I want any new files that arrive in a particular folder on my pc, using xp, to be automatically printed. These files are results sent by a test machine via ethernet. Looking for an easy option!

take a look here: http://www.traction-software.co.uk/batchprint/ its not freeware but looks like it may do your job

yes this looks hopeful thanks

i had a quick play with it last night and it works fine and seems to do exactly what you want, i set it up to monitor a reports output directory from scada every 60 seconds and it printed the new ones that appeared

I would never have guessed. I get periodic weird print requests that this should solve. When I first read the post, nasty Linux cron jobs came to mind. What a deal for $60 - it even keeps logs, etc! Now why they jump to $4000 for a site license...?