/Alan/Desktop with the file
> name: xxx.prn.
>
> Then I tried to open this file with wordpad after the os asked me for an
> appropriate program to associate with it. It came garbled with chinese
> characters etc.
>
> Is there a way to see it in readable form. at this writing I just thought of
> try different extension:rft.(rich format)
> Will it provide solution or I need to download a printer utility.
>
> Help.
>
> Alan

Alan, what are you trying to do with the file? .PRN files contain the
contents of the file you sent to the printer *and* information for a
printer to use in the printing process. It's not unusual for them to look
strange when opened in a word processor type program. A very basic
reference page explaining PRN files:
http://www.mrkent.com/forms/tools/prntofile.htm

If we know what your goal with the file is, someone may be able to suggest
a better way to accomplish it.

For example, there are virtual document printers installed by programs
related to documents. An example would be the Fax Viewer the other poster
mentioned. I've seen "PDF printer" show up in my Printer/Fax control
program too. However, these virtual printers are typically used for
producing a file that can then be viewed using a specific application.

--
Sharon F
MS-MVP ~ Windows Shell/User

 

[Malke]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.basics (More info?)

alanlap wrote:

> I subscribe to an electronic version newspapers.
> Unfortunately my usb printer is broken. It has a feature either to use
> printer or print to file. So I am trying to print it to file. Then i
> need
> an utility to extract the file into readable form on screen. Can I
> download fax viewer? and try that on this file?
> "Sharon F" <sharonfDEL@ETEmvps.org> wrote in message
> news:%23YL1gVsoFHA.3256@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...

>> Alan, what are you trying to do with the file? .PRN files contain the
>> contents of the file you sent to the printer *and* information for a
>> printer to use in the printing process. It's not unusual for them to
>> look strange when opened in a word processor type program. A very
>> basic reference page explaining PRN files:
>> http://www.mrkent.com/forms/tools/prntofile.htm
>>
>> If we know what your goal with the file is, someone may be able to
>> suggest a better way to accomplish it.
>>
>> For example, there are virtual document printers installed by
>> programs related to documents. An example would be the Fax Viewer the
>> other poster mentioned. I've seen "PDF printer" show up in my
>> Printer/Fax control program too. However, these virtual printers are
>> typically used for producing a file that can then be viewed using a
>> specific application.
>>
>> --
>> Sharon F
>> MS-MVP ~ Windows Shell/User

Alan, in what format does the electronic newsletter come? Does it come
as an email? If so, why not just save the email and then print it later
after you've gotten a new printer?

Malke
--
MS-MVP Windows User/Shell
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic"

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.basics (More info?)

alanlap wrote:
> I check the print to file option. Otherwise it will send to printer. As a
> result, it is saved in My Documents and Settings/Alan/Desktop with the file
> name: xxx.prn.
>
> Then I tried to open this file with wordpad after the os asked me for an
> appropriate program to associate with it. It came garbled with chinese
> characters etc.
>
> Is there a way to see it in readable form. at this writing I just thought of
> try different extension:rft.(rich format)
> Will it provide solution or I need to download a printer utility.
>
> Help.
>
> Alan
>
>
Alan,
Check this link:

http://www.ddms.com/Resources/Support/faq/windows/export-2k.pdf

Look at the first 2 or 3 pages. It tells how to set up a text
printer that will print to a file and you can read it with
notepad. The directions are for users of this software to be able
to set up text printers for reports so we don't have to print
them out. The instructions are for Win 2000 Server but I think
the process should be pretty much the same for XP. Give it a
try.

gls858

 

[Gordon]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.basics (More info?)

alanlap wrote:

> I check the print to file option. Otherwise it will send to printer. As a
> result, it is saved in My Documents and Settings/Alan/Desktop with the
> file name: xxx.prn.

What format is the original file in?

--
Registered Linux User no 240308
Kubuntu 5.04 and Open Office 2.0
Was Windows XP SP2 and Office 2003
gbplinuxATgmailDOTcom

 

[Chuck]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.basics (More info?)

Not sure what you refer to when you say "original file"
If you saved the work from an application, it will be saved in whatever
format the application uses. If you only saved it with the print to file,
(xxx.prn) it is usually only saved in a printer dependent format. Some
applications generate a working copy/temporary file that may or may not be
available after you exit the application. It may be possible to install a
"generic text" or other psudo printer driver that will output a file in a
specific standard form. (PDL, Postscript, Fax, etc)

"Gordon" <gbplinux@gmail.com.invalid> wrote in message
news:3miv64F179c9aU1@individual.net...
> alanlap wrote:
>
> > I check the print to file option. Otherwise it will send to printer. As
a
> > result, it is saved in My Documents and Settings/Alan/Desktop with the
> > file name: xxx.prn.
>
> What format is the original file in?
>
> --
> Registered Linux User no 240308
> Kubuntu 5.04 and Open Office 2.0
> Was Windows XP SP2 and Office 2003
> gbplinuxATgmailDOTcom