How to create a text file printer in AIX/Unix

To create a printer in AIX/Unix which saves the spool to a text file:

• Create a file 'output.txt' in /dev
• Type: smit print
• Choose ‘Add a print queue’
• Choose ‘File’
• Choose ‘Other’
• Choose ‘Generic’
• Enter ‘output.txt’ as the file name
• Name the ASCII queue ‘textfile’
• Press enter

View computer/server shares

To view all of the shared resources provided by a PC or server using the DOS/command prompt, type the following:

• net view \\<host name>

Reading the Registry through DOS

To read the Windows registry through a DOS prompt (command prompt) see:

• reg /?

Cancel print jobs

To list the jobs for a printer:

• lpstat -W -o<printer name>

(The '-W' switch shows the job number in wide column format)

To cancel a job:

• cancel <spool number> <printer name>

To cancel all prints for a printer:

• qcan -X -P<printer name>

Helpful Unix links

Searchable index of man pages:
http://homepages.ed.ac.uk/unixhelp/index.html

IBM AIX command reference library:
http://publib.boulder.ibm.com/infocenter/pseries/v5r3/topic/com.ibm.aix.doc/doc/base/commandsreference.htm

Comprehensive PC info

To find out information about the local PC (CPU, RAM etc.) run:

• msinfo32
• (Can be found in: Accessories -> System Tools -> System Information)

Also running 'dxdiag' will allow the output of some useful information to a text file.

To delete the contents of a file in VI

To delete the contents of a file in Unix editor vi:

• When on the first line enter the command: dG
• Anywhere else in the file: :1,$d