Epson FX 870, FX 1170 User Manual

EPSON AMERICA INC.

Product Support Bulletin

Subject: FX-870 and FX-1170 Commonly Asked Questions and Answers

EPSON

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Date: 10/9/92
Page(s): 1 of 6

This bulletin answers some commonly asked questions about the FX-870 and
FX-1170 printers. The questions and answers are listed below.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ON THE FX-870 and FX-1170

1.

Q. What are the FX-870 and FX-1170 printers?
A.

The FX-870 and FX-1170 are narrow and wide carriage Q-pin printers
specifically designed to meet the unique needs of the small business
computer user. Listed below are some of the key features of the

FX-870 and FX-1170 printers:

- Epson ESC/P command set

- Advanced paper handling with four (4) paper paths

- Top feed

- Front feed

- Rear feed

- Bottom feed

- Roman and Sans Serif NLQ fonts

- Up to 240 x 216 DPI bit-image graphics

- Convenient, easy-to-use four button control panel

- Print Speed:

- Quiet operation, only 55 dB(A)

- Built-in large 24 KB input buffer

- Epson’s two year limited warranty with unlimited 800 number free
technical support

380 CPS High-Speed Draft Pica

285 CPS Draft Pica

57 CPS Near Letter Quality Pica

PSB No: P-0090A
Originator: SLS

2.

Q.

Are the FX-870/1170 printers a replacement or addition to the Epson
printer line?

A.

The FX-870/1170 printers are a replacement product. They are a direct

replacement for the popular FX-850/1050 printers.

3.

Q. What is the Epson ESC/P command set?
A.

As the leading impact printer vendor, the Epson Standard Codes for

Printers (ESC/P) has become a de facto standard for most dot-matrix
printers. Epson Standard Codes are featured by most other vendors as
an immediate entry into a wide range of third party software.

4.

Q.

What are the product codes for FX-870/1170 options and supplies?

A.

Listed below are the product codes for the FX-870/1170 options and

supplies.

PSB No: P-0090A
Page: 2 of 6

C806371
C806391
C806381
C806401

C800201
C800211

C814021

C814031
C823051

C823071

C823101
C823141
C823151

8750
8755
8758

Single-bin Cut-sheet Feeder (FX-870)
Single-bin Cut-sheet Feeder (FX-1170)
High-capacity Cut-sheet Feeder (FX-870)

High-capacity Cut-sheet Feeder (FX-1170)

Tractor Unit (FX-870)
Tractor Unit (FX-1170)

Front Sheet Guide (FX-870)
Front Sheet Guide (FX-1170)

OK Serial I/F Board Type B
32K Serial I/F Board Type B
32K Parallel I/F Board Type B
Coax I/F Board Type B
Coax I/F Board Type B

Fabric Ribbon Cartridge (FX-870)
Fabric Ribbon Cartridge (FX-1170)
Fabric Ribbon Replacement Pack

5.

8310

Q.

What is the advantage of purchasing an optional Tractor unit?

A.

Having an optional tractor unit allows a tractor unit to be mounted at the

front and rear of the printer at the same time. This enables the printer to

have two (2) types of continuous paper loaded at the same time. You
select between the different paper types by moving the paper-release
lever to the appropriate paper path and then pressing the PAPER
FEED/EJECT button.

Roll Paper Holder (FX-870 only)

PSB No: P-0090A
Page: 3 of 6

6.

Q. What interface comes standard with FX-870/1170 printers?
A.

The FX-870/1170 printers come standard with a built-in Centronics
compatible parallel interface.

7.

Q.

How do I use the FX-870/1170 to operate with serial communications?

A.

The FX-870/1170 printers can operate serial through the use of an

optional interface that plugs into the back right-hand side of the printer.

There are currently two (2) optional interfaces to choose from, either the

C823051 with a OK buffer or the C823071 with a 32K buffer.

8.

Q.

If a printer driver selection is not shown for the FX-870/1170 in my
software application programs, which printer driver selection should I
choose?

A.

The recommended printer driver selections for the FX-870/1170 are listed
below in order of preference.

FX-870
FX-850
EX-800
FX-85
FX-80+
FX-80
Epson Printer
Q-pin printer

If none of these printer driver selections are available from within your
application software, contact your software manufacturer to determine
whether they offer a printer driver update or if they plan to make one
available in the future.

If you plan to use the FX-870/1070’s built-in IBM printer emulation mode,
choose IBM Proprinter (II or XL, for narrow or wide carriage), IBM
Graphics printer or IBM printer, in that order of preference.

FX-1170
FX- 1050
EX- 1000
FX-185
FX-100+
FX-100