Adding printing support to ISTA/P ISTA/D native install

[ejs]

I've managed to add printing support on native ISTA install on IBM X61.
In my solution xps files are copied to USB drive when it is inserted into X61.
So you can later access these files on another PC, print and store them.
If someone is interested in it I'll try to write down step by step instruction how to do this.

[KaiO]

okay, tell us

[chli1976]

I am also intressted, write it here or on PM

[royal86]

Can you post the steps please?

[ejs]

Hello everyone,
sorry, I’m pretty busy right now, so my reply is a little bit delayed ;]

So, here is an idea:
When you print something in ISTA, virtual printer creates files in to "D:\PDFoutput\temp" directory.
So it is possible to copy these files to USB memory for later access.
Also it is possible to run a script inside ISTA, which does the job.

READ THIS: this is not a DIY guide. Here you would not find step-by-step instructions. To do the job you should be an advanced WinXP user. This procedure was not tested with many diagnostic systems, so it is possible that your systems warranty will be broken or your system will be damaged. Use at your own risk.

If you are not afraid, read bellow:

To do this we have to go through these steps:
1. enable ctrl+alt+del function in main windows registry;
2. enable task manager in user registry file;
3. change Jumgate user to administrator;
4. set your own Jumpgate password;
5. enable autologon feature again;
6. add copy_print.cmd script;
7. install sleep.exe;
8. edit configuration in copy_print.cmd to match your own needs;
9. add script to startup;
10. hide terminal window if needed;
11. Insert an USB memory and get files.

And detailed explanation:
1. First check if ctrl+alt+del is enabled in your system. When you press the following keys, a box with some buttons (like logoff) should come out. If not – enable it.
In my system this function wasn’t disabled, so I don’t have instructions how to enable it.
But heard somewhere, that you should run your system on a live CD/USB, (I would like to recommend one with miniXP, like HBCD). And edit ISTA’s main registry file;

2. After that you should check that Task Manager is enabled in a ctrl+alt+del box. If not – enable it. Again load your system on a live CD, run regedit, load user registry hive (C:\Documents and Settings\Jumpgate\NTUSER.DAT) by using load hive function. And edit this key: HKCU/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Policies/System/DisableTaskMgr = 0
Unload hive after edit.

3. When you can access task manager, you should be able to run explorer and other ordinary win applications. Then check Jumpgate user type – administrator or limited. You could find it in Control Panel -> users.
Set Jumpgate to administrator if needed. My way to do this was to run System on a live USB with miniXP and "Password Renew for NT's v1.1-BETA by sala" tool.

4. If you don’t know Jumpgate user password, you have to reset it. I’ve done it with "Password Renew for NT's v1.1-BETA by sala" tool as I know.

5. After password reset ISTA won’t start automatically. So you have to enable autologon feature again. I’ve done this with "Password Renew for NT's v1.1-BETA by sala" or other tool found on a HBCD.

6. Now we have normal access to our ISTA system. Let’s start adding printing support.
Copy attached script “copy_print.cmd” to “C:\windows” directory.

7. Install “Windows Server 2003 Resource Kit Tools” on ISTA – this will enable “sleep” command required by script

8. Then (or before copying) open “copy_print.cmd” with notepad and edit configuration to match your own needs.
Configuration:
SourceDir=D:\PDFoutput\temp - At this location should be printed files
PrintType=xps - this is an extension of the printed files
DestDrive=E: - files will be copied to this drive; insert an USB memory and check which drive will be assigned to it
DestDir=E:\ISTA_Print – files will be copied to this directory
MovedDir=D:\PDFoutput\copied - used files will be copied to this directory on ISTA (like a backup)
SleepInt=15 - script will run every 15 seconds

9. Create a shortcut to script copy_print.cmd to C:\Documents and Settings\Jumpgate\Start Menu\Programs\Startup directory, so it will run when ISTA starts UP.

10. If you don’t like terminal (command) window running on ISTA, you could hide it with some programs like quiet.exe.

11. That’s all

WARNING:
it is recommended to eject USB memory from ISTA by using explorer before removing it. Otherwise it is possible to damage your USB memory.
If you are lazy to eject USB, disable write caching for your USB drive: drive properties -> hardware -> your disk properties -> policies -> optimize for quick removal. Also it is good practice to get an USB stick with activity indicator (LED) on it. So you would see when an operation is in progress. Also you could switch to script by pressing alt+tab at ISTA first page if script is not hidden. Here you could see an activity.

[manfred73]

hello,
i have also the native install, hov you do this, that your printer( xps ) is on a usb-stick ?

[ejs]

Originally Posted by manfred73

hello,
i have also the native install, hov you do this, that your printer( xps ) is on a usb-stick ?

You can find instructions in previous post.

[pilot]

link to downalod script to add printer don't work, anyone can send it?

[pilot]

Hi,
I can change ISTA's ip address to use network printer?

[ejs]

Originally Posted by pilot

link to downalod script to add printer don't work, anyone can send it?

Currently you could use rheingold, so there is no need to use such script.
Nevertheless if you need one I'll try to search for it somewhere in my PC's.