[Wftl-lug] Complex problem - SUSE10/Vmware/W98/Dos printer delay issue

[Roger Pryor]

Hi All:

As the subject says, I have a somewhat complex interaction problem that I
would like to solve.

I have to support an old (1990) DOS program, specifcally NewViews - an
accounting package, preferably on a nice spanking new dual Intel processor
machine running SUSE10.2.  I've used VMware with general success for
several other applications, and so tried this, under W98Se.  Under
Suse8.2/Win4Lin/W98, this combination worked just fine.  However, under
SUSE10.2/VMwareW98Se there is a 55 second delay between requesting a
printout and the printer starting to print. Printer is standard CUPS under
the SUSE10.2.  I have tried other variations, DOSEMU (won't run, may
crash), Win4Lin under 10(.2) - I couldn't get it to go, and so I'm left
either with sticking to Vmware and accepting the 55 second delay (the
accountant is not happy with that), or reviving the previous 7 year old
machine just for this program (neither of us is happy with that!). I have
reduced the spool delay under W98 from 15 seconds to 5, to no effect.

So, the question:  Has anyone else encountered this kind of delay in this
kind of situation, and were they able to resolve it.

I do notice that Xosview, the process status appilcation, tells me that one
processor is 100% busy for at least 30 seconds after the print request,
doing what I have no idea, twiddling thumbs I should think probably
busy-waiting for something.

Thanks

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Roger Pryor P. Eng.                Email: rpryor at pryor-and-pryor.com
Pryor and Pryor Inc.           Telephone: (+1) 604-357-3039
602 - 1230 Comox Street,        Internet: http://www.pryor-and-pryor.com
Vancouver, B.C., V6E 1K7, Canada