Postcript fonts & XP-Pro

Discussion:

(too old to reply)

Machin Truc

2007-11-20 13:32:50 UTC

Hi there.

We have a small network of 3 XP-pro machines, the three have been
installed from the same CD. All have the same world 2003 with
a education/NGO group licence.

We have bought a commercial font 'didot LT', given to us as a
postscript files set. Our two printers (I know MS-Word depends
on printers to show fonts), are installed as postscript and pcl:
each Pc shown 4 printers (2 printers by 2 drivers each).

Here is the problem: One of these PC doesn't show postscript font
in word. The control panel "fonts" isn't even active in the main
control panels window.
- I have de/reinstalled twice each printers (a small lexmark t520
and a "big" konica c252). Nothing more..
- I have searched something like a "font service" or a spooler in
services who should have been enabled/started, without luck...
- I have trashed a lot of truetype fonts from the font directory
thinking that a damaged font could be the faulty one, no luck too.
- I have downloaded a truetype equivalent of this font and even
it's invisible too.. Then I searched for a font-cache: still no
luck...

Do somebody have a good idea or link before I gone mad ?

T.I.A. MT.

--
please don't reply on ***@caliopea.com, since it's a spam
collector address too.

macropod

2007-11-21 08:58:34 UTC

Permalink

Hi Alban,

You really ought to be careful about playing around with and 'trashing' fonts. If you want to install or delete a font, you should
do it via the Fonts applet in the Control Panel (from the applet's File menu) or use the utility that came with your font package.
Simply copying a font into the fonts folder doesn't ensure that they'll be registered correctly.

That said, I wouldn't be surprised if a postscript font wasn't made available to a PC configured with a non-postscript printer
driver. You might want to check what driver you're using. That said, the OpenType standard, which most new fonts are made to,
supersedes both postscript and Truetype and is compatible with both postscript and non-postscript (typically PCL) drivers.

Cheers
--
macropod
[MVP - Microsoft Word]
-------------------------

Post by Machin Truc
Hi there.
We have a small network of 3 XP-pro machines, the three have been
installed from the same CD. All have the same world 2003 with
a education/NGO group licence.
We have bought a commercial font 'didot LT', given to us as a
postscript files set. Our two printers (I know MS-Word depends
each Pc shown 4 printers (2 printers by 2 drivers each).
Here is the problem: One of these PC doesn't show postscript font
in word. The control panel "fonts" isn't even active in the main
control panels window.
- I have de/reinstalled twice each printers (a small lexmark t520
and a "big" konica c252). Nothing more..
- I have searched something like a "font service" or a spooler in
services who should have been enabled/started, without luck...
- I have trashed a lot of truetype fonts from the font directory
thinking that a damaged font could be the faulty one, no luck too.
- I have downloaded a truetype equivalent of this font and even
it's invisible too.. Then I searched for a font-cache: still no
luck...
Do somebody have a good idea or link before I gone mad ?
T.I.A. MT.
--

Machin Truc

2007-11-21 11:25:50 UTC

Permalink

Post by macropod
Hi Alban,
You really ought to be careful about playing around with and 'trashing'
fonts.

Don't worry, when I said "trashed", I, in fact, have moved all
these fonts on a network drive, then stopped the share; I havent touched
to system fonts and bitmaps fonts; event if I know somes to be useless.

Post by macropod
If you want to install or delete a font, you should do it via the
Fonts applet in the Control Panel (from the applet's File menu)

As said before, the control panel called "fonts" doesn't appear on this
(and only this) system: perhaps it's the main problem. Something lacks
to trigger this enabled when system starts.

Post by macropod
or use the utility that came with your font package. Simply copying a font into
the fonts folder doesn't ensure that they'll be registered correctly.

Where are they registered ?

Post by macropod
That said, I wouldn't be surprised if a postscript font wasn't made
available to a PC configured with a non-postscript printer driver.

All our printers are installed with postcript & pcl drivers. The default
printer is alway the postcript version of each printers. Our two
printers are network printers only: no usb nor paralell cable.

Post by macropod
You might want to check what driver you're using.

All the sames drivers from the manufacturers web-sites.

Post by macropod
That said, the OpenType standard, which most new fonts are made to,
supersedes both postscript
and Truetype and is compatible with both postscript and non-postscript
(typically PCL) drivers.

As said before too, even a ttf counterpart of the font isn't
recognized (but it is on others pc).

Is there a utility to re-create the system font list or clear a cache
or something like this ?

T.I.A.

Character

2007-11-21 14:21:51 UTC

Permalink

Post by Machin Truc
Here is the problem: One of these PC doesn't show postscript font
in word. The control panel "fonts" isn't even active in the main
control panels window.
Do somebody have a good idea or link before I gone mad ?

Let's start with the Control Panel problem.

Could be a couple of things going wrong here.

.. A rights problem: does this user have restricted administrative
rights?

.. A problem with the fonts folder itself. What happens when you
open c:\windows\fonts\ in Windows Explorer? In the FILE menu, do you
get the option to "Install New Fonts"? If not, then the Font folder
needs to be fixed. Get and install the Microsoft free utility
'TWEAKUI', select "Repair", and then "Repair Fonts folder".

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/powertoys/xppowertoys.mspx

.. A Control panel group policy error. With TWEAKUI, select Control
Panel and make sure that all the boxes are checked. There are some
deeper possibilities that can be addressed with gpedit.msc from the
START/RUN menu. All control panel options and suboptions should be
"not configured"

- Character

Machin Truc

2007-11-22 09:23:04 UTC

Permalink

Post by Character

Let's start with the Control Panel problem.
Could be a couple of things going wrong here.
.. A rights problem: does this user have restricted administrative rights?

no; anybody is able to install anything; All three users have "user accounts"
with enhanced privileges (don't know if it's the right term in US version of
XP). But, two PCs have exactly the same softwares in them.

I have searched for "fonts.cpl" and "*.cpl" on the one running fine: it isn't
a simple .cpl file; When started, it doesn't appear in task windows.
What do windows launch when doucle-clinking on the fonts control panel ?
(simply a "fonts" directory shortcut ?)

Post by Character
.. A problem with the fonts folder itself. What happens when you open
c:\windows\fonts\ in Windows Explorer? In the FILE menu, do you get the
option to "Install New Fonts"? If not, then the Font folder needs to be
fixed. Get and install the Microsoft free utility 'TWEAKUI', select
"Repair", and then "Repair Fonts folder".

the "install new fonts" opt doesn't appear; I have installed tweakUI,
"repaired the font folder", even reboot, but nothing knew.

Post by Character
.. A Control panel group policy error. With TWEAKUI, select Control
Panel and make sure that all the boxes are checked. There are some
deeper possibilities that can be addressed with gpedit.msc from the
START/RUN menu. All control panel options and suboptions should be "not
configured"

nothing is "configured" in group policy...

T.I.A. MT.

Character

2007-11-21 14:34:05 UTC

Permalink

Post by Machin Truc
Do somebody have a good idea or link before I gone mad ?

Another thought.

Has Adobe Type Manager ever been installed and then uninstalled from
this system? If so, Type 1 font handling has been disabled, because
Uninstalling ATM removes the same critical system components needed to
use Type 1 fonts in XP.

A different set of problems exist if the system was upgraded from
9x/me to XP and an older, XP-incomptible version of ATM was installed.

So if ATM has ever been on this system, it's a place to look. The
problem can be fixed.

- Character

Machin Truc

2007-11-22 09:25:55 UTC

Permalink

Post by Character

Post by Machin Truc
Do somebody have a good idea or link before I gone mad ?

Another thought.
Has Adobe Type Manager ever been installed and then uninstalled from
this system? If so, Type 1 font handling has been disabled, because
Uninstalling ATM removes the same critical system components needed to
use Type 1 fonts in XP.
A different set of problems exist if the system was upgraded from 9x/me
to XP and an older, XP-incomptible version of ATM was installed.
So if ATM has ever been on this system, it's a place to look. The
problem can be fixed.

I didn't even know that ATM was abble to run on something older than a
w98 or nt4... no, our XP have never see an adobe ATM.. I know too much
this software on old macs, and the *deep* impact it has on performances:
I'll never install it, except with a gun on my head ;-)

MT.

Tom Ferguson

2007-11-22 16:19:07 UTC

Permalink

If you look in the Windows System32 folder on 64 bit XP or Vista or the
System folder on 32 bit versions, you will see atmfd.dll and atmlib.dll.
There are part of the system for rendering PostScript fonts. These files are
supplied by Adobe to Microsoft. If you right click on the file name and
check properties, you will see the Product Name given as Adobe Type Manager.
So, you don't have to install ATM on the system, it is installed by default.
However, the ATM control panel is not installed.

If and when you install ATM, the control panel is installed in addition to
overwriting those components that were installed when Windows, itself was
installed. The ATM installer also writes uninstall information to the
Windows registry. If and when ATM is uninstalled, all ATM components are
removed This includes the files that Windows was using to render Postscript
fonts. Again, they are the same files.

The main purpose of the "Updater"/fixer, available from the Adobe http and
FTP sites, is to modify the uninstall information in the registry so that
uninstalling ATM does not remove Windows-required files.

Tom
MSMVP 1998-2007

Post by Machin Truc

Post by Character

Post by Machin Truc
Do somebody have a good idea or link before I gone mad ?

Another thought.
Has Adobe Type Manager ever been installed and then uninstalled from this
system? If so, Type 1 font handling has been disabled, because
Uninstalling ATM removes the same critical system components needed to
use Type 1 fonts in XP.
A different set of problems exist if the system was upgraded from 9x/me
to XP and an older, XP-incomptible version of ATM was installed.
So if ATM has ever been on this system, it's a place to look. The problem
can be fixed.

I didn't even know that ATM was abble to run on something older than a
w98 or nt4... no, our XP have never see an adobe ATM.. I know too much
I'll never install it, except with a gun on my head ;-)
MT.

Character

2007-11-22 17:17:14 UTC

Permalink

Post by Machin Truc
I have searched for "fonts.cpl" and "*.cpl" on the one running

fine: it isn't a simple .cpl file; When started, it doesn't appear in
task windows.

Post by Machin Truc
What do windows launch when doucle-clinking on the fonts control

panel ?

Post by Machin Truc
(simply a "fonts" directory shortcut ?)

Yes, that's exactly what it does.

Post by Machin Truc

Post by Character
.. A problem with the fonts folder itself. What happens when

you open c:\windows\fonts\ in Windows Explorer? In the FILE menu, do
you get the option to "Install New Fonts"? If not, then the Font
folder needs to be fixed. Get and install the Microsoft free utility
'TWEAKUI', select "Repair", and then "Repair Fonts folder".

Post by Machin Truc
the "install new fonts" opt doesn't appear; I have installed

tweakUI, "repaired the font folder", even reboot, but nothing knew.

That is the root of the problem. The Fonts folder is "special";
either this particular system doesn't know where the fonts folder is
or thinks it's somewhere other than the default location of
C:\Windows\Fonts

Problem could be in the registry, environment variables, or even in
some other concealed part of the operating system.

Here's the one place I found where and how it should be in the
registry. It may or may not be either necessary or sufficient:

Registry
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Folders
ValueName: Fonts ValueData: C:\WINDOWS\Fonts

Beyond that, a possible solution - to be avoided if possible - is to
reinstall Windows, and failing that, a complete system re-install.

- Character

Tom Ferguson

2007-11-22 06:16:20 UTC

Permalink

As an addendum to character's comments:

If ATM deluxe or ATM Lite was ever installed on the system, reinstall it,
apply the "updater". This should restore Postscript font listings and
function. If you have applied the "updater"/fixer, you can then remove ATM
without destroying XP's ability to use PostScript fonts.

http://www.adobe.com/support/downloads/detail.jsp?ftpID=1553

As an addendum to macropod's comments:

While it is a good idea to use the Control Panel Fonts facility, adding the
files to the font directory really does cause the system to add them
properly. In fact, during the early development stages of XP, it was the
only way to add fonts to the system.

Further, I would be amazed if a PostScript font were not available to a
system using, say, an inkjet printer or ant PCL printer.

OpenType font files can contain either TrueType outline data or PostScript
outline data as part of the file.

Tom
MSMVP 1998-2007

macropod

2007-11-22 19:30:59 UTC

Permalink

Hi Tom,

Where I work we have indeed had problems when the IT dept rolled out some barcode fonts by using a script to copy it to all users'
font folders. There were then many complaints that users couldn't see the new fonts in the font selection drop-downs in Office apps
etc.

Cheers
--
macropod
[MVP - Microsoft Word]
-------------------------

If ATM deluxe or ATM Lite was ever installed on the system, reinstall it, apply the "updater". This should restore Postscript font
listings and function. If you have applied the "updater"/fixer, you can then remove ATM without destroying XP's ability to use
PostScript fonts.
http://www.adobe.com/support/downloads/detail.jsp?ftpID=1553
While it is a good idea to use the Control Panel Fonts facility, adding the files to the font directory really does cause the
system to add them properly. In fact, during the early development stages of XP, it was the only way to add fonts to the system.
Further, I would be amazed if a PostScript font were not available to a system using, say, an inkjet printer or ant PCL printer.
OpenType font files can contain either TrueType outline data or PostScript outline data as part of the file.
Tom
MSMVP 1998-2007

Tom Ferguson

2007-11-22 20:09:22 UTC

Permalink

Using a script to place the fonts in the folder might differ in both event
command and sequence from using Windows shell commands, say copy/paste, to
put the fonts in the folder. For example, depending on how the script was
written, it might be necessary to close all applications before running the
script or to shut down and restart the application using the fonts or
indeed, the entire system. At the very least, you would need to put the font
files in the folder and issue a system command to notify the applications
that the fonts were available.

However, in the case of direct user intervention, you should be able, for
example, to place a CD of font files in the drive; open Windows Explorer;
select the font files you want; and copy/paste them in the font folder. You
should see a window open with a progress bar. The fonts will be installed
and available to applications. I do not believe there are any applications
in common use that now require either application or OS shut down and
restart to use the fonts. There used to be some, that maintained their own
fonts list, that did. E.g.. early versions of PageMaker.

In any case, the OP made no mention of installing fonts using a script.
Nonetheless, I agree that it is wise to try to be as complete as is
reasonably practical.

All the best.
Tom

Post by macropod
Hi Tom,
Where I work we have indeed had problems when the IT dept rolled out some
barcode fonts by using a script to copy it to all users' font folders.
There were then many complaints that users couldn't see the new fonts in
the font selection drop-downs in Office apps etc.
Cheers
--
macropod
[MVP - Microsoft Word]
-------------------------

Post by Tom Ferguson
If ATM deluxe or ATM Lite was ever installed on the system, reinstall it,
apply the "updater". This should restore Postscript font listings and
function. If you have applied the "updater"/fixer, you can then remove
ATM without destroying XP's ability to use PostScript fonts.
http://www.adobe.com/support/downloads/detail.jsp?ftpID=1553
While it is a good idea to use the Control Panel Fonts facility, adding
the files to the font directory really does cause the system to add them
properly. In fact, during the early development stages of XP, it was the
only way to add fonts to the system.
Further, I would be amazed if a PostScript font were not available to a
system using, say, an inkjet printer or ant PCL printer.
OpenType font files can contain either TrueType outline data or
PostScript outline data as part of the file.
Tom
MSMVP 1998-2007

Tom Ferguson

2007-11-22 19:07:51 UTC

Permalink

OK. Going back to the beginning now.

What happens when you type control fonts in the Start Run slot?

Tom
MSMVP 1998-2007

b***@caliopea.com

2007-11-26 14:55:54 UTC

Permalink

Post by Tom Ferguson
OK. Going back to the beginning now.
What happens when you type control fonts in the Start Run slot?

It worked !
I have added the 3 fonts this way, there has been some errors (this
host doesn't accept then .afm part of the PS font (!?)).
Now word show us 3 empty names, but when they are choosen, Didot is
rendered cleanly.
It would be perfect if the names could be clearly be seen, but by now
the user is much more happy than before.. ;-)

Thanks. TM.

Tom Ferguson

2007-11-26 22:22:06 UTC

Permalink

Windows does not require the afm file, just the pfm and pfb.

Glad it worked out. Now, if we could just work out why the font control
applet is not showing in this user's Control Panel.

Tom
MSMVP 1998-2007

Post by b***@caliopea.com

Post by Tom Ferguson
OK. Going back to the beginning now.
What happens when you type control fonts in the Start Run
slot?