Epson LQ-300PLUS User Guide
24-Pin Dot
Matrix Printer
User's Guide
4013338-01
C01-00
Control Panel Buttons and Lights
Tear Off (Font) lights**
Flash when continuous paper is in
●
the tear-off position; otherwi se, the
lights indicate the selected font.
LF/FF button
Feeds paper line
●
by line when
pressed and
released.
Ejects a single
●
sheet or advances
continuous paper
to the next top-ofform position
when held down.
Tear Off (Font) button**
Advances continuous paper to
●
the tear-off position.
Feeds continuous paper
●
backward from the tear-off
position to the top-of-form
position.
Load/Eject button
Loads a single sheet
●
of paper.
Ejects a single sheet
●
of paper if a sheet is
loaded.
Loads continuous
●
paper from the
standby position.
Feeds continuous
●
paper backwards to
the standby position.
*Micro Adjust mode
When you hold down the Pause button for three
seconds, the printe r enters the micro adjust mode. In this
mode, you can press the LF/FFD and Load/EjectU
buttons to adjust the top-of-form or tear-off position. See
Chapter 2, “Using the Printer.”
Paper Out light
On when no paper
●
is loaded in the
selected paper
source or when
paper is not
loaded correctly.
Flashes when
●
paper has not
been fully ejected
or a paper jam has
occurred.
Pause button
Stops printing
temporarily, and
resumes printing when
pressed again. When
pressed for three
seconds, turns on the
Micro Adjust mode*. To
turn off, press again.
Pause light
On when the printer
●
is paused.
Flashes when the
●
printer is in the Micro
Adjust mode*.
Flashes when the
●
print head has
overheated.
**Font select
In the Micro Adjust mode, you can select the font to use
for printing by pressing the Tear Off button. The Tear Off
lights turn on, off or flash to indicate the selected font.
®
24-Pin Dot Matrix Printer
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
CORPORATIO N. The information contained h erein is designed only for use with th is 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 C ORPORATION shall not be liable fo r 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 and EPSON ESC/P2 is a trademark
of SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION.
Microsoft, Windows, and Windows NT are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
IBM is a registered trademark of International Business Machines Corporation.
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.
Copyright © 2001 by SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION, Nagano, Japan.
User’s Guide
ii
Contents
Getting to Know Your Printer
Warnings, Cautions, and Notes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Important Safety Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Print Head Caution Symbol. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
ENERGY STAR
For United Kingdom Users . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Use of options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Safety information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Chapter 1 Setting Up the Printer
Unpacking the Printer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
Choosing a place for the printer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3
Assembling the Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5
Installing the paper-feed knob . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5
Attaching the paper supports. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-6
Plugging in the printer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-8
Installing or replacing the ribbon cartridge . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-9
Running the Self Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-11
Connecting the Printer to Your Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-15
Using the parallel interface. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-15
Using the serial interface. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-17
Installing the Printer Software. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-19
Installing the software in Windows Me, 98, 95, 2000,
or NT 4.0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-20
Installing the software in Windows 3.1 or NT 3.5x . . . . . . . 1-21
For DOS programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-23
®
Compliance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Chapter 2 Using the Printer
Using the Control Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2
Selecting a built-in font . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2
iii
About Your Printer’s Default Settings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3
Changing default settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-9
Printing on Continuous Paper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-11
Printing with the push tractor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-11
Removing a printed document from the push tractor. . . . 2-16
Switching back to single sheets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-17
Printing with the pull tractor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-17
Adjusting the top-of-form position. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-23
Advancing the paper to the tear-off edge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-25
Printing on Single Sheets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-28
Loading single sheets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-29
Printing on Special Paper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-29
Adjusting the paper-thickness lever. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-30
Multipart forms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-31
Labels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-31
Envelopes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-33
Installing and Using Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-34
Cut-sheet feeder. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-34
Pull tractor unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-38
Roll paper holder. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-40
Color upgrade kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-42
Print server . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-46
Chapter 3 Using the Printer Software
Using the Printer Driver with Windows Me, 98, and 95 . . . . . . 3-2
Accessing the printer driver from Windows applications 3-2
Accessing the printer driver from the Start menu . . . . . . . 3-4
Changing the printer driver settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4
Using the Printer Driver with Windows 3.1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-5
Accessing the printer driver from Windows applications 3-5
Accessing the printer driver from the Control Panel. . . . . 3-7
Changing the printer driver settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-7
Using the Printer Driver with Windows 2000 and NT 4.0 . . . . . 3-8
Accessing the printer driver from Windows applications 3-8
Accessing the printer driver from the Start menu . . . . . . . 3-11
Changing the printer driver settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-12
Using the Printer Driver with Windows NT 3.5x . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-13
iv
Accessing the printer driver from Windows applications .3-14
Accessing the printer driver from the Control Panel . . . . . 3-16
Changing the printer driver settings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-16
Printer Driver Settings Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-17
About the EPSON Status Monitor 3 Utility. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-19
Setting up EPSON Status Monitor 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-19
Accessing EPSON Status Monitor 3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-21
Using the EPSON Remote! Utility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-22
Installing EPSON Remote! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-22
Accessing EPSON Remote! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-22
Chapter 4 Troubleshooting
Using the Error Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-2
Problems and Solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-4
Power Supply. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-4
Power is not being supplied . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-4
Printing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-5
The printer does not print . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-5
The print is faint or uneven. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-6
Dots are missing in printed characters or graphics. . . . . . . 4-7
Printed characters are not what you expected. . . . . . . . . . . 4-7
The print position is not what you expected . . . . . . . . . . . .4-8
Paper Handling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-8
Single sheets do not feed properly. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-8
Continuous paper does not feed properly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-9
Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-11
When you use the cut-sheet feeder,
the paper does not feed properly. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-11
Switching between the cut-sheet feeder and
the push tractor does not work properly . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-12
Using the pull tractor with the push tractor,
continuous paper does not feed properly . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-12
With the color upgrade kit installed,
the printer does not operate properly. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-13
v
Appendix A
Cleaning the Printer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-2
Transporting the Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-3
Printer Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-4
Mechanical . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-4
Electronic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-6
Electrical . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-8
Environmental . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-8
Paper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-8
Printable area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-12
Paper alignment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-15
Standards and approvals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-15
Command Lists. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-16
EPSON ESC/P2 control codes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-16
IBM 2390 Plus emulation control codes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-17
Contacting Customer Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-18
For users in North America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-19
For users in the United Kingdom and
the Republic of Ireland. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-20
For users in Australia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-21
For users in Singapore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-23
For users in Hong Kong . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-23
For users in Malaysia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-24
For users in India. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-25
For users in the Philippines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-26
Index
vi
Getting to Know Your Printer
Your EPSON® LQ-300+ 24-pin dot matrix printer provides highquality printing and superior performance in a compact design.
Its features include:
❏ A variety of paper paths to suit your printing needs.
❏ The ability to handle a wide range of paper types, including
continuous paper, multipart forms (with one original and up
to three copies), labels, single sheets, and envelopes.
❏ High-speed printing of up to 300 cps (characters per second)
at 10 cpi (characters per inch).
Your printer comes packaged with the printer driver and other
software, including the EPSON Status Monitor 3 utility for
Microsoft
Status Monitor 3 utility lets you check the status of your printer
quickly and easily.
®
Windows® Me, 98, 95, 2000, or NT 4.0. The EPSON
Warnings, Cautions, and Notes
This guide uses the following conventions:
Warnings must be followed to avoid bodily injury.
w
Cautions must be observed to avoid damage to your equipment.
c
Notes contain important information and useful tips on the operation
of your printer.
Getting to Know Your Printer
1
Important Safety Instructions
Read all of these safety instructions before using the printer. In
addition, follow all warnings and instructions marked on the
printer itself.
❏ Do not place the printer on an unstable surface or near a
radiator or heat source.
❏ Place the printer on a flat surface. The printer will not operate
properly if it is tilted or placed at an angle.
❏ Do not block or cover the slots and openings in the printer’s
cabinet, and do not insert objects through the slots.
❏ Use only the type of power source indicated on the printer’s
label.
❏ Connect all equipment to properly grounded power outlets.
Avoid using outlets on the same circuit as photocopiers or air
control systems that regularly switch on and off.
❏ Do not use a damaged or frayed power cord.
❏ If you use an extension cord with the printer, make sure the
total ampere rating of all devices plugged into the extension
cord does not exceed the cord’s ampere rating. Also, make
sure that the total ampere of all devices plugged into the wall
outlet does not exceed the wall outlet’s ampere rating.
❏ Unplug the printer before cleaning it, and always clean it with
a piece of damp cloth only.
❏ Do not spill liquid onto the printer.
❏ Except as specifically explained in this guide, do not attempt
to service the printer yourself.
2
Getting to Know Your Printer
❏ Unplug the printer and refer servicing to qualified personnel
under the following conditions:
i. If the power cord or plug is damaged.
ii. If liquid has entered the printer.
iii. If the printer has been dropped or the cabinet damaged.
iv. If the printer does not operate normally or exhibits a
distinct change in performance.
❏ Adjust only those controls that are covered by the operating
instructions.
❏ Printer parts marked with this symbol may be hot.
K
❏ If you plan to use the printer in Germany, observe the
following:
To provide adequate short-circuit protection and overcurrent protection for this printer, the building installation
must be protected by a 10- or 16-amp circuit breaker.
Turn off the printer and let it cool for a few minutes
before you touch any printer part marked with this
symbol.
Note for German-speaking users:
Bei Anschluss des Druckers an die Stromversorgung muss
sichergestellt werden, dass die Gebäudeinstallation mit einer
10 A- oder 16 A-Sicherung abgesichert ist.
Getting to Know Your Printer
3
Print Head Caution Symbol
This symbol is placed on the print head to indicate
that the print head may be hot. Never touch the
K
E
NERGY STAR® Compliance
The International
a voluntary partnership with the computer and office equipment
industry to promote the introduction of energy-efficient personal
computers, monitors, printers, fax machines, copiers, and
scanners in an effort to reduce air pollution caused by power
generation.
print head just after the printer has been used. Let
the print head cool for a few minutes before
touching it.
As an ENERGY STAR® partner, EPSON has
determined that this product meets the
S
TAR® guidelines for energy efficiency.
E
NERGY STAR® Office Equipment Program is
E
NERGY
For United Kingdom Users
Use of options
Epson (UK) Limited shall not be liable against any damages
or problems arising from the use of any options or consumable
products other than those designated as Original EPSON
Products or EPSON Approved Products by Epson (UK) Limited.
4
Getting to Know Your Printer
Safety information
Warning:
w
If you have to fit a plug:
As the colours of the mains lead of this appliance may not match
coloured markings used to identify the terminals in a plug, please
proceed as follows:
The green and yellow wire must be connected to the terminal in
the plug which is marked with the letter E or the Earth symbol (
The blue wire must be connected to the terminal in the plug
marked with the letter N.
The brown wire must be connected to the terminal in the plug
marked with the letter L.
This appliance must be earthed. Refer to the rating plate for
voltage and check that the appliance voltage corresponds to the
supply voltage.
Important: The wires in the mains lead fitted to this appliance
are coloured in accordance to the following code:
Green and yellow — Earth
Blue — Neutral
Brown — Live
G
).
If damage occurs to the plug, replace the cord set or consult a
qualified electrician.
Replace fuses only with a fuse of the correct size and rating.
Getting to Know Your Printer
5
6
Getting to Know Your Printer
Chapter 1
Setting Up the Printer
Unpacking the Printer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
Choosing a place for the printer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3
Assembling the Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5
Installing the paper-feed knob . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5
Attaching the paper supports. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-6
Plugging in the printer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-8
Installing or replacing the ribbon cartridge . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-9
Running the Self Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-11
Connecting the Printer to Your Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-15
Using the parallel interface. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-15
Using the serial interface. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-17
Installing the Printer Software. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-19
Installing the software in Windows Me, 98, 95, 2000,
or NT 4.0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-20
Installing the software in Windows 3.1 or NT 3.5x . . . . . . . 1-21
For DOS programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-23
1
Setting Up the Printer
1-1
Unpacking the Printer
Besides the items shown in the illustration below, the printer box
should include an EPSON printer software CD-ROM and a Notice
Sheet. Check that everything has been included in the package.
printer
paper supports
paper-feed knob
power cord
Note:
Depending on your printer model, the power cord may be permanently
attached to the printer. Also, the shape of the power cord plug varies
depending on the country of purchase; be sure the plug you have is the
right one for your location.
Caution:
c
1-2
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
ribbon cartridge
You must remove all protective materials packed around and
inside your printer before you set it up and turn on the power.
Follow the directions on the Notice Sheet (packed with the
printer) to remove these materials.
Save all packing and protective materials in case you need to ship
the printer in the future. It should always be transported in its
original packing materials.
Choosing a place for the printer
Follow the guidelines below when selecting a location for your
printer.
❏ Place the printer on a flat, stable surface. The printer will not
operate properly if it is tilted or placed at an angle.
❏ Place the printer where you can easily connect it to a network
interface cable, if necessary.
❏ Leave adequate room around the printer for easy operation
and maintenance.
1
❏ 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.
❏ Avoid places subject to shocks and vibrations.
❏ Place the printer near a wall outlet where you can easily
unplug the power cord.
Note for French-speaking users:
Placez l’imprimante près d’une prise de contact où la fiche peut être
débranchée facilement.
Setting Up the Printer
1-3
❏ 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.
❏ Keep the entire computer system away from potential sources
of electromagnetic interference, such as loudspeakers or the
base units of cordless telephones.
❏ Use a grounded power outlet; do not use an adapter plug.
If you plan to use a printer stand, follow these guidelines:
❏ Use a stand that supports at least 20 kg (44 lb).
❏ Never use a stand that tilts the printer. The printer should
always be kept level.
❏ Position your printer’s power cord and interface cable so they
do not interfere with paper feeding. If possible, secure the
cables to a leg of the printer stand.
1-4
Setting Up the Printer
Assembling the Printer
This section provides you with information on how to get your
printer up and running.
See “Printer Parts” on the last page of this manual for the names
of the individual printer parts.
Installing the paper-feed knob
The first step in assembling the printer is installing the paper-feed
knob.
Follow these steps to install the paper-feed knob:
1. Insert the knob into the hole on the printer’s side and rotate
it slowly until it slips onto the shaft.
1
2. Push firmly on the paper-feed knob until it fits against the
printer case.
Setting Up the Printer
1-5
Attaching the paper supports
You should install the paper supports before you begin using the
printer.
Follow these steps to attach the paper supports onto the printer:
1. Pull the paper guide backward. Raise it up, and then push it
firmly until it fits in place.
2. Hold one of the paper supports and push the tips into the
notches on the edge guide.
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Setting Up the Printer
3. Hold another paper support and push the tips into the notches
of the other side on the edge guide.
4. Hold another paper support and push the tips into the notches
on the paper tension unit.
1
5. Repeat step 4 for the other paper support.
Setting Up the Printer
1-7
Plugging in the printer
Follow these steps to plug in the printer:
1. Make sure the power switch on the printer is turned off. It is
off when the
2. Check the label on the back of the printer to make sure the
voltage required by the printer matches that of your electrical
outlet.
side of the switch is pressed down.
N
Caution:
If the rated voltage on the printer and your outlet voltage do
c
not match, contact your dealer for assistance. Do not plug in
the power cord.
3. If the power cord is not attached to the printer, connect it to
the AC inlet on the printer.
4. Plug the power cord into a properly grounded electrical
outlet.
1-8
Setting Up the Printer
Installing or replacing the ribbon cartridge
Before installing the ribbon cartridge, make sure that the printer
is not plugged into an electrical outlet.
Follow these steps to install or replace the ribbon cartridge:
1. Make sure the printer is turned off.
2. Open the printer cover to the upright position, then pull it up
to remove it.
3. Make sure the print head is in the middle of the printer.
If it is not, turn on the printer. Then, turn off the printer.
1
Setting Up the Printer
1-9
4. Turn the ribbon-tightening knob in the direction of the arrow
to remove any slack from the ribbon so it is easier to install.
5. Insert the ribbon cartridge into the printer as shown; then
press both sides of the cartridge firmly to fit the plastic hooks
into the printer slots.
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Setting Up the Printer
6. Use a pointed object, such as a ball point pen, to guide the
ribbon between the print head and ribbon guide. Turn the
ribbon tightening knob to help feed the ribbon into place; it
should not be twisted or creased.
7. Reinstall and close the printer cover.
When printing becomes faint, you need to replace the ribbon
cartridge. To remove the old ribbon cartridge, first make sure the
print head is at the center of the printer. Then remove the cartridge
by lifting the both ends and taking it out of the printer.
1
Running the Self Test
Use the built-in self test function to check that the printer is
working properly. You can run the test with either continuous
paper or single sheets. The procedure below describes the test
using single sheets, which is the easier way.
Follow these steps to run the self test:
Setting Up the Printer
1-11
1. Make sure the printer is turned off. Also make sure that the
paper-release lever is pushed back to the single-sheet position
and the paper guide is in the upright position, as shown
below.
Caution:
You should use paper at least 210 mm (8 1/4 inches) wide to
c
run the self test; otherwise, the print head prints directly on
the platen.
2. While holding down the LF/FF button, turn on the printer.
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Setting Up the Printer
3. Slide the left edge guide until it locks in place at the guide
mark. Next, adjust the right edge guide to match the width of
your paper.
4. Slide a sheet of paper down firmly between the edge guides
until it meets resistance. The printer loads the sheet
automatically and begins printing the self test.
1
5. To stop printing temporarily, press the PAUSE button.
Setting Up the Printer
1-13
6. To end the self test, make sure the printer is not printing. Press
LF/FF to eject the sheet; then turn off the printer.
Here is part of a typical self-test printout:
Note:
If the self test did not print satisfactorily, see Chapter 4,
“Troubleshooting.” If it prints correctly, proceed to the next section.
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Setting Up the Printer
Connecting the Printer to Your Computer
Your printer includes both an IEEE-1284-compatible parallel
interface and an EIA-232D serial interface. Before you begin, place
the printer upright, as shown below. (This makes it easier to
connect the cable.)
Connect your computer to the desired interface as described
below.
1
Note:
You can connect a cable to both interfaces; the printer switches
automatically to the appropriate interface when it receives data.
Using the parallel interface
You need a shielded, twisted-pair cable no longer than 2 meters
(6 feet) to use the parallel interface.
Follow these steps to connect the printer to the computer using
the parallel interface:
1. Turn off both the computer and the printer.
Setting Up the Printer
1-15
2. Plug the parallel cable connector securely into the printer’s
parallel interface port. Squeeze the wire clips together until
they lock in place on both sides of the connector.
Note:
If there is a ground wire at the end of the cable, attach it to the ground
connector located to the right of the parallel interface port.
3. Plug the other end of the cable into the computer’s parallel
interface port. (If there is a ground wire at the end of the cable,
attach it to the ground connector at the back of the computer.)
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Setting Up the Printer
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