DOSbox-X can print to a physical printer but aborting print mid-way is not possible

[harlequin8]

As I read in another post, DOSBox-X users rarely print to a physical printer.

I use a DOS accounting software from the 1980-1990s which prints to a NEC Pinwriter P3200 out of the box. No problem here.

The problem is when I try to abort a print (paper misalignment, cartridge has no ink, etc.) I am unable to. It just keeps on printing.

In a native DOS setup, I press ESC and the printer will print several more lines from within its memory and stop. (As you know, these DOS/Win3.1 desktops are all extinct.)

Under DOSBox-X, the print will not stop. I tried

1. turning off the printer (but print resumes when I turn it back on)
2. removing LPT1 cord (printing stops but resumes when turned back on)
3. turning off the computer (printing stops but resumes when computer is turned back on)

Is there a way to purge the computer or printer memory to stop an aborted print? Otherwise I

would have to let a 50-page print, say with paper not properly loaded, run till the end. Not feasible

I spoke with a NEC printer repairman who said the printer purges its buffer memory if turned off.

There was not much I could do with DOSBox-X Configuration. Or is there? I saw an LPT1 button but nothing seemingly applicable.

OS is Windows XP
DOSBox-X version is v.2025-02-01 MinGW Low End 9x SDL1 32-bit

Could anyone help point to the right direction? Thank you in advance.

[rderooy]

Does closing DOSBox-X stop the printing? Most likely the output is being buffered outside DOSBox-X by the host OS.

[harlequin8]

Thank you. I will try that.

Although if it works, it would still be a cumbersome way of having to exit and re-enter DOSBox-X, then re-launch the accounting application and return to the previous workspace.

I suppose there is nothing else we can do inside DOSBox-X configuration and setup.

[RBTCHENTPE]

Hi. Joncampbell, For your information that we do not have such kind problems. B. RGDS., ROBERT From: Robert ***@***.*** Sent: Thursday, December 11, 2025 1:44 AM To: joncampbell123/dosbox-x Cc: Subscribed Subject: Re: [joncampbell123/dosbox-x] DOSbox-X can print to a physical printer but aborting print mid-way is not possible (Discussion #5991) Does closing DOSBox-X stop the printing? Most likely the output is being buffered outside DOSBox-X by the host OS. — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub <#5991 (comment)> , or unsubscribe <https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/AVABWSHFFFWYYFNPYF5AFDD4BBLWHAVCNFSM6AAAAACOTQCLEOVHI2DSMVQWIX3LMV43URDJONRXK43TNFXW4Q3PNVWWK3TUHMYTKMRSGI3DMMA> . You are receiving this because you are subscribed to this thread. <https://github.com/notifications/beacon/AVABWSBUWV53VE5FS7EKGM34BBLWHA5CNFSM6AAAAACOTQCLEOWGG33NNVSW45C7OR4XAZNRIRUXGY3VONZWS33OINXW23LFNZ2KUY3PNVWWK3TUL5UWJTQA5BDYI.gif> Message ID: ***@***.***>