User manual EPSON LX-300

EPSON ® LX-300 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of Seiko Epson Corporation. No patent liability is assumed with respect to the use of the information contained herein. While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this book, Seiko Epson Corporation assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions. Neither is any liability assumed for damages resulting from the use of the information contained herein. Neither Seiko Epson Corporation nor its affiliates shall be liable to the purchaser of this product or third parties for damages, losses, costs, or expenses incurred by purchaser or third parties as a result of: accident, misuse, or abuse of this product or unauthorized modifications, repairs, or alterations to this product, or (excluding the U.S.) failure to strictly comply with Seiko Epson Corporation's operating and maintenance instructions. Seiko Epson Corporation shall not be liable against any damages or problems arising from the use of any options or any consumable products other than those designated as Original Epson Products or Epson Approved Products by Seiko Epson Corporation. Epson and Epson ESC/P are registered trademarks of Seiko Epson Corporation. Epson Connection is a service mark of Epson America, Inc. General Notice: Other product names used herein are for identification purposes only and may be trademarks of their respective owners. Epson disclaims any and all rights in those marks. Copyright © 1995 by Seiko Epson Corporation Nagano, Japan User's Guide Paper supports Edge guides Paper guide Paper-release lever Paper-feed knob Power switch Control panel Printer cover Print head Sprocket unit Paper-thickness lever Paper support Tractor Buttons Light Lights Roman Sans Serif Draft Draft Condensed Font LF/FF Pause 1 2 Paper Park 3sec Micro Adjust The color samples used on the cover were printed using the LX-300 printer. Lotus, 1-2-3, and Freelance Graphics are registered trademarks of Lotus Development Corporation. FCC Compliance Statement For United States Users This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio or television reception. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause interference to radio and television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures. t Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna t Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver t Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected t Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help. WARNING The connection of a non-shielded equipment interface cable to this equipment will invalidate the FCC Certification of this device and may cause interference levels which exceed the limits established by the FCC for this equipment. It is the responsibility of the user to obtain and use a shielded equipment interface cable with this device. If this equipment has more than one interface connector, do not leave cables connected to unused interfaces. Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the manufacturer could void the user's authority to operate the equipment. For Canadian Users This digital apparatus does not exceed the Class B limits for radio noise emissions from digital apparatus as set out in the radio interference regulations of the Canadian Department of Communications. Le présent appareil numérique n'émet pas de bruits radioélectriques dépassant les limites applicables aux appareils numériques de Classe B prescrites dans le règlement sur le brouillage radioélectrique édicté par le Ministère des Communications du Canada. ii Where to Get Help for United States Users Epson America provides local customer support and service through a nationwide network of authorized Epson dealers and Service Centers. Epson also provides the following support services through the Epson ConnectionSM at (800) 922-8911: t t t t t t t Assistance in locating your nearest Authorized Epson Reseller or Service Center Technical assistance with the installation, configuration, and operation of Epson products Sales of the ESC/P® Reference Manual Epson technical information library fax service Product literature with technical specifications on our current and new products Sales of ribbons, supplies, parts, documentation, and accessories for your Epson product Customer Relations iii For United Kingdom Users Epson product guarantee Under the law, goods sold must comply with their description and must be of merchantable quality and fit for their purpose or correspond with any sample. This guarantee does not affect the seller's legal obligation or the rights of the consumer in the "consumer transactions" under any Statute, including Sections 12 to 15 of the Sales of Goods Act, 1979. All Epson Products, other than OEM products, are fully guaranteed against faulty operation or performance for a period of ONE YEAR from date of purchase by the user of the product. All claims under this guarantee MUST be supported by evidence of purchase, normally the bill of sale invoice, and it is the responsibility of the claimant to furnish such proof. Epson (UK) Limited does not issue or operate any form of guarantee registration card. Claims are made by the user returning the product to the supplier from whom it was purchased or, if this is impractical, to any Epson supplier who also handles the same product. In the event of any difficulty, users are requested to contact the Service Co-ordinator Manager at Epson (UK) Limited. Epson (UK) Limited, or Epson Appointed Distributors, will at their discretion repair or replace part or all of the product to provide, in their judgement, a satisfactory performance of the product consistent with its age and apparent usage. This guarantee covers the cost of both the parts and labour required to correct any malfunction of the equipment, but specifically excludes: wear and tear, consumables, physical damage due to incorrect use or misuse and damage or faulty operation due to unauthorized and inexpert repair. iv The guarantee is restricted to the performance of the product alone, and Epson (UK) Limited does not accept responsibility for any consequential loss or damage, nor claimed or implied performance, when the product is used in any combination with other equipment or program software. Product guarantee may be invalidated as a result of excessive or inappropriate use, use in an adverse environment or in conditions outside the specifications or if the product has been subjected to unapproved modifications. The guarantee does not cover visits to the user's premises or the repair or commissioning of the product on site. Use of options Epson (UK) Limited shall not be liable against any damages or problems arising from the use of any options or consumable products other than those designated as Original Epson Products or Epson Approved Products by Epson (UK) Limited. Safety information Warning: This appliance must be earthed. Refer to rating plate for voltage and check that the appliance voltage corresponds to the supply voltage. Important: The wires in the mains lead fitted to this appliance are coloured in accordance with the following code: Green and yellow -- Earth Blue -- Neutral Brown -- Live As the colours of the wires in the mains lead of this appliance may not correspond with the coloured markings identifying the terminals in your plug, proceed as follows: The green and yellow wire must be connected to the terminal in the plug which is marked with the letter E or with the earth symbol (G ) or coloured green or green and yellow. v The blue wire must be connected to the terminal in the plug marked with the letter N or coloured black. The brown wire must be connected to the terminal in the plug marked with the letter L or coloured white. If damage occurs to the plug, replace the cord set or consult a qualified electrician. Replace fuses only with a fuse of the correct size and rating. vi Contents Introduction Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . Finding Your Way Around . . Warnings, Cautions, and Notes Important Safety Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0-1 0-2 0-2 0-3 Chapter 1 Setting Up the Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1-2 1-3 1-4 1-4 1-5 1-5 1-9 1-10 1-13 1-13 1-15 1-16 1-17 1-18 Unpacking the Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Choosing a place for the printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Assembling the Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Installing the paper-feed knob . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Attaching the paper supports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Installing the ribbon cartridge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Plugging in the printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Running the Self Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Connecting the Printer to Your Computer . . . . . . . . . . Using the parallel interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Using the serial interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Setting Up Your Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Microsoft ® Windows TM 3.1 and all Windows programs Using non-Windows software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chapter 2 Using the Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2 2-2 2-4 2-5 2-5 2-5 2-6 Using the Control Panel . . . . . . . . Lights and buttons . . . . . . . . . Selecting fonts . . . . . . . . . . . . Printing on Single Sheets . . . . . . . . Loading single sheets . . . . . . . . Adjusting the loading position Getting the results you expect . . . vii Printing on Continuous Paper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Printing with the push tractor . . . . . . . . . . . . . Switching back to single sheets . . . . . . . . . . . . Printing with the pull tractor . . . . . . . . . . . . . Printing on Special Paper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Adjusting the paper-thickness lever . . . . . . . . . Multi-part forms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Labels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Envelopes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Changing the Printer Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Printer setting descriptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Character spacing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Shape of zero . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Skip-over-perforation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Character table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Auto line feed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page length . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Auto tear off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tractor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bit rate, parity bit, data length, and ETX/ACK Installing and Using Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cut-sheet feeder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pull Tractor unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Roll paper holder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Color upgrade kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-7 2-7 2-11 2-11 2-15 2-16 2-17 2-17 2-18 2-19 2-22 2-22 2-22 2-22 2-23 2-23 2-23 2-23 2-23 2-24 2-24 2-24 2-24 2-28 2-29 2-31 Chapter 3 Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2 3-2 3-2 3-3 3-3 3-4 3-4 3-5 3-5 Problems and Solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Power Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Power is not being supplied . . . . . . . . . . . . . Printing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The printer does not print . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The print is faint or uneven . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dots are missing in printed characters or graphics Printed characters are not what you expected . . The print position is not what you expected . . . viii Paper Handling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Single sheets do not feed properly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Continuous paper does not feed properly . . . . . . . . . . . . Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . When you use the cut-sheet feeder, the paper does not feed properly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Switching between the cut-sheet feeder and the push tractor does not work properly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Using the pull tractor with the push tractor, continuous paper does not feed properly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . With color upgrade kit installed, printer doesn't operate properly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-6 3-6 3-7 3-8 3-8 3-9 3-10 3-10 Appendix Printer Specifications . . . . . . . . Printing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Paper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mechanical . . . . . . . . . . . . Electrical . . . . . . . . . . . . . Environmental . . . . . . . . . . Safety approvals . . . . . . . . . Interface Specifications . . . . . . . Parallel interface specifications Serial interface specifications . Serial pin assignments . . . Printer Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . Command Summary . . . . . . . . Sending printer commands . . Using the command summary Printer operation . . . . . . . . Data control . . . . . . . . . . . Vertical motion . . . . . . . . . Horizontal motion . . . . . . . . Overall printing style . . . . . . Print size and character width . Print enhancement . . . . . . . Word processing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-2 A-2 A-3 A-6 A-6 A-7 A-7 A-7 A-7 A-8 A-8 A-9 A-10 A-10 A-10 A-11 A-11 A-11 A-12 A-13 A-13 A-13 A-14 ix Character tables . . . . . User-defined characters Color printing . . . . . . Graphics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-14 A-15 A-16 A-16 Index x Introduction Features Your Epson® 9-pin dot matrix printer offers these outstanding features: t High-speed printing. Print up to 220 characters per second (cps) in 10-cpi draft mode. Quiet operation. You'll notice the benefit of quiet printing in your work environment. Simple control panel. Three buttons and three lights give you fingertip-access to most printer functions. Two built-in interfaces: parallel and EIA-232D serial. Detachable push and pull tractor. Feed continuous paper with ease and print on single sheets without removing the continuous paper supply. Compact design. This printer fits neatly into available space in your home or office. Longer printable area. Print up to 66 lines on A4-size or 62 lines on standard letter paper. IBM® 2380 printer emulation mode. t t t t t t t In addition, you can get custom results with the following options: t Color Upgrade Kit (C83208V) adds visual interest to printed documents by switching to a color ribbon cartridge. Pull Tractor (C80030V) for printing continuous paper and multi-part forms (used in the pull-tractor position in conjunction with the standard tractor in the push tractor position). t Introduction 1 t Roll Paper Holder (#8310) uses 81/2-inch or 21.6-cm roll paper used by telexes and similar machines. This option is not available in some countries. Cut-sheet feeder (C80637V) loads up to 50 sheets of single-sheet bond paper automatically. t Finding Your Way Around This manual provides fully illustrated, step-by-step instructions for setting up and operating your printer. t Chapter 1 describes how to unpack, set up, test, and connect the printer to your computer. Be sure to read this chapter first. Chapter 2 includes information on how to get the printing results you want, how to install options, and how to maintain your printer. Chapter 3 offers simple tips on solving printing problems. If printing results are not what you expect, or the printer doesn't work properly, turn here for help. The Appendix covers the printer's specifications and lists programming commands. An index at the back of the manual helps you find information on specific topics quickly. t t t t Warnings, Cautions, and Notes w c 2 Warnings must be followed carefully to avoid bodily injury. Cautions must be observed to avoid damage to your equipment. Notes contain important information and useful tips on the operation of your printer. Introduction Important Safety Instructions 1. 2. 3. Read all of these instructions before you set up your printer. Follow all warnings and instructions marked on the printer. Unplug this printer from the wall outlet before you clean it. Use a damp cloth for cleaning and do not use liquid or aerosol cleaners. Do not use your printer near water or spill any liquid on it. Do not place the printer on an unstable cart, stand, table, or other surface that may allow the printer to fall. Do not block any slots or openings in the cabinet. These are provided for the ventilation necessary to ensure reliable operation and protection from overheating. Placing the printer on a bed, sofa, rug, or other similar surface may block the openings. Also, do not place the printer in a built-in installation, such as a bookcase, unless proper ventilation is provided. Never place the printer near or over a radiator or heat register. Use the type of power source indicated on the label. If you are not sure of the type of power available, consult your dealer or local power company. This printer may be equipped with a plug having a third (grounding) pin, which fits only into a grounding-type outlet. This is a safety feature. If you are unable to insert the plug into the outlet, have an electrician replace your obsolete outlet. Do not defeat the purpose of the grounding-type plug. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. Do not put your printer where the cord will be walked on. Introduction 3 11. If you use an extension cord, make sure that the total of the ampere ratings on the products plugged into the extension cord does not exceed the extension cord's ampere rating. Also, make sure that the total of all products plugged into the wall outlet does not exceed 15 amperes. 12. Never push objects of any kind into your printer as they may touch dangerous voltage points or short out parts that could result in a risk of fire or electric shock. 13. Except as specifically explained in the user's manual, do not attempt to repair the printer 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. 14. Unplug this printer from the wall outlet and have it repaired by a qualified service person under the following conditions: A. When the power cord or plug is damaged or frayed. B. If liquid has been spilled into it. C. If it has been exposed to rain or water. D. If it 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 printer to normal operation. E. If it has been dropped or the cabinet has been damaged. F. If it exhibits a distinct change in performance, indicating a need for service. 4 Introduction Chapter 1 Setting Up the Printer Unpacking the Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2 Choosing a place for the printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3 Assembling the Printer . . . . . . . Installing the paper-feed knob . Attaching the paper supports . Installing the ribbon cartridge . Plugging in the printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4 1-4 1-5 1-5 1-9 1 Running the Self Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-10 Connecting the Printer to Your Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-13 Using the parallel interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-13 Using the serial interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-15 Setting Up Your Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-16 Microsoft Windows 3.1 and all Windows programs . . . . . . 1-17 Using non-Windows software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-18 Setting Up the Printer 1-1 Unpacking the Printer Your printer box should include these items. Printer Printout guide Paper-feed knob Paper supports Ribbon cartridge Power cord In some locations, the power cord is attached to the printer. c Caution: There are several versions of this printer designed for different voltages, and it is not possible to change the voltage. If the label on the back of the printer does not show the correct voltage for your country, contact your dealer. 1-2 Setting Up the Printer Choosing a place for the printer When selecting a place to set up your printer, choose a safe, convenient location that provides the following: t t A flat, stable surface Adequate room around the printer to allow easy operation and maintenance. Make sure it's close enough to the computer for the printer cable to reach. Place the printer where you can easily unplug the power cord. Moderate environmental conditions. Select a cool, dry area and protect your printer from direct sunlight, excessive heat, moisture, or dust. Appropriate power source. Make sure you use a grounded outlet; do not use an adapter plug. Avoid electrical outlets controlled by timers or wall switches; an interruption in power can wipe out the information in your computer or printer memory. t t t If you place the printer on a stand, follow these guidelines: t t t Use a stand that supports at least 10 kg (22 lb). Never use a stand that tilts the printer. Always keep it level. Provide enough clearance below the stand and between the legs so your continuous paper flows smoothly. Place cables so they do not interfere with paper feeding; secure them to a leg of the stand if possible. t Setting Up the Printer 1-3 Assembling the Printer Follow the steps in this section to get your printer up and running. Installing the paper-feed knob The first step in assembling the printer is installing the paper-feed knob. 1. Insert the knob into the hole on the printer's side and rotate it slowly until it slips onto the shaft. 2. Push firmly on the paper-feed knob until it fits against the printer case. 1-4 Setting Up the Printer Attaching the paper supports You should install the paper supports before you begin using the printer. 1. Raise the paper guide. Hold one of the paper supports and push the tips into the notches on the edge guide. 2. Repeat for the other paper support. Lower the paper guide. Installing the ribbon cartridge Before installing the ribbon cartridge, make sure the printer is not plugged into an electrical outlet. Setting Up the Printer 1-5 1. Open the printer cover to the upright position, then pull it up to remove it. w 2. Warning: Never move the print head while the printer is turned on; this can damage the printer. Also, if you have just used the printer, let the print head cool for a few minutes before you touch it. Slide the print head to the middle of the printer. 1-6 Setting Up the Printer 3. Turn the ribbon-tightening knob in the direction of the arrow to remove any slack from the ribbon so it is easier to install. 4. Insert the ribbon cartridge into the printer as shown; then press both sides of the cartridge firmly to fit the plastic hooks into the printer slots. Setting Up the Printer 1-7 5. Use a pointed object, such as a ball point pen, to guide the ribbon between the print head and ribbon guide. Turn the ribbon tightening knob to help feed the ribbon into place; it should not be twisted or creased. 6. Slide the print head from side to side to make sure it moves smoothly. Re-install and close the printer cover. 7. When the printing becomes faint, you need to replace the ribbon cartridge. To remove the old ribbon cartridge, first move the print head to the center of the printer. Then remove the cartridge by lifting the posts on the either side and taking it out of the printer. 1-8 Setting Up the Printer Plugging in the printer 1. Make sure the power switch on the printer is turned off. It is off when the N side of the switch is pressed down. 2. Check the label on the bottom of the printer to make sure the voltage required by the printer matches that of your electrical outlet. c 3. 4. Caution: If the rated voltage and your outlet voltage do not match, contact your dealer for assistance. Do not plug in the power cord. If the power cord is not attached to the printer, connect it to the AC inlet on the printer. Plug the power cord into a properly grounded electrical outlet. Setting Up the Printer 1-9 Running the Self Test The built-in self test function demonstrates that the printer is working properly. You can run the test with either continuous paper or single sheets; this section describes the easier way, with single sheets. 1. Make sure the printer is turned off and the paper-release lever is pushed back to the single-sheet position. Raise the paper guide upright. c Caution: You should use paper at least 210 mm or 8 1/4 inches wide to run the self test; otherwise, the print head prints directly on the platen. 1-10 Setting Up the Printer 2. While holding down the LF/FF button, turn on the printer. The PAUSE light flashes. 3. Slide the left edge guide until it locks in place at the guide mark. Next, adjust the right edge guide to match the width of your paper. Setting Up the Printer 1-11 4. Slide a sheet of paper down firmly between the edge guides until it meets resistance. The printer loads the sheet automatically. Press the PAUSE button, then the printer begins to print. c 5. 6. Caution: Always close the printer cover while the printer is printing. The printer cover helps the paper feed. To stop printing temporarily, press the PAUSE button. To end the self test, make sure the printer is not printing. Press LF/FF to eject the sheet; then turn off the printer. Here is part of a typical self-test printout: Note: If the self test did not print satisfactorily, see Chapter 3. If it prints correctly, go on to the next section. 1-12 Setting Up the Printer Connecting the Printer to Your Computer Your printer includes both a Centronics® -compatible parallel interface and an EIA-232D serial interface. Before you begin, place the printer upright, as shown below. (This makes it easier to connect the cable.) Connect your computer to the desired interface as described below. You can connect a cable to both interfaces; the printer switches automatically to the appropriate interface when it receives data. Using the parallel interface You need a shielded, twisted-pair cable (not longer than 2 meters--6 feet) to use the parallel interface. Setting Up the Printer 1-13 1. Turn off both the computer and the printer. Plug the parallel cable connector securely into the printer's parallel interface. Squeeze the wire clips together until they lock in place on either side of the connector. 2. Guide the interface cable through the slot on the side of the printer so that it does not block the paper supply as shown in the illustration on page 1-16. Note: If there is a ground wire at the end of the cable, attach it to the ground connector at the right of the interface. 3. Plug the other end of the cable into the computer's parallel interface. (If there is a ground wire at the end of the cable, attach it to the ground connector at the back of the computer.) 1-14 Setting Up the Printer Using the serial interface 1. Turn off both the computer and the printer. Plug the serial cable connector securely into the printer's serial interface. Tighten the screws on either side of the connector. Note: If there is a ground wire at the end of the cable, attach it to the ground connector to the right of the interface. Setting Up the Printer 1-15 2. Guide the interface cable through the slot on the side of the printer so that it does not block the paper supply. 3. Plug the other end of the cable into the computer's serial interface; then tighten the screws on either side of the connector. (If there is a ground wire at the end of the cable, attach it to the ground connector at the back of the computer.) Use the Printer Setting mode to change the baud rate, parity bit, data length, or ETX/ACK if necessary. See "Changing the Printer Settings" in Chapter 2. 4. Setting Up Your Software Most software lets you specify the type of printer you use so that you can take full advantage of the printer's features. Your software probably provides an installation or setup section that presents a list of printers. 1-16 Setting Up the Printer Microsoft ® Windows TM 3.1 and all Windows programs If Windows is installed on your computer system, follow the steps below to install the right driver for your printer. Your printer will work correctly for all your Windows programs, such as Word for ® Windows, Lotus® 1-2-3® for Windows, and CorelDRAW. If Windows is not already installed on your system, run the Windows setup program as described in the documentation that comes with the program. Follow steps 4 through 10 below when you reach the section about choosing a printer. 1. 2. 3. 4. In the Main window, double click the Control Panel icon. Double click the Printers icon. Choose the Add>> button. From the list of printers box, select Epson LX-300. If LX-300 is not available, select Epson JX-80 if you plan to use color or Epson LX-810, LX-850, or LX-800 if you do not plan to use color. Choose the Install button. A dialog box may instruct you to insert a diskette. If necessary, insert the diskette required. Choose the Setup button. Select the appropriate resolution. Choose the OK button. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. Highlight Epson LX-300 (or the printer you added) and click the button labeled Set As Default Printer. 11. Click the Close button. Setting Up the Printer 1-17 Using non-Windows software Most application programs let you specify the type of printer you use so that the program can take full advantage of the printer's features. Many programs provide an installation or setup menu that presents a list of printers. To take full advantage of your printer's features, choose LX-300 from the list of printers. If the LX-300 is not listed, choose the first available printer from the following list. If you plan to use color, you must choose either LX-300, JX-80, or EX-800. The other printers cannot use color. LX-810/850 LX-800 LX-80/86 FX-850 FX-86e/800 JX-80 EX-800 Any FX printer Epson printer Draft printer If your software does not list the LX-300, you may want to contact the software manufacturer for an update. 1-18 Setting Up the Printer Chapter 2 Using the Printer Using the Control Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2 Lights and buttons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2 Selecting fonts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-4 Printing on Single Sheets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-5 Loading single sheets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-5 Getting the results you expect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-6 Printing on Continuous Paper . . . Printing with the push tractor . Switching back to single sheets Printing with the pull tractor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-7 2-7 2-11 2-11 2-15 2-16 2-17 2-17 2-18 2 Printing on Special Paper . . . . . . . . . Adjusting the paper-thickness lever . Multi-part forms . . . . . . . . . . . . Labels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Envelopes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Changing the Printer Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-19 Printer setting descriptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-22 Installing and Using Options Cut-sheet feeder . . . . . Pull Tractor unit . . . . . Roll paper holder . . . . Color upgrade kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-24 2-24 2-28 2-29 2-31 Using the Printer 2-1 Using the Control Panel Roman Sans Serif Draft Draft Condensed Font LF/FF Pause 1 2 Paper Park 3sec Micro Adjust You can control simple printer operations--such as line feeding, form feeding, loading and ejecting paper, and selecting fonts--with the buttons on the control panel. The control panel lights show the printer's status and the current font. Lights and buttons PAUSE light The orange PAUSE light is on when the printer stops printing. Each time you turn on the printer, the light flashes briefly and the beeper sounds four times. When the printer is out of paper, the light flashes and the beeper sounds three times. The light also flashes when you can tear off the last sheet at the edge of the printer cover. The PAUSE light goes on and the beeper sounds five times if an error occurs. FONT 1 and FONT 2 lights The green FONT lights, 1 and 2, indicate the current font setting. For more about selecting fonts, see page 2-4. FONT button Press the FONT button during normal operation to cycle through the printer fonts listed on the control panel. When you press the button, the FONT lights change to indicate your current selection. For more about choosing a font, see page 2-4. 2-2 Using the Printer If you hold down the FONT button while you turn on the printer, you enter the Printer Setting mode, where you can change many of the printer's settings. For more about printer settings, see page 2-19. LF/FF button During normal operation, you can press this button briefly to feed paper line by line. Hold it down to load a single sheet, or to advance continuous paper to the next top-of-form position. You can also press LF/FF to eject a page. If you want to make sure the printer is working correctly, you can also use this button to run the self test. To start the self test, hold down the LF/FF button while you turn on the printer. For complete instructions, see page 1-10. PAUSE button Press the PAUSE button to stop the printer temporarily during printing or the self test. Press it again to resume activity. PAPER PARK Press the FONT and LF/FF buttons together to feed continuous paper backward to the paper-park position. See "Printing with the push tractor." MICRO ADJUST Feeds paper forward or backward to adjust the loading position. See "Adjusting the loading position." Using the Printer 2-3 Selecting fonts Roman Sans Serif Draft Draft Condensed Font 1 2 Pap Micro Adjust To choose one of the four internal fonts listed on the control panel, press the FONT button. The two font lights come on (N ) and go off (O ) to show the current selection. Press the button repeatedly to cycle through all of the available selections; then stop when you reach the desired font. Your selection stays in effect until you change it again or turn off the printer. However, any font choices you make with your software will cancel your control panel selection. The table below shows how the FONT lights appear for each selection. FONT Lights 12 NN NO ON OO Font Epson Roman (NLQ) Epson Sans Serif (NLQ) Epson Draft Epson Draft condensed N = on O = off Sample 2-4 Using the Printer Printing on Single Sheets You can use the paper guide to print on single sheets with a width of 182 mm (7.2 inches) to 257 mm (10.1 inches). Note: You can install an optional cut-sheet feeder to load up to 50 sheets automatically. See page 2-24 for details. Loading single sheets You load single sheets as shown in "Running the Self Test" in Chapter 1. For normal use, turn on the printer without pressing any other buttons. When the printer receives data, it begins to print. Adjusting the loading position If you want to adjust the position where printing begins on the page, follow these steps (these instructions also work when using the pull or push tractor): 1. With paper loaded, hold down the PAUSE button until the printer beeps once and the FONT lights begin to flash. Press the LF/FF button to feed the paper forward, or press the FONT button to feed the paper backward. (Press either button as many times as necessary until you reach the desired position.) To complete the adjustment, press the PAUSE button or send data from your computer. 2. 3. Using the Printer 2-5 Getting the results you expect When you print on single sheets, you may notice that the printer prints the first page of your file correctly, but then prints too low on the next page, or that it prints the last few lines from one page onto the next. This happens because single sheet handling differs slightly from continuous paper handling. It's easy to adjust the printer so that you get the right results. Simply change some of the settings in your software program as described below. 1. When you install a software program, it normally asks you what printer you are using. Make sure you choose the correct printer. See Chapter 1 for instructions. Many programs have an option that you can use to set the maximum lines-per-page. If you are using standard 8 1/2 × 11-inch paper, set the lines-per-page to 61. 2. Note: To find the right lines-per-page setting for paper that is not 8 1/2 × 11, create a test document using your software program. Set your top and bottom margins to 0 and then create a file of numbered lines from 1 to 66. When you print your file, notice the last number printed on the first page. This is your maximum lines-per-page setting. 3. If your program doesn't have a lines-per-page setting, try decreasing the top margin or increasing the bottom margin, or both, until you get the results you want. You can also try adjusting the form length setting. For a standard 8 1/2 × 11-inch page, try setting the form length to 10 inches. Some programs let you indicate whether you are using single sheets or continuous paper. Make sure you choose single sheets. 4. 5. 2-6 Using the Printer Printing on Continuous Paper Your printer can handle continuous paper with a width of 101 mm (4.0 inches) to 254 mm (10.0 inches). Depending on where you position the tractor, you can use it as a pull tractor or a push tractor. These guidelines can help you decide where to position the tractor: t Do you want to switch between printing on single sheets and continuous paper without removing the paper supply? Will you tear off continuous paper sheet-by-sheet? Use the tractor in the push tractor position. (The printer comes with the tractor installed in this position.) See the following section. Are you printing on labels, multi-part forms, or other documents that require a precise print position? Use the tractor as a pull tractor. See page 2-11 for instructions. t Printing with the push tractor When using the push tractor, it is a good idea to set the Auto tear off feature in the Printer Setting mode to on. See "Changing the Printer Settings" on page 2-19. Here's how to load continuous paper using the push tractor: 1. Make sure the printer is turned off. Remove the paper guide and place the paper-release lever in the continuous paper position. Using the Printer 2-7 2. Release the sprocket units by pulling the sprocket locks forward. 3. Slide the left sprocket unit using the scale on the printer as a guide. The printer prints to the right of the position marked 0. Push the sprocket lock lever back to lock it in place. Then slide the right sprocket unit to match the width of your paper, but do not lock it. Move the paper support so it is midway between the sprocket units. 10 5 0 2-8 Using the Printer 4. Make sure your paper has a clean, straight leading edge. Open the sprocket covers. Fit the first holes of the paper over the sprocket pins and then close the sprocket covers. Slide the right sprocket unit to remove any slack in the paper and lock it in place. Now the paper is in the paper-park position. 5. To separate the incoming paper from the printed paper, attach the paper guide by holding it horizontally and fitting its notches over the printer's mounting posts as shown below. Then slide the paper guide toward the front of the printer until you feel it click. Using the Printer 2-9 6. Slide the left edge guide to the center until it stops at the guide mark. Then slide the right edge guide to the opposite guide mark. 7. 8. Turn on the printer. Make sure the printer cover is closed. Press the LF/FF button to feed the paper to the loading position. When the printer receives data, it begins printing automatically. When you finish printing (the printer receives no data for three seconds) the printer feeds the perforation of the continuous paper to the edge of the printer cover so that you can tear off the last sheet. The PAUSE light flashes. 9. Note: t Set the Auto tear off feature in the Printer Setting mode to on. Otherwise, the printer does not feed the perforation to the edge of the printer cover. t If the perforation and the edge of the printer cover do not match, adjust the paper position by following the steps in "Adjusting the loading position," while the PAUSE light is flashing. 2-10 Using the Printer When you send more data, the paper automatically feeds back to the loading position. If you want to change the position where printing begins on the page, follow the steps on page 2-5 to adjust the loading position. Switching back to single sheets To switch to single sheets, press the FONT and LF/FF buttons at the same time; the printer feeds the paper backward into the paper-park position. Then, follow the steps in "Loading single sheets." c Caution: Always tear off paper before back-feeding; back-feeding too many sheets can cause a paper jam. Printing with the pull tractor To load continuous paper using the pull tractor, you must move the tractor to the pull tractor position, as described in steps 1 through 3 below. If your tractor is already installed in this position, make sure the printer is off and skip to step 6. c 1. Caution: When using the pull tractor, set the Auto tear off feature in the Printer Setting mode to off; otherwise the paper may jam. Turn the printer off; then remove the paper guide. Pull the paper-release lever forward to the continuous paper position as shown in the illustration on page 2-7. Using the Printer 2-11 2. Squeeze the tractor's lock tabs gently and pull the tractor away from the printer. Remove the printer cover. 3. Lift the tractor forward to the mounting slot at the top of the printer and tilt it into place as shown below. When you push the tractor onto the posts, you should feel the notches snap into place. 2-12 Using the Printer 4. Release the sprocket units by pulling the sprocket locks forward. 5. Insert the paper into the paper slot as shown below and pull it up. Position the paper using the scale on the printer as a guide. The printer prints to the right of the position marked 0. Using the Printer 10 5 0 2-13 6. Slide the left sprocket unit so that its sprockets match the position of the holes in the paper and lock the unit in place. Then slide the right sprocket unit to match the width of your paper, but do not lock it. Move the paper support midway between the two sprocket units. 7. Make sure your paper has a clean, straight leading edge. Open the sprocket covers. Fit the first holes of the paper over the sprocket pins and then close the sprocket covers. Slide the right sprocket unit to remove any slack in the paper and lock it in place. 2-14 Using the Printer 8. To separate the incoming paper from the printed paper, attach the paper guide. Hold it horizontally and fit its notches over the printer's mounting posts. Then slide the paper guide toward the back of the printer until you feel it click. Slide the left edge guide to the center until it stops at the guide mark; slide the right edge guide to the opposite guide mark. 9. 10. Attach the printer cover and adjust the paper position with the paper-feed knob. Turn the knob until the perforation between pages is just above the print head. Then turn on the printer. 11. Make sure the printer cover is closed. When the printer receives data, it begins printing automatically. If you want to change the position where printing begins on the page, press LF/FF to advance the page to the next top-of-form position, and then follow the steps on page 2-5 to adjust the loading position. To eject the paper, tear off the paper entering the printer; then press the LF/FF button to feed the paper forward. Printing on Special Paper In addition to printing on single sheets and continuous forms, your printer can also print on a wide variety of paper types, including multi-part forms, labels, and envelopes. Before printing on special paper, you need to change the paper thickness setting. c Caution: When printing on multi-part forms, thicker-than-normal paper, labels, or envelopes, make sure your software program settings keep the printing entirely within the printable area. Printing past the edge of these papers can damage the print head. Using the Printer 2-15 For multi-part forms and labels, you should not print any closer than 0.5 inch or 13 mm from either side of the paper. For information on the printable area of envelopes, see the Appendix. Adjusting the paper-thickness lever The paper-thickness lever lets you specify the correct setting for your printing material. It is factory-set for standard office paper. Here's how to change the setting for special papers: 1. Turn the printer off and open the cover. The paper-thickness lever is on the left side of the printer. The numbers next to the lever indicate the thickness setting. For normal use, the lever should always be set to position 0. 2 3 2. Use the table below to select the appropriate paper thickness. Paper type Standard paper (single sheets or continuous) Multi-part forms 2-sheet 3-sheet Labels Envelopes 18 to 22 lb 24 lb Lever position 0 0 1 1 2 3 2-16 Using the Printer 3. Close the cover. When you finish printing, move the paper-thickness lever back to position 0. Multi-part forms You can use the built-in tractor to print on carbonless multi-part forms of up to three parts (one original plus two copies). Before you print on the forms, set the paper thickness lever as described in the previous section. These tips will help you get good results: t Load multi-part forms with the tractor only, not in the cut-sheet feeder or paper guide. For instructions, see "Printing on Continuous Paper" on page 2-7. Use only multi-part forms that are joined by spot gluing and that are free of wrinkles and waves. Never load multi-part forms joined by metal staples, tape, or continuous gluing. If you need to adjust the loading position, use your software program or change the loading position as described on page 2-5. When you use side-crimped multi-part forms, the copies may not align with the original. If this happens, raise the paper guide. t t t Labels You must use the tractor as a pull tractor to print on labels. Keep these tips in mind: t Choose labels mounted on a continuous backing sheet with sprocket holes made for use with a tractor. Do not print labels as single sheets, because the shiny backing sheet almost always slips a little. You load labels the same way you load continuous paper, except that the paper thickness lever should be set to 1. See page 2-11 for loading instructions. t Using the Printer 2-17