Mike Chaney's Tech Corner

I can't seem to eliminate the "Print to File" under the "Printer" heading in my "Printers and Settings" section of Qimage Ultimate.  I've read in this forum that all I have to do is go to the "File" and change the setting to from "Print to File" to "printer".  I do so and for an instant it changes Print to File to the printer I'm using (HP DesignJet, 24") and its associated parameters.  That last for about 1/2 second and then it reverts back to "Print to File".  However many times I attempt to change it under the "File" menu it always reverts back to "Print to File".

Any suggestion to rectify this issue would be most appreciated.   Thanks.

Howard

I have two Design jet drivers.... 800 and 3200. Neither exhibits the condition of popping back to print to file.
Nevertheless, I normally do this:  Right Click on the Properties button on the right side column.  That toggles Print to File and Print to Printer. See screen snaps
Fred

Thank you Fred for addressing this issue.  I'm using the Z3100 HP printer.
I did as you mentioned but I get the same results.  It changes the Print to File to my HP printer, holds for about 1/2 second and then reverts back to Print to File.  It seems that it is fixated on Print to File and I can't get rid of it.
Still seeking help...

Howard

I wish I had a better answer but I even checked with the boss, and the answer is that HP drivers are poorly written to be compatible with anything, and that's why the new A- I feature just released in Qimage 2023 has a disclaimer that HP printers are not compatible. Hover your mouse pointer on the Properties button and it will say just that.
Have you checked the printer properties while in Devices and Printers and see if that is a driver default that you can change?
I know Mike has tried many times to ask HP to fix their broken drivers, and it fell on deaf ears.
Fred

None of this bodes well for HP.  I've had other issues with their drivers and when making inquiry to HP they just say that they no longer service my printer, although they have no problem selling me its twelve print cartridges at $80+ a pop.
I've used Qimage for years for my printing and would still like to do so.  Were I to revert back to earlier versions of Qimage do you think it would be more friendly toward my z3100?
Any suggestions to make the two work together would be appreciated.
Thanks again,
Howard

Perhaps Mike will have a better solution. I'll try to contact him.
Fred

No, an earlier version of Qimage won't help.  The problem doesn't lie between Qimage and the printer but rather the printer and Windows.  If Qimage goes back to Print to File when you select the HP, that means the HP failed to supply status information (a Windows API called DeviceCapabilities).  It might fix the problem if you reset it.  In Qimage, click Help from the top menu and then Reset Printer Settings.  Once you've done that, see if it'll let you select the HP.  And if that doesn't work, as one final step, hold the Shift key while you are starting Qimage: that will reset everything Qimage-related.  Then see if the HP is selectable.  If not, the HP driver is just broken.  Reinstalling the driver could also fix it at this point but by then we are pretty far out in the weeds.

Regards,
Mike

I'm most pleased to report that I'm making progress.  Mike's first suggestion didn't work as it acted just as if I were to use the setting under the "File" menu to change Print to File to Printer.  It made the change but that change only lasted less than a second.

However, when I opened Qimage while holding down the shift key all information under the "Job Properties" on the right indicated my HP printer.  Under "Printer:" is my HP Designjet z3100.
I'd say that was the perfect fix.  However, there's still a little mystery on the right side of the screen, under "Folders".  I can't seem to have it generate the thumb images under a folder but only the file names. 

Bringing down the "Thumb/Raw Builder" and clicking on the "Rebuild all thumbs..." didn't result in any change; it still shows only file names.

I'm getting close to solving all this, thanks to you both.
Howard

Holding the shift key when you start changes it to filenames-only for safe mode.  You can turn thumbnails back on in the menu: click "View" from the top menu and then "Thumbs Off/On", and on the next menu, select "On".

Mike

You are my hero!

Everything seems to be with my Qimage as it should be.  For that I thank you and Fred, again, and again!

Howard