Pin Fed Form Feed Problem

May 2, 200817 yr

Printing problem with 3.5” X 9.5” Pin Fed form

I have a printing problem in a FMPro (version 3.0.x). The database that prints fine in Windows 98 and does NOT print correctly in Windows XP Pro because I cannot select the correct paper size.

We are printing to an Okidata ML380 dot matrix printer using pin fed, 3-part, preprinted, carbonless forms that are 3.5” H X 9.5” W overall dimensions.

What I have noticed as the big difference between my Win98 and the WinXP systems is this... The Win98 Oki ML380 driver allows “user defined” sizes, whereas the WinXP driver only allows the common sizes (A4, B5, Letter, Legal, #10 Envelope, and maybe a couple of others). I have tried taking the Win98 driver and copying it to the WinXP computer and setting it up. But it just errors out during the install process.

I’m wondering if anyone is using a same or similarly sized form (pin-fed) to ANY kind of printer using ANY version of FMPro. If so, then I can recommend a solution to my client.

As it stands, I see the only other solutions as:

Redesign Form (3-Part carbonless) to 8.5” X 11” wasting a lot of paper. They frequently will print one or two sheets at a time, as opposed to batches.

Finding another Dot Matrix Printer that handles Pin Fed forms and has a WinXP driver that allows “user defined” sizes.

Thanks for any insights offered.