I found this:
HOWTO: Get the Status of a Printer and a Print Job
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;en-us;q160129

Hope it helps


>Hi,
>
>I had tried them both, both are not working for window environment.
>That why, I had to look for other way to solve my problem.
>Thank
>
>>Have you tried SYS(13) or PrintStatus()
>>
>>
>>>>>Hi,
>>>>>
>>>>>My application is using thermal printer from Star,TUP452 for my kiosk
>>>>>application. As this is using the parallel port, how do I access the
>>>>>status of the printer from the parallel port.
>>>>>
>>>>>Even using the driver and OPOS driver from Star is not giving me
>>>>>any status at all.
>>>>>
>>>>>Anyone in this area, please kindly advise me on this area.
>>>>>Thank in advance.
>>>>
>>>>I'm not sure if this will help, but you may try going into your CMOS and try to change your printer port's mode. Some systems have a bi-directional option. I believe that this may allow the printer to send data back to the computer instead of being in receive-only mode.
>>>>
>>>>HTH!
>>>>Larry Long
>>>
>>>Hi Larry,
>>>
>>>Actually, my problem lies with the ability to detect whether paper is out, but can't find any way to do it. Even using the OPOS driver does not help. Please advise with example if possible.