IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS 1. Read all of these instructions and save them for later reference. 2. Follow all warnings and instructions marked on the product. 3. Unplug this product from the wall outlet before cleaning. Do not use liquid cleaners or aerosol cleaners. Use a damp cloth for cleaning. 4. Do not use this product near water. 5. Do not place this product on an unstable cart, stand, or table. The product may fall, causing serious damage to the product. 6. Slots and openings in the cabinet and the back or bottom are provided for ventilation; to ensure reliable operation of the product and to protect it from overheating, these openings must not be blocked or covered. The openings should never be blocked by placing the product on a bed, sofa, rug, or other similar surface. This product should never be placed near or over a radiator or heat register This product should not be placed in a built-in installation unless proper ventilation is provided. 7. This product should be operated from the type of power source indicated on the marking label. If you are not sure of the type of power available, consult your dealer or local power company 8. This product is equipped with a 3-wire grounding type plug, a plug having a third (grounding) pin. This plug will only fit into a grounding-type power outlet. This is a safety feature. If you are unable to insert the plug into the outlet, contact your electrician to replace your obsolete outlet. Do not defeat the purpose of the grounding-type plug. 9. Do not locate this product where the cord will be walked on. 10. If an extension cord is used with this product, make sure that the total of the ampere ratings on the products plugged into the extension cord do not exceed the extension cord ampere rating. Also, make sure that the total of all products plugged into the wall outlet does not exceed 15 amperes. 11. Never push objects of any kind into this product through cabinet slots as they may touch dangerous voltage points or short out parts that could result in a risk of fire or electric shock. Never spill liquid of any kind on the product. 12. Except as specifically explained in the Users Manual, do not attempt to service this product yourself. Opening or removing those covers that are marked "Do Not Remove" may expose you to dangerous voltage points or other risks. Refer all servicing in those compartments to service personnel. 13. Unplug this product from the wall outlet and refer servicing to qualified service personnel under the following conditions: A. When the power cord or plug is damaged or frayed. B. If liquid has been spilled into the product. C. If the product has been exposed to rain or water D. If the product does not operate normally when the operating instructions are followed. Adjust only those controls that are covered `by the operating instructions since improper adjustment of other controls may result in damage and will often require extensive work by a qualified technician to restore the product to normal operation. E. If the product has been dropped or the cabinet has been damaged. F. If the product exhibits a distinct change in performance, indicating a need for service. PQ277 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. 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 Glossary Index ii Contents Introduction The ActionPrinterTM L-750 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 216 characters per second in 12 pitch (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 guide 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 protective materials ............................. 1-3 Removing the pull tractor ........................................ 1-6 Choosing a Place for the Printer .................................. 1-7 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 ............................................... 1-9 1-9 1-10 1-13 1-17 1-17 1-17 1-18 Connecting the Printer to Your Computer ..................... 1-20 The parallel interface .............................................. 1-20 Printer Selection Menus ............................................. 1-22 Choosing from a menu ........................................... 1-22 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. After removing the parts, store the packaging materials in case you ever need to transport your printer. 1-2 Setting Up the Printer Unpacking the Printer Removing the protective materials The printer is protected during shipping by the platen protector, two locking tabs, the carriage protector, and the print head protector. These protective items must be removed before you turn on the printer. After removing these items, store them with the other packaging materials. 1. Raise the tractor cover to the upright position. Then lift the cover up and off. 2. Pull the paper bail lever toward you; then remove the platen protector. Setting Up the Printer 1-3 Unpacking the Printer 3. Remove the left and right locking tabs. 4. Holding the print head in place at the left of the printer, remove the carriage protector as shown below. Carriage protector 1-4 Setting Up the Printer Unpacking the Printer 5. Push the paper bail lever back. Then slide the print head to the middle of the printer. Hold the print head in place and remove the print head protector. WARNING: Be sure to remove all protective materials before you turn on the printer. Setting Up the Printer 1-5 Unpacking the Printer 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. Make sure that the printer is turned off. 1. With the tractor cover off, pull the paper bail lever toward you. 2. Press the tabs on the pull tractor. Then tilt the tractor back and lift it off the printer. 1-6 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 1-7 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 35 lb or 16 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. 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 l 1-8 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 shaft. Setting Up the Printer 1-9 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. CAUTION: Never move the print head while the printer is 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. 1-10 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 1-11 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. 1-12 Setting Up the Printer Assembling the Printer Attaching the paper guide The paper guide functions to feed t ...