Epson LQ-1000 User Manual

EPSON

LQ-800 and LQ-1000 Printers

User's Manual

FCC COMPLIANCE STATEMENT

FOR AMERICAN USERS

This equipment generates and uses radio frequency energy and if not installed and used properly, that is, in strict accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, may cause interference to radio and television reception. It has been type tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B computing device in accordance with the specifications in Subpart J of part 15 of FCC Rules, which are designed to provide reasonable protection against such interference in a residential installation. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:

Reorient the receiving antenna

Relocate the computer with respect to the receiver

- Plug the computer into a different outlet so that the computer and receiver are on different branch circuits.

If necessary, the user should consult the dealer or an experienced radio/television technician for additional suggestions. The user may find the following booklet prepared by the Federal Communications Commission helpful:

“How to Identify and Resolve Radio-TV Interference Problems.”

This booklet is available from the U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC

20402. Stock No. 004-000-00345-4. WARNING

The connection of a non-shielded printer interface cable to this printer will invalidate the FCC Certification of this device and may cause interference levels which exceed the limits established by the FCC for this equipment. If this equipment has more than one interface connector, do not leave cables connected to unused interfaces.

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, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of Seiko Epson Corporation. No patent liability is assumed with respect to the use of the information contained herein. While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this book, Seiko Epson Corporation assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions. Neither is any liability assumed for damages resulting from the use of the information contained herein.

Apple is a registered trademark of Apple Computer, Inc. Applesoft is a trademark of Apple Computer, Inc. Centronics is a registered trademark of Data Computer Corporation. Epson is a registered trademark of Seiko Epson Corporation. IBM is a registered trademark of International Business Machines Corporation. Microsoft is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation. QX-IO is a registered trademark, and QX is a trademark of Epson America, Inc.

Contents

Introduction

Setting Up Your LQ Printer

Unpacking Your Printer

Installing the paper feed knob Selecting the Right Location Installing the Ribbon

Replacing the ribbon Loading Single-Sheet Paper

Installing the single-sheet guide

Loading the paper

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Intro-1

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Adjusting the paper thickness lever Turning On the Power Operating the Control Panel

OFF LINE/ON LINE

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FORM FEED/LETTER QUALITY LINE FEED/DRAFT

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Selecting the Letter Quality or Draft Mode Running the Self Test

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Connecting Your Printer to Your Computer

The parallel interface The serial interface

Printing Your First Document

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1-1

1-3 1-4 1-5

1-8

1-8 1-8

1-9 1-12 1-12 1-14 1-14 1-15 1-15 1-16 1-16 1-17 1-18 1-18 1-19

The Cut Sheet Feeder

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Installing the Cut Sheet Feeder Preparing the Paper for Loading Loading Paper

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Setting up your word processor for a cut sheet

feeder

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Printing with the Cut Sheet Feeder Removing the Cut Sheet Feeder Troubleshooting Maintenance

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2-1 2-1 2-5 2-6

2-8

2-9 2-10 2-12 2-13

iii

The Tractor Unit

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Setting Up the LQ for Continuous-feed Paper Installing the Tractor Unit Loading Paper

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Setting the top-of-page position

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Installing the paper separator and tractor cover

Removing the Optional Tractor Unit

Using the LQ with Commercial Software . . . . . . . . . .

LQ Features

ESCape and ASCII Demonstration Programs

Running BASIC programs

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Sending Control Codes to the Printer Basic Widths

Pica printing Elite printing

Fifteen mode printing Letter Quality and Draft Cancelling Modes Resetting the Printer

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Disabling a program’s reset code

Print Quality Command

Other Widths

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Double-width printing Condensed printing

Print Enhancements

Emphasized mode Double-strike

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Underline mode Proportional mode Master Select

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Superscript and subscript International characters

Page Formatting

Margins

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Skip-over-perforation

Linespacing

Half-Speed Mode

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Printing to the End of the Page

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3-1 3-1 3-2 3-3 3-8 3-8

3-11

4-1

5-1 5-1 5-2 5-3 5-4

5-5 5-5 5-5 5-5 5-6 5-6 5-6 5-7 5-8 5-8 5-8 5-9

5-10 5-10 5-11

5-12 5-12 5-13 5-15 5-15 5-18 5-18 5-19 5-19 5-20 5-20

Graphics and User-Defined Characters

Graphics

The print head Dot patterns Eight-pin graphics

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Twenty-four-pin graphics Pin labels

Graphics Command

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Column reservation numbers First graphics program Using hand-calculated data to print graphics Individual graphics options commands Reassigning command

User-Defined Characters

Design grids

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Defining Your Own Characters

Data numbers

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Sending information to the LQ

Printing User-Defined Characters

Copying ROM to RAM Letter Quality characters Proportional mode characters Superscripts and subscripts Mixing print styles

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6-1

6-1 6-2 6-3 6-3 6-3 6-3 6-5 6-6 6-6 6-7

6-10

6-10 6-11 6-11

6-13

6-14

6-16 6-17 6-18 6-18

6-18

6-19

Appendixes

The DIP Switches

The LQ Character Set and ASCII Table

Installing the Option Cartridge

The Identity Module The Font Module Using the Option Cartridges

Troubleshooting and Maintenance

Diagnosing the Problem Beeper Error Warnings Hex Dump Mode IBM PC BASIC Solutions Applesoft BASIC Solutions QX-10 and QX-16 Solutions Maintenance

Changing the print head

Widths of the Proportional Characters

The Parallel and Serial Interfaces

Choosing and Setting Up Optional Interfaces

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A-1

B-1

C-1 C-2 C-3 C-3

D-1 D-1 D-4 D-4 D-6 D-7 D-8 D-8

D-8

E-1

F-1

G-1

Technical Specifications

Command Summary

Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Index-1

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H-1

I-1

Figures

1-1 1-2 1-3 1-4 1-5 1-6 1-7 1-8 1-9 1-10 1-11 1-12 1-13 1-14

2-1 2-2 2-3 2-4 2-5 2-6 2-7 2-8 2-9

The LQ-800

The LQ-1000 Installing Tightening Loading the LQ-800 ribbon cartridge

Loading Positioning the ribbon Installing the single-sheet guide Loading single-sheet paper Paper thickness lever Turning on The LQ control panel LQ self test in draft and Letter Quality modes Connecting a parallel interface cable

Preparing the printer for installation Installing the cut sheet feeder Installing the small brackets Installing the large bracket The LQ-1000 model Paper support and paper loading lever Loading paper; adjusting the right paper guide Turning the power on

Removing the cut sheet feeder

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the

paper feed knob

the

ribbon

the

LQ-1000 ribbon cartridge

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the

power switch

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1-2

1-2 1-3 1-5 1-6 1-6 1-7

1-9 1-10 1-12 1-13 1-14 1-17 1-18

2-1

2-2

2-3

2-4

2-5

2-6

2-7

2-9

2-11

3-1 3-2 3-3 3-4 3-5 3-6 3-7

3-8

3-9

3-10 3-11

3-12

3-13

Continuous-feed paper with printer stand Continuous-feed paper without stand Installing the tractor unit

Preparing for paper loading Moving the pin-feed holders Opening

the

pin-feed covers Installing the paper shelf Loading paper

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Fitting the paper over the pin feeds

Top-of-page position

Installing

the

paper separator Installing the tractor cover Removing

the

optional tractor unit

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3-1

3-2

3-3 3-4 3-5 3-5 3-6 3-7 3-8 3-9

3-10 3-11

vii

6-1 6-2 6-3 6-4 6-5 6-6 6-7 6-8

Pin numbering system Calculations for pin patterns Pattern on grid

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Data layout for 24-pin graphics Design grids

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User-defined character

Calculating the data Grids for super/subscript characters

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6-4 6-4 6-7

6-8

6-12 6-13 6-14 6-19

A-1

C-1

C-2

D-1

D-2

F-1

G-1 G-2 G-3 G-4

The DIP switch panels

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Plugging the identity and font

modules together . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Installing an option cartridge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Print head replacement Removing the ribbon cables

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Parallel interface timing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Removing the upper case Removing the control panel Main circuit board

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Interface board mounted on main circuit board . .

A-1

C-1 C-2

D-9

D-10

F-3

G-3 G-4 G-5 G-6

viii

Tables

5-1 5-2 5-3 5-4 5-5

6-1 6-2 6-3 6-4

A-1

A-2 A-3

A-4 A-5

C-1

E-1

F-1 F-2

F-3

LQ character widths . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

International characters in Letter Quality mode . .

International characters in draft mode . . . . . . . . .

International characters in proportional mode . . .

Maximum right margin settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Graphics options Individual graphics options commands Character width limits Super/subscript widths

DIP switch panel DIP switch panel International DIP switch settings

Interface selection Baud rate selection

Print styles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Proportional character widths . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Pins and signals Printing enabled/disabled signals and control

conditions

Pins and signals

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5-10 5-16

5-17 5-17 5-19

6-5 6-10 6-15 6-19

A-3 A-4 A-5

A-5 A-5

c-2

E-1

F-1

F-4 F-5

G-1 G-2 G-3 G-4 G-5 G-6

Baud rate settings for Baud rate settings for Baud rate settings for Parity check settings for Parity check settings for

Parity check settings for

8143 8148 8149

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G-7 G-7 G-8 G-8 G-8 G-8

Introduction

The Epson LQ-800 and LQ-1000 are state-of-the-art, X-pin dotmatrix printers that deliver exceptional speed and sharpness in either Letter Quality or draft style.

The LQ-800 and LQ-1000 are also capable of a wide variety of print enhancements, including:

LETTER QUALITY

Bold

Italic

Underlining

Subscript Subscript

Superscript

Double-width

Double width

DRAFT

Bold

Italic

Underlining

Superscript

The LQ-800 and LQ-1000 combine the versatility and reliability of Epson products, with a wide range of exciting new features.

You can select either the Letter Quality or draft typestyle with a

touch of a front panel button-there are no codes to learn.

The 24-pin print head produces sharp, crisp draft characters, and

Letter Quality characters that look like they came from a type-

writer.

The LQ has built-in connectors for both parallel and serial interface

cables, so there’s no need for extra options or modifications.

Option cartridges are available to further extend the capabilities of

the LQ-800 and LQ-1000. These cartridges provide additional type fonts, and will also allow you to use programs designed for other popular printers.

Intro-1

The compact design and light weight of the LQ make it ideal for

home and business applications.

A 7K buffer frees your computer so you can work on one document while printing another.

Using this manual

To make it easier to set up your new LQ-800 or

LQ-1000,

this manual includes a 10-step guide to setting up your printer. These steps take you from unpacking, through ribbon and paper loading, to printing your first document.

Easy-to-read tabs make it simple for beginners or experienced users to find information. Additional sections describe how to use your new printer with word processors, create graphics, define your own characters, and more.

If you are familiar with earlier Epson manuals, you’ll find two terms

changed to make them more descriptive. In this manual, double-

width

is used instead of expanded, and condensed is used in place of

compressed.

Intro-2

Chapter 1

Setting Up Your LQ Printer

Setting up your new LQ is easy. Simply follow the steps in this

chapter.

Note

The LQ-800 and LQ-1000 are essentially the same printer except that the LQ-1000 can accept wider paper. Therefore, most of the illustrations in this manual show only the LQ-800. If there is a difference that you need to know about, a separate illustration shows the LQ-1000.

Unpacking Your Printer

First, remove the printer from the box and take off all outside plastic covering and foam supports. See that you have received all the parts shown in the illustrations on the next page. (You’ll find the paper feed knob inserted in the foam packing material.)

1-1

Figure 1-1. The LQ-800

Figure 1-2. The LQ-1000

1-2

Remove the tape that holds the dust cover in place during shipping and take the cover off the printer. Simply tilt the dust cover up and lift it off the printer.

WARNING

The print head is protected by two plastic bumpers during shipping. Both of these bumpers

must

be removed before turning on the printer.

Remove the long bumper to the right of the print head first, then move the print head to the center of the LQ and remove the small bumper on the left side of the print head.

There is a clear plastic overlay on the control panel to protect it from scratching and discoloration. It’s up to you whether you remove the overlay or leave it on.

Installing the paper feed knob

Next install the paper feed knob. To install the knob, simply push it

onto the shaft on the right side of the printer, as shown in Figure 1-3. The shaft has one flat side that must be matched with the flat side of the hole in the knob.

Figure 1-3. Installing the paper feed knob

1-3

Now that you’ve installed the paper feed knob, use it to remove the

sheet of paper wrapped around the printer’s platen (the black roller).

Selecting the Right Location

The most important consideration in choosing a location for your printer is that it be close enough to connect a cable to your computer. But also keep the following tips in mind:

Place the printer or printer stand on a solid and level foundation. Avoid setting it on carpet, chairs, or unstable surfaces.

Use a grounded outlet-one that has three holes to match the power plug on the printer. Don’t use an adapter plug.

Avoid using electrical outlets that are controlled by wall switches-

if you accidentally turn off a switch, you could wipe out valuable information and stop your printing.

Keep your printer and computer away from base units for cordless telephones.

Avoid using an outlet on the same circuit breaker with large electri-

cal machines or appliances that might disrupt the flow of power to your printer.

Protect your printer from direct sunlight, and keep it away from

excessive heat, moisture, and dust. Make sure it’s not too close to a heater or any other heat source.

1-4

Installing the Ribbon

printer for ribbon installation and paper loading. The next time you install a ribbon or load paper, you can leave the cover on.

1. Manually move the print head to the middle of the platen.

With the dust cover removed, you have easy access to the

Now you’re ready to install the ribbon.

WARNING

The power must be OFF when moving the print head. Moving the print head when the power is ON may damage your printer. If you’ve been using your printer just before changing the ribbon cartridge, be careful not to touch the print head because it becomes hot during use.

Before loading the cartridge into the printer, turn the small knob on top in the direction of the arrow to tighten the ribbon as shown in Figure

1-4.

Figure 1-4. Tightening the ribbon

1-5

3. For the LQ-800, hold the ribbon cartridge by the raised plastic fin on top of the cartridge; for the LQ-1000 hold the cartridge by the two plastic tabs. Lower the cartridge into the printer, guiding the two square pins on each. end of the cartridge into the slots in

the printer frame, as shown in Figures 1-5 and 1-6. Press firmly on

each end of the cartridge to make sure the pins are firmly seated in

the slots.

1-6

Figure 1-5. Loading the LQ-800 ribbon cartridge

Figure 1-6. Loading the LQ-1000 ribbon cartridge

4. Now use the point of a pencil to guide the ribbon into place between the ribbon guide and the print head as shown in Figure 1-7. (There is also a diagram on the top of the ribbon cartridge itself.)

Figure 1-7. Positioning the ribbon

5. With the cartridge in place, again turn the ribbon knob in the direction of the arrow to tighten the ribbon.

And that’s it-the ribbon is now installed.

1-7

Replacing the ribbon. . .

When buying new ribbon cartridges for the LQ-800 or 1000, be sure you get a ribbon specifically for the LQ-800 or 1000. Ribbon cartridges for other Epson printers, such as the FX series, may closely resemble an LQ ribbon, but their use can damage the LQ print head. Also, ribbon cartridges for the LQ-1500 will not fit the LQ-800 or 1000, and

the Epson ribbon replacement pack #8758 should not be used as a

replacement ribbon.

The LQ uses a continuous-loop, inked fabric ribbon. When your printing becomes too light, replace the ribbon with a fresh cartridge. To replace the ribbon, just pull up on the raised fin on top of the

LQ-800 cartridge, or the two plastic tabs on the LQ-1000 and lift the

cartridge out of the printer. To install a new ribbon, follow the preced-

ing steps.

Loading Single-Sheet Paper

of paper.

ing systems (the cut sheet feeder or the tractor unit), you should complete the remaining setup steps before installing either of the optional systems.

your computer (Step 9) before you install an optional system. After completing the setup steps, see Chapter 2 for installing the cut sheet feeder, or Chapter 3 for installing the tractor unit.

Installing the single-sheet guide

sheets of paper into the LQ.

spring, insert it into

When you receive your LQ, it is set up to print on single sheets

Even if you have purchased one of the optional paper feed-

first

It is much easier to run the self test (Step 8) and to connect the LQ to

Now install the single-sheet guide. It helps you feed individual

First, put the edge tab into the guide frame. Holding the plastic

the groove as shown below.

1-8

Assembling the single-sheet guide

The guide has rounded pins on each end. These pins fit into notches

on each end of the paper slot.

Slide one of the guide’s pins into one notch. Then, with gentle pres-

sure, snap the other pin into the other notch as shown in Figure 1-8.

Figure 1-8. Installing the single-sheet guide

The edge tab on the left side of the guide is movable, with a click stop for its middle position. For standard-sized (8½-inch wide) paper, see that the tab is in the click-stop position.

Loading the paper

Loading single-sheet paper in the LQ is simple-it’s just like loading

paper in a typewriter.

1-9

Check that the dust cover is tilted up to make it easier to see inside the printer, as shown in Figure 1-9.

2. Make sure the paper release lever is pushed back in the direction of the arrow in the figure, and that the paper bail is pulled away from the platen.

Figure 1-9. Loading single-sheet paper

3. Insert a single sheet of paper behind the platen as shown in Figure 1-9. Put the left edge of the paper against the edge tab on the single sheet guide.

4. With the power OFF use the paper feed knob to roll the paper into the printer far enough to be held by the paper bail. (If the power is ON, use the LINE FEED button as described in Step 6.)

Push the paper bail back against the paper, and the paper is ready.

1-10

Caution

Never use the manual paper feed knob while the power is ON because you can damage the paper feed motor. Always use the

LINE FEED

the paper feed knob turns easily when the power is

difficult to turn while the power is

FORM FEED

button. You will also find that

OFF,

but is

ON.

When loading single-sheet paper, you may find that the LQ finishes pages at different places than your word processor or applications program does.

To ensure that your word processor and the LQ finish pages at the same point:

1. Print out a page on the LQ. Check that the LQ and your word

processor have the same page length. If they differ, note how many

lines they differ by. For example, if your word processor is set up to print 55 lines, but the LQ only prints 53 lines before ejecting the page, there is a difference of two lines.

2. You now have three choices: a) Compensate for the two-line difference when rolling the paper

into the printer.

b) Use the installation procedure on your word processor to

change the default page length.

c) Use commands in your word processing program to alter the

page or margin lengths in each file to accommodate the LQ’s page length.

Once you’ve established the best settings, always load the paper so

that your printer starts at the same place on each page. For example, you may find that when you roll the paper one inch above the print head, the page finishes where you want it to-then each time you load paper, load it the same way.

With single-sheet paper, the key to consistent page formatting is to

establish the settings that work best for you, then position the paper in

the

same place every time.

1-11

Adjusting the paper thickness lever

The LQ is equipped with a paper thickness lever that can be

adjusted to accommodate varying thicknesses of paper.

The lever is located in front of the paper release lever on the left side

of the printer as shown in Figure

1-10.

Figure 1-10. Paper thickness lever

When you receive your LQ, the lever is set for standard paper thickness (about ness lever set in the notch shown in Figure

For thicker paper or multiple copies, pull the lever toward the front

of the printer. To return the lever to the standard position, push it back

until it clicks into the standard setting.

1/500th

of an inch), with the small arm on the paper thick-

1-10.

Turning On the Power

the printer on and become acquainted with the power-up sequence.

1-12

With the ribbon and paper installed in the LQ, it’s time to turn

Plug in the printer’s power cord, making sure the outlet is properly grounded. Turn the power ON with the switch on the left side of the printer (see Figure

1-11).

Figure 1-11. Turning on the power switch

When the power is turned ON:

The print head moves back and forth and stops at the left side of the printer.

The printer

printer is reset to its

is initialized-any

default

(or preset) values. See Appendix I for a

previous settings are erased, and the

list of default values.

The three green lights on the control panel--POWER, READY, and

ON LINE-go on. (The red PAPER OUT light does not go on unless

the

printer

is out of

paper.)

1-13

Operating the Control Panel

1-12) has two functions-the functions marked in blue (ON LINE, LETTER QUALITY, and DRAFT) are active when the printer is on

line; the functions marked in black (OFF LINE, FORM FEED, and

LINE FEED) are active when the printer is off line when the ON LINE light is on; it is off line when the ON LINE light is off.

Each of the three buttons on the LQ control panel (see Figure

line.

The printer is on

Figure 1-12. The LQ control panel

OFF LINE/ON LINE OFF LINE--If you press this button when the green light beside it is

on, the ON LINE and READY lights go off, the print head moves to the center of the platen, and the printer is set on but the LQ won’t print. This enables the form feed and line feed functions to work.

1-14

off line-the

power is still

ON LINE-The green ON LINE light indicates that the printer is on

line

and ready to receive data. When the LQ is on line, you can select

either the Letter Quality or draft mode.

FORM FEED/LETTER QUALITY

FORM

FEED-Pressing this button advances the paper to the top of the next page if you’re using continuous-feed paper (see Chapter 3, “Installing the Tractor Unit”). If you’re using single-sheet paper, it fully ejects one sheet. The form feed function works only when the printer is off line.

LETTER QUALITY-Pressing this button selects the Letter Quality

typestyle (for more information on Letter Quality, see Step 7). The printer beeps twice to acknowledge the Letter Quality selection. You can select the Letter Quality typestyle with this button only when the printer is on line.

LINE FEED/DRAFT

LINE FEED-Pressing this button advances the paper one line at a

time, either while you’re loading paper, or when you’re adjusting

where you want printing to begin. If you hold this button down, the

paper advances continuously. The line feed function works only when the printer is off line.

DRAFT-Pressing this button selects the draft typestyle. The printer

beeps once to acknowledge the draft selection. The draft function works only when the printer is on line.

Note

Use the LETTER QUALITY or DRAFT buttons before you tell the computer to print. Do not use them while the LQ is printing.

1-15

Selecting the Letter Quality or Draft Mode

Quality mode. As shown in the sample below, the Letter Quality characters are fully formed and are ideal for formal correspondence or other presentation-quality work.

draft mode, also shown below. In draft mode, the LQ prints more quickly, because fewer dots are used to form each letter.

draft mode.

l Control panel-You can choose between the Letter Quality and

When you receive your LQ, it is preset to print in the Letter

For

those

times when you need only a rough draft, the LQ also

This is the Letter Quality style

This is the draft Style

The LQ gives you three ways to select either the Letter Quality or

draft modes with the appropriate button DIP switch-A switch on the back of the printer selects either Letter

Quality or draft as the turn the power

Software command-You

ity and draft modes by sending a command to the printer as explained in Chapter 5.

default

on).

See Appendix A for details.

typestyle (the style in effect when you

can

also switch between the Letter Qual-

the control panel.

has a

These three choices allow you to tailor the LQ to your printing needs. If you find you use the Letter Quality mode most of the time, you can leave the settings just as they are. If you print in draft mode more than Letter Quality, just reset the DIP switch as outlined in Appendix A. But no matter what you choose, you can always use the buttons on the control panel to switch between the two styles.

Running the Self Test

prints out all of the characters in the selected character set-either Letter Quality or draft.

printer and that the power is turned OFF. If you have an LQ-1000, be sure to use 14-inch-wide paper to avoid printing on the platen.

1-16

The LQ has a built-in self test function that automatically

Before running the self test, make sure that paper is loaded in the

To run the self test in the Letter Quality mode, hold down the LETTER QUALITY button while you turn the power switch ON. To run the test in the draft mode, hold down the DRAFT button while turning the power ON. The self test then takes over.

The self test prints a version identification number, the name of the installed typeface family, then (as you can see in Figure 1-13) all of the characters in the selected character set.

The self test continues until you turn the printer off or until it runs out of paper.

Draft

Letter Quality

Figure 1-13. LQ self test in draft and Letter Quality modes

Connecting Your Printer to Your Computer

Your LQ printer comes equipped with separate connections

for

both

serial and parallel interfaces, so be sure to use the type your computer requires. Check your computer’s documentation if you’re unsure which interface you have. (If your computer requires a different type of interface, see your Epson dealer.)

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The parallel interface

The connector on a parallel interface cable, as shown in Figure 1-14, is secured to both the LQ and your computer by two clips. After plugging the cable into the LQ and your computer, be sure to snap the clips in place, and connect the ground strap if the cable is equipped with one.

Figure 1-14. Connecting a parallel interface cable

Once you’ve connected a parallel cable, you’re ready to print. The

parallel interface does not require any additional settings.

The serial interface

If your computer is equipped with a serial interface, you should use an Epson serial interface cable-#8239 for the Apple® IIc, #8293 for the Apple IIe

Epson QX™-16, and #8294 for the IBM® PC. Plug the

cable into the connector to the right of the parallel connector.

When using the serial interface, you need to reset four DIP switches

so that your computer and printer will communicate properly. See

Appendix A for a complete explanation of the DIP switches and how

to set them for your serial interface.

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