HP PCL/PJL reference - Printer Job Language Technical Reference Manual
EN Programming Tips for Using PJL 11-25
When the printer discards responses, the printer inserts the PJL 
unsolicited “printer to host data buffer overflow” message: 
CE
CODE=10010
DISPLAY="00 READY"
Note Refer to the “HP LaserJet 4 and 5 Family Comments” section in 
Appendix A under “Printer Status Readback” for the exact “printer to 
host buffer overflow” message sent by HP LaserJet 4 and 5 printer 
families.
The PJL unsolicited “printer to host data buffer overflow” message is 
always inserted when the printer discards one or more responses, 
even if unsolicited status is turned off. 
I/O-switching printers set aside memory for each I/O interface. A 
response data buffer overflow on one I/O interface does not mean 
another I/O interface will also experience the overflow condition. To 
keep the printer's response data buffer from overflowing, applications 
should not send more than five queries without accepting the printer's 
response to those queries. 
The application should always send a PJL ECHO command to 
resynchronize with the printer status readback responses (i.e., get rid 
of any old responses). However, if the printer's response data buffer is 
full and the printer is discarding all future responses, then the host will 
receive a PJL unsolicited “printer to host data buffer overflow” 
message, but not the PJL ECHO response. Applications must be 
designed to handle situations where the printer's response data buffer 
overflows and the printer does not provide the expected response, but 
instead provides a PJL unsolicited “printer to host data buffer 
overflow” message. The application should resend all unanswered 
queries whenever the application receives a PJL unsolicited “printer 
to host data buffer overflow” message. 
Handling Unexpected Printer Responses
Printer sharing devices, like the external printer sharing box or the 
MIO card inserted into the printer as shown in Figure 11-1, do not 
have sufficient information to allow the printer sharing device to 
properly route printer status readback responses to the host 
computer (the one running the application that queried the printer). In 
particular, unsolicited PJL status is difficult for the printer sharing 










