Cannot access specific objects in Devices and Printers

Hi Ruel,



Try using the following code (machinename is the name of the computer where the needed printer is located):

Dim WshShell, oExec


Set WshShell = CreateObject("WScript.Shell")


Set oExec = WshShell.Exec("rundll32 printui.dll,PrintUIEntry /p /n\\machinename\Printer1")

Hi Ruel,



According to the information you sent to me, you can try using the following modified code:

Dim WshShell, oExec, prnName
 

prnName ="PathToPrinter"  'specify the path to the needed printer, for example, \\machinename\Printer1


Set WshShell = CreateObject("WScript.Shell")


Set oExec = WshShell.Exec("rundll32 printui.dll,PrintUIEntry /p /n" & prnName)

Also, you can modify the command line (the parameter of WshShell.Exec) as you need - run printUI.exe in the command prompt to get the list of available switches and examples.

Hi Ruel,



It is not clear for what you need to work with a graphic user interface instead of using a command line. However, to be able to access items of the Devices and Printers window, add DirectUIHWND to 'List of accepted windows' in the MSAA options of your project properties.

Hi All,



How to i convert this vbscript code to work on c#script?



Thanks

By the way, I forgot to mention that I'm using VBScript in my TC8.

Thanks!

Hello Robert and David,



Thank you for replying to my post.



Posted by Robert Martin [TeamAQA] on 11/2/2011 9:19:16 AM

What are you trying to test by accessing the printer properties?  Is
this something that can be done by instantiating something within the
windows environment?




>> I need to visually open the Printer Properties and Printing Preferences of dynamically installed printer drivers in my test PC.

The tests I need to do involves changing different settings of the printer drivers.  And for me to do that, I need to be able to select the correct printer driver from the Devices and Printers window by using their actual printer names and not just by coordinates since the installed printer drivers may be dynamic.  I cannot seem to access device items inside the Devices and Printers window of Windows 7.



I hope you could still provide some help.

Thank you very much.

Hello David,



Thanks for the code.

However, the method you presented by-passes the procedure needed (opening the Printing Preferences from context menu of the Printer Driver).

Is it because TC is not really able to access the items listed in the Devices and Printers window of Windows 7?



I hope there could be a way to simulate actual opening of Printing Preferences of printer drivers using the mouse (but not using coordinates).

Thanks for the help.



Regards,

Ruel

Hello David,



To give you a picture on why I need accessing the Devices and Printers through GUI and not through command line is that,

I have already used TestComplete versions 6 and 7 in the previous company I worked for.  Now, in the company I'm currently working at has not yet invested in Automation tools.  All their testing is done manually.  My bosses are still hesitant on purchasing expensive tools that's why I'm creating scripts to be used for demo and present to them that TestComplete is able to do automatically the exact testing procedures that they were doing manually before.  Although I know that the method you provided was indeed correct and faster, for the purpose that my bosses can understand what automation is all about, I wanted to present the same steps that they were used to doing but now, automatically using the TestComplete tool.  I hope you understand my predicament.



BTW, your suggestion on including the DirectUIHWND in the list of accepted windows already worked.

Thank you very much for the help.



Regards,

Ruel

Ignore