HP Laserjet 5M - loses formatting

HP 5M printing remotely from an IBM System/36.

Print program generates pseudo escape sequences at beginning
of file for simple items like compressed or normal print, font,
etc. The System/36 disallows non-printing characters in a print
file - some device or software between the Sys/36 and the printer
transforms the pseudo escape sequences into the real thing.

Usual connection is via a modem through a protocol converter to
the Sys/36. It is the protocol converter that intercepts the
pseudo escape sequences and transforms them. This mechanism has
worked fine for years.

The Sys/36 is actually an emulator residing on an AS/400. Now
we are trying to print over the Internet. The printer session
software on the PC correctly intercepts and transforms the
pseudo escape sequences.

Over the Internet an HP Laserjet II works fine. However the
5M loses the formatting after the first page. If the report
is compressed (132 char across the page) the printer reverts
to normal print for the second and subsequent pages.

What might the 5M be getting in this context that causes the
reset?

The HP manual states that a set of commands will hold for all
the following pages.

Any suggestions?

Many thanks in advance.


Kindrick