Thanks! I did know of the web site on parallel ports. I will test out that DLL.

>>>David,
>>>
>>>Do you have any documentation for the printer?
>>>
>>>You might be able to open the port, send the appropriate escape code and read the response. I think you can still talk to directly to parallel and comm ports with the FoxPro low level file functions.
>>>
>>>Jim
>>>
>>All I need is a way to check that the cable is plugged in and the printer is on. If either one of those cases in not true then give me an error code/message. I am using MSCOMM.OCX to check the status of a comm port. I would like to have way to check the LPT port. It doesn't matter what printer.
>
>This one has a freeware DLL that says it can be used with VfP.
>
>http://www.zealsoftstudio.com/vbio/