Ed,

>CopyFile() is not byte-oriented, and does nothing as far as setting the port parameters.

Is it possible to set COM1 parameters programmatically using Windows API
and then run CopyFile() ?

> The best solution is to use an ActiveX communications control such as
the MSCOMM32 OCX

I'm using VFP version 5. How I can add MSCOMM to distribution disks
using setup wizard? I haven't find such possibility in VFP 5!

>You can use the DOS MODE command to set the port characteristics and send
stuff to the port using CopyFile() to send COMPLETE FILES to the port,

? CopyFile( 'C:\AUTOEXEC.BAT', 'COM1:', 0)

produces WinAPI error #6 "The handle is invalid." How I can use it?

> or by setting up a generic/text-only printer on the port and using ??? to send
an uninterpreted stream to the serial port.

??? 'hello' causes foxpro error

"Error accessing printer spooler"

How I can use this command?

Settings in Windows 98 control panel:

Print to the following port: COM1: (Communications Port)
Print using the following driver: Generic/text-only
Spool Settings: Print directy to the printer

Tried to change spool settings but error remains the same.