the Microsoft Loopback Adapter is basically a software based network adapter that simulates a live network.  It was designed for this very purpose.  Testing network functionality in the absense of a live network.  Anybody out there remember the PWS on Win95?  (that's personal webserver - and you could even do ASP on it) Packets basically travel up and down the TCP/IP stack through the adapter and get fed right back to you.  So now, as far as Windows is concerned, the network is not only clocked in, but willing to work overtime if neccessary.  Sweet.

So here, for your edification and reading enjoyment are step-by-step directions on making this work.

In order to print from DOS in an offline environment like the stores, you will need to do a couple of things.

 

1)      Install the Microsoft Loopback Adapter

a)      In Control Panel, double click on Add Hardware.

b)      Click Next

c)      When the scan finishes, select "Yes, I have already connected the hardware"

d)     Click Next

e)      Scroll to the bottom of the list and select "Add a new hardware device"
Click Next

f)       Select "Install the hardware that I manually select from a list (Advanced)"

g)      Click Next

h)      Select "Netwo