Epson LQ 2090, LQ 590 User Manual

®

24-pin Dot Matrix Printer

User’s Guide

This manual is divided into 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.

© 2004 Epson America, Inc. 1/04 4047824-00

CPD-17641

2

Contents

Introduction

Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Chapter 1 -

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 DOS programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Installing and Using the Online Reference Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Installing the Remote Configuration Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Chapter 2 -

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 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Removing paper from the pull tractor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Loading Single Sheets with the Paper Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Loading Special Papers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Continuous multipart forms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Single-sheet multipart forms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Labels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Envelopes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Postcards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Using the Micro Adjust Function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Adjusting the tear-off position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Adjusting the top-of-form position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

Setting Up the Printer

Paper Handling

3

Chapter 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

Chapter 4 -

Using the Error Indicators. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Clearing Paper Jams. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

Printing a Self Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

Where To Get Help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

Chapter 5 -

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 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

For Canadian users . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

Declaration of Conformity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

EPSON AMERICA, INC., LIMITED WARRANTY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

Troubleshooting

Product Information

4

Introduction

This manual covers the following basic information to get you started
using your Epson

❏ Setting Up the Printer
❏ Paper Handling
❏ Using the Control Panel
❏ Troubleshooting
❏ Product Information

Although most of the illustrations in this manual show the LQ-590, the
instructions apply to both the LQ-590 and the LQ-2090.

Warnings must be followed carefully to avoid bodily injury.

®

printer:

w

Cautions must be observed to prevent damaging 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.

If you have questions about using your printer software, you can use the
online help, which is installed automatically when you install the printer
software.

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 the Epson Store
(U.S. sales only). In Canada, please call [phone] for dealer referral.

SM

at [phone], or visit www.epsonstore.com

Introduction 5

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

Front sheet
guide (LQ-590 only)

Power cord

Printer software

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

Front paper guide
(LQ-2090 only)

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.

Setting Up the Printer 7

❏ 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.

❏ 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 the tabs
on each side and pulling it
up.

8 Setting Up the Printer

3. Use your hand to slide the
print head to the middle of
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.

Setting Up the Printer 9

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.

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.

10 Setting Up the Printer

Note:

When printing, you can use the paper guide only when the tractor is installed in
the front or rear push position.

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.

®

Setting Up the Printer 11

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.

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 printer software supports Windows
and includes Epson Status Monitor 3 (which displays printer status
information and notifies you of printer errors). See the Reference Guide for
more information.

®

95, 98, Me, 2000, XP, or NT 4.0,

Note:

❏ Installing the printer software for Windows 2000, XP, or NT 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.

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.

Cancel.

Yes. If you click

12 Setting Up the Printer

Follow these steps to install the printer software:

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. After a moment
the Installation screen appears:

If it does not, double-click

Setup.exe on the CD-ROM.

3. Select your printer model
and click . You see this
window:

4. Select

Install Printer Software and

click . You see the software
license agreement.

5. Read the agreement and click

Accept. The installation starts

and you see this window:

Setting Up the Printer 13

6. Turn on your printer, then wait for the software to be installed. (This
may take a few minutes.)

If you are prompted to insert the Windows CD-ROM, go to step 7.
Otherwise, follow any instructions on the screen until the
installation is complete and you see the Installation screen again.
Then turn to page 15 and follow the instructions to install the
Reference Guide and the Remote Configuration Manager utility.

7. If the installation asks for the Windows CD-ROM, insert the disk in
the CD-ROM drive and click

OK. When the Windows installation

screen appears, close the screen to continue with the driver
installation.

Note:

If you see a message that the drive is not accessible, click

Cancel and try

again.

8. Click

9. Select the appropriate file in the folder and click

Browse and select the path for the printer driver. Then click

OK and follow the on-screen instructions.

OK.

10. 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.

❏ 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.

11. When the installation is complete, see page 15 to install the
Reference Guide and the Remote Configuration Manager utility.

14 Setting Up the Printer

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 the LQ-590 For the LQ-2090

LQ-580 / LQ-570e LQ-200 LQ-2080 / 2180 LQ-200

LQ-300+ LQ-500 LQ-2070 / 2170 LQ-500

LQ-300 LQ-860+ LQ-1070 / 1070+ LQ-860+ / 1060+

LQ-870 LQ-2550 LQ-870 / 1170 LQ-2550

LQ-570 / 570+ LQ-2500 LQ-850+ / 1050+ LQ-2500

LQ-850+ LQ-800 LQ-850 / 1050 LQ-800 / 1000

LQ-850 LQ-1500 LQ-510 / 550 / 1010 LQ-1500

LQ-510 / 550

Installing and Using the Online Reference Guide

To install the Reference Guide on your hard disk, select Install Reference

on the Installation screen and click . The manual is copied and

Guide

an

LQ590-2090 Reference Guide icon appears on your desktop.

To open the Reference Guide, double-click the

icon on your desktop. You can also click Start > Programs

Guide

(or

All Programs) > EPSON > LQ590-2090 Reference Guide, and click

Reference Guide.

LQ590-2090 Reference

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 95, 98, Me, 2000, XP, or NT:

1. Select

Install EPSON Remote Configuration Manager on the

Installation screen and click .

Setting Up the Printer 15