Windows Forum

Ask something
Discussion Locked

Print to File port is missing

0 helpful
7 replies

by bburdzel 1 view

Closed to new repliesThis discussion is closed. It stays readable, but it takes no new replies.
I have a windows XP laptop that does not have the port "File:" I am trying to add a printer that will generate a postscript file on disk that I can later distill with Adobe Acrobat, but my only options are lpt1, lpt2, etc. Any help would be greatlyappreciated.

7 replies

by bburdzel

Unfortunately, The problem isn't the printer driver, but rather that I can not select "output to file". The port 'File: creates a file on disk' just doesn't exist on my laptop.

by kees.valkenswaard

Did you try to add a printer with the add printer wizard?. I would be very surprised if File would not be one of the options lower in the list. After that you can choose any printer. Only make sure that Windows is not trying to automatically detect your printer!
Good luck.

by bburdzel

I was surprised too, I administer 300 machines and this is the only one that doesn't file: as a port option. Does installing adobe acrobat somehow take over this port when it creates its own Acrobat PDF Writer?

by kees.valkenswaard

I have no experience with Acrobat distiller. However, I have different (virtual) printers installed which all print to File. Did you try to remove Acrobat, install the printer first and reinstall Acrobat afterwards? The printer should be a local printer, not be detected by Windows.
Good luck.

by bburdzel

Thanks for your help guys but I figured it out. If you're interested I created a "new port" and named it 'FILE:' which is case sensitive. I finally got it on my third attempt.

This discussion is closed to new replies.