Epson LX-80 User Manual
®
EPSON
LX-80™ PRINTER
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
of Part 15 of FCC rules, which are designed to provide reasonable
protection against such interference in a residential installation. However,
installation. If this equipment does cause interference to radio or television
reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on,
the following measures:
- Reorient the receiving antenna
Relocate the computer with respect to the receiver
are on different branch circuits.
If necessary, the user consult the dealer or an experienced radio/television
booklet prepared by the Federal Communications Commission helpful:
“How to Identify and Resolve Radio-TV Interference Problems.”
Washington DC 20402. Stock No. 004-000-00345-4.
WARNING
invalidate the FCC certification of this device and may cause interference
which exceeds 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.
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.
LX-80 is a trademark of Epson America, Inc.
IBM-PC is a registered trademark of International Business Machines
Corporation.
Microsoft is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation.
QX-10 is a trademark of Epson America, Inc.
TRS-80 is a registered trademark of Radio Shack, a division of Tandy
Corporation.
80 Micro is published by Wayne Green Publishers.
NOTICE:
l All rights reserved. Reproduction of any part of this manual in any form
whatsoever without EPSON’s express written permission is forbidden.
l The contents of this manual are subject to change without notice.
* All efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy of the contents of this manual.
However, should any errors be detected, EPSON would greatly appreciate being
informed of them.
*
The above notwithstanding, EPSON can assume no responsibility for any errors
in this manual or their consequences.
@ Copyright 1984 by EPSON CORPORATION
Nagano. Japan
P8492004
Contents
List of Figures
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List of Tables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Introduction . . . . . .
LX-80 Features
. . . .
About This Manual
Setting Up Your LX-80 Printer
1
Printer Parts
Printer Location
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Paper Feed Knob Installation
Ribbon Installation
Ribbon Replacement
Paper Loading
Control Panel
Test Pattern
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Connecting the LX-80 to Your Computer .
First Printing Exercise
SelecType
2
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Choosing Print Modes
Turning SelecType Mode On
Using SelecType
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First SelecType Exercises
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Testing Your Software for the Reset Code
Mode Combinations
SelecType Cautions and Tips
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vii
Vlll
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1
1
2
3
3
4
4
5
8
9
10
12
13
14
15
15
16
17
18
19
20
22
3
Elements of Dot Matrix Printing
The Print Head . . . . . . . .
Bidirectional Printing . . .
Changing Pitches . . . . . . . .
NLQ Mode . . . . . . . . . .
4
Printer Control Codes .
ASCII Codes . . . . . .
ESCape Code . . . .
Printer Codes . . . . .
Embedded codes . . .
Inserted codes . . . .
Programming Languages .
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23
23
24
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26
29
29
30
31
32
32
33
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III
LX-80 Features
5
Demonstration Programs
Pica Printing
Changing Pitches
Cancelling Codes
Resetting the Printer
Pitch Comparison
Near Letter Quality Mode
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35
35
36
37
37
38
38
39
Print Enhancements and Special Characters
6
Bold Modes..
Emphasized mode
Master program
Double-strike
Expanded Mode
Mode Combinations
Italic Mode
Underline Mode
Master Select
Superscript and Subscript
Special Characters
International Characters
Graphics Character Set
Page Formatting
7
Margins
Justification with NLQ . .
Skip Over Perforation
Line Spacing
Paper-Out Sensor
User-Defined Characters
8
Defining Your Own Characters
Designing Process
First definition program
Running the program
Second definition program
Running the program
Defining NLQ Characters
NLQ grid
First NLQ definition program
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Second NLQ definition program
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55
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61
61
62
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64
65
66
67
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70
71
iv
Introduction to Dot Graphics
9
Dot Patterns
Print Head
Graphics Mode
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Pin Labels ................................
First Graphics Program
Multiple-Line Exercise
Density Varieties
Reassigning Code
Column Reservation Numbers
WIDTH Statements
Design Your Own Graphics
Graphics Programming Tips
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Semicolons and command placement
String variables
Graphics and low ASCII codes
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Appendixes
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73
74
75
75
76
78
78
80
81
81
82
83
86
86
88
89
A
ASCII Codes and Character Fonts
Special Graphics Characters . . . . . . . . . . .
Draft International Characters . . . . . . .
B
Control Codes in Numeric Order . . . . .
Control Key Chart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
C
Control Codes by Function
Near Letter Quality Mode
Character Width (Pitch)
Character Weight
Print Enhancement
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Mode and Charcter-Set Selection .
Special Printer Features . . . . . . .
Line Spacing . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Forms Control
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Page Format . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
User-defined Characters
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Dot Graphics . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
D
The DIP Switches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
E
Using the Optional Tractor Unit
Printer Location . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tractor Unit Installation
Loading Continuous Paper
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A-1
A-3
A-5
B-1
B-12
C-1
C-1
C-1
C-1
C-2
C-2
C-2
C-2
C-3
C-3
C-3
C-3
D-1
E-1
E-1
E-2
E-4
Troubleshooting and Advanced Features
F
Problem/Solution Summary
Setting print styles
Tabbing
Graphics
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Paper-out sensor
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SelecType Solutions
.
Method l..
Method 2..
Method3
Method 4
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Cancelling Functions with SelecType
Other software
Beeper Error Warnings
Data Dump Mode
Coding Solutions
POKEing codes
Special printer drivers
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Solutions for Seven-Bit Systems
Solutions for Specific Systems
Applesoft BASIC solutions
Apple II solutions
TRS-80T”
IBM-PCTM
solutions
solution
QX-10™ solutions
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: : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : :
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F-1
F-1
F-1
F-1
F-1
F-3
F-3
F-3
F-3
F-4
F-4
F-4
F-6
F-6
F-6
F-8
F-9
F-10
F-10
F-11
F-11
F-12
F-13
F-13
F-14
Printer Maintenance
G
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Always
NowandThen..::::::::::::::::::::
Rarely
Technical Specifications
H
Printing
Paper
Printer
Dimensions and Weight
Environment
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Character size
Characters per line
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Interface ..................................
I
The Parallel Interface
Data Transfer Sequence
Interface timing
Signal relationships
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vi
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G-1
G-1
G-1
G-1
H-1
H-1
H-1
H-2
H-2
H-2
H-2
H-3
H-3
I-1
I-3
I-3
I-3
List of Figures
1-1
1-2
1-3
1-4
1-5
1-6
1-7
1-8
1-9
1-10
2-1
3-1
3-2
3-3
6-1
6-2
6-3
6-4
6-5
6-6
7-1
Printer parts
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Paper feed knob installation . . .
Ribbon cassette
Print head assembly
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Ribbon cassette installation . .
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Ribbon placement . . . . . . . . .
LX-80 ready for paper loading .
Control panel . . . . . . . . . . .
Test patterns
Cable connection
SelecType setting and functions
A capital T
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The three pitches of the LX-80 . .
LX-80 dot matrix characters . . .
Emphasized and single-strike
Double-strike and single-strike
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Expanded and standard characters
Italic and pica . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The underline mode
Special graphics characters
Standard line spacing
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3
5
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25
26
41
43
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46
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52
58
8-1
8-2
8-3
8-4
8-5
8-6
8-7
9-1
9-2
9-3
9-4
9-5
9-6
9-7
D-1
Grid for designing draft characters
Correct and incorrect designs
Design for sigma
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Using the bottom eight rows
Grid for NLQ characters
Data numbers for one column
Arrow design and data numbers
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Pin labels . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Calculating numbers for pin patterns
Designing in different densities
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Arrow design . . . . . . . . . . .
First line of arrow figure
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Result of incorrect program . . . . .
Pin patterns of incorrect program
DIP switch location
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62
63
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77
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84
84
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87
D-1
vii
E-1
E-2
E-3
E-4
E-5
E-6
E-7
E-8
Continuous paper with printer stand
Continuous paper without stand
Tractor placement
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Paper separator and paper guide
Tractor release levers
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Pin feed holder adjustment
Open
Top of
in feed cover
page position
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E-1
E-2
E-2
E-3
E-4
E-5
E-5
E-6
I-1
2-1
2-2
5-1
6-1
6-2
6-3
9-1
D-1
D-2
I-1
I-2
Parallel interface timing
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List of Tables
SelecType modes
Mode combinations
Summary of LX-80 pitches
International characters in NLQ mode
International characters in draft mode
International characters in draft italic
Graphics modes
DIP switch functions
International DIP switch settings
Pins and signals
Signal interrelations
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16
21
40
50
51
51
80
D-2
D-2
I-1, I-2
I-4
Vlll
. . .
Introduction
The Epson LX-80 printer combines low price with the high quality
and advanced features formerly available only on more expensive
printers.
LX-80 Features
In addition to the high performance and reliability you’ve come to
expect from an Epson printers, the LX-80 offers:
l Draft mode for quick printing of ordinary work
l Near Letter Quality mode for top quality printing
l A variety of print styles, including Roman and italic, six widths,
and two kinds of bold printing
l User-definable characters so you can create and print your own
symbols or characters
l High-resolution graphics for charts, diagrams, and illustrations
l Eleven international character sets
l Easy paper loading
l Ribbon cassette for quick and clean ribbon changing
About This Manual
We’re not going to waste your time with unnecessary information,
but we won’t neglect anything you need to know about the LX-80
and its many features.
You can read as much or as little of this manual as you wish. If you
have used printers before and have a specific program that you want
to use with the LX-80, a quick reading of the first chapter may be all
you need. If, on the other hand, you are new to computers and
printers, you will find this manual easy to follow and the LX-80 easy
to use. No matter what your background, if you want to learn about
and experiment with all the advanced features of the LX-80, the
information you need is here.
For a preview of what your LX-80 can do, look at the following
samples of a few of its typestyles.
NLQ. standard
ABCDEFGHIJKLMnopqrstuvwxyz
WLQ emphasized ABCDEFGHIJKLMnopqrstuvwxyz
2
Chapter 1
Setting Up Your LX-80 Printer
Setting up your LX-80 printer is a simple matter of attaching two
parts, putting in the ribbon and paper, and connecting the printer to
your computer.
This chapter will have you printing a test pattern within fifteen to
twenty minutes and doing more complicated work not long after.
Printer Parts
First, see that you have all the parts you need. In addition to this
manual, the printer box should contain the items shown in Figure l-1.
* In the United States, the printer is delivered with the power
cord attached.
Figure 1-1. Printer parts
cord*
3
In addition to the items in the box, you need a cable and possibly
an interface board. The cable connects the printer to your computer,
and the interface board is necessary only for those computers that
can’t use the LX-80’s Centronics® parallel interface. Your computer
manual or your dealer will tell you which cable you need and whether
or not you need a special interface.
Printer Location
Now that you have unpacked your printer, you should choose a
suitable location for it. The main requirement, of course, is that the
printer be close enough to your computer for the cable to reach. Also
remember the following:
l Use a grounded outlet, and do not use an adapter plug.
l Avoid using electrical outlets that are controlled by wall switches.
Accidentally turning off a switch can wipe out valuable information in your computer’s memory and disrupt your printing.
l Avoid using an outlet on the same circuit breaker with any large
electrical machines or appliances. These can cause disruptive power fluctuations.
l Keep your printer and computer away from base units for cordless
telephones.
l Protect the printer from direct sunlight, excessive heat, moisture,
and dust. Make sure that it is not close to a heater or other heat
source.
Paper Feed Knob Installation
Now that you have chosen where to set up your LX-80, the first
and simplest piece to install is the paper feed knob, which you use to
manually advance the paper-just as you do on a typewriter. To
install the knob, merely push it onto the shaft found in the hole on the
right side of the printer. (See Figure l-2.) The shaft has one flat side
that must be matched with the flat side of the hole in the knob.
4
Figure 1-2. Paper feed knob installation
Ribbon Installation
The LX-80 printer uses a continuous-loop, inked fabric ribbon,
which is enclosed in a cassette that makes ribbon installation and
replacement a clean and easy job. The parts of this cassette are labelled
in Figure 1-3.
Figure 1-3. Ribbon
cassette
5
To install the ribbon, first open the lid at the front of the LX-80 so
that you can see the print head assembly shown in Figure 1-4. Move
the assembly by hand to the center of the printer so that the other
parts of the printer will not get in your way. Also be sure that the
paper bail is against the black roller so it too will not be in your way.
Note: Moving the print head by hand when the printer is turned on
can harm the printer. Always be sure that the printer is turned
off before you move the print head.
Figure l-4. Print bead assembly
Then hold the ribbon cassette so that the small knob is on top and
the exposed section of ribbon is away from you. Insert the cassette in
its holder by first sliding the pins at the back of the ribbon cassette
under the small hooks on the holder. (See Figure l-5.) Then lower the
front of the cassette so that the exposed section of ribbon can fit
between the print head nose and the silver ribbon guide. Push down
until the cassette fits firmly in place.
Figure 1-5. Ribbon cassette installation
7
Now turn the knob on the cassette in the direction of the arrow to
tighten the ribbon. As you turn the knob, see that the ribbon slips
down into its proper place between the print head nose and the silver
ribbon guide (Figure l-6). If it doesn’t, guide it with a pen or a pencil.
Figure l-6. Ribbon placement
Ribbon Replacement
When your printing begins to become light and you need to replace the ribbon, lift the front of the cassette to remove it and then
follow the above instructions with a new cassette. If you have been
using your printer just before you change cassettes, be aware that the
print head becomes hot during use. Be careful not to touch it. Also
remember never to move the print head by hand when the printer is
turned on.
8
Paper Loading
Now put a sheet of paper in your LX-80 so you can test it. Figure
1-7 shows the names of the parts that you need to know.
Friction lever
Figure 1-7. LX-80 ready for paper loading
9
See that the printer is turned off, open the front lid, and push the
friction lever back and the paper bail forward. Then move the print
head by hand to the center of the printer and feed the paper into the
paper slot in the top of the printer,
When the paper will not go any farther, turn the paper feed knob
to advance it as you would with a typewriter. Turn the knob until the
top of the paper is at least
the paper bail against the paper. If the paper becomes crooked, pull
the friction-release lever forward, straighten the paper, and push the
friction lever back.
If you have the optional tractor unit for continuous pin-feed paper,
see Appendix E for instructions on its use.
3/+inch
above the ribbon guide. Then push
Control Panel
Now that your paper is loaded, it is time to plug in the printer and
see what the buttons on the control panel do. First, see that the power
switch on the right side of the printer is off; then plug in the power
cord. Now turn on the power switch and look at the control panel on
the right side of the top of your LX-80.
10
Figure 1-8. Control panel
There are several buttons and indicator lights on the control panel.
Their primary functions are described below:
l The POWER light glows green when the power is on.
l The READY light glows green when the printer is ready to accept
data. This light flickers somewhat during printing.
l The PAPER OUT light glows red to indicate that the printer is
out of paper or the paper is loaded incorrectly.
l The ON LINE light glows green when the printer can receive
data.
l The ON LINE button switches the printer between on-line and
off-line status. When the printer is on-line, the ON LINE light
glows and the printer is ready to accept data.
The following two buttons work only when the printer is off-line.
If the ON LINE light is on, press the ON LINE button to put the
printer off-line before you use these buttons.
l The FF (Form Feed) button advances the paper to the top of the
next page.
l The LF (Line Feed) button advances the paper one line at a time.
The control panel buttons can also be used to turn on several
printing functions using a feature called SelecType, which is described
in Chapter 2. In addition, you’ll find another use for the LF and FF
buttons in the next section.
11
Test Pattern
Now you’ll see your LX-80 print something even though it’s not
connected to a computer yet. Make sure that your printer has paper in
it and that the power switch is off. Now, hold down the LF button
on the control panel while you turn the printer on with the power
switch. The LX-80 will begin printing all the letters, numbers, and
other characters that are stored in its ROM (Read Only Memory) for
the draft mode. When the printing starts, you can release the LF
button; the printing will continue until you turn the printer off or
until the print head gets near the end of the page. To see the same test
in the NLQ (Near Letter Quality) mode, turn the printer on while
holding down the FF button. Partial results of both tests are shown in
Figure 1-9.
Connecting the LX-80 to Your Computer
Now that the test pattern has shown that your printer is working
well, it’s time to hook it up to your computer. It is best to have both
the printer and the computer turned off when you do this.
Remember that each computer system has its own way of communicating with a printer. If your computer expects to communicate
through a Centronics parallel interface, all you need is a cable. If your
computer requires any other kind of interface, you will also need an
interface board.
If you don’t know what a Centronics parallel interface is, your
computer manual or your dealer will tell you what you need. Then,
once you have plugged your printer cable into your printer and
computer, you will probably never think about interfaces again. (If
you do want the technical specifications, however, you can find them
in Appendix I.)
The first three steps in connecting your printer and computer are
shown in Figure 1-10. Plug one end of your printer cable into the
cable connector of your LX-80 printer. The plug is shaped so that
there is only one way it will fit the connector. Now secure the plug to
the printer with the wire clips on each side of the connector. These
clips insure that your cable will not be loosened or unplugged
accidentally. If your cable has a grounding wire, fasten it to the
grounding screw below the connector.
13
Groundin{
screw
Wire clip
Figure 1-10. Cable connection
Next connect the other end of the printer cable to your computer.
On most computers you can easily find the correct connector for the
printer cable, but if you are not sure, consult your computer manual
or your dealer.
First Printing Exercise
Now it is time to see something more interesting than the test
pattern from your LX-80 printer. Your next step depends upon what
kind of printing you plan to do. If you have a word processing or
other commercial software program, just load the program in your
computer, follow its printing instructions, and watch your LX-80
print. If you plan to use your LX-80 for printing program listings,
load a program and use your computer system’s listing command
(LLIST for Microsoft™ BASIC, for example).
Note: If all the lines of your first printing exercise are printed on top
of each other, don’t worry. There is nothing wrong with your
printer. All you have to do is change the setting of a small
switch in the back of your printer. See the section on automatic line feeds in Appendix D.
14
Chapter 2
SelecType
At the end of the introduction you saw samples of the typestyles
available on your LX-80. In this chapter you’ll learn how Epson’s
SelecType feature puts the most-used print modes at your fingertips.
With a few taps on the panel buttons of the LX-80, you can change
your printing from
$:ll~~,
i!+, 1”) (I:/ cl r’ (::I
to the more detailed
Near Letter Quality (NLQ) mode
or any of several other possibilities.
<ii> j, r) (::I 11, Et! ....’ !:I;. ‘t;, r j, 1.:: (<;$
. . .
Choosing Print Modes
The LX-80 printer’s many print modes give you a great choice of
width, weight, and style of characters. You can activate these modes
in several different ways, depending on your needs and the capabilities of your software. The most common ways include placing printing codes in your document, using a programming language such as
BASIC, and giving print commands as part of the printing instructions for your software.
1::) j, <:I fi
Often the SelecType feature is the easiest way to choose print
modes on the LX-80. This feature changes the function of the three
buttons on top of your printer-ON LINE, FF, and LF. After turning on the SelecType mode, you can use the buttons to choose one or
more of six separate functions. The functions include five typestyles
and a reset code.
15
Table 2-1 shows the typestyles you can print with SelecType,
and-as you will learn later in this chapter-you can combine some
of them.
Table 2-1. SelecType modes
1
NLQ
2
Emphasized
3
Double-strike
4
Compressed
Elite
5
ABCDEFGHIJKL,MNopqrst,uvwxyz
ABCDEFGH I JKL.MNop qrstUswx yz
0 Ix:: 1:) 1.: F” G I.-I :I ;I
kECDEFSHIJKLnN@pqrstuvwxyz
ABC~EFGHIJKt.MNopqrstL~~~~I~~~~
K
l... PI Iv (::I /z:, Cl I’” !iii t, L.1 v w 2: y
z
SelecType lets you use the Epson typestyles in Table 2-1 and
combinations of those styles even if your word processing or business
program does not support all of them. SelecType also lets you make
print style choices when you print rather than when you edit. If you
would like a memo or letter to be in the NLQ mode, a few taps on
the panel buttons tell your printer what you want, and you don’t have
to re-edit the document to put in print codes.
SelecType is also handy for selecting narrow pitches to put more
characters on a line. If you find that your spreadsheet would be too
wide for a single page in pica, with SelecType you can choose compressed to fit over 130 characters on a line or compressed elite for
over 150 characters. In addition, you undoubtedly will have your
own uses for this feature.
Using SelecType is a simple four-step process:
1) Enter SelecType mode.
2) Select a print function.
3) Set the function.
4) Exit SelecType mode.
Turning SelecType Mode On
To turn on SelecType make sure that the printer is turned on (with
the POWER, READY,
the top two buttons on the panel (ON LINE and FF) at the same
time, as illustrated in Figure 2-1. The LX-80 will beep to signal that it
is in SelecType mode. The READY light also turns off, and the ON
LINE light begins flashing. Now that your printer is in SelecType
16
and ON LINE lights all on), and then press
mode, all the panel buttons have new functions (also shown in Figure
2-1).
Exit
Figure 2-1. SelecType setting and functions
In SelecType mode, the ON LINE button selects printing func-
tions, the FF button sets the functions, and the LF button turns
SelecType off, returning the panel buttons to their former operation.
Using SelecType
Once you have turned on SelecType, you select the print functions
you want according to Table 2-1. The mode number is the number of
times you press the ON LINE button to select each function.
After you press the ON LINE button the required number of
times, press the FF button to set your selection. Then press the LF
button to turn off SelecType and return all the panel buttons to their
standard operations.
17
First SelecType Exercises
For practice in using SelecType, try setting emphasized mode. First
turn the printer off and back on with the switch on the right side of
the printer. Then press the ON LINE and FF buttons at the same
time. The LX-80 beeps to tell you that it is in SelecType mode, the
READY light turns off, and the ON LINE light begins blinking.
Then press the ON LINE button two times to select emphasized.
(The printer beeps each time you press the ON LINE button in
SelecType mode.) After that, press the FF button once to set the
function.
You have now set emphasized mode. Next, press the LF button
once, and your panel buttons return to their normal operation, but
your printer is in emphasized mode. Since this is only an exercise,
turn the LX-80 off and back on again to cancel all settings and prepare
for the next exercise.
You will probably use SelecType with commercial software as well
as with BASIC or another programming language, but for now try a
simple exercise using BASIC. You don’t need to know anything
about programming for this exercise. It is merely for practice. If your
computer system does not include BASIC or if you would rather not
use it, skip to the next section.
Type the short BASIC program listed below:
10 LPRINT
20
LF’RINT
3d3
LPRINT
Next, print a listing of the program using LLIST or your computer
system’s print listing command. Your LX-SO prints your program in
ordinary single-strike pica,
program.
11. $j/,
;:.:I 1.2 ‘,I I;?, ‘!’
I,
p
,i i;;‘l
::y,;;q \ I’.‘,:( ‘(,I;..,\ yti
Now that you have a sample program to list, follow these simple
steps to print your listing in compressed mode:
1) See that both the ON LINE light and the READY light are on.
2) Press the ON LINE and FF buttons at the same time. You hear a
beep to signal that SelecType is on.
18
I’,: 1,: /i ..,, “i
"This is a sample program."
“Notice
"and darkness of the print. "
” ‘i’j-, j, .,:. ;,
” f.,ji 1i.t. :j i: i;?
ill ,,,“, ij.J -
the size I’ ;
as illustrated below in our sample
;::,
j. x;;;. .,
I. .I <:? p
i.;. ;:;I, (g ,:;I 1. i’””f> r <::I <:;I te ;?a, if’! .:
.k, 1
,
(:;+!; j j, 1:
.-I .._ ._. ._
k:,
, , “”
‘y.:. :::‘.
f., .:”
(.;+
,k, p, (2p
I;
12. yi. j-, .k. ” ”
3) As you can see in Table 2-1, the code for compressed is four.
Therefore, press the ON LINE button four times. (Remember
that you hear a beep each time you press the ON LINE button
when you are in SelecType mode).
4) Now that you have selected compressed, push the FF button once
to set that mode.
5) Push the LF button once to return the panel buttons to their
standard functions.
Now you have set the LX-80 to print in compressed mode. Merely
push the ON LINE button to put your printer back on-line and list
your program once more. It should print in compressed mode just as
in our example below:
Turn your printer off to cancel the compressed setting, and if you
wish, try this exercise with other modes.
Testing Your Software for the Reset Code
A few commercial software programs clear all previous modes by
resetting the LX-SO before printing each document. Of course, this
resetting wipes out whatever you have done with SelecType. But
don’t worry if your software resets the printer; you can still use
SelecType. In Appendix F we tell you ways around the problem.
Since only a few programs reset the LX-80 before printing, you
probably won’t have this problem. The following test tells you for
sure. First, use your word processing or business program in the
normal way to create a short file or document of the type you usually
print.
After you have created a file or document, print it in the usual way.
Save this first copy for comparison with the next versions you print.
Your test can be as simple as our example below, a two-line document created with a word processor and printed with its standard
print command.
Now set your LX-80 for elite printing using the following steps.
19
1) See that both the ON LINE and READY lights are on.
2) Press the ON LINE and FF buttons at the same time.
3) Press the ON LINE button five times (the code for elite). You
should hear a beep each time you press the button.
4) Press the FF button to set elite.
5) Press the LF button to leave SelecType and return the panel but-
tons to their standard functions.
Now press the ON LINE button and print your file again, using
exactly the same command that you used before. If your document
comes out in elite as in our example below, you can forget about
resetting codes and continue to use SelecType as described above.
If your example is once again printed in pica, turn your printer off
and back on. Then try the steps above one more time to be sure that
you made no mistakes. If your printout is still in pica after the second
test, turn to Appendix F for an explanation of how to solve the
problem.
Now that you know the basics of using SelecType, all you need to
learn is how to combine modes and how to avoid unexpected results
with SelecType.
Mode Combinations
In addition to the five typestyles available with SelecType, there are
also many combinations of those five that you can use. Table 2-2
shows which modes can be combined. An X in a box indicates that
the two modes can be combined.
20
Table
2-2.
Mode combinations
I
I
/
I
I
I
To combine modes you simply select and set more than one mode
before you press the LF button to leave SelecType. After beginning
the procedure in the normal way and pressing the ON LINE button
to select a function and the FF button to set it, you do not press the
LF button. Instead, you press the ON LINE button the required
number of times to select another mode and set that mode with the
FF button. When you have selected and set all the modes you want,
press the LF button to leave SelecType.
Don’t worry about harming your printer if you try to combine
two modes that the LX-80 can’t mix. Your settings cannot damage
the printer because it is prepared for the possibility of receiving codes
for conflicting modes. If it receives codes for two modes that it can’t
combine, it uses only one of the codes.
The essential element in combining modes is keeping a correct
count of the number of times you press the ON LINE button. You
do not start counting again after you press the FF button the first
time. Instead, you continue the count. Therefore, pressing the ON
LINE button three times, then the FF button, then the ON LINE
button two more times and the FF button again gives you a combination of double-strike and elite. The first pressings of the ON LINE
button select double-strike and the next two give a total of five, which
is the number for elite. The number of times you press ON LINE is
cumulative.
J
For another example, follow these steps to combine NLQ with
emphasized for a crisp, bold effect:
1) See that the ON LINE and READY lights are on. Then press the
ON LINE and FF buttons at the same time.
21
2) Press the ON LINE button once and then the FF button once.
Since one is the code for NLQ, you have now set the LX-80 for
that mode.
3) Press the ON LINE button one more time and then the FF
button once. This makes a total of two times, and thus sets the
LX-80 for emphasized also.
4) Press the LF button to return the panel buttons to their stan-
dard functions.
Now press the ON LINE button and print your document. If
your printing appears in
emphasized Near Letter Quality
as you see here, you have successfully combined the two modes.
If you get any other results, turn your printer off and back on (to
reset it) and then try the steps again.
SelecType Cautions and Tips
Once you have learned the simple technique for controlling print
styles with the panel buttons, you can use it whenever you wish. You
should be aware of two minor restrictions, however.
l SelecType is designed to control the printing of an entire file or
document, not an individual line or word. To print a single word
in an enhanced mode, use one of the other print control methods
listed at the beginning of this chapter.
l If there are print codes in the document or file you are printing,
those codes override your SelecType settings. This seldom happens, since most people use SelecType on files that don’t have
print codes, but remember that if your LX-80 follows the SelecType
instructions for only part of a document, you may have print
codes in the document that are conflicting with the SelecType
modes.
Remember that any mode you turn on with SelecType stays in
effect until the printer is turned off or receives a cancelling or reset
code. Turning off the printer is the simplest method to cancel the
modes you have set, but if you want to learn how to cancel them by
using SelecType, turn to the section called Cancelling Functions with
SelecType in Appendix F.
22
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