NEC SuperScript 610plus User Guide

Silentwriter SuperScript 610plus 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 Warranty Statement accompanying each product. However, actual perfomance 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. SuperScript is a 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.

©NEC Technologies, Inc., 1994.

©Copyright, WinStyler™/Phase II, 1992-1994, Destiny Technology Corp. Ver. 2.0

©Copyright, WinRefs™/Phase II, 1994, Destiny Technology Corp. Ver. 2.0

©Copyright, DTIR™, 1992-1994, Destiny Technology Corp. Ver. 1.0

©Copyright, LaserAct®/Phase II, 1990-1994, Destiny Technology Corp, Ver. 4.5

©Copyright, PageStyler®/Phase II, 1989-1994, Destiny Technology Corp. Ver. 1.0

©Copyright, 1992, Microsoft Corporation

First Printing — December 1994

Copyright 1994	Copyright 1994
NEC Technologies, Inc.	NEC Corporation
1414 Massachusetts Avenue	7-1 Shiba 5-Chome, Minato-ku
Boxborough, MA 01719	Tokyo 108-01, Japan
All Rights Reserved	All Rights Reserved

		Contents i
	Contents
Using this Guide		vii
1	Introduction	1-1
	How the Printing Process Works	1-3
	Standard Features	1-3
	Options	1-7
	Ordering Supplies and Accessories	1-8
2	Setting Up	2-1
	Unpacking	2-2
	Unpacking	2-2
	Locating the Printer Items	2-3
	Operating Requirements	2-4
	Printer Dimensions	2-5
	Printer Dimensions with 200-sheet Hopper	2-7
	System Requirements	2-8
	External Printer Parts	2-9
	Internal Printer Parts	2-12
	Installing the Hopper	2-14
	Installing the Standard Hopper	2-14
	Installing the 200-sheet Hopper	2-15
	Toner Cartridge	2-16
	Setting Up the Toner Cartridge	2-16
	Installing the Toner Cartridge	2-20
	Installing Paper	2-23
	Interface Cable	2-26
	Power Cord	2-28
	Installing SuperScript Printing Software	2-30

ii Contents

3	Printing with Your SuperScript 610plus	3-1
	SuperScript 610plus Print Modes	3-2
	GDI Mode	3-2
	GDI Setup Screen	3-3
	2Up/4Up Screen	3-7
	GDI Options Screen	3-8
	Advanced Options	3-8
	Manual Duplex Printing	3-9
	Scaling	3-12
	Print to File	3-12
	Density Button	3-13
	Forms Window	3-14
	PCL Print Mode	3-23
	PCL Control Panel	3-24
	Saving Downloaded Fonts and Macros ( PCL Mode)	3-26
	Page Ejects - Form Feeds ( PCL Mode)	3-28
	Printing from a Windows Application	3-29
	Printing from DOS	3-29
	Printing PCL Files from DOS Command Line	3-30
4 NEC SuperScript Print Manager		4-1
5	Print Status Window	5-1
6 Selecting Paper and Media		6-1
	Paper Properties	6-3
	Print Areas	6-4
	Paper and Media Use	6-5
	Preprinted Forms	6-6
	Heavy Print Stock	6-7
	Envelopes	6-7
	Adhesive Labels	6-9
	Transparency Film	6-10

		Contents iii
	Media Purchasing Specifications	6-10
	Sheet Paper	6-11
	Envelopes	6-13
	Adhesive Labels	6-14
	Transparency Film	6-15
	Storage Guidelines	6-16
7	Using Fonts	7-1
	Fonts in GDI mode	7-2
	Fonts in PCL Mode	7-3
	Installing SuperScript TrueType Fonts	7-4
8	Choosing Print Options	8-1
	How to Print Using Various Media	8-2
	The Standard Hopper	8-4
	Multi-sheet Feed and Single-sheet Feed	8-4
	Installing Paper	8-4
	The 200-sheet Paper Hopper (Optional)	8-5
	Removing the Standard Hopper	8-6
	Installing the 200-sheet Paper Hopper	8-7
	Installing and Removing the Legal Guide	8-8
	Hopper Feed	8-9
	Manual Feed	8-12
	Removing the 200-sheet Hopper	8-14
	Output Paths	8-15
	Face-up Tray	8-16
	Face-down Door	8-16
9	Maintaining Your Printer	9-1
	Redistributing the Toner	9-3
	Cleaning the Printer	9-8
	Replacing the Toner Cartridge	9-9
	Cleaning the Printer Mechanism	9-9
	Installing the Toner Cartridge	9-17

iv Contents

Transporting the Printer	9-22
Removing the Toner Cartridge	9-22
Removing the Paper 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	10-1
Print Quality Maintenance	10-3
Paper Jam	10-3
Locations of Potential Paper Jams	10-4
Removing the Jammed Paper	10-4
Paper Jams in the Hopper	10-5
Paper Jams in the Fuser Unit	10-6
Points to Check to Avoid Paper Jams	10-8
Testing the Printer	10-9
Status Messages	10-11
Installation Problems	10-11
Status Messages	10-14
Operating Problems	10-14
Output Quality	10-25
Light Page	10-25
Blank Page	10-26
Black Page	10-27
Streaked Page	10-28
Spots on Back of Paper	10-29
Blank Spots	10-30
Solid White Vertical Lines	10-31
Incomplete Page	10-31
Graphics Appear Coarse in GDI Mode	10-32
Text Appears Jagged or Low Resolution in GDI Mode	10-32
Unexpected Font in Either GDI or PCL Mode	10-33
Unexpected Font in PCL Mode	10-34
Shifted or Broken Image	10-34

Contents v
Unexpected Font in PCL Mode	10-34
Allocating Virtual Memory	10-35
Commonly Asked Questions	10-37
11 Getting Service and Support (For U.S. Only)	11-1
Assistance	11-2
Getting Help from Your Company	11-2
Getting Help from NEC	11-3
Silentwriter SuperScript 610plus Printer Limited Warranty	11-4
Warranty	11-5
Warranty Length	11-5
Warranty Coverage	11-5
Warranty Support	11-7
Getting Warranty Service	11-7
Limitation of Damages and Implied Warranties	11-8
A Character Sets and Code/Sequence/Commands for
HP LaserJet IIP	A-1
Character Sets	A-2
PCL Character Set Charts	A-2
ISO Substitution Table	A-8
Code/Sequence/Commands	A-16
Control Codes and Escape Sequences	A-16
B Optimizing Printer Performance	B-1
What to do	B-2
C Specifications	C-1
D Interface Cable Specifications	D-1
Cable configurations	D-4
Pin Assignment of the printer side connector	D-5
E Removing SuperScript Files from Your System	E-1
F Installing the Memory Expansion Module	F-1
Glossary
Index

vi Contents

vii

Using this Guide

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

If you are a new user, 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.

viii

Introduction 1–1

1 Introduction

1–2 Introduction

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

Silentwriter SuperScript 610plus is a new laser printer developed specifically for users of WindowsTM Version 3.1. This printer is provided with the SuperScript software kit and requires no special add-in cards or cartridges. We do require a good quality parallel interface cable. Silentwriter SuperScript 610plus 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 610plus 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 610plus communicate bi-directionally to exchange operating status information (i.e., warm-up, paper out, paper jam, etc.) and display messages requiring your attention, if necessary. Hence, you can focus on your work without referring to the printer operator panel periodically, a benefit brought by the SuperScript software.

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

Introduction 1–3

HOW THE PRINTING PROCESS WORKS

STANDARD FEATURES

Whenever you send a job to the printer, an “image” of that page 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 an 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.

The following list highlights Silentwriter SuperScript 610plus features.

Host-based Processing

SuperScript uses your PC power to process print jobs.

Two Printing Modes

The Silentwriter SuperScript 610plus software allows you to select from two different modes of printing:

•GDI mode provides fast, WYSIWYP (What You See Is What You Print) output.

•Both Windows and DOS applications running under Windows can use PCL emulation mode for printing, which provides compatibility with the popular printer language used in the LaserJet® IIP.

1–4 Introduction

Print speed: up to 6 pages per minute.

Print resolution: 300×300 dots per inch.

Sharp Edge Technology

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

Photorealistic printout

(Grayscale technology with photo enhancement)

You can get better quality gray scale printout using this mode to print photographic data in GDI mode. Refer to Chapter 3 for setting of this mode.

Introduction 1–5

Paper input: from a 50-sheet hopper supporting:

Paper:

1Letter

2A4

3Executive

4B5 (GDI Only)

5Legal

Envelope:

1Monarch

2Commercial 10

3DL

4C5

Paper output: face-up tray with a maximum capacity of 50 sheets (at 17 lb), 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 cartridges will print up to 4,000 pages (at 5% coverage).

Power Saving Mode

This printer has Power Saving Mode. In this mode, if the printer is idle for a specified time, the fuser unit pauses and power consumption will be decreased. However the next job requires a warm up time. (See Chapter 5, Print Status Window).

1–6 Introduction

Toner Saving Mode

This feature allows you to save toner by controlling print density. You can turn this mode on or off in Print Status Window (See Chapter 5, Print Status Window).

Print Darkness

This feature allows you to adjust the print darkness of whole page as required. (See Chapter 5, Print Status Window).

Density Adjustment

This feature allows you to adjust the contrast and brightness of the output. This feature is useful for making adjustments to embedded images to produce the best quality when printing.

Manual Duplex Printing

When selected you can print on both sides of a page in either of two binding styles (Book style - binding in the middle or Report style - binding at the top and bottom).

Cover Page

When selected you can print a customized page of either text, graphics, or a combination at the beginning of a print job.

Introduction 1–7

		Trailer Page
		When selected you can print a customized page
		of either text, graphics, or a combination at the
		end of a print job.
		Print Overlay (B/W)
		When selected you can print a customized
		overlay of either text, graphics, or combination
		on either the first page or all pages of a print job.
		Now you can print your logo and text together
		without having to import your logo into every
		print job.
		Print Overlay (Color)
		When selected you can print a customized
		overlay of either text, graphics, or combination
		in one of three colors. For example, you could
		print your company logo in red and your corre-
		spondence in black. This feature requires an
		optional color toner cartridge.
OPTIONS	The options available for the Silentwriter
	SuperScript 610plus include the following.
		Optional 200-sheet Paper Hopper supporting:

Paper:

1Letter

2A4

3Executive

4B5 (GDI Only)

5Legal

1–8 Introduction

ORDERING SUPPLIES AND ACCESSORIES

Envelope:

1Monarch

2Commercial 10

3DL

4C5

SuperScript PS Upgrade Kit

This option upgrades your SuperScript 610plus to include support for PostScript printing, in addition to the standard GDI and PCL modes.

To order any of the following printer supplies or accessories, contact your NEC printer dealer, or call 1-800-NEC-INFO to locate a supplies dealer nearest you.

Introduction 1–9

Table 1-1 Supplies and Accessories

PRODUCT	ORDER NUMBER
Toner Cartridge	20-061
Optional 200-sheet Paper Hopper	6107
SuperScript PS Upgrade Kit	610plus PS
Blue Toner Cartridge	20-062
Red Toner Cartridge	20-063
Yellow Toner Cartridge	20-064

It is recommended to use the specified toner cartridge in order to get better printing quality.

For a detailed description of the PCL printer language, the LaserJet IIP Printer Technical Reference Manual is available through the Hewlett Packard Company. Call Hewlett Packard's Direct Marketing Division toll free at 1-800-538 · 8787 or direct at 408-720-2428. In Canada call 416-671-8383.

1–10 Introduction

Setting Up 2–1

2 Setting Up

2–2 Setting Up

UNPACKING Perform the following procedures to set up your SuperScript 610plus printer.

Unpacking	1.	Open the box.
	2.	Take out the documents (including software
		diskettes), the hopper, and the power cord from
		the box.
	3.	Lift the printer together with the packing materi-
		als.

Setting Up 2–3

Locating the

Printer Items

Locate the following items:

•NEC Silentwriter SuperScript 610plus printer

•SuperScript software kit

•User’s guide

•Hopper

•Power cord

•Starter Toner Cartridge (in the printer)

•Packing material (not shown)

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

2–4 Setting Up

OPERATING REQUIREMENTS

The following operating environment 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.

		Setting Up 2–5
	Printer	The following illustration shows the standard dimen-
	Dimensions	sions of a Silentwriter SuperScript 610plus printer.

2–6 Setting Up

Setting Up 2–7

Printer Dimensions with 200sheet Hopper

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

2–8 Setting Up

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

Silentwriter SuperScript 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 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 (6 megabytes recommended) 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 6.5 megabytes disk space on your system’s hard disk drive. About 2 megabytes more disk space is needed to install the SuperScript TrueType™ 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 610plus printer through a high quality parallel cable. See Appendix D for more details.

Setting Up 2–9

		NOTE: Because of NEC SuperScript’s high speed
		interface, it is important to use a properly manufac-
		tured 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

2–10 Setting Up

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 indicator: the middle panel light is used to show that the printer detects paper empty (steady yellow), manual feed (blinking).

-Attention indicator: the right panel light is used to show that the printer detects cover open, no cartridge (steady red), or a paper jam (blinking).

All indicators light when the printer is powered on or when a printer hardware error occurred (steady).

Setting Up 2–11

Standard Hopper

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

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.

Serial Number

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

2–12 Setting Up

Memory Cover

Provides access to the inside of the printer for the optional memory expansion module. The printer memory can be expanded by adding one SIMM (Single In-line Memory Module). This is available from your local dealer.

The specification of the memory expansion module is the following.

SIMM, 30 pin, 70 nsec, DRAM module with gold finger / 256 KB, 1 MB, or 4MB

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

Toner Cartridge

Contains the toner used in the printing process and the electrophotographic (EP) drum.

Setting Up 2–13

Paper Guide Ribs

Guides the sheets to the fuser unit.

Transfer Roller

A high voltage roller that attracts the toner to the sheets.

Laser Diode Unit

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

Fuser Unit

Fixes the toner to the paper.

2–14 Setting Up

INSTALLING THE HOPPER

Installing the

Standard

Hopper

Install the hopper as follows.

1.Hold the standard hopper with both hands as illustrated and place on the printer.

NOTE: Be sure to remove the ATTENTION sheet packed in your printer prior to installing the hopper.

Setting Up 2–15

Installing the 200-sheet Hopper

2.Push the hopper downward. A clicking sound is heard when the hopper is firmly in place.

3.Check that the hopper is securely set by pushing gently against it.

If you have purchased the optional 200-sheet hopper, install the hopper following the instructions in Chapter 8 "Installing the 200-sheet Hopper".

2–16 Setting Up

	TONER	The toner cartridge contains toner (a dry ink sub-
	CARTRIDGE	stance) and an EP drum that transfers the toner to
		paper. The starter toner cartridge shipped in your
		printer has a sealing tape in place that must be
		removed prior to printing.
	Setting Up the	1. Lift up the toner cartridge gently by holding the
	Toner
		two green handles.
	Cartridge

Setting Up 2–17

2.Hold the cartridge horizontally and gently rock it five to six times to distribute the toner evenly.

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

2–18 Setting Up

3.Grasp the transparent toner sealing tape and pull the tape out. The toner sealing tape is approximately 20 inches (500 mm) 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.

Setting Up 2–19

4.Carefully remove the yellow drum protection pins of the toner cartridge (2 pieces).

NOTE: Do not touch the drum protection shutter.

2–20 Setting Up

Installing the		1.	Check that the power switch is off.
Toner Car-		2.	Pull the lock release lever of the upper cover and
tridge			carefully open it.

Setting Up 2–21

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.

2–22 Setting Up

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

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

	Setting Up 2–23
INSTALLING	1. Slide the right paper guide over to the right edge
PAPER	to allow for paper installation.

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

2–24 Setting Up

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 heavier paper, envelopes, labels and transparencies (refer to Chapter 8). To protect unused sheets from getting excessively damp or dry, store them in their original protective coverings.

Setting Up 2–25

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

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

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

2–26 Setting Up

INTERFACE	Use a good quality parallel cable to connect this
CABLE	printer to a computer. See Appendix D for the
	parallel cable specifications.
	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.

Setting Up 2–27

2.Plug the interface cable connector 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 interface connector.

2–28 Setting Up

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.

Setting Up 2–29

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.

2–30 Setting Up

INSTALLING SUPERSCRIPT PRINTING SOFTWARE

Silentwriter SuperScript includes a software installation program to make 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 sufficient disk space for SuperScript. (See this chapter “System Requirements”.)

SuperScript software checks your system and will report if an adjustment is required.

To install the SuperScript software:

1.Place the NEC SuperScript software diskette #1 into the appropriate disk drive of your computer, for example 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 window should be displayed on your screen. If the Program Manager 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.