Printing large files

[virgil_machine]

With Vbox 2.2.2 running on an Ubuntu 8.04 server, everything works fine except occasional print problems. Windows XP Pro guest, using ScreenPrint32 v3.5. Simple screens print OK, but with complex (as in busy) screens the system hangs. This works fine under VMWare, with a variety of windows guest OSs.

Has anyone experienced similar problems?

[Perryg]

I don't know about VMware but I have encountered printing problems like you describe in Windows only, not virtualized. It had to do with the spooler. You can try to adjust the spooler properties or do as I finally had to and set windows to print direct and not use the spooler. Screenshot to show where it is below. You can toggle back on with smaller jobs.

[virgil_machine]

This is not a Windows issue.

Native windows machines and windows guests under vmware have no problems.

Under vbox (only) screen prints of busy screens print a few lines ok, then several pages of garbage This is a better description than in the op). Other printing, including simple screen prints, appear to be ok.

[Lawbayly]

What Type/Brand of printer is this?
What connection do you use to this printer? (If it's USB have you tried using USB 1 Mode in the settings?)
Where did you get the drivers? (Microsoft PostScript Drivers do cause rubbish to print out at times)

Are you explaining that text can be printed and Images cannot?

This seems more a Printer issue than a VB issue, but it may be USB issues! (if it's a USB Printer)

[virgil_machine]

HP Laserjet 4 Plus, linux driver from HP

Printer attached to network via print server on parallel port

No problems printing from several windows guests (98, 2000, XP Home, XP Pro) under VMware (on two different VMware servers) to this or several other printers.

Everything prints fine from vms under vbox except print screens using ScreenPrint32 v3.5 when the screen is complex (as in busy).

Would like to switch to vbox, but this is a showstopper.

[SSCBrian]

HP Laserjet 4 Plus, linux driver from HP

Printer attached to network via print server on parallel port

No problems printing from several windows guests (98, 2000, XP Home, XP Pro) under VMware (on two different VMware servers) to this or several other printers.

Everything prints fine from vms under vbox except print screens using ScreenPrint32 v3.5 when the screen is complex (as in busy).

Would like to switch to vbox, but this is a showstopper.

Does it work in a non-VBox install of the same software? The LJ4+ didn't come with much RAM onboard, and I seem to recall expansion was limited. Complex screens can take a good deal of printer RAM to composite. Just wondering if you're overrunning the available RAM on the printer. If so, that wouldn't have anything to do with VBox. You'd either have to simplify the printout, increase printer RAM, or perhaps find another printer driver for the OS that's more efficient in how the compositing data is sent to the printer.

[virgil_machine]

As I said, no problems printing from native windows or from several vms running varous versions of windows under VMWare. Same software, same printers, proven in two locations.

I have a hard time believing that this is not related to Vbox in some way. It's not a typical setup, but it has does worked for years under VMWare.

Again, this is the only thing that works from vms under VMWare that does not work under Vbox. It is important enough to be a dealbreaker.

[SSCBrian]

Oh, just noticed that you listed VBox 2.2.2... Have you tried it under the current version yet (2.2.4)?

[Perryg]

Post a bug report with the Dev's Then you will get it fixed. Bugtracker link is below my post.
Be sure that you give them as much information as you can. DO NOT forget to send the VBox logfiles. They are really strict about that.