Knowledge Base

Nonstandard LPT Port Names Disable Access to Shared Printers

Article ID: 138370

Article Last Modified on 12/5/2003

Microsoft Windows 3.1 Standard Edition
Microsoft Windows 3.11 Standard Edition
Microsoft Windows for Workgroups 3.1
Microsoft Windows for Workgroups 3.11

This article was previously published under Q138370

SYMPTOMS

When you are trying to connect to a shared network printer, the Network button in the Connect dialog box may be unavailable, preventing you from connecting to a network printer.

CAUSE

This behavior can occur if a port with a nonstandard name is being used on the local computer.

RESOLUTION

Use any text editor (such as Notepad) to edit the Win.ini file. Edit the LPT settings in the [Ports] section of the file to read as follows:

   LPT1:=
   LPT2:=

You can add additional ports if necessary.

MORE INFORMATION

When you cannot connect to a network printer, use Print Manager or the Printers tool in Control Panel to verify that the port in use has a standard LPTx name. You cannot connect to shared printers if you are using a nonstandard LPT name (including LPTx.DOS). Note also that you cannot use COM ports to connect to network printers.

Additional query words: 3.10 3.11 gray grey

Keywords: KB138370