GNOME Bugzilla – Bug 462148
report output is vertically inverted and bottom up printed (mirror, reverse, &c.)
Last modified: 2018-06-29 21:44:34 UTC
Please describe the problem: Report output initially appeared as gibberish until the paper was held up to the light where it was legible but printed bottom-up... like this: lineN line3 line2 line1 BUT, with the font inverted... i.e., using letters A, L, T: \ / |----- | \---/ | | \ / | | V | ----- So, there was no way to rotate/flip the output image to correct for this. The print preview is correct. The PDF output is correct. Only the actual printed page is wrong. Sidebar: Bug 432722 also occurs here. Steps to reproduce: 1. print any account report 2. 3. Actual results: printout unusable Expected results: printout should print as in print preview Does this happen every time? yes Other information: Horrendous workaround: 1. print report to PDF file 2. switch to desktop 3. double-click on output.pdf 4. print from Adobe 5. close reader 6. return to GnuCash Repeat ad nauseum for all other account reports.
Thanks for reporting this problem. This issue has been reported before as bug#450385; could you please answer this question: Is there a check box for "Advanced features" of your printer? Printers&Faxes > Right click printer > Properties > Advanced/Extended > Advanced features, then switch off "Advanced Features" and see whether the problem still occurs. If this fixes the problem, it is a duplicate of bug 316531 then.
I tried switching off advanced features but it made no difference. However I looked again at the printer settings... it seems that when I disable advanced features, Windows immediately enables them again! And they call this piece of crap an operating system... (though to be fair it might just be the HP printer's crummy drivers).
*** Bug 471582 has been marked as a duplicate of this bug. ***
I still have not had access to that Windows machine to test the Advanced stuff; but another bug suggested HP printers might be the cause. In our case, it's a trash Sharp AR-M208 which is not equipped with an optional PS engine/card; it uses a proprietary GDI driver USB-attached because it doesn't have a network card either. I've never seen this bug from any other WinXP application feeding this printer. Over a year ago, I setup the printer-driving WinXP box with ghostscript and a couple of other s/w bits to inject the jobs, to accept PS output from Linux clients; GnuCash prints fine from those. Again, since I haven't had access to a WinXP/GnuCash machine since the initial report, I haven't been able to test if printing through the PS->gs->GDI conversion would work any better. Summary (except for Bug 432722): Linux/GnuCash: always prints OK to any printer Win/GnuCash -> server(GDI) -> Sharp AR-M208: this bug -> HP2600n network attached: this bug -> server(PS->gs->GDI) -> Sharp AR-M208: untested HTH
Bug confirmed - it is an inversion as described by the OP therefore the method to fix is consistent. Is this a new issue? what I mean is has it worked in print properly at a previous date?
Actually, the OP says that his PDF output is correct; here the PDF output replicates the printer output both are inversions. If the print target is RAW file, the raw file is correct and can be printed.
New issue? How do I tell since 2.2.0 was the first Windows release...? :^) Still trying to get access to the Win machine; but the owner and I keep crossing paths and not getting together with the Win box... I'm really wanting to test the print through the PS->gs->GDI (http://www.stat.tamu.edu/~henrik/GSPSprinter/GSPSprinter.html) -- see http://aplawrence.com/Linux/gdi_printing.html to understand why I called the Sharp "trash"... it's really nothing more than an "imager" (print pixels) device -- totally DUMB. I used to print the reports from my Linux box; but when 2.2.0 became available for Win, I transfered the data to that machine... so yes, it worked in a previous release (on Linux :) -- it's her data, not mine; so I don't have access now... HTH
Ok if you get a chance heres something I whipped up in C# means you need to have NET installed to run it: http://www.alistairgeorge.com/files/alsrawprinter.exe that shows you the binary print is OK.
I should add the rawprinter only directs the data to the printer eg it works fine with target as pdffile, but not directed to a hardware printer. Whereas if the target direct from GNUcash is pdf, it is inverted.
More info for what its worth. I use pdfcreator (outputs a PDF file) as a printer - if I GNUcash to that it comes with an incorrect output exactly the same as the HP Printer. However, if I select from the print dialog 'Create a PDF document' which is internal to GNUcash, the output pdf file is fine.
*** Bug 477492 has been marked as a duplicate of this bug. ***
Ok a quick work around for this is to export the file ( in my case a Invoice) as a html file this works around is for those who don't have PDF facilities. (GnuCash 2.2.1) I have a HP 5M colour Laserjet with network MIO card. I don't write code for GnuCash ( I do write software though)but my guess is the print buffer is being read from the wrong end. If a developer would like the raw output file I will happily provide it to have a look at.
*** Bug 491942 has been marked as a duplicate of this bug. ***
*** Bug 497987 has been marked as a duplicate of this bug. ***
*** Bug 500360 has been marked as a duplicate of this bug. ***
I was able to duplicate this issue on Windows XP, SP2. Printout matched the symptoms described by the original poster; except that underlined characters had the underline misplaced (closer to strike through). Turning off the advanced printing features corrected the output, except for not honoring the printing preferences for font size (font typeface was correct). Printer in question was a Dell 3100CN.
(In reply to comment #16) > I was able to duplicate this issue on Windows XP, SP2. Printout matched the > symptoms described by the original poster; except that underlined characters > had the underline misplaced (closer to strike through). > > Turning off the advanced printing features corrected the output, except for not > honoring the printing preferences for font size (font typeface was correct). > Printer in question was a Dell 3100CN. > I'm using 2.2.3 (Built on 2008-01-08) on WindowsXP. My printer is HP LaserJet6L I was trying to print reports from GNUCash. I got results like those described by Steven C. Buttgereit: Each line was printed upside-down, the underlines turned to strike-throughs, and what would have been the tops of lines were cut off. Printing to PostScript file worked fine, Printing to PDF caused a crash. After I turned off ADvanced Printing features, things worked fine. No crash, either. Mike McCann (brand new gnuCash user)
We hear this enough that its gotta be confirmed. Also, adding some keywords to the summary for searchability.
Yep, something is awry. I just reproduced the problem.
*** Bug 514871 has been marked as a duplicate of this bug. ***
*** Bug 515034 has been marked as a duplicate of this bug. ***
Same problem on Windows XP SP2 system. Tested on Brother DCP 7020 as well as using PDFCreator virtual printer. Same results as #16.
Created attachment 106840 [details] Shows the image taken from the preview screen (good) This shows the image from the preview screen. It looks fine.
Created attachment 106841 [details] This shows the result of printing on the Deskjet 990c Each individual line seems to be upside down and back to front. However, there are other problems such as the next to last line is partially overwritten. Although not in this image, if there are underlines, they look more like strike-outs, cutting through the inverted characters. Colors seem ok.
In case it helps, Firefox3.0beta had a virtually identical bug which was just fixed in 3.0b5: https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=419917 (see comments 17 & 18 in particular) -- HTH
*** Bug 530019 has been marked as a duplicate of this bug. ***
I'm having the same problem on two computers, text readable only by looking THROUGH the paper from the back, with underlining displaced upward as if strikeout: Laptop w XP SP3, 2 GB mem, GnuCash 2.2.5. Remote printers AND local PrimoPDF "printer" all print wrong. But it does work OK using the GnuCash built-in PDF and HTML export functions. Desktop w dual CPUs, Vista Ultimate 64, 4 GB mem, GnuCash 2.2.5. Local HP deskjet 970Cse via USB, HP LaserJet II (parallel through a USB-to-parallel adapter), and PrimoPDF all print wrong. Similarly, though, the GnuCash PDF and HTML export functions work OK and represent a decent workaround because I can print those. No other application has ever had this problem on either computer; it's unique to GnuCash. I'm a new user and otherwise tickled with GnuCash. Thanks!
(In reply to comment #27) > No other application has ever had this problem on either computer; it's unique > to GnuCash. Sorry, but that is simply not true. It is unique to libgnomeprint and other applications like gnumeric experience the same, cf. bug 316531.
This inverted output problem with underlines looking like strikeouts has been present in every GnuCash Windows version up to and including 2.2.5. In my experience, the problem has occurred with all InkJet printers I have tried (mostly HP and Canon, and I think Lexmark as well). I had no problems with any Laser Printer I tried (also mostly HP and Canon laser printers). HP drivers automatically turn on Advanced Printing features as soon as you turn them off, so that solution does not work with an HP inkjet printer. Yes, the work around is to export as HTML or output a PDF (however not using PDF creator [comment #22]). But this is clumsy. Why can't I print directly from GnuCash? This bug has been around long enough. Won't someone please fix it? It has been an embarrassment to me, I advocated the use of GnuCash in my organization, but those with inkjet printers can't print without going through additional steps. THIS IS IMPORTANT TO THE IMAGE OF GNUCASH (an otherwise good program). WILL SOMEONE PLEASE FIX IT?
Oh, I did not know anyone cared about this bug. I will right away sit down for 10 minutes and fix it. Thanks for the reminder. Honestly, whoever decides to help on this bug, please try rebuilding GnuCash with as fresh as Cairo and Gtk+ as possible in defaults.sh, then comment out the lines ending on "# gnomeprint" and comment those with "# not gnomeprint" in, in both install.sh and defaults.sh. Is it worth switching to Gtk+ printing now or not? Personally I will not be able to invest time on this in the following weeks. PS: Please, refrain from writing in capital letters, complaining purely and rather help us.
This still happens in Vista Ultimate 32 with Version 2.2.5 Happens on my network connected HP Color Laserjet 5M ...Is there a stack trace utility for Vista yet? I would be more than happy to provide the trace. Actually if you know roughly where the problem resides I may be able to sort it out, no promises though. I think this happens in other programs as well so it my not be actually in GNUCash at all, but in some part of gnone.
(In reply to comment #30) > Oh, I did not know anyone cared about this bug. I will right away sit down for > 10 minutes and fix it. Thanks for the reminder. > > Honestly, whoever decides to help on this bug, please try rebuilding GnuCash > with as fresh as Cairo and Gtk+ as possible in defaults.sh, then comment out > the lines ending on "# gnomeprint" and comment those with "# not gnomeprint" > in, in both install.sh and defaults.sh. > > Is it worth switching to Gtk+ printing now or not? Personally I will not be > able to invest time on this in the following weeks. > > > PS: Please, refrain from writing in capital letters, complaining purely and > rather help us. > Sorry for complaining/shouting. I don't have the programming skills to help much. Did you find anything in your 10 minutes of fixing time?
I have this problem with an Okidata C5150N, Windows XP SP2, GnuCash 2.2.5. Print and PDF both bad, HTML export is OK.
*** Bug 541017 has been marked as a duplicate of this bug. ***
*** Bug 560128 has been marked as a duplicate of this bug. ***
*** Bug 522991 has been marked as a duplicate of this bug. ***
I filed this (thinking it was a new bug). So adding some addtional comments here- 1. I am using Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 2. GnuCash 2.2.7 3. Printer HP Inkjet 930c 4. PDF printer - Cute PDF The problem occurs in the same manner as described by several people above whether I use the Cute PDF printer or the physical printer. Tried using the internal GnuCash pdfwriter - I get blank output with underline where ever text is supposed to appear so this function at the moment is completely useless for me. I saw that some people are able to use the inbuilt pdf writer? Previews uing any printer are all fine.
Any idea when the promised "10 minute" fix session will commence, and when the corrected version might be available to the users? I'm yet another person to encounter this bug, and to be unhappy with the export to pdf work-around.
Perhaps Mr Kohler was being a little bit sarcastic about the 10 minutes. This bug has been around a long time, with plenty of bug reports, and if he could have fixed it in 10 minutes he would have done so long ago. I don't like the bug either, but this is freeware written for a non-Windows computer, so we wait until someone really does have the time, skills, and motivation to fix it. Wish I had the skills.
*** Bug 562730 has been marked as a duplicate of this bug. ***
I've got the same issue with XP SP2, SP3 and Vista (with 3 different machines) with SP1 on 3 different models of laser Brother printers. I can print to PDF Factory and then print from there and all is okay but the direct to printer is as described above. I used the app last year for personal business and for a client and only found out at the end about the problem. Have waited to see if it is corrected or I need to move to another app as it is too cumbersome for printing. Any chance of it being corrected and included in an update before the end of the year? I'd hate to have to move to another application. The program is showing a lot of promise and though there are some other little quirks it is almost ready to the point of recommending to small business clients over Quickbooks and Simply Accounting as well as MS Accounting Express for basic bookkeeping and accounting.
Yes, I have the same problem with GnuCash 2.2.7 on Vista Home Premium SP1 driving an HP Officejet Pro L7780. All reports print with characters mirrored vertically about their baseline, even though the "Print Preview" is correct. Exported to HTML files, the reports print correctly from my browser window to the same printer. One additional clue that I don't see mentioned, is that printer icons in the print dialog box show a page with a big red X in the middle. The warnings don't prevent printing, however. I agree that this is an otherwise excellent application.
This bug continues to exist in Version 2.2.8.
Exactly same issue with 2.2.8 for me. OS, XP home SP2 .NET 1.1 French .NET 2.0 French Printers tested with: Canon IP1500, PDFCreator But very good software nevertheless.
Please take a look at http://lists.gnucash.org/pipermail/gnucash-user/2009-January/028082.html and tell us whether that test build works for you.
This fixes the printing problem on: 1) Laptop with Windows XP, 2 GB memory, several printers 2) Desktop with Windows Vista Ultimate x64, 8 GB memory, several printers No other problems have appeared yet
GNUCash This copy was built from svn r17815 on 2009-01-14. Printed several reports with no problem. Appears to work OK!
Great :-) Closing as FIXED then. Happy printing with GnuCash 2.2.9 (once it has been released).
I guess I may have missed the opportunity to comment, but perhaps it can still be dealt with. In my case, the upside down and inverted problem is fixed, but, a new printing problem has emerged. When the report spans more than one page, the second page is superimposed on the first page. The odd thing is that since this is an inkjet printer, there is no way for it to "back up" and print the same space again--rather, the printing that gets dumped to the printer already has the superimposed printing. One page reports print fine. Setup is WinXP on a Dell Dimension 8200 with 1GB, HP 755 Officejet
Dave, I cannot test that in the following days, so does it happen with other printers like PDFCreator as well?
Created attachment 126921 [details] Example of double printing example of double printing with the svn r17815 version of Gnucash
In the comment #51, it was not obvious, but that was prepared with CutePDF as the printer, so, it is apparently NOT printer specific.
Ok, thanks Dave. Reopening.
(In reply to comment #45) Works good on 'Advanced Portfolio' report with PDFCreator and Brother HL-2170W printer using: a) MacBook Pro running Parallels (Win XP), and b) Old ThinkPad (Win XP). Thanks! I confirm the double print issue with the 'Account Summary' report. The 'Register (General Journal)' report is a mess. I didn't try the rest <g>.
Should be fixed now (r17883 on trunk and r17909 on branches/2.2). Thanks.
*** Bug 572302 has been marked as a duplicate of this bug. ***
Sorry, Andreas, I don't know what '(r17883 on trunk and r17909 on branches/2.2)' are.
(In reply to comment #57) > Sorry, Andreas, I don't know what '(r17883 on trunk and r17909 on > branches/2.2)' are. Short story: Wait for GnuCash 2.2.9, it should appear this weekend. Then try again with that version. Longer one: r17883 marks a revision number in our SVN versioning control system. Trunk is the development version we usually fix bugs on first and, if there is a crash or major functionality loss, we backport these changes to the branch "2.2" which is used to release 2.2.x versions from. The numbers simply act as shortcuts for developers if they need further information or packagers if they need the patches themselves and know how to use GnuCash's SVN or trac.
(In reply to comment #58) OK. Thanks. Very impressive work.
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