Print Option Unavailable in Windows-Based Applications (83498)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows 3.0
  • Microsoft Windows 3.1
  • Microsoft Windows 3.11
This article was previously published under Q83498

SUMMARY

This article describes circumstances in which the Microsoft Windows File menu Print command is unavailable in Windows-based applications.

MORE INFORMATION

Windows 3.0

In Microsoft Windows version 3.0, the File menu's Print command is unavailable (dimmed) in Windows-based applications under the following circumstances.:
  • No printer driver is installed.
  • No default printer is selected.
  • The default printer is connected to "None."
  • There is no valid Set Temp setting in the AUTOEXEC.BAT file.
You can verify the printer setup by choosing the Printers icon in the Control Panel and checking for the printer and the port, and you can determine if there is a default printer selected.

To select a default printer, double-click the printer you want to be the default printer from the list of printers in the Installed Printers box. If the printer you choose is connected to None, choose Configure and select a port other than None.

Be sure there is a valid Set Temp setting in the AUTOEXEC.BAT file. It should point to a valid directory and must have no trailing spaces.

Windows 3.1

In Windows 3.1, you also need a printer driver installed, and a default printer selected. To verify the printer setup:
  1. Run Control Panel and Printers.
  2. Check for an installed printer driver.
In the Printers option there is a Set Default Printer button that enables you to choose your default printer. Windows 3.1 also automatically sets up a default printer when a printer driver is installed.

Having a printer drive on the "None" port is normally not an issue with Windows 3.1 because it does not have a "None" port setting. However, if Windows 3.1 is installed over Windows 3.0 and a printer was configured for None, Windows will keep the None as the configuration. If this is the case:
  1. Run Control Panel and Printers.
  2. Highlight the printer driver and choose Connect and choose another port.
In Windows 3.1, if a valid Set Temp setting is not found, a default of the Windows directory is used.

REFERENCES

For more information on installing a printer, see pages 158-180 in the "Microsoft Windows User's Guide" for version 3.0 or pages 159-163 of the "Microsoft Windows User's Guide" for version 3.1."
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:7/7/2005
Keywords:KB83498
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