Epson FX-890, FX 2190 User Manual
®
9-pin Dot Matrix Printer
User’s Guide
This manual is divided in two sections: English and Spanish. The
English section begins after this page. The Spanish section begins
approximately at the middle of the manual.
Este manual está dividido en dos secciones: Inglés y Español. El
manual en español comienza aproximadamente a la mitad del libro. El
manual en inglés comienza después de esta página.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or
transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or
otherwise, without the prior written permission of SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION. The
information contained herein is designed only for use with this EPSON printer. EPSON is not
responsible for any use of this information as applied to other printers.
Neither SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION nor its affiliates shall be liable to the purchaser of
this product or third parties for damages, losses, costs, or expenses incurred by the purchaser
or third parties as a result of: accident, misuse, or abuse of this product or unauthorized
modifications, repairs, or alterations to this product, or (excluding the U.S.) failure to strictly
comply with SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION’s operating and maintenance instructions.
SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION shall not be liable for any damages or problems arising from
the use of any options or any consumable products other than those designated as Original
EPSON Products or EPSON Approved Products by SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION.
EPSON and EPSON ESC/P are registered trademarks of SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION.
EPSON Store, EPSON Connection, and SoundAdvice are service marks of Epson America,
Inc.
General Notice: Other product names used herein are for identification purposes only and may be
trademarks of their respective owners. EPSON disclaims any and all rights in those marks.
4041363-03
CPD-15991R3
Copyright © 2005 by SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION, Nagano, Japan. 3/05
2
Contents
Introduction
Okidata Compatibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Setting Up the Printer
Unpacking the Printer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Choosing a Place for the Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Assembling the Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Connecting the Printer to Your Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Installing the Printer Software. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
For Windows XP, Me, or 2000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
For Windows 98, 95, or NT 4.0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
For DOS programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Installing and Using the Online Reference Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Installing the Remote Configuration Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Paper Handling
Setting the Paper Release Lever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
Adjusting the Paper-Thickness Setting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Loading Continuous Paper with the Front Push Tractor . . . . . . 19
Loading Continuous Paper with the Rear Push Tractor . . . . . . . 21
Loading Continuous Paper with the Pull Tractor . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Removing paper from the pull tractor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Loading Single Sheets with the Paper Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
Loading Special Papers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
Single-sheet multipart forms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Labels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Envelopes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Postcards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Using the Micro Adjust Function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31
Adjusting the tear-off position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Adjusting the top-of-form position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
3
Using the Control Panel
Buttons and Lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Selecting a Font and Pitch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Changing the Printer’s Default Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Default-setting mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Emulating the Okidata Microline 320/321 Turbo . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Troubleshooting
Using the Error Indicators. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Clearing Paper Jams. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Printing a Self Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Where To Get Help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Product Information
Safety Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Hot Parts Caution Symbol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Important Safety Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
ENERGY STAR Compliance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
FCC Compliance Statement for United States Users . . . . . . . . . 46
WARNING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
For Canadian users . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
EPSON AMERICA, INC., LIMITED WARRANTY. . . . . . . . . . . 47
4
Introduction
This manual covers the following basic information to get you started
using your printer:
❏ Setting Up the Printer
❏ Paper Handling
❏ Using the Control Panel
❏ Troubleshooting
❏ Product Information
Although the illustrations in this manual show the FX-890, the
instructions apply to both the FX-890 and the FX-2190.
Warnings must be followed carefully to avoid bodily injury.
w
Cautions must be observed to avoid damage to your equipment.
c
Notes contain important information and useful tips about using your printer.
For detailed information about your printer, refer to the online
Reference Guide. It describes all the printer’s functions, optional products,
printer software, troubleshooting, and technical specifications. See
“Installing and Using the Online Reference Guide” on page 15.
For help using your printer software, you can use the online help which
is installed automatically when you install the printer software.
Okidata Compatibility
You can make your FX-890 or FX-2190 work like the Okidata® Microline®
320 Turbo or 321 Turbo by turning the printer on in a different mode. For
instructions, see page 40.
Introduction 5
Options
By adding options, such as a cut-sheet feeder or roll paper holder, you
can further expand your printer’s capabilities. Optional interface cards
are also available to supplement your printer’s built-in interfaces.
(See the Reference Guide for more information.)
You can purchase ribbon cartridges, paper, manuals, and accessories
from EPSON
www.epsonstore.com (U.S. sales only). In Canada, please call
(800) 463-7766 for dealer referral.
®
at (800) 873-7766, or visit the EPSON StoreSM at
6 Introduction
Chapter 1
Setting Up the Printer
This chapter describes how to unpack and set up your printer.
Unpacking the Printer
Make sure you have the following items.
Ribbon cartridge
Printer
Power cord
Follow the directions on the Notice Sheet to remove the protective
materials before you turn on the printer. Save all packing and protective
materials in case you need to ship the printer in the future.
Paper guide
Printer software
Choosing a Place for the Printer
❏ Place the printer on a flat, stable surface. The printer will not operate
properly if it is tilted or placed at an angle.
❏ Avoid using or storing the printer in places subject to rapid changes
in temperature and humidity. Keep it away from direct sunlight,
strong light, heat sources, or excessive moisture or dust.
❏ Place the printer near a wall outlet where you can easily unplug the
power cord. Position the power cord and interface cable so they do
not interfere with paper feeding.
Note for French-speaking users:
Placez l’imprimante près d’une prise de courant où la fiche peut être
débranchée facilement.
Setting Up the Printer 7
❏ Avoid electrical outlets controlled by wall switches or automatic
timers. An interruption in power can erase information in the
memory of your printer or computer. Also avoid outlets on the same
circuit as large motors or other appliances that can cause voltage
fluctuations.
❏ Use a grounded power outlet; do not use an adapter plug.
Assembling the Printer
1. Make sure the printer is turned off and unplugged. Then open the
printer cover and pull it up to remove it.
2. Remove the paper tension
unit by pressing up the
tabs on each side and
pulling it up.
3. Use your hand to slide the
print head to the middle of
the printer.
Warning:
w
If you have just used the
printer, the print head
may be hot; let it cool
for a few minutes before
touching it.
8 Setting Up the Printer
4. Remove the new ribbon
cartridge from the package.
Ribbon guide
The black plastic ribbon guide
is held in place on top of the
cartridge with a small tab. To
release it, hold the sides of the
ribbon guide and gently
disconnect it. (Do not remove
the ribbon guide from the
ribbon, however.)
5. Hold the ribbon cartridge by its handle and insert it into the printer
at an angle, as shown below; then press down on both sides of the
cartridge to fit the plastic hooks into the printer slots. You should
hear it click into place.
6. Slide the ribbon
guide into the print
head until it clicks in
place. Be careful not
to twist or crease the
ribbon.
Turn the
ribbon-tightening
knob to help feed the
ribbon into place.
Setting Up the Printer 9
7. Reinstall the paper
tension unit by
lowering it onto the
printer’s mounting
pegs. Then press down
on both ends until it
clicks into place.
8. To replace the printer
cover, insert the front
tabs into the slots on
the printer and lower
the cover into place.
Then push it down
until it clicks.
9. Make sure the top part
of the cover is folded
forward, as shown.
Then attach the paper
guide.
When printing, keep these points in mind:
❏ You can use the paper guide only when the tractor is installed in the
front or rear push position.
❏ For your safety and for the fastest printing, EPSON recommends
keeping the printer cover closed while printing. Although you can
print with the cover open, printing speed will be slower.
10 Setting Up the Printer
Connecting the Printer to Your Computer
Your printer is equipped with both an IEEE-1284-compatible parallel
interface and a USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface. It also includes a
Type-B optional interface slot in case your computer requires a different
type of printer interface. (See the Reference Guide if you need to install an
interface card.)
Note:
You can connect cables to both interfaces; the printer switches automatically to
the appropriate interface when it receives data.
To connect your computer to your printer’s built-in parallel interface,
you need a shielded, twisted-pair parallel cable with a 36-pin Centronics
compatible connector for the printer. To connect the printer to a USB
port, you need a standard, shielded USB cable.
1. Make sure both the printer and computer are turned off, then
connect the parallel or USB cable to the printer.
Parallel USB
2. Connect the other end to your computer.
Caution:
c
There are several models of the printer designed for different voltages, and
it is not possible to adjust the printer for use with another voltage. If the
label on the back of the printer does not show the correct voltage for your
country, contact your dealer.
®
Setting Up the Printer 11
3. Plug the power
cord into the AC
inlet on the back
of the printer and
plug the other end
into a properly
grounded
electrical outlet.
Installing the Printer Software
After you connect the printer to your computer, you need to install the
EPSON printer software on the CD-ROM shipped with your printer. The
printer driver is the software that runs, or “drives,” your printer. With it,
you can select printer settings such as print quality, resolution, and paper
size.
The software includes EPSON Status Monitor 3 (Windows
98, 95, or NT 4.0), which displays printer status information and notifies
you of printer errors. See the Reference Guide for more information.
Note:
❏ Installing the printer software for Windows NT, XP, or 2000 may require
administrator privileges. If you have problems, ask your administrator for
more information.
❏ If the New Hardware Found screen or any other wizard appears when you
turn on your computer, click
❏ If the Digital Signature Not Found screen appears, click
No, you must reinstall the printer driver.
Cancel.
®
XP, 2000, Me,
Yes. If you click
The printer software CD-ROM also includes the EPSON Remote
Configuration Manager, which lets you change the printer’s default
settings. See “Installing the Remote Configuration Manager” on page 15.
For Windows XP, Me, or 2000
1. Make sure Windows is running and the printer is turned off.
12 Setting Up the Printer
2. Insert the printer software
CD-ROM into the
CD-ROM or DVD drive.
The Installation screen
appears:
If it does not, double-click
Setup.exe on the
CD-ROM.
3. Select
Install Software and
click .
4. Select your printer from the list, then follow the instructions on the
screen.
5. When the installation is complete, see page 15 to install the
Reference Guide and the EPSON Remote Configuration Utility.
For Windows 98, 95, or NT 4.0
1. Make sure Windows is running and the printer is turned off.
2. Insert the printer software CD-ROM into the CD-ROM or DVD
drive. The Installation window shown above appears. If it does not,
select
Setup.exe on the CD-ROM.
3. Select
4. Select your printer, then click
5. If you are prompted to insert your Windows CD-ROM, do it now
Install Software and click .
OK and follow the instructions on the
screen.
and click
OK. When the Windows installation screen appears, close
the screen to continue with the driver installation.
Note:
❏ If your PC came with Windows pre-installed, Setup may not need the
Windows CD-ROM to complete the installation.
❏ If you see a message that the drive is not accessible, click
Cancel and
try again.
Setting Up the Printer 13
6. Click Browse and select the path for the printer driver. Then click
OK and follow the on-screen instructions.
If you are using Windows NT, insert your Windows CD when
prompted.
7. Select the appropriate file in the folder and click
OK.
8. When prompted, insert the printer software CD-ROM and click
Browse to select the correct path.
Note:
❏ If you see a message that the drive is not accessible, click
Cancel and
try again.
❏ If a “System Error” message appears, click
Cancel. The exact wording
of the message depends on the version of Windows you are using.
❏ If you are using Windows NT, you do not need to specify a path.
❏ If you are using Windows 98, the Printer Utility Setup may start. If it
does, follow the instructions on the screen.
9. When the installation is complete, see page 15 to install the
Reference Guide and the EPSON Remote Configuration Utility.
For DOS programs
To control the printer from DOS application programs, you need to select
the printer you are using or another available printer from the printer list
in your application. Choose the EPSON printer at the appropriate step in
the installation or setup procedure. If the list in your application does not
include your printer, choose the first available printer from the following
list:
For FX-890:
FX-980
FX-880+
FX-880
FX-870
FX-850
FX-800
FX-85
FX-80+
FX-80
For FX-2190:
FX-2180
FX-2170
FX-1180+
FX-1180
FX-1170
FX-1050
FX-1000
FX-105
FX-100+
FX-100
14 Setting Up the Printer
Installing and Using the Online Reference Guide
You can install the online Reference Guide on your hard disk and view it
from your computer, or read it directly from the printer software
CD-ROM.
To install the Reference Guide on your hard disk, select
from the Installation screen and follow the on-screen instructions.
Guide
When the installation is complete, the
the EPSON folder.
To open the Reference Guide on your hard disk, click
(or
All Programs) and select EPSON. Then, click FX890 2190 Guide.
If you don’t want to install the manual on your hard disk, follow these
steps to view it from the CD-ROM:
1. Insert the printer software CD-ROM in your CD-ROM or DVD
drive. The Installation screen appears. If it doesn’t, double-click
the
double-click
2. Select
3. To open the Reference Guide, select
My Computer icon. Click the CD-ROM icon, then
SETUP.EXE.
User Guides.
FX890 2190 Guide icon appears in
View Reference Guide.
Install Reference
Start, go to Programs
Installing the Remote Configuration Manager
The EPSON Remote Configuration Manager provides an easy way to
change your printer’s default settings in Windows. Follow these steps to
install it on your computer in Windows 2000, Me, 98, 95, or NT:
1. Select
Install EPSON Remote Configuration Manager from the
Installation screen.
You see this window:
Setting Up the Printer 15
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