Printing 7" Disbursement checks on Dot Mattrix

[chrisas2]

Help! I converted to PCA 2002 and my check forms did not convert properly. I am using the same Okidata ML590 for AP and payroll checks. The problem is that the ML 590 does not allow a custom page size of 7". According to the manual, some printers don't but suggests an Epson LQ-850 as an example of one that will. I tried installing the Epson printer and guess what.....it doesn't allow customizing the paper size either. I only tried it to see what the customize function looks like. My next thought was to set the paper size to Legal and customize a form with 2 checks to a page. PCA does not allow copying the commands etc to duplicate the information. I believe I'm going to have a similar problem with my payroll check stock too. Help! Are their any short cuts or patches?

[Norm]

What operating system are you using. If it's W2K maybe I can help.

[salkay]

the emulation for the printer is a epson LQ1050, load that one and see if you can then change the page size. another emulation is the ibmproprinter xl24e. but i have had better success on the epson LQ1050.

[chrisas2]

Unfortunately, I jumped on the Microsoft band wagon a little too early. I've got a laser printer they don't have drivers for at all yet.

I'll try the Epson LQ1050 and the IBM Proprinter XL24e as well. Honestly though, I tried almost every printer Okidata makes all the way up to $1,200 and they didn't have one. I tried a current Panasonic we purchased 4 months ago. And I tried 2 or 3 others. All of which did not work. I'm about to give up and order new 8.5 x 11 checks. (I just bought $700 worth of new checks...)

I think it's ridiculous for Peachtree not to support a 7" checks. Remember I have the same check, same printer, same everything except for the latest version of PCA.

Anyway, thanks for your help!

[salkay]

hello again,

unfortunately, it is not a peachtree issue. your pca was a dos version that supported dot matirx printers. the windows products use the driver support by windows. your newer versions of windows do not support old or older dot matrix and do not make a compatible driver for it. but lets get you fix.

i actually am a support tech for a local support center, i have been doing this kind of work for about 8 years. i know what you all go through but bill gates has a real monopoly going her. hey i just upgraded recently to windows 98 due to the same reasons you guys are all having a problem with.

let me know if i can help you any further.

salkay@aol.com

[Norm]

It appears that W2k and XP are similar in the way they handle printers in one way, they allow you to create a new paper size. In your case a size for a check. If XP has a driver for your Okidata ML590 (or one that will work for you) you should be able to set up a new paper size. But the place you would do this is a place you would never think to look (at least I didn't until I called Epson for support on my printer. My son has XP and this printer setting is in the same spot as it is on W2K. Go to "Start", "Settings", "Printer & Faxes". SELECT your Okidata printer ONLY. Then go to "File", (At the top of the window) "Server Properties" (pretty dumb spot for this option) and you should come up on the forms tab. On this tab select "Create New Form", put in your paper (check) size and give it a name (I used check for mine). At this point you should be able to go into Peachtree form design and have that paper (check) size available. Goodluck!

[Labonte18]

Norm,

I am having a very similar problem here, with an IBM ProPrinter 2381. I have recently upgraded the check printing machine to Win 2K (Actually replaced the machine and loaded it with 2K) and am having problems with checks as well.

Here's the strange part. I have figured out the setting up of the form in Server Properties, and if I print multiple checks, then everything is fine. If I print one check, then go back and print another single check, the alignment is all thrown off. After the first check is printed, the printer advances to the end of a normal sized page(11 inches), even though I have created a custom form via Server Properties with a page length of 7 inches.

[jbattista]

Thanks for the info Norm. I just finished setting up our office Win 2000 PC with a second printer (Panasonic KX-P1124) for check printing.

I would have spent hours researching out how to set up a custom page size!

Checks print perfectly and there are no alignment problems check-to-check. On the printer, I disabled automatic TOF to make sure it would not interfer with continuous check printing.

[vochoa]

Have you tried to customize the printing through Peachtree?

I am using a Futisu 3400 printer which I cannot program for 7" paper.

I used the Design function in Peachtree to define the size and shape of my 7" check and it works well.