NEC SuperScript 610 User Guide

Silentwriter

SuperScript 610

User's Guide

PROPRIETARY NOTICE AND LIABILITY DISCLAIMER

The information disclosed in this document, including all designs and related materials, is the valuable property of NEC Corporation (NEC) and/or its licensers. NEC and/ or its licensers, as appropriate, reserve all patent, copyright and other proprietary rights to this document, including all design, manufacturing, reproduction, use, and sales rights thereto, except to the extent said rights are expressly granted to others.

The NEC product(s) discussed in this document are warranted in accordance with the terms of the applicable NEC product specification. However, actual performance of each such product is dependent upon factors such as system configuration, customer data, and operator control. Since implementation by customers of each product may vary, the suitability of specific product configurations and applications must be determined by the customer and is not warranted by NEC.

To allow for design and specification improvements, the information in this document is subject to change at any time, without notice. Reproduction of this document or portions thereof without prior written approval of NEC is prohibited.

Silentwriter is a U.S. registered trademark of NEC Corporation. All other product, brand, or trade names used in this publication are the trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

©Copyright, WinRefs 1993, Destiny Technology Corp. Ver. 1.0

©Copyright, 1992, Microsoft Corporation

First Printing — Oct. 1993

Revised — April 1994

Copyright 1993

NEC Corporation

7-1 Shiba 5-Chome, Minato-ku

Tokyo 108-01, Japan

All Rights Reserved

Contents iii

Contents

Using This Guide ...............................................................		ix
1.	Introduction
	How the Printing Process Works ..............	1-2
	Standard Features .....................................	1-3
	Optional Features......................................	1-6
	Ordering Supplies and Accessories ..........	1-7
2.	Setting Up
	Unpacking .................................................	2-1
	Unpacking .............................................	2-1
	Locating the Printer Items .....................	2-2
	Operating Requirements ...........................	2-3
	Printer Dimensions ................................	2-5
	Printer Dimensions
	with 200-sheet Hopper ........................	2-6
	System Requirements ...............................	2-7
	External Printer Parts ................................	2-8
	Internal Printer Parts ...............................	2-11
	Toner Cartridge ......................................	2-13
	Preparing the Toner Cartridge ............	2-14
	Installing the Toner Cartridge .............	2-17
	Installing Paper .......................................	2-20
	Interface Cable........................................	2-23
	Power Cord .............................................	2-25
	Installing SuperScript Printing Software 2-27
3. Printing with Your Silentwriter SuperScript 610
	Silentwriter SuperScript Print Modes .......	3-1
	GDI Mode .................................................	3-2
	GDI Setup Screen .................................	3-2
	GDI Option Screen ...............................	3-5
	Printing Status Option ...........................	3-6

iv Contents

Manual Duplex Printing ........................	3-6
PCL Print Mode ......................................	3-11
Saving Downloaded Fonts and Macros3-12
Page Ejects - Form Feeds
(PCL Mode) ....................................	3-13
Printing from a Windows Application ...	3-14
Printing from DOS Application ..............	3-14
Printing PCL Files from
DOS Command Line ...........................	3-14

4.NEC SuperScript Print Manager

5.Print Status Window

6.Selecting Paper and Media

	Paper Properties ........................................	6-2
	Print Areas ............................................	6-3
	Paper and Media Use ............................	6-4
	Preprinted Forms ...................................	6-5
	Heavy Print Stock .................................	6-6
	Envelopes ..............................................	6-6
	Adhesive Labels ....................................	6-8
	Transparency Film ................................	6-9
	Media Purchasing Specifications .............	6-9
	Sheet Paper..........................................	6-10
	Envelopes ............................................	6-12
	Adhesive Labels ..................................	6-13
	Transparency Film ..............................	6-14
	Storage Guidelines ..................................	6-14
7.	Using Fonts
	Fonts in GDI Mode ...................................	7-1
	Fonts in PCL Mode ..................................	7-3
8.	Choosing Print Options
	How to Print Using Various Media ..........	8-2
	The Standard Hopper ................................	8-4

Contents v

Multi-sheet Feed and Single-sheet Feed 8-4

Loading the Paper .................................	8-4
The 200-sheet Paper Hopper (Optional) ...	8-7
Removing the Standard Hopper ............	8-8
Installing the 200-sheet Paper Hopper ..	8-9
Hopper Feed ........................................	8-10
Manual Feed ........................................	8-13
Removing the 200-sheet Hopper ........	8-15
Output Paths ...........................................	8-16
Face-up Tray .......................................	8-17
Face-down Door..................................	8-17
9. Maintaining Your Printer
Redistributing the Toner ...........................	9-2
Cleaning the Printer ..................................	9-7
Replacing the Toner Cartridge .................	9-8
Cleaning the Printer Mechanism ...........	9-8
Cleaning Conditions ..........................	9-9
Parts to Be Cleaned .........................	9-10
Cleaning Procedure .........................	9-12
Installing the Toner Cartridge .............	9-16
Transporting the Printer ..........................	9-22
Removing the Toner Cartridge ...........	9-22
Removing the 200-sheet Hopper ........	9-24
Removing the Interface Cable ............	9-24
Removing the Power Cord ..................	9-25
Check List Before
Transporting the Printer ........................	9-26
10. Troubleshooting
Print Quality Maintenance ......................	10-2
Paper Jam................................................	10-2
Locations of Potential Paper Jams ......	10-3
Removing Jammed Paper ...................	10-3
Paper Jams in the Hopper ................	10-4
Paper Jams in the Fuser Unit ...........	10-5
Points to Check to Avoid
Paper Jams ........................................	10-7
Testing the Printer ..................................	10-8

vi Contents

Status Messages ....................................	10-10
Installation Problems ........................	10-10
Operating Problems ..........................	10-14
Output Quality ......................................	10-26
Light Page .........................................	10-26
Blank Page ........................................	10-27
Black Page ........................................	10-28
Streaked Page ....................................	10-29
Spots on Back of Paper .....................	10-30
Blank Spots .......................................	10-31
Solid White Vertical Line .................	10-32
Graphics Appear Coarse
in GDI Mode ...................................	10-33
Text Appears Jagged or Low
Resolution in GDI Mode .................	10-33
Unexpected Font in Either GDI or
PCL Mode .......................................	10-34
Unexpected Font in PCL Mode ........	10-35
Shifted or Broken Image ...................	10-35
Allocating Virtual Memory ..................	10-36
Commonly Asked Questions ................	10-38

ACharacter Sets

BOptimizing Printer Performance

CSpecifications

DInterface Cable Specifications

ERemoving SuperScript Files from Your System Glossary

Index

Contents vii

List of Tables

1-1	Supplies and Accessories ...............	1-7
6-1	Paper Specifications .....................	6-10
6-2	Envelope Specifications ...............	6-12
6-3	Label Specifications .....................	6-13
6-4	Transparency Specifications ........	6-14
8-1-a Recommended Printing Methods
	[The Standard Hopper] ...................	8-2
8-1-b Recommended Printing Methods
	[Optional 200-sheet Hopper] ..........	8-3
10-1	Simple Troubleshooting ...............	10-1

viii Contents

Contents ix

Using this Guide

This guide provides an introduction to the NEC Silentwriter SuperScript 610 printer and includes information about its setting up, features, operation, and maintenance.

If you are just beginning to use it, you may want to read this entire user’s guide to familiarize yourself with the printer. If you have been using the printer for some time, you can scan the Contents for specific information that you need.

x Contents

Introduction 1–1

1 Introduction

This guide provides complete instructions for operating your new NEC Silentwriter® SuperScript 610 printer. All printer features are explained and illustrated in detail.

Silentwriter SuperScript 610 is a new laser printer that has been developed specially for users of WindowsTM version 3.1. This printer is provided with the SuperScript software kit and requires no special add-in cards, cartridges, or cables. Silentwriter SuperScript 610 differs from other printers in that it is directly driven by the CPU of your computer; hence, it has faster response and better status information. In addition, by expanding the memory of your computer or upgrading to a more powerful PC, the performance of your SuperScript 610 can also be improved.

NEC SuperScript software supports two printing modes, namely, GDI mode and PCL emulation mode. GDI mode offers the full performance of the total printing system while the PCL emulation mode offers compatibility with existing PCL print files.

Your computer and Silentwriter SuperScript 610 communicate bi-directionally to exchange the operating status information (i. e., warm-up, paper out, paper jam, etc.) of SuperScript 610 to display messages requiring your attention on your screen, if necessary. Hence, you can focus on your work without referring to the printer operator panel periodically, a benefit brought by the SuperScript software.

1–2 Introduction

HOW THE PRINTING PROCESS WORKS

The SuperScript 610 is designed as a personal laser printer to conserve desk space and it features low power consumption .

Whenever you send a job to the printer, an “image” of the page to be printed is temporarily written to the rotating surface of an electrophotographic (EP) drum. This image acts like a magnet that attracts toner to the drum. (The toner and the drum are grouped in one self-contained cartridge.)

At the same time, paper (or transparency film or envelope) passes through the printer and near the drum. The paper is electrostatically charged as it reaches the drum.

Toner, previously attracted to the drum as image areas, is transferred to the charged paper. The paper then passes between two rollers where a combination of heat and pressure bonds the toner to the paper. The paper is then moved to the output tray.

		Introduction 1–3
STANDARD	The following list highlights Silentwriter SuperScript
FEATURES	610 features.
		Host-based Processing
		As mentioned in the introduction section,
		SuperScript uses your PC power to handle print
		tasks.
		Two Printing Modes
		The Silentwriter SuperScript 610 software allows
		you to select from two different modes of
		printing:
		• GDI mode provides fast, WYSIWYG (What
		You See Is What You Get) output.
		• PCL emulation mode provides compatibility
		with the popular printer language used in the
		LaserJet® IIP. Both Windows and DOS
		applications running under Windows can use
		PCL emulation mode for printing.
		Print speed: up to 6 pages per minute.
		Print resolution: 300 dots per inch.

1–4 Introduction

Sharp Edge Technology

Silentwriter SuperScript 610 features the patented Sharp Edge Technology (SET). This feature detects and smoothes jagged edges of raster images to be printed by dividing one full dot into several subdots to be set in the appropriate position. The print quality of both text and graphics will be improved.

Paper input: from a 50-sheet hopper supporting:

Paper:

1Letter

2A4

3Executive

4A5

Envelope:

1Monarch

2Commercial 10

3DL

4C5

Introduction 1–5

Paper output: face-up tray with a maximum capacity of 50 sheets (at 64 g/m2), or face-down door.

Toner cartridge: clean, efficient printer operation centered around one easily replaceable cartridge. The Starter Toner Cartridge which is shipped with your printer will print 2,000 pages (at 5% coverage). Replacement toner cartridge will print 4,000 pages (at 5% coverage).

Product quality and support: the design quality and workmanship shared by all NEC printers, backed by our total commitment to full product support.

Power Saving Mode

This printer has the Power Saving Mode. In this mode, if there is no print job within specified time (default 15 minutes) while printer is idle, the fuser unit pauses and power consumption will be decreased. However the next printing operation needs a certain warming up time.

The printer is in the Power Saving Mode when it is turned on. You can also select either "Power Saving Mode ON" or "Power Saving Mode OFF" in NEC SuperScript Print Manager (See Chapter 4, NEC SuperScript Print Manager).

1–6 Introduction

OPTIONAL	The optional feature available for the Silentwriter
FEATURES	SuperScript 610 include the following.
		Optional 200-sheet Paper Hopper supporting:

Paper:

1Letter

2A4

3Executive

4A5

Envelope:

1Monarch

2Commercial 10

3DL

4C5

Introduction 1–7

ORDERING SUPPLIES AND ACCESSORIES

To order any of the following printer supplies or accessories, contact your NEC printer dealer.

Table 1-1 Supplies and Accessories

PRODUCT

ORDER NUMBER

Toner Cartridge	135-037681-201-A
Optional 200-sheet Hopper	135-006432-201-A

For a detailed description of the PCL’s printer language, the LaserJet IIP Printer Technical Reference Manual is available through the Hewlett Packard Company.

1–8 Introduction

Setting Up 2–1

2	Setting Up
	Perform the following procedures to set up your
	SuperScript 610.

UNPACKING

1. Open the box.

Unpacking

2.Take out the documents (including software diskettes) and the power cord from the box.

3.Take out the Starter Toner Cartridge.

4.Lift the printer together with the packing materials.

2–2 Setting Up

Locating the

Printer Items

Locate the following items:

•NEC Silentwriter SuperScript 610 Printer

•SuperScript software kit

•User’s guide

•Power cord

•Starter Toner Cartridge

•Packing material (not shown)

NOTE: Save this user’s guide and all packing materials in case the printer needs to be repacked.

Setting Up 2–3

OPERATING REQUIREMENTS

The following operating requirements should be satisfied:

Place the printer on a sturdy, flat surface.

Keep the room well ventilated with a relative humidity between 20% and 80% and temperature between 50˚F and 90.5˚F (10˚C to 32.5˚C)

Leave adequate space around the printer for easy access (See the following figure.)

WARNING: Do not place objects near the printer that may cover the ventilation holes on its sides.

2–4 Setting Up

Setting Up 2–5

The following illustration shows the standard dimen- Printer sions of a Silentwriter SuperScript 610 printer.

Dimensions

2–6 Setting Up

Printer Dimensions with 200sheet Hopper

The following illustration shows the dimensions of a Silentwriter SuperScript 610 printer when the 50sheet hopper is replaced by the optional 200-sheet hopper.

Setting Up 2–7

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

Silentwriter SuperScript 610 works with Windows 3.1, in Enhanced Mode, and requires MS-DOS 3.3 or later.

To run SuperScript, you will need an IBMcompatible PC with at least a 386SX 16-MHz CPU. This includes all 486-based and most 386-based PCs. Some older 386s cannot run in Windows Enhanced Mode, which means that SuperScript will not work properly on those systems. SuperScript will not run on 286-based PCs and other earlier systems. If you have Windows installed on your PC, you can verify whether it runs in Enhanced Mode by typing WIN/3 at the MS-DOS prompt. If your PC cannot run Windows in Enhanced Mode, the system will tell you.

SuperScript requires at least 4 megabytes PC memory (RAM), which is the amount of memory recommended by Microsoft for use with Windows 3.1. Adding more memory to your PC will increase the overall system and printer performance.

The SuperScript software requires approximately 1.4 megabytes disk space on your system’s hard disk drive. About 2 megabytes more disk space is needed to install the SuperScript TrueTypeTM Fonts. In addition, up to approximately 8.5 megabytes disk space is required for virtual memory under Windows. (If you have more than 4 megabytes RAM, you won’t need the entire 8.5 megabytes virtual memory. The total memory – PC RAM plus virtual memory – should add up to at least 12.5 megabytes. See Allocating Virtual Memory, in Chapter 10,

Troubleshooting)

A standard PC parallel printer port is required to connect with the SuperScript 610 printer through a standard parallel cable.

2–8 Setting Up

		NOTE: Because of Silentwriter SuperScript 610’s
		high speed interface, it is important to use a properly
		manufactured parallel cable. Use of a poor quality
		parallel cable may affect your output. See Interface
		Cable specification, Appendix D.
EXTERNAL		The following two illustrations show external printer
PRINTER		parts.
PARTS

Setting Up 2–9

Upper Cover (also functions as a face-up tray)

Provides access to the inside of the printer and stacks printed sheets with printed side facing up. Maximum capacity: 50 sheets.

Lock Release Lever

Unlocks and opens the upper cover.

Status Panel

There are three indicator lights to show the operating status of the printer.

-Ready indicator: the left panel light is used to show that the printer is ready (steady green), warming up (rapid blinking), or in power saving mode (slow blinking).

-Paper Jam indicator: the middle panel light appears in red when the printer detects a paper jam.

-Attention indicator: the right panel light appears in red in error conditions other than the paper jams. For example, paper out, cover open, toner cartridge missing, or engine malfunction.

2–10 Setting Up

Standard Hopper

Holds up to 50 sheets of paper (at 17 lbs).

Face-down Door

Ejects the printed sheets with printed side facing down.

Power Switch

Turns the printer off or on.

Model Number

Indicates the model number of your printer.

Setting Up 2–11

Serial Number

Indicates the serial number of your printer (You need to enter this number on the warranty registration)

Parallel Interface

Provides connection to the Centronics-type parallel interface connector of your computer.

Power Outlet

Connects the power cord to a power outlet.

INTERNAL

PRINTER

PARTS

2–12 Setting Up

Toner Cartridge

Contains the toner powder used in the printing process and the EP drum.

Paper Guide Ribs

Guides the sheets to the fuser unit.

Transfer Roller

A high voltage roller that attracts the toner on the

EP drum.

Laser Diode Unit

Exposes and generates the print image on the EP drum surface.

Erase Unit

Equalizes the distribution of electric potential on the EP drum.

Fuser Unit

Fixes the toner to the paper.

	Setting Up 2–13
TONER	The toner cartridge contains toner (a dry ink sub-
CARTRIDGE	stance) and an EP drum that transfers the toner to
	paper. Unpack the toner cartridge from its box and
	install it in the printer as follows:
	Unpack the cartridge box.
	The cartridge box consists of a carton box, inserts,
	and a toner cartridge.

Unpacking illustration

2–14 Setting Up

Preparing	1.		Remove the new toner cartridge from its bag.
the Toner	2.		Hold the cartridge horizontally and gently shake
Cartridge			it five to six times to distribute the toner evenly.

NOTE: Shake the cartridge in the direction indicated in the illustration. While shaking, take care not to touch the drum protection shutter (red transparent plastic) of the toner cartridge.

Setting Up 2–15

3.Grasp the yellow toner sealing tape tab and pull the tape out. The toner sealing tape is approximately 20 inches long when completely removed.

NOTE: Be sure to pull the tape straight and slowly out of the cartridge to prevent it from being broken in the middle. Be careful not to get toner from the tape on your hands. If you get toner on your hands, wash with cold water.

2–16 Setting Up

4.Carefully remove the yellow shutter lock pins of the toner cartridge (2 pieces).

NOTE: Do not touch the drum protection shutter.

				Setting Up 2–17
		1.		Check that the power switch is off.
	Installing
	the Toner	2.		Pull the lock release lever of the upper cover and
	Cartridge			carefully open it.

2–18 Setting Up

3.Hold the toner cartridge by its two green handles and gently release it bottom first into the printer.

NOTE: Check that the toner cartridge is securely seated inside the printer.

Setting Up 2–19

4. Carefully push down the upper cover to close it.

NOTE: Check that the lock release lever has securely returned to its locked position.

2–20 Setting Up

	INSTALLING	1. Unfold and lock the paper guides of the hopper
	PAPER	starting with 1 and then 2. Then hold the right
		paper holder by its foot and position it to the right
		edge 3.

2.Pull the paper setting lever in the direction indicated by the arrow.

Setting Up 2–21

3.Insert paper as far as it will go with its edges evenly touching the left paper guide.

The hopper can accommodate up to approximately 50 sheets. However, load one sheet at a time in single-sheet feed mode if you are using legal size paper, heavier paper, envelopes, labels and transparencies (refer to Chapter 8). To protect unused sheets from getting excessively damp or dry, replace them in their protective cover.

2–22 Setting Up

4.Move the right paper guide until it gently touches the edge of paper.

5.Return the paper setting lever down to its original position.

NOTE: Check that edges of paper are even. Otherwise, sheets may not be fed properly, which may cause print errors.

	Setting Up 2–23
INTERFACE	Use a parallel cable to connect this printer to a
CABLE	computer.
	Connect the interface cable as described below.
	1. Switch off power to the printer and the computer.

NOTE: To protect your printer and computer from possible damage, make sure they are powered down prior to connection.

2–24 Setting Up

2.Plug the connector of the interface cable into the printer and then secure the lock springs.

3.Connect the other end of the cable to the computer. Refer to the computer manual for details about selection of a proper connector to interface your printer to.

Setting Up 2–25

POWER CORD Use the power cord provided and connect it to an outlet.

NOTE: Do not connect the power cord to the auxiliary outlet of your computer.

Connect the power cord as described below.

1. Switch off power to the printer.

NOTE: Check that the power switch is off.

2–26 Setting Up

2.Plug the power cord into the power connector on the rear panel of the printer.

3.Plug the other end of the power cord into an outlet.

Setting Up 2–27

INSTALLING SUPERSCRIPT PRINTING SOFTWARE

Silentwriter SuperScript 610 includes a software installation program to make the setup easier. The installation program analyzes your system configuration, installs the SuperScript software and fonts, and makes any necessary changes to Windows startup files.

Once you have started the NEC SuperScript setup program, you can cancel the installation at any time. Just click on the Cancel button that appears in the setup program window.

NOTE: You must have a minimum of 4 megabytes of RAM and 8.5 megabytes hard disk space. The following information shows how to identify the available space on your hard disk. You may skip this page if you are sure that your system meets both.

To verify your available disk space,you can try the following:

1.From the C:\ prompt (or whichever drive you intend to install the SuperScript software), type

DIR.

2.Examine the disk space information given near the end of the screen.

.

.

.

DOS	<DIR> 06-15-93	9:00a
CONFIG SYS	30 06-15-93	9:15a
	.
	.
	.
50 file(s)	12345678 bytes

113483442 bytes free

3.The number appearing in bold here is the relevant information you need to look for on your screen. Make sure your number is greater than 8,910,000.

2–28 Setting Up

To install the SuperScript software:

1.Place the NEC SuperScript software diskette #1 into the appropriate disk drive of your computer, say A:. Close the drive door or lever if the drive has one.

2.Start Microsoft Windows. At the DOS prompt, type:

WIN/3

Windows will start up as usual, after which the Program Manager group window should be displayed on your screen. If the Program Manager group appears as an icon, restore it by double-clicking on the icon.

3.From the Program Manger menu, click on File. Then click on the Run... option. The Run Program dialog box appears.

4.At the prompt, type:

[A:] NECSETUP

where [A:] is the letter of the drive containing the SuperScript software diskette. The first setup screen appears as shown in the following figure.

Setting Up 2–29

Click the mouse or press any key to continue.

2–30 Setting Up

5.You will be prompted to choose 50-sheet hopper or 200-sheet hopper. Unless you have purchased the optional 200-sheet hopper, select the standard 50-sheet hopper.

6.Tell the setup program which parallel port you wish to use: LPT1, LPT2, or LPT3. The setup program only shows you the port names available on your system. The default is LPT1.

Later, after the installation, you can select a different port by using the NEC SuperScript Print Manager (see Chapter 4).

Setting Up 2–31

7.Tell the setup program which drive and directory you want to install the NEC SuperScript software on. You can accept the default supplied by the setup program, or give it the name of another drive on your PC on which to install the software. You should select a drive with at least the amount of free disk space (1.4 megabytes) required for the NEC SuperScript installation.

As shown in the next figure, “Setup Directory Selection”, the setup program will create and set up the directory “C:\SSCRIPT” as the default installation directory. You can change the default directory at this time by specifying a different directory.

Click on the OK button.

The installation program then copies the NEC SuperScript software to the specified directory.

2–32 Setting Up

8. During the installation, NEC SuperScript shows you progress and status messages, as shown in the next figure.