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Computer help forum: How to edit *.prn files?

by: Mr.Twister January 5, 2005 8:07 AM PST

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How to edit *.prn files?

by Mr.Twister - 1/5/05 8:07 AM

I am trying to print to a file one of the help pages within WinXP. Path is: Start / Help and Support / Pick a Task / Use Tools.. / My Computer Information / View General information...). This presents a nice summary window. Select Print, and according options to print to a file.
When the file is created, it is generated with a "prn" suffix; i.e. printedFile.prn.

There is no base application within WinXP that can open / view / edit this file (not Notepad, or WordPad). And when you specify the file name, you cannot change the file type to maybe *.txt; it is always *.prn. The MS-Windows support site does not identify an application that can be used to open / edit the file.
What application is recommended to be able to edit the *.prn file?


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One thing to check

by MarkFlax Moderator - 1/5/05 1:08 PM

In Reply to: How to edit *.prn files? by Mr.Twister

When you select print and the Print options appear, make sure you have3 "not" set the option, "Print to file".

If that is set, then the page will be saved as a file, and not printed.

Mark


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*.prn Files...Print Output Files

by Grif Thomas Moderator - 1/5/05 1:08 PM

In Reply to: How to edit *.prn files? by Mr.Twister

....are created by PCL printers:

http://www.frogmorecs.com/arts/what_is_a_prn_file.html

You can open a .PRN file in any text editor but what you'll likely see is your text surrounded by a whole bunch of "junk" which represents all the various printer codes necessary to set margins, special spacing, graphics, etc., etc.

In order to edit the information which you are asking to print, you should do it prior to sending it to the printer in another format. You should be able to copy and paste the original text to a document, or if nothing else, prepare a screenshot of the text by pressing Alt-Print Screen keys to "save" the picture, then open the MSPaint program and "paste" the picture into Paint.

Hope this helps.

Grif


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printing a prn file

by cyberden99 - 1/7/10 9:37 AM

In Reply to: How to edit *.prn files? by Mr.Twister

How do I print a prn file ? I have Windows XP Service Pack 2 and all the usual capabilities Q


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Copy it to the printer.

by R. Proffitt Moderator - 1/7/10 9:52 AM

In Reply to: printing a prn file by cyberden99

http://www.frogmorecs.com/arts/what-is-a-prn-file.html noted this as well as many other places. Sorry but if the prn file is for a Laserjet 5 you better have a LJ5!
Bob


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printing a prn file

by cyberden99 - 1/7/10 3:32 PM

In Reply to: printing a prn file by cyberden99

hi !

I have Windows XP with SP2 also - but I still cannot print out that dratted prn file !

So how do you do it ?

Dennis Lewis


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Tried This Yet?

by Grif Thomas Moderator - 1/7/10 5:02 PM

In Reply to: printing a prn file by cyberden99

http://askbobrankin.com/printing_a_prn_file.html

Or might try this little utility which should allow you to print the file. Still, as mentioned before, you need to use the same printer to print the file as was used to create it.

http://www.magma.ca/~russrite/PrnPrint/index.html

Hope this helps.

Grif


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