Internet Explorer 11 - Tiny GUI and BarCode Image Scaling issue

Hi,

Context : There is a Government Website which can only be used using Internet Explorer 11. For certain official documents. Now those documents require special printer setting (printing on a pre-formatted page) and an Active X control for me to send a request for printing those documents. And on every request along with the print, I receive a BARCODE on it as well. That BARCODE is used by the authorities for a 13 digit document tracking.

Issue : From August - September 2018 onwards, I have been noticing the BARCODES printed are coming out small. As these documents are physically submitted, the BARCODE SCANNERS weren't able to pick it up. This became an issue. Note: on the same document all other things, like font and its sizes unchanged.

Problem : I believe that the problem is, that the IE 11 is not scaling well with the UHD PC I have. As I have other non-UHD PCs and there is no problem.

Resolution : As a method of resolving this issue, I took the following measures.

1. The Government IT Department - And they gave me a set of instructions
a. Printer Setting - Checked - The Error still continued
b. Uninstall and Reinstall all the setting. - Checked - The Error still continued.
c. Change some scaling of IE 11 - Checked - Error continues.

2. Played around DPI setting. No difference.

3. Played with resolution - no Difference.

4. External Manifest for Internet Explorer 11, as I faced this issue with other application, so thought it would work here.

5. Government IT Department : I met them, there are just 2 people who look into this issue. They gave me their own PCs to MATCH the settings with my LAPTOP, and still the issue persists.

What I am seeking : To Pinpoint where the issue lies, either, its MY PC's end, or the Government's side, or due to WINDOWS update? Or, if possible somebody who has faced this issue, can help me.

Application : Internet Explorer 11

Computer Config :

System Manufacturer LENOVO
System Model 20378
System Type Mobile
Motherboard Manufacturer LENOVO
Motherboard Product Lenovo Y50-70
BIOS Version 9ECN26WW(V1.09)

Microsoft Windows 10 Home Single Language (64-bit)
Version 1803
OS Build 10.0.17134
Build Branch rs4_release
Locale English (India)
Windows Directory C:\WINDOWS
System Directory C:\WINDOWS\system32
.NET Framework Versions 2.0.50727.4927, 3.0.30729.4926, 3.5.30729.4926, 4.0.0.0, 4.7.03056
Default Internet Browser Internet Explorer 11.345.17134.0
Installed Internet Browsers Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer 11.345.17134.0, Waterfox

Intel® Core™ i7-4710HQ CPU @ 2.50GHz
Manufacturer GenuineIntel
Description Intel64 Family 6 Model 60 Stepping 3
Architecture x64
# of Cores 4
# of Threads 8
Current Clock Speed 2500 MHz
Current Voltage 8.
Level 2 Cache 256 Kb
Level 3 Cache 6144 Kb
Processor Id BFEBFBFF000306C3
Revision 15363

ntel® HD Graphics 4600
Adapter Compatibility Intel Corporation
Video Processor Intel® HD Graphics Family
Resolution 3840 x 2160
Bits Per Pixel 32
Number of Colors 4294967296
Refresh Rate - Current 47 Hz
Refresh Rate - Maximum 47 Hz
Refresh Rate - Minimum 47 Hz
Driver Provider Intel Corporation
Driver Version 20.19.15.4624
Driver Date 3/8/2017
Adapter DAC Type Internal
Adapter RAM 1.00 GB
Availability Running at full power
Status This device is working properly.
Location PCI bus 0, device 2, function 0

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 860M
Adapter Compatibility NVIDIA
Video Processor GeForce GTX 860M
Resolution 1600 x 900
Bits Per Pixel 32
Number of Colors 4294967296
Refresh Rate - Current 60 Hz
Refresh Rate - Maximum 0 Hz
Driver Provider NVIDIA
Driver Version 24.21.13.9811
Driver Date 6/1/2018
Adapter DAC Type Integrated RAMDAC
Adapter RAM 4.00 GB
Availability Running at full power
Status This device is working properly.
Location PCI bus 1, device 0, function 0

Dear Caledon Ken,

Thanks for welcoming.

I tried it. Twice.

1. First I deleted - All the browsing data (except my passwords)
2. Then removed all the Active X component (it took to while to find this, so I had to google it)
3. Restored Default setting.
4. Reset the IE. (took a while to load the PC)
5. Loaded all the settings back.
6. Tested.

And, the problem still persists.

Thank you for providing a method. Its unfortunate, that this issue still continues.

Caledon Ken said:

Have you tried Compatibility View settings. If on for that web site disable, if off, enable.

Do you have a PDF printer installed that you can send print to?

Some printers when they are set up use PCL while others use postscript. Are you using same driver on all devices?

Dear Caledon Ken,

I have found one discrepancy of settings, thanks to Das10's input, I looked under the ActiveX Settings.

Found that the ActiveX ".ocx" File, isn't installed on my PC. IE11>Tools>Internet options>Programs>Manage Add-ons>Drop down menu "Downloaded"> Can't find the active x control.

Under the >Internet options>Browsing History Settings>View Objects>File Explorer.. I can see that the activex control is downloaded in a .CAB format.

So my question is - Does having .CAB means that the active X is installed? Or I have to install it manually?

Coming to the setting you have sent me -

1. Compatibility Yes, its enabled for the website. Without compatibility I won't be able to print in the first place.

2. PDF Printer, yes. We are using Foxit Business, across all the systems.

3. Same Drivers on all system - I have set up a dedicated printer, and have a schedule to update the system.

Go to manage add-ons to see current add-ons:
How to Manage Add-ons in Internet Explorer 11

Additional settings for ActiveX (try and turn off safety)
How to use ActiveX Controls for Internet Explorer 11

Change your settings back afterwards for safety.

Hi there
@cooldubai

I'm surprised at a GOVT (well probably not really - govt I.T depts. seem to be the least likely to respond to changes) using Active-X and IE11 -- really huge security holes available in that process. One really has to put IE11 to bed these days -- some websites won't even work properly with it any more.

Personally you'd do much better with most Govt docs to simply print to pdf and then use any one of 97 zillion applications to print pdf files properly. A lot of Govt docs (seems pretty universal wherever you come from) have quite a few form type things --pdf handles those quite OK and adobe forms is a pretty standard technology if you have to use that. Adobe forms and similar work with things like Barcodes, Pro forma invoices, Certificates of conformity (customs docs, shipping docs/import/export/dangerous goods declarations) , and other things such as application forms, driver registration, social security benefit applications, tax issues,immigration visa stuff) etc., etc . --typical bog standard Govt issues whatever jurisdiction you come from.

W10 has standard print to pdf driver so you can print almost anything to a pdf file (from any browser too). Then unless special processing required just print the pdf with any application that handles pdf files -- even Ms Edge will do that !!!!!

Active-X I don't think has even been mentioned on these forums for donkeys years now. I don't think Ms would even know what it was.

Cheers
jimbo

Jimbo Ms MS certainly wouldn't know what Active-X is.