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Home | Products | Manufacturers | Contact Information | Technical Support |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT RECEIPT PRINTERS
THE PRINT OUT IS GARBLED, GARBAGE
THE PRINT OUT IS VERY LARGE CHARACTERS (DOUBLE HIGH AND/OR DOUBLE WIDE)
THE PRINT OUT IS UPSIDE DOWN
THE SECOND COPY OF THE TWO PART PAPER RECEIPT IS NOT PRINTING
PRINTER RIBBONS; CHOOSING THE BEST RIBBON
CHOOSING THE CORRECT PAPER SIZE FOR A DP8340 PRINTER
POINTS TO PONDER WHEN CHOOSING PAPER FOR YOUR RECEIPT PRINTER
LOOKING FOR THE CAUSES OF PROBLEMS
This is the typical print out for an RS232 serial printer which is proper connected (correct cable, correct port) to the computer but where the handshake protocol is properly set to match the printer to the port. First, run a self test on the printer to make sure that the printer is functioning properly.
To run self test, turn the printer off, then press the "feed" but ton while simultaneously turning the power on. The printer will print diagnostic information (varying with different models) and it will print a pattern of letters, numbers, and other characters.
If the numbers and letters are proper and readable, then the printer is probably "OK". The self test print out for the Star Micronics Models SP2XX, SP3XX, TSPXXX, includes a print out of the protocol settings for the printer.
Each of the serial printers has a pair of DIP switches which are used to set the handshake protocol to match the protocol of the port to which it is connected. The handshake protocol defines the baud rate, the parity, word size, and the stop bits used by the computer to communicate with the printer. Star Micronics serial interface printers are shipped from the factory with a default setting of: 9600 baud, no parity, 8 bit word, one (1) stop bit (i.e.: 96,n,9,1). Refer to the users manual for details about re setting the DIP switches.
If the printer performs properly during self test and it is a se rial interface printer, and it prints but, prints only question marks, parentheses, (and other characters) the printer and the cable are "OK" but the protocol settings of the printer are not identical to the protocol settings of the port.
If you are going to change any DIP switches, they must be changed only with power off. If they are reset with power on, the new set tings are not "read" until the next time the printer is powered up.
THE PRINT OUT IS UPSIDE DOWN
Each of the above conditions is caused by the printer receiving a control code to "enable" the "inverted character" mode, or the "expanded character" mode of printing. There are no hardware faults and there are no cable or switch settings to change to eliminate these problems. Only by eliminating the control codes which enabled the print modes, or by sending the control codes which will disable these modes of printing can the problem be eliminated. To verify that the enabling control codes have been sent to the printer, perform a hex dump print out and you will find the control codes which caused the problem.
From a more practical standpoint, first turn the printer power off. If the printer is a model SP3XX, turn the power switch off, then hold down both the "feed" and the "on line" buttons while si multaneously turning power back on. You will hear two beeps from the printer. The two beeps indicate that the buffer has been cleared. If the control code for expanded or inverted print was stored in the buffer it will be cleared. This will not eliminate the problem it the control code is repeatedly being sent by the computer system.
For other models of the Star Micronics printers, simply turn the power off, and then on and the buffer will be cleared.
The serial interface printers seem to be more susceptible to these two problems as compared to the parallel interface computers. This is allegedly related to the use of longer cables frequently used with serial printers and the fact the longer cables are inherently acting as antennae and are capable reacting to power line pulses generated from other nearby equipment or faulty power lines. On some mini computer systems, the control codes interpreted by the printers to print in either of these enhanced modes are actually control codes the mini computer system uses for other purposes.
THE SECOND COPY OF THE TWO PART PAPER RECEIPT IS NOT PRINTING
The most common cure for this problem is remove the paper and reinsert is in accordance with the diagram on the under side of the paper cover or in accordance with the user manual instruction.
What has most likely happened is that the paper was inserted with the "second" copy on top instead of under the top copy. Thus the carbonless copy will not be printed.
Carbonless copy paper works as a result of a chemical coating be ing applied to the top surface of the second copy paper. The coat ing reacts to the impact and there is a slight time delay for the chemical reaction to turn the coating to the legible "blue" color we are all used to seeing.
This coating technology for carbonless copies has been in use for years producing huge quantities of paper supplies. However, there are slight variations during the coating processes which affect the end product. One of the more obvious variations is in the time for the second copy to react and turn dark. Sometimes the second copy needs a few seconds of time to appear. Don't be alarmed if you don't see the crisp dark color "immediately" as the receipt comes out of the printer. It will darken and become very legible in a matter of seconds.
PRINTER RIBBONS; CHOOSING THE BEST RIBBON
The selection of ribbons for dot matrix printers is really very simple. Ribbons supplied by the manufacturer are designed to pro vide the user with a maximum of print performance with a minimum of maintenance. However, there are those alternative suppliers who may or may not offer "factory equivalent" performance in their "third party" ribbons. Be careful in your selection of sources.
Ribbons for DP8340 model printers appear to be "nearly" the same as some adding machine ribbons commonly available in office supply stores. Actually the DP8340 ribbons are very different from adding machine ribbons. The difference stems from the fact that receipt printers use dot matrix print heads, and adding machines use other forms of "type" to form the character.
Adding machine ribbons are usually made of a cotton material which will breakdown rapidly under the "hammering" of the pins of a dot matrix printer. The Star Micronics ribbons are made from a nylon material to minimize this breakdown. The adding machine ribbons usually do not include any form of lubricant in the ink, dye, or pigment in the cotton ribbon. The Star Micronics ribbons include a lubricating agent in their ink pigments and dyes. The lubricant is important in maintaining the proper function of the individual pins in the dot matrix print head.
The cartridge ribbons for the SP2XX and the SP3XX models of print ers are designed to minimize the amount of input torque required to advance the ribbon. This minimized torque is a necessity for long life of the printer clutch and drive gears used to advance the ribbon. Because of the excess torque required by some "third- party ribbons" their use may damage the ribbon advance mechanisms in the Star printers. The use of non Star approved ribbons may void the warranty on your Star printer.
The use of improper printer ribbons is a significant cause of printer failure including printer jams, premature print head failure all of which lead to higher and more frequent repair charges.
CHOOSING THE CORRECT PAPER SIZE FOR A DP8340 PRINTER
The DP834FX series of printers are designed to use 4.5 inch wide paper. Although the external roll paper holders may be set to a width of 3.25 inches, the internal paper guides are not adjust able. Although some users report successful use of 3.25 inch wide paper in the DP8340FX (4.5 inch wide paper) printers, this is not a recommended practice. There is no practical way to convert a printer designed for 4.5 inch wide paper to use 3.25 inch wide pa per.
The DP8340RX series of printers are designed to use 3.25 inch wide paper. Although the external paper roll holders can be converted to 4.5 inch wide settings, the internal guides are fixed at 3.25 inches.
If 3.25 inch wide paper is used in a DP834FX printer, the actual width of the print area comes dangerously close to the edge of the paper. The full side to side travel of the print head is greater than the width of the paper. Therefor, within short period of time, the paper curls slightly at the edges and catches on the print head as it traverses across the page. The paper will tend to shift sideways with time, and the print head is very likely to
"catch" or "hang up" on the edge of the paper. When this happens the printer will be off to the repair shop prematurely.
POINTS TO PONDER WHEN CHOOSING PAPER FOR YOUR RECEIPT PRINTER
The best paper to use will be the best quality rag based paper.
Paper which is double calendered will provide the most service free use. Why? Because double calendered, rag based paper sheds the least amount of dust, and absorbs the least amount of ink from the ribbon. The reduced dust means lower maintenance and the re duced ink absorption means longer ribbon life.
LOOKING FOR THE CAUSES OF PROBLEMS
Carefully examine all of the cables to the equipment. The cables must have connectors firmly in place with no stray wires sticking out. Verify all cables are connected to the correct devices.
Carefully examine the computer to determine that the COM1 and COM2 port cards are correctly installed and identified.
Carefully examine the computer to determine that the LPT1 and the LPT2 port cards are correctly installed and identified.
Make certain that MS-DOS, or IBM-DOS, or equal is in your working directory or that it is in the path statement of the Autoexec.bat file , for the printer.
Make sure that there are no modems or mouse devices or software installed on the ports where the printers or cash drawers are con nected.
We always recommend that the ports be tested with loop back plugs to be absolutely positive that the ports are identified properly and are operating properly.
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10301 Harry Hines Blvd. |
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Dallas, Texas 75220 |
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PHONE (214) 353-9543 TOLL FREE (800) 999-6970 |
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FAX (214) 353-0520 TOLL FREE (888) 999-6970 |
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