Where to Get Help Customer support and service for Epson products are provided by a network of authorized Epson dealers and service centers throughout the United States. Epson America provides product information and toll-free support to its dealers and service centers. Epson is confident that this policy will provide you with the assistance you need. For service center and technical support referrals, please call our Consumer Information number: 1-800-922-8911. Options and Supplies To locate or purchase ActionPrinterTM accessories or supplies, please call 1-800-873-7766. Contents Introduction About This Guide Chapter 1 Setting Up the Printer Unpacking the Printer ................................................ Choosing a Place for the Printer .................................. Assembling the Printer ............................................... Testing the Printer .................................................... Connecting the Printer to Your Computer ..................... Printer Selection Menus ............................................. Chapter 2 Paper Handling Using Single Sheets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Using Continuous Paper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Printing on Special Paper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chapter 3 Using the Printer Operating the Control Panel ....................................... DIP Switches ........................................................... Selecting Typestyles ................................................... Selecting an International Character Set ........................ Choosing a Character Table ........................................ 1 2 1-1 1-2 1-5 1-7 1-13 1-19 1-21 2-1 2-2 2-8 2-20 3-1 3-2 3-5 3-11 3-14 3-16 4-1 Chapter 4 Troubleshooting and Maintenance Problems and Solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2 Cleaning the Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-6 Replacing the Ribbon.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-8 Transporting the Printer.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-11 Contents iii Chapter 5 Technical Specifications Printer Specifications ................................................. Interface Specifications ............................................... Initialization ............................................................. Default Settings ........................................................ Chapter 6 Command Summary 5-1 5-2 5-7 5-11 5-12 6-1 A-1 Appendix The Interface Boards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .............................. A-2 The Multi-Font Module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-14 Glossary Index iv Contents Introduction The ActionPrinterTM L-1000 is an advanced 24-pin impact dot matrix printer combining a compact design and high performance with a wide range of features. Features In addition to the high-quality printing and ease of operation you have come to expect from Epson® printers, your printer offers the following: Draft mode with fast printing of up to 180 characters per second in 12 cpi (12 characters per inch). Two built-in Letter Quality fonts (Roman and Sans Serif) for producing high-quality documents. A convenient control panel design that allows for direct selection of fonts. Fourteen international character sets, a legal set, italics, and the Epson Extended Graphics set. Easy paper handling, featuring automatic single-sheet loading. Compatibility with the Epson ESC/P® commands used by other Epson Letter Quality printers. Introduction 1 About This Guide This user's guide provides fully illustrated, step-by-step instructions for setting up and operating your printer. Finding your way around Chapter 1 contains information on unpacking, setting up, testing, and connecting the printer. Be sure to read and follow the instructions in this chapter first. Chapters 2 and 3 include important information on paper handling and general printer operation. This information is necessary for the day-to-day operation of your printer. Other chapters contain information on general maintenance, specifications, and printer commands. There is also a glossary of printer terms and an index. At the back of this manual is a Quick Reference card. Conventions used in this guide WARNINGS: must be followed carefully to avoid damage to your printer and computer. CAUTIONS: should be followed carefully to ensure that your printer operates correctly. Notes: contain important information and useful tips on the operation of your printer. 2 About This Guide Chapter 1 Setting Up the Printer Unpacking the Printer ................................................ 1-2 Removing the pull tractor ........................................ 1-3 Choosing a Place for the Printer .................................. 1-5 Assembling the Printer.. ............................................. Installing the paper feed knob .................................. Installing the ribbon cartridge ................................... Attaching the paper guide ........................................ Testing the Printer .................................................... Plugging in the printer ............................................ Loading a sheet of paper ......................................... Running the self test ............................................... 1-7 1-7 1-8 1-11 1-13 1-13 1-14 1-16 Connecting the Printer to Your Computer ..................... 1-19 The parallel interface .............................................. 1-19 Printer Selection Menus ............................................. 1-21 Choosing from a menu ........................................... 1-21 Setting Up the Printer 1-1 Unpacking the Printer As you unpack the printer, check that you have all the parts shown below and that none have been damaged during transportation. Note: You'll find the paper feed knob in a piece of the foam packing. Also, in some locations, the power cable may be attached to the printer. 1-2 Setting Up the Printer Unpacking the Printer After removing the parts, store the packaging materials in case you ever need to transport your printer. CAUTION: There are several different versions of the printer designed for different electrical standards. The power supply type is shown on the label on the back of the printer. If it does not show the correct voltage for your country, contact your dealer. It is not possible to adjust the printer for use on another voltage. Removing the pull tractor By removing the pull tractor now, you will be prepared to perform the printer's self test later. Follow these steps to remove the pull tractor: 1. Raise the tractor cover to the upright position. Then lift the cover up and off. Note: Remove the packaging material inserted between both sides of the tractor unit and the tractor cover. Be sure to store this material with the other packaging materials in case you ever need to transport the printer. Setting Up the Printer 1-3 Unpacking the Printer 2. Hold both ends of the tractor unit and slowly tilt the unit back until the front notches of the unit are free. 3. Lift the tractor unit up and off.; 1-4 Setting Up the Printer Choosing a Place for the Printer When you select a location for your printer, keep the following in mind: l l Place the printer on a flat, stable surface. Place the printer close enough to the computer for its cable to reach. Leave adequate room around the printer to allow for easy operation and maintenance. Use a grounded outlet; do not use an adapter plug. l l The illustration below shows a good printer location. Setting Up the Printer 1-5 Choosing a Place for the Printer Note: If you plan to use a printer stand, make sure it meets the following requirements: l The stand must support at least 30 lb or 14 kg (twice the weight of the printer). The stand must not tilt the printer more than 15 degrees from horizontal. With a cut sheet feeder, the stand must keep the printer level. If the paper supply is below the printer stand, make sure that the paper cannot catch on the underside of the stand or on the stand supports. Make sure that the power cord and the interface cable do not interfere with paper feeding. If possible, secure them to a printer stand support. l l l WARNING: l Avoid locations that are subject to direct sunlight, excessive heat, moisture, or dust. l Avoid using electrical outlets that are controlled by wall switches or automatic timers. Accidental disruption of power can wipe out information both in your computer's memory and in your printer's memory. Avoid using outlets on the same circuit with large motors or other appliances that might disturb the power supply. Keep the entire computer system away from potential sources of interference such as loudspeakers or the base units of cordless telephones. l l 1-6 Setting Up the Printer Assembling the Printer To assemble the printer, you need only do the following: l l l Install the paper feed knob. Install the ribbon cartridge. Attach the paper guide. Installing the paper feed knob The first step in setting up the printer is to install the paper feed knob. You use this knob to manually feed paper in the printer when the printer is turned off. You'll find the paper feed knob packed in an indentation in the white foam packing material. 1. Insert the knob into the hole on the printer's side and rotate it until it slips onto the six-sided shaft. Setting Up the Printer 1-7 Assembling the Printer 2. Push firmly on the knob until it fits against the printer case. Installing the ribbon cartridge Follow these steps to install the ribbon cartridge. 1. Slide the print head to the middle of the printer. turned on because this can damage the printer. Also, if you have been using the printer, the print head may be hot; let it cool for a few minutes before touching it. CAUTION: Never move the print head while the printer is 1-8 Setting Up the Printer Assembling the Printer 2. Remove the ribbon cartridge from its box and remove the plastic wrapper. 3. Turn the ribbon-tightening knob in the direction of the arrow. This removes any excess slack in the ribbon and makes it easier to install. 4. Hold the ribbon cartridge by its handle and push it firmly down into position, making sure the plastic hooks fit into the printer. Press lightly on both sides of the cartridge to be sure the hooks are properly inserted. Setting Up the Printer 1-9 Assembling the Printer 5. Use a pointed object, such as the tip of a pencil, to guide the ribbon between the print head and ribbon guide while you turn the ribbon-tightening knob to help feed the-ribbon into place. 6. Slide the print head from side to side to be sure it moves smoothly. Also check that the ribbon is not twisted or creased. 1-10 Setting Up the Printer Assembling the Printer Attaching the paper guide The paper guide functions to feed the paper smoothly and efficiently. Follow these steps to install the paper guide: 1. Place the paper guide on the printer. 2. Raise the paper guide until it locks into place. Setting Up the Printer 1-11 Assembling the Printer 3. Attach the printer cover by fitting the legs of the cover into the notches at the front of the printer. 4. Close the printer cover. 1-12 Setting Up the Printer Testing the Printer Now that your printer is fully assembled, you can use the built-in self test function to see that the printer is working correctly even though it is not connected to a computer. Be sure to perform this test to check that your printer is operating properly. Before running the self test, you need to connect your printer to an electrical outlet and load a sheet of paper. Plugging in the printer Follow these steps to plug in the printer: 1. Be sure the printer is turned off. 2. Plug the power cable into a properly grounded electrical outlet. power on and off rapidly can damage the printer. WARNING: After turning the printer off, always wait at least five seconds before turning it back on. Turning the Setting Up the Printer 1-13 Testing the Printer Loading a sheet of paper Next, you need to load a sheet of paper that is letter or A4 size. 1. Turn on the printer. The green POWER and red PAPER OUT lights 2. Be sure that the paper release lever is pushed back to the single sheet position. 1-14 Setting Up the Printer Testing the Printer 3. Move the left edge guide so it locks in place next to the guide mark. 4. Adjust the right edge guide to match the width of your paper. Next, slide a sheet down between the edge guides u ...