On May 7, 2008, at 11:57 AM, Deane.Rothenmaier@[...].com wrote:
>  What I've been asked to do is report on whether a printer is  
>  physically present, and what printer it is. Note that even something  
>  like polling the LPTx: (or USB_x, or USBx, or COMx:) ports won't  
>  work, 'cause I don't think that would pick up a connected printer  
>  that's not turned on. Or will it? And would it be able to identify  
>  it?  Don't think so (but I could be wrong...).


You're being asked to do the impossible. There is no difference  
between no printer and a printer turned off. You couldn't tell even in  
assembler language. The available options are:

    Look for printer queues in the operating system (which may reflect  
a long-removed printer, a virtual printer, like a PDF writer or FAX  
writer, or a multi-mode printer, a printer that appears to be more  
than one printer, such as one PCL and one PostScript.

    Look for attached and turned-on printers. If you do this, don't  
forget that printers can also connect via Ethernet, etc..

-- 
John W Kennedy
A proud member of the reality-based community.



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