Oki 188 User Manual
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Oki 188 User Manual

Oki 188 User Manual

9 pin printer
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  • Page 2 OKI, Oki Data and MICROLINE are registered trademarks of Oki Electric Industry Company, Ltd. Epson is a registered trademark of Seiko Epson Corporation (SEC), registered in the U.S. and other countries. IBM is a registered trademark of IBM Corporation. LINUX is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds.

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    Loading Paper ........14 Testing Your Printer ....... . 29 Computer Connections .

  • Page 4: Notes, Cautions, Etc

    Notes, Cautions, etc. A note appears like this. It provides additional information which helps you to use and understand the product. An important message appears like this. It provides supplemental information which can prevent potential problems. A caution message appears like this. It provides information which, if ignored, can result in equipment malfunction or damage.

  • Page 5: Getting Started

    Location • Select a firm, solid surface for your printer. • Allow enough space around the printer to easily access the platen knob and the various paper feed paths. • Make sure a suitable grounded power outlet is available nearby.

  • Page 6: Removing The Shipping Restraint

    Removing the Shipping Restraint Do not plug the printer into the power outlet until the following steps have been completed. 1. Remove any packing tape. 2. Reach into the top cover slot (1) and remove the access cover (2) by lifting it.

  • Page 7: Installing/Replacing The Ribbon Cartridge

    Use only genuine Oki Data ribbon cartridges. When replacing a ribbon cartridge, make sure you have the correct replacement ribbon for your printer. The wrong ribbon will not print when installed in your printer. • Leave unused ribbon cartridges in their packaging until you are ready to install them.
  • Page 8 2. Remove the access cover and center the printhead. 3. If you are replacing the ribbon cartridge, remove the used one: Important Do not remove the ribbon shield (1) from the new ribbon! • Getting Started...
  • Page 9 4. Unpack the ribbon cartridge and install it on the printhead. If the ribbon won’t load easily, turn the take- up knob slightly until the x-shaped notch on the bottom of the ribbon cartridge aligns with the x-shaped insert on the ribbon plate.

  • Page 10: Installing The Platen Knob

    6. Turn the take-up knob (1) in the direction of the molded arrow to take up any ribbon slack. 7. Replace the access cover. Installing the Platen Knob Align the notch (1) with the pin on the platen shaft and push it firmly into place.

  • Page 11: Adjusting The Head Gap

    Adjusting the Head Gap The head gap is the distance between the printhead and the platen roller. When you use envelopes or multipart forms, you need to have a larger gap than when using plain paper. Use the recommended head gap to ensure the best print quality and easy paper feed Incorrect setting of the head gap can cause printhead damage or ribbon jams.

  • Page 12: Installing The Paper Separator

    1. Hold the paper separator with the spring-loaded feet down. 2. Place the tabs (1) on the paper separator in the two corresponding slots ( ) on the printer. 3. Press down to release the paper separator onto the printer. • Getting Started...

  • Page 13: Setting Up Your Printer

    Setting Up Your Printer Power Connection 1. Make sure the printer is turned off. 2. Plug the power cord supplied with your printer into the back of the printer. The outlet voltage must match the voltage marked on the printer label.

  • Page 14: Loading Paper

    Loading Paper Three types of paper can be used with your printer: • Continuous Forms Paper (with or without the optional Pull Tractor) • Single Sheets • Roll Paper, using the optional Roll Paper Stand Before You Start Bail Arm Lever...
  • Page 15 Setting the Head Gap Before you load paper, be sure to check the head gap lever setting (see page 11). Do not plug the printer into the power outlet until the following steps have been completed. Important • Setting Up Your Printer...
  • Page 16 2. Place the stack of continuous forms paper behind the printer. 3. Remove the access cover (1). 4. Pull the bail arm lever (2) — on the left side of the printer — toward the front of the printer to lift the bail arm.
  • Page 17 5. Move the paper lever (3) — on the right side of the printer — toward the front of the printer to the continuous forms symbol. 6. Pull the lock levers (A) on the sprocket wheels at either end of...
  • Page 18 Make sure you keep the lead edge of the paper straight so that the sprockets engage the matching pins on either side. Otherwise the paper will feed in skewed and paper jams will occur. Note • Setting Up Your Printer...
  • Page 19 Check to be sure that the matching holes on either side are engaging the sprockets (A). If they are not evenly matched and the paper is skewed (B), back the paper out and try again! • Setting Up Your Printer...
  • Page 20 12. Use the platen knob (7) to set the position of the paper to the first printing line. 13. Replace the access cover, being sure to feed the edge of the paper through the slot in the cover. 14. Turn the printer on. • Setting Up Your Printer...
  • Page 21 1. Make sure the printer is turned off. 2. Place the printer on a slotted printer stand, carefully aligning the slot in the stand with the slot in the base of the printer. 3. Place a box of continuous forms paper on the stand, under the printer.
  • Page 22 6. Push the levers back to lock the sprocket wheels in position. 7. Pull the bail arm lever (3) — on the left side of the printer — toward the front of the printer to lift the bail arm.
  • Page 23 9. Insert the first sheet of continuous forms paper through the opening in the printer stand and into the bottom of the printer, gently feeding it into the printer until it appears in front of the platen, and above the bail arm.
  • Page 24 11. Use the platen knob (5) to advance the paper to the first printing line. 12. Replace the access cover, being sure to feed the edge of the paper through the slot in the cover. 13. Turn the printer on. • Setting Up Your Printer...

  • Page 25: Loading Single Sheets

    Loading Single Sheets Before printing single sheets, you must remove the Pull Tractor or Roll Paper Stand, if installed. Your printer can accommodate single sheets up to 9.5 inches (241 mm) wide. In order to use paper wider than traditional letter size,...
  • Page 26 2. Move the paper lever (1) — on the right side of the printer — toward the rear of the printer, to the single sheet symbol. 3. Ensure that the printer is off-line (press 4. If you are using paper wider than 8.5 inches (216 mm), move the sprocket wheels to their outermost position: a.
  • Page 27 Push back on the levers to lock the sprocket wheels in position. 5. Make sure the bail arm lever (2) is set to the rear of the printer (closed position). 6. Raise the paper separator. • Setting Up Your Printer...
  • Page 28 8. Pull the bail arm lever (2) toward the front of the printer. The sheet of paper is drawn around the platen.

  • Page 29: Testing Your Printer

    SELECT Testing Your Printer Your printer has a built-in test (self test) to make sure that it is set up and working correctly. 1. Load continuous forms paper into the printer (see page 14, ff.).

  • Page 30: Computer Connections

    USB Connection • For connection to a PC running Windows above, but not Windows 95 upgraded to Windows • The operation of a printer is not assured if a USB compatible device is connected concurrently with other USB-compatible machines. • When connecting multiple printers of the same type.
  • Page 31 1. Attach a suitable USB cable to the USB series “B” port on the back of the printer. 2. Connect the other end of the cable to the computer. 3. If you turned the computer and printer off, turn them back on. • Setting Up Your Printer...
  • Page 32 Parallel Cable Requirements • bi-directional • max. length 6 ft. (1.8 m) • 36-pin Centronics type connector Make sure the printer and computer are both turned OFF. 1. Turn both the computer and the printer OFF. Notes CAUTION! • Setting Up Your Printer...
  • Page 33 2. Attach a suitable bi-directional cable to the parallel connector on the back of the printer and secure it with the wire loops. 3. Attach and secure the cable to your computer. 4. Turn the printer and computer back on.
  • Page 34 Make sure the printer and computer are both turned OFF. 1. Switch both the computer and the printer OFF. 2. Plug the cable into the serial port on the back of the printer and tighten the screws. 3. Plug the cable into the computer and tighten the thumbscrews.

  • Page 35: Setting Up The Printer To Work With Your Computer

    Install the Printer Driver To print from a Windows-based system, install the printer driver located in the Drivers folder on the CD supplied with your printer. This driver incorporates commands which use the full capability of the printer and automatically switches the printer to the correct emulation regardless of which emulation is selected in the printer menu.
  • Page 36 If you are using a non-Windows system such as LINUX non-Windows application such as a DOS application such as Word Perfect have the correct emulation selected in the printer menu (see “Changing the Emulation Default in the Printer Menu” below). If .inf File Location \Drivers\WinXP\English\Oemprint.inf...
  • Page 37 Your printer is compatible with the emulations listed in the table below and will function properly with software developed for them. To make full use of the ML186 printer’s features, use the top entry for the applicable emulation (e.g., IBM 2480). Entries further down (e.g., IBM Graphics Printer Plus, IBM Graphics Printer) work well...

  • Page 38: Printer Menu

    Changing the Emulation Default in the Printer Menu The default for the emulation in the printer menu is IBM. If you wish to change the menu default to another emulation: 1. Make sure continuous forms paper is loaded. 2. Turn the printer off.

  • Page 39: Operating Your Printer

    Operating Your Printer Front Panel Operation Front Panel Lights Status, Function On = Printer is on line. Off = Printer is off line. Flashing = flashes with has been detected. detected an error. Flashing, Normal print operation will resume only after a cooling period.
  • Page 40 Status, Function The one lit indicates which print mode is engaged: = Near Letter Quality = Draft mode UTILITY = High Speed Draft mode, or SSD (Super Speed Draft) if 12 cpi is selected. • Operating Your Printer...

  • Page 41: Front Panel Buttons

    PITCH = save settings and exit to print mode. PITCH = save settings and exit to print mode. • Operating Your Printer Held at Power Up Initiates printer Self Test (see page 59). LINE FEED SELECT Initiates Rolling ASCII test (see page 60).

  • Page 42: Setting Printer Defaults

    Setting Printer Defaults The printer has an internal menu containing a number of default parameters which can be set to enable your printer to match the parameters required by your computer. Using the Menu Mode Entering the Menu Mode To enter the Menu Mode, press...

  • Page 43: Sample Default Menu Printout

    Set-Up Auto Select Set-Up ESC SI Pitch Set-Up Impact Mode Parallel I/F I-Prime Parallel I/F Pin 18 Parallel I/F Bi-direction • Operating Your Printer Utility 10 CPI Normal Single Set I American Slashed 6 LPI 11 " Uni-directional Full Operation 17.1 CPI...
  • Page 44 4. Press PITCH made and exit the Menu Mode. Exiting the Menu Mode by turning off the printer will cancel any changes you have made. to select the relevant group that needs to be to select the relevant item within the...

  • Page 45: For Example

    TOF SET The following line prints: Symbol Sets 5. Press PITCH Menu Mode. while turning the printer on. SELECT several times until the Symbol Sets group line Character Set repetitively until the Zero Character item line Zero Character Zero Character...
  • Page 46 Print Mode DRAFT Mode Pitch Proportional Spacing Style Size • Operating Your Printer Setting IBM, Epson, ML Utility, NLQ Courier, NLQ Gothic, Draft HSD, SSD 10 CPI, 12 CPI, 15 CPI, 17.1 CPI, 20 CPI No, Yes Normal, Italics Single, Double...
  • Page 47 ML emulation only. (Set-Up) Receive Buffer Size 1 Line*, 32K, 64K, 128K (Set-Up) Paper Out Override No, Yes Perforation • Operating Your Printer Setting Set I, Set II, Standard, Line Graphics, Block Graphics (ML mode only) American, French, German, British, Danish I, Swedish,...
  • Page 48 ESC SI Pitch Word Function Effective CPI) CPI) • Operating Your Printer Setting 0.25 mm Right, 0.20 mm Right, 0.15 mm Right, 0.10 mm Right, 0.05 mm Right, 0, 0.05 mm Left, 0.10 mm Left, 0.15 mm Left, 0.20 mm LEft, 0.25 mm Left...
  • Page 49 (Serial I/F) Baud Rate (Serial I/F) DSR Signal (Serial I/F) DTR Signal (Serial I/F) Busy Time Bits • Operating Your Printer Setting Normal, Quiet Invalid, Buffer Print, Buffer Clear +5v, Open Valid, Invalid Enable, Disable None, Odd, Even 8 bits, 7 bits...

  • Page 50: Using The Pull Tractor Unit

    Using the Pull Tractor Unit (if installed) Paper can be loaded from the rear of the printer or, if you have a slotted printer stand, it can be loaded from the bottom. 1. Remove the acoustic cover (1) and access cover (2).
  • Page 51 4. Pull the paper under the bail arm and up to the level of the tractor unit. 5. Open the sprocket covers (A) at either end of the pull tractor. 6. Pull the paper lever (on the right side of the printer) forward to the continuous forms position. • Operating Your Printer...
  • Page 52 Be careful to align the paper properly so that an equal number of holes are engaged on the sprockets at either end of the pull tractor. Misalignment will cause paper jams and/or ripping. 8. Replace the access cover and acoustic cover. Note • Operating Your Printer...

  • Page 53: Using The Roll Paper Stand

    5 Paper Separator 1. Remove the access cover from the printer. 2. Place the paper lever (right side of printer) in the single sheet position (back) and the bail arm lever (left side of printer) toward the front of the printer (bail arm raised away from platen).
  • Page 54 4. Remove the paper roller. Note that there is a disk (2) on the left end of the roller. 5. Slide the roller into a roll of paper, making sure that the disk (2) is on the left side and that the paper rolls up from the bottom. • Operating Your Printer...
  • Page 55 8. Feed the paper down behind the platen and use the platen knob to bring the paper through the printer. Feed the paper in as straight as possible. 9. Continue to feed the paper through for approximately 4 inches (102 mm).
  • Page 56 10. Pull the paper lever (right side of printer) toward the front of the printer—to the continuous forms position—and make sure the paper is straight by adjusting it to align the left and right sides behind the platen with the sides in front of the platen.

  • Page 57: Maintenance

    Maintenance Replacing the Ribbon Cartridge For more details, see page 7. If the printer has been recently used, the printhead may be HOT! Turn the printer off! WARNING! • Maintenance...
  • Page 58 • Maintenance...

  • Page 59: Testing Your Printer

    Testing Your Printer Self Test (Font Samples) Your printer has a built-in test (self test) to make sure that it is set up and working correctly. 1. Load continuous forms paper into the printer (see page 14, ff.). 2. Make sure the printer is turned off, then press and hold while turning the printer on.

  • Page 60: Rolling Ascii Test

    3. To stop the test, press Hex Dump Mode In Hex Dump Mode, all data sent to the printer, including text and printer commands, prints in both hexadecimal and ASCII format. • To place the printer in the Hex Dump Mode, press and hold SELECT and FORM FEED while turning the printer on.

  • Page 61: Cleaning The Housing

    Cleaning the Housing Never use solvents or strong detergents on the cabinet: they could damage the housing. You should clean the printer every six months (or after about 300 hours of operation). 1. Turn the printer off. 2. Remove any paper from the path.
  • Page 62 7. Push the bail arm lever back and reinstall the access cover. 8. Reload paper. 9. Turn the printer on. • Maintenance...

  • Page 63: Troubleshooting

    • Is the ribbon properly installed (see pages 7, ff.)? • Is an Oki ribbon being used? • Is the head gap correctly set (see page 11)? • Are the correct printer drivers being used for the printer (see page 35)? • Settings made in your software application normally override settings made in your printer driver.
  • Page 64 (see Note above). 2. Before sending a file to the printer, many word processors send either an “initialization string” or an I-Prime signal to the printer. The initialization string contains codes that override the panel and menu settings.
  • Page 65 3. If you have the optional serial interface board installed, check to be sure that it is firmly seated in the printer and that the interface cable is securely connected to both the printer and the computer.
  • Page 66 Problem ____________________________________________ Ink smears on the paper when I print narrow columns. Solutions The head gap could be too close. Check that the Head Gap Lever (1) is set correctly (see “Adjusting the Head Gap” on page 11). Problem ____________________________________________ I've installed a new ribbon and the printing is smeared and streaked.
  • Page 67 Problem ____________________________________________ The ALARM light is flashing. Solution Try turning the printer off, then back on again. If the light still blinks, call for service. Problem ____________________________________________ The Print Quality and Character Pitch keys on the front panel don't work.
  • Page 68 When I am using continuous feed paper, the sprocket holes are torn, causing alignment problems. Solution The most likely cause is that the paper lever (right side of printer) is in the single sheet position. Make sure the lever is in the continuous forms position (forward).

  • Page 69: Clearing Paper Jams

    Clearing Paper Jams Rear Feed Jams 1. Turn the printer off. 2. Use the platen knob to back the paper all the way out of the printer. • Troubleshooting...
  • Page 70 Make sure the printer is turned OFF before you remove the access cover. 3. Remove the access cover (1). 4. Move the bail arm lever (2) toward the front of the printer to open the bail arm. The printhead may be HOT! 5.
  • Page 71 7. Move the bail arm lever (2) towards the rear of the printer and replace the access cover (1) being sure to feed the edge of the paper through the slot in the cover. 8. Turn the printer on. • Troubleshooting...
  • Page 72 For Defective Paper Replace the defective paper with a fresh stack. For Misaligned Paper 1. Turn the printer off. 2. Use the platen knob to back the paper all the way out of the printer. 3. Tear off a couple of sheets of paper, leaving a new, clean, square-cut edge.
  • Page 73 4. Reload the paper. 5. Turn the printer back on. For Bits of Paper in the Paper Path 1. Turn the printer off. 2. Remove any accessories. • Troubleshooting...
  • Page 74 3. Use the platen knob to back the paper all the way out of the printer. Make sure the printer is turned OFF before you remove the access cover. 4. Remove the access cover. 5. Remove any debris from the paper path.
  • Page 75 7. Reload the paper. 8. Turn the printer on. • Troubleshooting...

  • Page 76: Single Sheet Paper Jams

    Make sure the printer is turned OFF before you remove the access cover. 3. Remove the access cover. If the printer has been recently used, the printhead may be HOT! 4. Remove any torn pieces from around the carriage. CAUTION! WARNING! •...
  • Page 77 5. Replace the access cover. 6. Turn the printer back on. 7. Reload the paper. • Troubleshooting...

  • Page 78: Parts & Options

    Parts & Options Replacement Parts Ribbon Cartridge (Oki 52102001) Platen Knob (Oki 53459807) Power Cord (Oki 56609701) Access Cover (Oki 53467410) Paper Separator (Oki 53459303) • Parts & Options...

  • Page 79: Options

    Options Pull Tractor (Oki 70009701) Includes Pull Tractor (1), Acoustic Cover (2) and Access Cover (3). Roll Paper Stand (Oki 70007701) • Parts & Options...

  • Page 80: Specifications

    Utility (UTL) Near Letter Quality (NLQ) Buffer size Impact dot matrix 9 pins, 0.30 mm (0.0118") diameter, with thermal protection IBM 2480 Epson ESC/P2 Okidata MICROLINE Standard 375 cps (12 cpi only) 333 cps 250 cps 62.5 cps 128 Kb...
  • Page 81 Paper Type Cut Sheets Continuous, Single Part Continuous, Multipart • 4 sheets (orig.+3), Carbonless • Up to 0.11" (0.28 mm) thick Reliability Ribbon Life Printhead Life Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF) Mean Time to Repair (MTTR) Feed Top only Rear/Bottom 14 to 20 lb. Rear/Bottom 14 to 20 lb.
  • Page 82 Physical Height Width Depth Weight Electrical Voltage Frequency Environmental Temperature Operating Storage Humidity Operating Storage Noise level 3.15" (80 mm) 14.65" (372 mm) 10.83" (275 mm) 9.9 lb. (4.5 Kg) 120V, +6%, -15% 230V, +15%, -14% 50 or 60 Hz, ±2% 41 to 104°F (5 to 40°C) -40 to 158°F (-40 to +70°C)) 20 to 80% RH...
  • Page 83 Interfaces Parallel Models Serial Models Centronics Parallel, IEEE-1284 compliant USB 1.1 RS-232C Serial USB 1.1 • Specifications...

  • Page 84: Index

    ...81 Cut sheet paper ...81 Default menu settings ...46 Defaults ...42 menu mode ...48 Dimensions ...82 Drivers, printer ...35 Electrical specifications Emulations Environmental specifications FORM FEED button Frequency Front panel – Gap, printhead ...41 Head gap ...61 Hex dump mode Humidity specifications –...
  • Page 85 Parallel – PITCH button PITCH lights Platen knob – ...44 – Power connection Power cord ...44 POWER light – Print speed Printer ...82 Printhead Pull tractor – – – ...14 – – – • Index installing ... 12 replacement # ...
  • Page 86 Rear feed paper loading ...16 Reliability ...81 Replacement parts Ribbon cartridge installing ... 7 life ...81 replacement # ...78 replacing ...7 take-up knob ...10 Ribbon shield ... 8 Roll paper stand ...79 using ...53 Rolling ASCII test ...60 SELECT button ...41 SELECT light ...39...

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Microline 186

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