> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://nolongerset.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Generic Text Only Printer Driver Bug - URL: https://nolongerset.com/generic-printer-driver-bug/ - Published: 2024-06-27T03:45:18.000Z - Updated: 2026-05-08T12:40:51.000Z - Description: "There isn't enough free memory to update the display." Recent Windows Updates are causing this bug to appear on reports that use the Generic/Text Only Printer Driver. - Author: Mike Wolfe - Tags: Bug Alert, #Import 2026-05-20 02:59 **tl;dr:** If you use the Generic/Text Only printer driver in your Access applications, recent Windows Updates may lead to "out of memory" errors when previewing affected reports. See details at [AccessForever.org](https://www.accessforever.org/post/windows-generic-text-only-printer-driver-fails-with-access-reports): [Windows Generic/Text Only Printer Driver Fails for Access ReportsTwo Windows updates cause the Windows Generic /Text Only Printer Driver to fail.![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d02f3_9178f2d10cff42fcbb85020ff2061442~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_192%2Ch_192%2Clg_1%2Cusm_0.66_1.00_0.01/3d02f3_9178f2d10cff42fcbb85020ff2061442~mv2.png)AccessForeverGeorge Hepworth![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d02f3_fd45a0eef45e4cbfaa88c389e2ea3aaf~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_718,h_480,al_c,lg_1,q_80/3d02f3_fd45a0eef45e4cbfaa88c389e2ea3aaf~mv2.jpg)](https://www.accessforever.org/post/windows-generic-text-only-printer-driver-fails-with-access-reports) --- ## The "Generic" What Now? Reading the headline above, many (most? ... all?!) readers may be asking themselves, "What is a generic printer driver and why would anyone be using such a thing?" Great question. Let me tell you a story. ## Yes, You Can Still Buy Dot Matrix Printers I inherited a long-time client that still uses a dot matrix printer. When I first learned that they were using a dot matrix printer in *anno Domini* 2018, I was shocked and appalled. I learned about this because the printer had "suddenly" stopped working. Of course, when you only use a printer four times a year for your quarterly billing, it's difficult to pin down what might have "suddenly" changed...some time in the last three months. (Perhaps it was a Windows Update bug like this one; I can't recall the specifics.) As shocking as it was to learn of this bold hardware choice, I was properly flabbergasted when I came to the conclusion...that it was the right decision! ## And Yes, There Are Still Good Reasons to Do So You see, this client was trying to solve a very specific problem in a very specific way. that required them to: - Physically mail hundreds of bills every quarter, - With the invoice details out of sight from prying eyes, - But without having to hand-stuff envelopes, - Or rely on expensive automatic folding machines - And the special "pressure-seal" paper they require When they explained their system, it made sense. What's more, I could not come up with a better way to accomplish the same goal. Here's how it works: One of the critical differences between a dot matrix printer and a modern ink jet or laser printer is that it is an **impact printer**: the print head physically impacts the paper to transfer ink. This makes it both slower and noisier than its modern cousins. It also means you can "print"–via carbonless paper–on a piece of paper *sealed inside two other pieces of paper.* [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/eb/d7/ebd732c1-5f03-4f07-b386-5d08557e15c9/content/images/2024/06/image-5.png)](https://www.deluxe.com/shopdeluxe/pd/self-mailers-continuous-two-way/%5F/A-9660) Example of a "continuous, two-way, self-mailer" form from [Deluxe](https://www.deluxe.com/shopdeluxe/pd/self-mailers-continuous-two-way/%5F/A-9660). Here's an AI-generated description of this specialized type of form: --- ### Features of the Self-Mailers, Continuous, Two-Way: 1. **Continuous Feed**: These forms are designed for use with continuous feed printers, such as dot matrix printers. 2. **Two-Way Design**: This means the forms can be used both for sending invoices to customers and for keeping a duplicate copy for the sender’s records. 3. **Self-Mailer**: The forms are designed to be mailed without the need for envelopes. The recipient's address is printed on the outside, and the form is sealed appropriately. 4. **Perforated Sections**: The form includes perforations that allow for easy separation and opening by the recipient. 5. **Carbonless Copies**: These forms provide a carbonless duplicate copy that remains with the sender, which is useful for record-keeping. ### Benefits: - **Efficiency**: Streamlines the process of printing and mailing invoices without the need for additional steps like inserting into envelopes. - **Record-Keeping**: Automatically generates a duplicate copy for the sender’s records, which is crucial for accounting and auditing purposes. - **Compatibility**: Specifically designed for continuous feed printers, making it a practical solution for businesses using dot matrix printers. --- ## Dot Matrix Printers: A Pain to Debug I hate debugging hardware. I especially hate debugging hardware designed to run on PCs that are no longer in use. **And that's where the "Generic / Text Only Print Driver" comes in.** The dot matrix printer solution worked beautifully...when connected to a Windows XP machine via parallel port: [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/eb/d7/ebd732c1-5f03-4f07-b386-5d08557e15c9/content/images/2024/06/image-6.png)](https://www.unm.edu/~tbeach/terms/figures/oldports.html) Image retrieved from the University of New Mexico website. Good luck finding one of those today. And woe unto the poor sap who finds such a machine and connects it to the internet. It turns out one of the most reliable ways to get a "modern" dot matrix printer to actually, you know, print is by using the "Generic / Text Only Printer Driver" which is built into all modern versions of Microsoft Windows, up to and including Windows 11. ## Final Thoughts Today is June 26\. Quarterly bills for my client go out in less than a week. Methinks a support call is nigh...