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Epson LQ-850 User Manual

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Summary of Contents for Epson LQ-850

  • Page 1 User's Manual ® EPSON Y 4 5 4 9 9 1 1 4 0 0 3...
  • Page 2 ® EPSON LQ-850/950/1050 User's Guide...

  • Page 3: Fcc Compliance Statement

    While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this book, Seiko Epson Corporation assumes no responsi- bility for errors or omissions. Neither is any liability assumed for damages resulting from the use of the information contained herein.

  • Page 4: Table Of Contents

    Introduction Chapter 1 Setting Up the Printer Unpacking the Printer Checking the parts Removing the protective materials Choosing a Place for the Printer Assembling the Printer Installing the platen knob Installing the ribbon Attaching the paper guide Testing the Printer...
  • Page 5 Short Tear Off Selecting Typestyles Character fonts Character pitch Condensed mode If SelecType does not work Selecting Character Sets Choosing an international character set Choosing a character table Using the Printer 2-16 2-16 2-18 2-18 2-19 3-10 3-12 3-12 3-12...
  • Page 6 Designing your characters Sending information to the IQ Printing user-defined characters Copying ROM characters to RAM Letter Quality characters Chapter 5 Maintenance Replacing the Ribbon Transporting the Printer Cleaning the Printer Chapter 6 Troubleshooting Troubleshooting Problems and solutions Data dump mode Contents...
  • Page 7 Paper loading Envelope loading Using the cut sheet feeder Software operation Setting up your software Control panel operation Testing the printer in the cut sheet feeder mode Switching between cut sheet feeder and continuous paper The Pull Tractor Installation and use...
  • Page 8 Interface Specifications Parallel interface Serial interface Chapter 9 Command Summary The Command Summary Commands in Numerical Order Commands Arranged by Topic Printer operation Data control Vertical motion Horizontal motion Overall printing style Print size and character width Print enhancement Word processing...

  • Page 9: About This Guide

    At the back of the manual is a Quick Reference Card with the information you are most likely to need. The LQ-850, LQ-950, and LQ-1050 are basically the same printer except for their widths. Therefore, the illustrations in this guide show only the LQ-1050.
  • Page 10 Conventions used in this Guide Warnings must be followed to avoid damage to your equipment. 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.

  • Page 11: Introduction

    Features In addition to the high quality printing and ease of operation you’ve come to expect from Epson printers, the LQ-850, LQ-950, and LQ-1050 offer the following: An advanced paper handling system that lets you use single sheets of paper without removing the continuous paper.
  • Page 12 Options A variety of printer options are available for use with the LQ printers. For detailed information on the installation and use of these options, see Chapter 7. Single-Bin and Dual-Bin Cut Sheet Feeders The cut sheet feeders give you easier and more efficient handling of single sheet paper.
  • Page 13 Introduction...
  • Page 14 Removing the protective materials Installing the platen knob Installing the ribbon Attaching the paper guide Testing the Printer Loading a sheet of paper Running the self test Connecting the Printer to Your Computer The parallel interface The serial interface l-10 1-12 1-12...

  • Page 15: Unpacking The Printer

    Unpacking the Printer Checking the parts make sure you have all the parts you unpack the printer, shown below and that none have been damaged during transportation. In some locations the power cable is a separate item.

  • Page 16: Removing The Protective Materials

    The printer is protected during shipping by two brackets, two locking tabs, and a 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 material in case you ever need to transport your printer.
  • Page 17 Unpacking the Printer 2. Remove the print head protector. Slide the print head to the middle of the printer. Then, remove the left and right locking tabs. Be sure to remove all protective materials before you turn on the printer.

  • Page 18: Choosing A Place For The Printer

    There are several considerations in selecting a location for your printer. Be sure to keep the following in mind: Place the printer close enough to the computer for its cable to reach. Place the printer on a flat, stable surface.

  • Page 19: Assembling The Printer

    You will find the knob packed in an indentation in the white foam packing material. 1. Insert the knob into the hole on the right side of the printer. Rotate the knob until it slips onto the shaft.

  • Page 20: Installing The Ribbon

    Installing the ribbon To install the ribbon cartridge, follow these steps: Make sure that the printer is not connected to an electrical outlet. Remove the printer cover. Slide the print head to the middle of the printer. Turn the ribbon-tightening knob in the direction of the arrow to tighten the ribbon.
  • Page 21 Assembling the Printer 5. Hold the ribbon cartridge by its black, fin-like handles with the exposed ribbon away from you. (The LQ-850 ribbon cartridge has only one handle.) Push the cartridge firmly into position, making sure that the black plastic hooks fit into the slots inside the printer.

  • Page 22: Attaching The Paper Guide

    To install the paper guide, follow the steps listed below: 1. Place the paper guide on the printer as shown, making sure that the back edge of the guide is even with the back of the printer. 2. Raise the paper guide up until it locks in place.
  • Page 23 Assembling the Printer 3. Attach the printer cover. 4. Close the paper guide cover. 1-11...

  • Page 24: Testing The Printer

    Testing the Printer Now that your printer is fully assembled, you can use the built-in self test function to see that the printer is working correctly even though it is not connected to a computer. You should perform this test to make sure the printer was not damaged during shipping and to ensure that the ribbon has been installed correctly.
  • Page 25 Testing the Printer 2. Turn on the printer. The green POWER light and the red PAPER OUT light come on. After turning the printer off, always wait at least five seconds before turning it back on. Rapid switching of the power on and off can damage the printer.
  • Page 26 Testing the Printer 4. Move the right and left edge guides of the paper guide to match the width of the platen (black roller), and insert a sheet of paper the same width. Never perform the self test on envelopes.

  • Page 27: Running The Self Test

    Running the self test You are now ready to start the printer’s self test. This prints out the settings of the printer’s DIP switches and the characters in the printer’s memory. The DIP switch settings are explained later in this guide.
  • Page 28 Testing the Printer 3. The self test does not stop until the printer runs out of paper or you press the ON LINE button. After checking to see that everything is operating correctly, press the ON LINE button to stop the test.
  • Page 29 5. To perform this test in the another sheet of paper. 6. Turn off the printer, then turn it on again while holding down the FORM FEED button. You need only hold the button down until printing begins. As before, the self test ends when the printer runs out of paper or when you press the ON LINE button.

  • Page 30: Connecting The Printer To Your Computer

    If you have a suitable shielded cable, you should be able to connect to most computers immediately. The printer is set up for parallel data communication at the factory. If you need to use a serial interface, be sure to adjust the DIP (Dual In-line Package) switch settings as shown in the section on DIP switches in Chapter 3.

  • Page 31: Connecting The Printer To Your Computer

    When connecting your computer to the parallel interface, follow these steps: 1. Make sure both the printer and your computer are turned off. 2. Plug the cable connector into the printer as shown below. Next squeeze the wire clips together until they lock onto either side of the connector.

  • Page 32: The Serial Interface

    The serial interface If you are going to use a serial interface, it is best to choose an Epson serial interface cable. The following is a list of interface cables and the computers they are designed to work with: Computer ®...
  • Page 33 Using Single Sheets Reloading during printing Using Continuous Paper Positioning your continuous paper supply Switching Between Continuous and Single Sheets Switching back to continuous paper Printing on Special Paper The paper thickness lever Multi-part forms Labels Envelopes 2-11 2-12 2-15 2-16 2-16 2-18...

  • Page 34: Using Single Sheets

    Using Single Sheets Your printer can handle a wide range of paper sizes up to a maximum width of 10.1 inches on the LQ-850, 13.0 inches on the LQ-950, or 14.4 inches on the LQ-1050. Always make sure that your printing is confined to the size of paper you are using.
  • Page 35 Using Single Sheets 3. Stand the paper guide in an upright position and align the left edge guide with the arrow on the paper guide. (You may want to change this position later, depending on the margin settings of your application program.) 4.
  • Page 36 If the platen (black roller) turns but the sheet does not load, remove the sheet from the printer and try again. Make sure that the paper release lever is pushed back and then press the paper a bit more firmly into place.

  • Page 37: Reloading During Printing

    If your software sends characters in a continuous stream, the printer stops printing when it reaches the bottom of the paper. When this happens, the page ejects and the ON LINE light goes off automatically.

  • Page 38: Using Continuous Paper

    Its low-profile design takes up little space and can handle a wide variety of paper widths. To load continuous paper, follow these steps: 1. See that the printer is turned off. 2. Pull the paper release lever forward to the continuous paper position.
  • Page 39 Using Continuous Paper 4. Attach the paper rest. 5. Release the sprocket lock levers and slide the left sprocket unit all the way to the left and lock it in place. Next, slide the right sprocket unit to roughly match the width of your paper.
  • Page 40 Using Continuous Paper 6. Slide the paper support to a point midway between the sprocket units. 7. Open the sprocket covers.
  • Page 41 8. Fit the first four holes in the paper over the pins of each sprocket unit making sure the paper is under the silver edge ; then close the sprocket covers. Slide the right sprocket unit to a position where the paper is straight and has no wrinkles; then lock it in place. Make sure the first sheet of paper has clean, straight edge and feeds under the silver edge to in sure correct paper feeding.
  • Page 42 The printer remembers this position and advances each page to the same position. 12. Press the ON LINE button to set the printer on line so that it can accept data. If you find that your word processing or other application program prints too high or too low on the page or is printing on the perforations, check the loading position.

  • Page 43: Positioning Your Continuous Paper Supply

    When using continuous paper, you can also choose the short tear-off feature to give you added paper-handling capabilities. When this feature is selected, the printer automatically feeds the paper forward so that you can tear it off at its perforation. Then, it feeds the paper backward when data is received so you can resume printing at the loading position.
  • Page 44 Between Continuous and Single Even with continuous paper loaded in the printer, you can easily switch to single-sheet printing without removing the continuous paper from the tractor. To switch from continuous paper to single sheets, follow the steps below.
  • Page 45 2. Press the LOAD/EJECT button to feed the continuous paper backward out of the printer and into a standby position. The paper is still attached to the tractor, but no longer in the paper path. The PAPER OUT light comes on when the paper is completely out of the paper path.

  • Page 46: Switching Between Continuous And Single Sheets

    5. Close the paper guide cover. Next, insert the paper between the edge guides. 6. Press the LOAD/EJECT button to automatically feed the page to the loading position. 7. Press the ON LINE button to set the printer on line so that it is ready to print. 2-14...

  • Page 47: Switching Back To Continuous Paper

    Pull the paper release lever toward you. Press the LOAD/EJECT button to feed the paper to the loading position. Press the ON LINE button to set the printer on line so that it can accept data. Switching Between Continuous and Single Sheets...

  • Page 48: Printing On Special Paper

    Printing on Special Paper In addition to using single sheets and continuous paper, your printer can also print on a wide variety of paper types, including multi-part forms and labels. You can even feed envelopes manually or with the optional cut sheet feeder. Before printing on these special types of paper you need to adjust the paper thickness setting.
  • Page 49 For printing on special types of paper, see the table below. When the paper thickness lever is set to position 4 or higher, the MULTI- PART light comes on and the printing speed is reduced. The following table gives you general guidelines for selecting the right paper thickness lever position to match your paper: Paper Type Paper (single sheets or continuous)

  • Page 50: Multi-Part Forms

    See the table on page 2-17 for the correct paper thickness setting. To remove labels, tear off at a perforation tractor. Then, set the printer off line and use the to eject the labels. 2-18...

  • Page 51: Envelopes

    Also, never use the labels or to feed labels backward to the standby position. If a label does become stuck in the printer mechanism, refer the problem to your dealer. Since labels are especially sensitive to temperature and humidity, always use them under normal operating conditions.
  • Page 52 Printing on Special Paper When printing on envelopes, be sure that your application program settings keep the printing entirely within the printable area of the envelopes as shown below. 0.12” or more To make sure that the printing fits within this area, always perform a sample printing test using a normal single sheet of paper before printing on envelopes.
  • Page 53 Operating the Control Panel Lights Buttons SelecType Other control panel features Setting the DIP Switches Page Length Skip Over Perforation Adjusting the Loading Position The loading position Micro adjustment Short Tear Off Selecting Typestyles Character fonts Character pitch Condensed mode If SelecType does not work Selecting Character Sets Choosing an international character set 3-20...

  • Page 54: Operating The Control Panel

    Operating the Control Panel The buttons on the control panel let you control the majority of the printer settings. The control panel also has indicator lights so you can check the current status of the various settings of the printer.

  • Page 55: Buttons

    ON LINE This button controls the printer’s on line/off line status. When the printer is on line, the indicator light is on and the printer can receive and print data from the computer. J-FORM FEED When the printer is off line, press...

  • Page 56: Selectype

    0 PAPER OUT 0 MULTI-PART S&c Type FORM FEED combinations do condensed 15 cpi. If you try to choose one of these, the printer beeps three times. - FONT Press this button to select a character font. The orange indicator lights show which font has been selected.

  • Page 57: Other Control Panel Features

    Self test By holding down the FORM FEED or LINE FEED button while you turn on the printer, you can start the LQ’s self test. This prints out the DIP switch settings and the characters in the printer’s ROM (Read Only Memory). See the section on the self test in Chapter 1 for further information.

  • Page 58: Setting The Dip Switches

    SW2) in the back of the printer, you can control various features such as character set and page length. To change the setting of a DIP switch, first turn off the printer. Using a pencil, pen, or other pointed instrument, change the setting as shown below.
  • Page 59 The tables below describe the functions of the DIP switches. Switch 1 Switch Description International character set Character table Print direction for graphics 1 Not used Cut sheet feeder mode 6 Kbytes receive buffer Switch 2 Description Switch Page length Skip over perforation Interface/Parity Baud rate...
  • Page 60 Setting the DIP Switches International character set selection I -_-^ * See page 3-20 for other character sets. Interface/parity selection Baud rate selection pgyz$=j Print direction for graphics With unidirectional printing, the print head prints in one direction only to eliminate any possible deviation in the dot positions, making it ideal for printing graphics such as lines or boxes.

  • Page 61: Page Length

    When you turn the switch off, you set the page length at 11 inches. To change the setting of a DIP switch, first turn off the printer. Next, change the DIP switch; then turn the printer back on. ‘/- / ,’...

  • Page 62: Skip Over Perforation

    This feature may be useful when using continuous paper because it will cause the printer to stop printing, skip over the perforation, then resume printing.
  • Page 63 Skip Over Perforation Most application programs take care of the top and bottom margins. Therefore, do not turn skip over perforation on unless your program does not provide these margins. 3-11...

  • Page 64: Adjusting The Loading Position

    However, when you use micro adjustment to change the loading position of single sheet paper, the printer does not remember this position after the power is turned off. When the power is turned back on, the loading position returns to its factory setting.
  • Page 65 To perform micro adjustment of the loading position, first load your paper, and then press the ON LINE button to set the printer on line. The MULTI-PART indicator light starts to flash. While this light is flashing, you can use the FORM FEED and LINE FEED buttons for micro adjustments.

  • Page 66: Short Tear Off

    When you resume printing, the paper feeds back to the loading position. To use this feature, first turn off the printer and turn DIP switch 2-7 on. Then, load continuous paper in the normal way, but leave the paper guide cover open so that you can use the guide’s tear-off edge.
  • Page 67 3. If you need to adjust the position of the perforation to meet the tear-off edge, use micro adjustment. First, see that the printer is on line and the MULTI-PART indicator light is flashing. Then, adjust the position in 1/180 of an inch increments by pressing the FORM FEED button to feed the paper forward or the LINE FEED button to feed it backward.

  • Page 68: Selecting Typestyles

    SelecType buttons on the control panel. The settings you select using the SelecType panel remain valid even after the printer is turned off, reset, or initialized. However, commands from your software application program temporarily override the SelecType setting.
  • Page 69 Draft mode uses fewer dots per character for high-speed printing. DRAFT W e ’ v e j u s t s e e n y o u r e x c e l l e n t miniature T..ca.d.s..r . ..~...s T.i..me.s - W h a t i s t h e p r i c e s c h e d u l e f o r q u a n t i t i e s o v e r o n e The Roman and Sans Serif Letter Quality (LQ) fonts use a larger number of dots for higher print quality at a lower speed.

  • Page 70: Character Pitch

    Selecting Typestyles Character pitch each of the three built-in fonts, you can choose a character pitch of 10, 12, or 15 characters per inch draft you can choose proportional spacing To select a pitch, press the of the desired pitch comes on. Note that some font modules do not offer all pitches.

  • Page 71: Condensed Mode

    Condensed mode In addition to the three pitches and proportional spacing, you can also use the condensed mode to change the character size. In condensed mode, characters are approximately 60% of the width of normal characters; so it is very useful for spreadsheets and other applications where you need to print the maximum amount of information on a page.

  • Page 72: Selecting Character Sets

    Once you have set the DIP switches for a certain character set, that set is the default character set; it remains valid even after the printer is turned off, reset, or intialized. Software commands however, override DIP switch settings until they are cancelled or the printer is turned off, reset, or intialized.

  • Page 73: Choosing A Character Table

    Choosing a character table DIP switch l-4 selects the italics character table or the Epson Extended Graphics character table. The Epson Extended Graphics character table contains international accented characters, Greek characters, and character graphics for printing lines, corners, and shaded areas. Since the character table setting affects only the upper half of the character table, you can still print text if you have selected the Extended Graphics set.
  • Page 74 Selecting Character Sets Epson Extended Graphics character table CODE10123456789A8~DEF “2BRj-,r~fi6@$j~r~ #3CScsQ~B~pns 84DTdtiiSAt-LCr B%5EUeu21bfiI(traJ &6FVfvifia-itrP+ -=M]lll}iYiJ’)p12 3-22 !lAQaqi.icei$$L~bf '7GWgw~iiQlttt~ (8HXhx6$ilhf@’ )91YiyBUr4cJB* :JZjzbuT[*rQ. K[ktY@&l~g6d ,<L\l: > ? 0 _ 0 & : : : I : ’ ietJ),a- Xp~aJt)eD Etf~~+mn...
  • Page 75 Italics character table CODE10123456789ABCDEF !lAQaq #3CScs $4DTdt %5EUeu &GFVfv '7GWgw (8HXhx )SIYiy -=M]m} < > selecting Character sets 08P’p !lAQaq ” XbCScs $4DTdt XdEUeu &GFVfv ‘7GWgw (8HXhx )SIYiy JZjs KC&{ ,CL\ll -=MlS] >N^n* ;?o-o 3-23...
  • Page 76 Selecting Character Sets 3-24...
  • Page 77 Software Choosing from a menu A quick test Computer-printer communications Word processors Spreadsheets Graphics programs Graphics The print head The graphics command Column reservation numbers A simple graphics program Using hand-calculated data to print graphics Individual graphics options commands The reassigning command...

  • Page 78: Software

    Draft printer To use all the features of the LQ-850, LQ-950, and LQ-1050, however, it is best to use a program with the LQ-850, LQ-950, or LQ-1050 on its menu. If your program does not list these printers, contact the manufacturer to see if an update is available.

  • Page 79: A Quick Test

    A quick test After you set up your application program for your printer by following the instructions in the application program manual and the instructions above, print a sample document to make sure that the program and the printer are communicating properly. If the document does not print the way you think it should, re-check the program’s printer selection and installation routine.

  • Page 80: Word Processors

    Software Naming and using commands In order to use printer commands, you should know how they are recognized by your software program. The most common way of naming codes or commands is with one of two numbering systems, decimal or hexadecimal.
  • Page 81 These commands may or may not be visible on your screen. This method has the advantage of allowing you to use any printer command, not just a limited set. To make use of it, however, you need to understand how to use the printer’s commands.

  • Page 82: Spreadsheets

    A major concern for printing spreadsheets is the width of the printer. The LQ-850 is an 80 column printer, the LQ-950 is a 110 column printer, and the LQ-1050 is a 136 column printer, but by using condensed 12 cpi you can print up to 160 columns on the LQ-850, 220 columns on the LQ-950, and 272 on the LQ-1050.

  • Page 83: Graphics Programs

    If your spreadsheet is not printing correctly, check both the LQ and your spreadsheet program and review this checklist: 0 If the program asks you to select a printer, be sure you have selected the correct one. If you’re using the program’s print facility, recheck the LQ’s Command Summary to make sure you’re sending the correct...

  • Page 84: Graphics

    With such programs you usually create an image on your monitor and then give a command to send the image to the printer. If you use commercial software that produces graphics, all you need to know about dot graphics is how to use the software. If, on the other hand, you wish to do your own programming or merely wish to understand how the LQ prints graphics, read on.

  • Page 85: The Print Head

    In order for the dots to overlap vertically, the pins in the print head are in more than one column, but the intelligence of the printer handles the timing of pin firings so that the effect is that of 24 pins arranged in a single vertical column.
  • Page 86 24 pins to fire. At each position it can fire any number of pins from none to 24. This means that the printer must receive 24 bits of information for each column it prints. Since the LQ uses 8-bit bytes of information in its communication with a computer, it needs three bytes of information for each position.
  • Page 87 With these labels for the pins, you fire the top pin by sending 128. To fire the bottom pin, you send 1. If you want to fire only the top and bottom pins, you simply add 128 and 1, then send 129.

  • Page 88: Graphic Command

    Graphics Since there are 24 pins in each column, you must make a calculation for each of the three sections in each column. As you can see, this method of planning and printing dot graphics requires considerable calculation. Because triple-density uses 180 columns per inch, printing a single line of triple-density graphics only one inch long requires 540 numbers.

  • Page 89: Column Reservation Numbers

    *Adjacent dots cannot be printed in this mode. Column reservation numbers The graphics command requires more than one number to specify how many columns to reserve because one line can use thousands of columns, but the LQ does not use numbers larger than 255 (decimal).

  • Page 90: Using Hand-Calculated Data To Print Graphics

    For example, if you wish to send 1632 columns of graphics data, nl should be 96 and n2 should be 6 because 1632 = 96 + (6 x 256). The LQ will interpret the number of bytes determined by nl and n2 as graphics data, no matter what codes they are.
  • Page 91 Write the assigned values of the pins next to your design and then total the values for each column of dots. These totals are the values that will be sent to the printer as graphics data to print the design.
  • Page 92 Graphics Below is shown the same grid divided into three sections to make the data calculation easier. At the the bottom of each section of each column is the total of the pin numbers for that section. This gives you a total of 126 data numbers necessary to print this small figure.
  • Page 93 Here is the BASIC program that prints the design shown on the previous pages. Notice that the data numbers in lines 80-140 are the same numbers that you see in the last illustration. Also note that the WIDTH statement in line 10 is for IBM PC BASIC; the format may be different for your system.

  • Page 94: Individual Graphics Options Commands

    Individual graphics options commands As previously mentioned, the LQ responds to commands that are used by Epson FX and RX series printers. There are four individual graphics options commands that are very much the same as the ESC * command, but each one works for only one graphics option. All these commands are 8-pin graphics options.

  • Page 95: Reassigning Command

    The reassigning command The LQ has a command that allows you to change the graphics option assigned to any of the four individual graphics options commands. The command looks like this: The letter s represents the command that you wish to change the assignment for (K, L, Y, or Z) and m is the number of the graphics option that you want to assign to it.

  • Page 96: User-Defined Characters

    LQ’s Random Access Memory (RAM). Designing your characters User-defined characters are like dot graphics because you send the printer precise instructions on where you want each dot printed. In fact, planning a user-defined character is like planning a small dot graphics pattern.
  • Page 97 Design grids To design a character you use a grid that is 24 dots high-one dot for each pin on the LQ print head. The width of the character matrix is dependent upon the character set in use. For draft characters, the grid is nine dots wide.
  • Page 98 User-Defined Characters Defining Your Own Characters The first step in defining characters is to place the dots on a grid just as you want them to print. The examples here, like the ones in the graphics section, use an x to represent each dot. In the illustration below you see a draft grid with a simple user-defined character planned on it.
  • Page 99 You’ve seen how to design a character by placing dots on a grid and translating the dots to decimal equivalents. The last step in defining a character is to send this information to the printer. User-Defined Characters 4-23...

  • Page 100: Sending Information To The Lq

    Sending information to the LQ The printer loads characters in the print style (Letter Quality, draft, or proportional) that the printer is currently using. It also records whether italic or script (either superscript or subscript) is turned on. This means that if you want to print a character in the italic mode, for example, you must have the italic mode turned on when you define the character.
  • Page 101 Following the specification of the range of characters to be defined in this command are three data bytes (do-d2) that specify the width of the character and the space around it. The left space (in dot columns) is specified by do, and the right space is specified by d2.
  • Page 102 The information about the actual character design (which is contained in the data statements at the end of the program) is sent to the printer in the loop between lines 50 and 70. When defining Letter Quality or proportional characters in...

  • Page 103: Printing User-Defined Characters

    Since no other characters are in the printer’s user-defined RAM area, nothing else prints. Other characters sent to the printer don’t even print as spaces; it’s as if they were not sent at all. @@@@ca...

  • Page 104: Letter Quality Characters

    If the variable n = 0, Roman is selected. This command will cancel any user-defined characters you have created. You must send this command to the printer before you define characters. If you use this command at the beginning of a program, then define your special characters and select the user-defined.
  • Page 105 Superscripts and subscripts You can also create superscript and subscript user-defined characters. Just as Letter Quality characters are defined when the Letter Quality mode is selected, super/subscript characters are created when either superscript or subscript is selected. These super/subscript characters can be used either as superscripts or as subscripts.
  • Page 106 Keep in mind that user-defined characters are stored in RAM, which is not permanent. Whenever the printer power is turned off, or printer is intialized with the (INIT) signal, the user-defined characters are lost.
  • Page 107 Replacing the Ribbon Transporting the Printer Cleaning the Printer...

  • Page 108: Replacing The Ribbon

    Let it cool before attempting to replace the ribbon. Remove the old ribbon by grasping the black fin-like handles (only one on the LQ-850) and lifting the ribbon straight up and out of the printer. Slide the print head to the middle of the printer.
  • Page 109 4. Hold the new ribbon cartridge by its handles, and firmly insert it into position, making sure that the plastic hooks fit into the slots as shown below. (The LQ-850 ribbon cartridge has only one handle.) 5. Use a pointed object, such as the tip of a pencil, to guide the ribbon between the print head and the ribbon guide.

  • Page 110: Transporting The Printer

    1. Remove the printer cover, platen knob, paper guide, and any installed options. 2. Slide the print head to the middle of the printer. While holding the paper bail open, reattach the left and right locking tabs. Then, slide the print head all the way to the right, and insert the print head protector between the paper bail and platen as shown below.
  • Page 111 Transporting the Printer 4. Fit the printer back into the foam packaging material and then back into its original box. When you carry the printer, never hold it by the option compartment cover. This cover could come off and cause...

  • Page 112: Cleaning The Printer

    Do not spray the inside of the printer with lubricants: unsuitable oils can damage the mechanism. Contact your Epson dealer if you think lubrication is needed.

  • Page 113: Troubleshooting

    Troubleshooting Problems and solutions Data dump mode...
  • Page 114 Chapter 1. If the self test works properly, the printer is all right, and the problem probably lies in the computer, the software or the cable. If the self test does not work, contact your Epson dealer. The printout is faint or uneven See that the ribbon is properly installed.
  • Page 115 If the printer stops, the beeper sounds, and the ON LINE light does not flicker, turn the printer off and then turn it back on and try to print again. If the printer beeps again and does not print, take it to a qualified service person.
  • Page 116 The wrong international character set may be selected. See the section on international character sets in Chapter 3. The wrong character set (italics or Epson Extended Graphics) may be selected. The font or pitch or size may not be selected properly. See the section on SelecType in Chapter 3.

  • Page 117: Data Dump Mode

    Data dump mode This printer has a special feature to make it easy for experienced users to find the cause of communication problems between the printer and application programs. In data dump mode, an exact printout of the codes reaching the printer is produced.
  • Page 118 Troubleshooting 3. To turn off the data dump mode, press the ON LINE button to stop the printing and set the printer off line, then turn off the printer. (It can also be cancelled by sending an INIT signal from the computer .)
  • Page 119 Paper loading Envelope loading Using the cut sheet feeder Software operation Setting up your software Control panel operation Testing the printer in the cut sheet feeder mode Switching between cut sheet feeder and continuous paper The Pull Tractor Installation and use...

  • Page 120: The Cut Sheet Feeder

    The optional cut sheet feeders give you easier and more efficient handling of single sheet paper. Up to 150 sheets of standard bond paper can be fed automatically into the printer without reloading. These units can also automatically feed envelopes.

  • Page 121: Assembly

    The Cut Sheet Feeder ends together Assembly 1. Attach the paper feeder rests by squeezing the free and inserting them into the slots as shown. 2. Insert the paper support over the back edge of the feeder.

  • Page 122: Installation

    LQ-850 printer.) Installation Attach the assembled cut sheet feeder as follows. 1. Remove the printer cover and the paper guide. 2. Make sure the paper release lever is pushed all the way back.
  • Page 123 4. Tilt the feeder forward slightly to fit the notches at the base of the unit over the pins on the printer; then tilt the unit back until its rests on top of the printer.
  • Page 124 The Cut Sheet Feeder 5. Detach the front section of the printer cover. 6. After raising the cut sheet feeder’s paper path guide, attach the front cover; then close the paper path guide.

  • Page 125: Setting The Sheet Feeder Mode

    Setting the sheet feeder mode To allow your printer to use the cut sheet feeder you will need to set DIP switch 1-7 to on. If you need more information on how to do this, see the section on DIP switch setting in Chapter 3. To set...

  • Page 126: Paper Loading

    Paper loading To load paper, follow the steps below. 1. Pull the paper set lever all the way forward until the paper supports retract and lock open to allow for paper loading. Make sure that the two small front levers are up when using normal paper.
  • Page 127 3. Take a stack of paper and fan it as shown. This keeps the paper from sticking so that only one sheet feeds at a time. Tap the side and bottom of the paper on a flat surface to even up the stack.
  • Page 128 The Cut Sheet Feeder 5. Push the paper set lever back until it clicks into place and clamps the paper against the guide rollers. The lever will not close completely if too much paper is used. If this happens, remove some paper from the stack and try again. Envelope Envelopes are loaded in much the same way as regular paper.

  • Page 129: Using The Cut Sheet Feeder

    Using the cut sheet feeder After loading paper into the cut sheet feeder, make sure that the ON LINE light is on. Once the printer is in the sheet feeder mode, a new sheet of paper loads automatically whenever a printable character or line feeding command is sent to the printer.

  • Page 130: Setting Up Your Software

    Page Length or Form Length, you may need to set the Top Margin, the Bottom Margin, and the actual number of lines to be printed on the page. The cut sheet feeders for the LQ-850, LQ-950, and LQ-1050 normally create a two line unprintable top margin.

  • Page 131: Control Panel Operation

    The following is a typical example of a software setup required for proper operation of your cut sheet feeder. Not all software is set up the same, so you may find that a bit of experimentation is required before you find the best equivalent settings to use. To maintain 54 printed lines per page: Continuous form settings...

  • Page 132: Testing The Printer In The Cut Sheet Feeder Mode

    The Cut Sheet Feeder Testing the printer in the cut sheet feeder mode When performing the printer’s built-in self test in the cut sheet feeder mode, the print out is slightly different from that of the original self test. Load the paper you will be using into the paper bin. Hold...
  • Page 133 LOAD/EJECT button until the continuous paper feeds backward out of the paper path and into a standby position. Then, push the paper release lever back to put the printer into the sheet feeder mode. 7. Close the paper path guide.

  • Page 134: The Pull Tractor

    The Pull Tractor The optional pull tractor (#7311 for the LQ-850, #7313 for the LQ-950, or #7312 for the LQ-1050) provides optimum continuous paper handling. The pull tractor is especially useful1 with continuous multi-part forms and labels. For best results, use the pull tractor along with the built-in push tractor, as described in this section.

  • Page 135: Installation And Use

    The Pull Tractor Installation and use After making sure that the printer is turned off, install and use the pull tractor as follows: 1. Remove the printer cover and the paper guide and install the paper rest if you haven’t already. (See page 2-7.) Remove the paper tension unit by pressing open the release levers and lifting up the front of the unit at the same time.
  • Page 136 However, in Step 5, position the left sprocket unit about 1/4 of an inch from the left before locking it in place. After the paper is loaded in the push tractor, see that the printer is off line and press the paper one page so that you can fit the paper onto the pull tractor.
  • Page 137 8. Adjust the sprocket frames to match the width of the paper and adjust the paper supports so they are evenly placed between the sprocket units. (There is only one paper support on the LQ-850.) 9. Fit the holes of the paper over the tractor pins of the sprocket frames, adjusting the position of the sprocket units as necessary.
  • Page 138 The Pull Tractor 10. If the paper does not fit exactly onto the tractor pins, press in on the pull tractor feed knob and turn it in the desired direction. 11. Close the sprocket covers. 7-20...
  • Page 139 The Pull Tractor 12. See that the paper is not crooked or wrinkled and lock the sprocket units in place. 13. Slide the rollers on the paper bail so they are evenly distributed across the width of your paper. Also, make sure that the right and left rollers are at the both edges of your paper.

  • Page 140: When You Are Finished Printing

    15. Install the pull tractor cover as shown below. 16. Press the ON LINE button to set the printer on line. Now you are ready to begin printing. When you are finished printing The short tear-off function cannot be used with the pull tractor.

  • Page 141: Removing The Pull Tractor

    The Pull Tractor Removing the pull tractor After turning off the printer and removing the pull tractor cover, remove the pull tractor as follows: 1. Press the tabs on the pull tractor and tilt it back and lift it off the printer.

  • Page 142: Interface Boards

    If you are unsure whether you need an optional interface, or would like to know more about interfaces, check with your Epson dealer. Compatible interfaces The following is a list of Epson interfaces that are compatible with your LQ printer.

  • Page 143: Installing The Interface Board

    Using a cross-head screwdriver, remove the two retaining screws: one located at the front of the printer, the other at the back near the printer’s fan. Interface Boards...
  • Page 144 Interface Boards 4. Detach the upper case by pressing in on the two retaining clips inside the front of the printer. 5. Partially raise the upper case; then reach under and detach the control panel by releasing the front clip.
  • Page 145 Remove the shield plate at the back of the access to the optional interface connector. Interface Boards printer to allow 7-27...
  • Page 146 Interface Boards 8. Remove the power cable attached to the main board. To remove, grasp the clip at its base and pull gently, but firmly, straight up. You may need to move the clip back and forth slightly as you pull upward to free it from-the board. 9.
  • Page 147 There are two basic interface designs. Each is installed slightly differently. Both installation procedures are described below. The difference in design does not affect the operation of the interface in any way. Pictured below are the two basic designs. Check to see which one you have.
  • Page 148 Interface Boards 1. Using the CG screw, attach the round end of the FG (frame ground) wire to the main board. Position the other end of the wire as shown. 2. Reattach the power cable, making sure that the small fins on the white plastic clip are on the side away from you.
  • Page 149 4. Attach the plug end of the FG wire onto the FG pin located on top of the interface board. 5. Reassemble the printer, taking care not to pinch the FG wire between the upper and lower sections of the case.
  • Page 150 This section describes how to install an interface board that has an FG (frame ground) wire attached. 1. Carefully place the interface board next to the printer as shown below. Using the CG screw, connect the round end of the FG wire to the main board.
  • Page 151 4. Secure the board with the screws provided. 5. Reassemble the printer, taking care not to pinch the FG wire between the upper and lower sections of the case. Interface Boards...

  • Page 152: The Multi-Font Module

    The Multi-Font Module The optional Multi-Font Module (#7407) gives you seven additional fonts for your LQ printer. Once you install it in either slot A or slot B, the following fonts are available: Courier, Prestige, Script, OCR-A, OCR-B, Orator, and Orator-S.
  • Page 153 OCR-A The OCR-A and OCR-B fonts can be read by an optical character reader (also known as a document reader or image scanner) for input into another computer. Orator ! “#$%&’ ( )*t, - * LMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ[\]^-‘ WXYZ{l}“~Oi~~AA~~~il~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ GmKQ l--l+#i{) Orator-S /0123456789:;(=>?@ABCDEFGHIJK ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUV The Multi-Font Module...
  • Page 154 The Multi-Font Module Using the Multi-Font Module To install a font module, follow these steps: 1. Make sure the printer is turned off. 2. Open the font compartment cover. Inside the compartment are two connectors labelled A and B. 3. Insert the font module securely into SLOT A or B so that the arrow symbols on the font module and the slot are facing each other.
  • Page 155 4. Close the font compartment cover. 5. After you have turned on the printer and are ready to print, select SLOT A or B by pressing the FONT button on the SelecType panel. This font module selection remains valid even after the printer is turned off, reset, or initialized.

  • Page 156: The Emulation Module

    The Emulation Module The optional Emulation Module for IBM ProPrinter X/XL allows you to use programs designed to be used with an IBM ProPrinter. See the manual that comes with the Emulation Module for full instructions on using it. 7-38...
  • Page 157 Printer Specifications Printing Paper Mechanical Electrical Environment Interface Specifications Parallel interface Serial interface...

  • Page 158: Printer Specifications

    Fonts Epson New Draft Epson Roman 10 CPI Epson Roman 12 CPI Epson Roman 15 CPI Epson Roman proportional Epson Sans Serif 10 CPI Epson Sans Serif 12 CPI Epson Sans Serif 15 CPI Epson Sans Serif proportional fonts Optional...

  • Page 159: Paper

    Continuous paper 0.47” &Q-850: 4 N to 9 ‘4 N width paper) (LQ-950: 4” to 12” width paper) (LQ-1050: 4” to 14 ‘/B ” width paper) 0.97” (LQ-850: 10” width paper) (LQ- 1050: 15” to 16” width paper) Printer Specifications LQ-1050...

  • Page 160: Mechanical

    MCBF For all components excluding print head: 5 million lines. MTBF LQ-850: 4000 power on hours (at 25% duty) LQ-950: 5000 power on hours (at 25% duty) LQ-1050: 6000 power on hours (at 25% duty) Print head life...

  • Page 161: Electrical

    Storage: 5% to 85% without condensation Shock Operation: Up to 1 G within 1ms Storage: Up to 2 G within 1ms Vibration Operation: Up to 0.25 G at up to 55 Hz Storage: Up to 0.5 G at up to 55 Hz Printer Specifications...

  • Page 162: Interface Specifications

    Interface Specifications The LQ is equipped with both a parallel and a serial interface. Do not plug more than one interface cable into the printer at one time. This may damage your printer. Parallel interface Connector pin assignments and a description of their respective interface signals are shown in the following table.
  • Page 163 ERROR SLCT IN Interface Specifications Pulled up to +5 volts through LOW, the printer controller is reset to its power-up state and the print buffer is cleared. This level is usually HIGH; its pulse width must be more than 50 microseconds at the receiving terminal.
  • Page 164 Data transfer must be carried out by observing the ACKNLG or BUSY signal. (Data transfer to this printer can be carried out only after receipt of the ACKNLG signal or when the level of the BUSY signal is LOW.) Interface timing The figure below shows the timing for the parallel interface.

  • Page 165: Serial Interface

    (no effect) (no *Even though printing is disabled, data characters are received and acknowledged, since the printer is looking for another DC1 character, which would allow it to resume printing. Serial interface The LQ built-in serial interface is an RS-232C asynchronous...
  • Page 166 528. Error handling All errors are ignored. Connector 6-pin DIN connector. In this table, the direction of signals is given relative to the printer. Pin number Signal The pins are arranged as shown below. 8-10 Description...
  • Page 167 The Command Summary Commands in Numerical Order Commands Arranged by Topic Printer operation Data control Vertical motion Horizontal motion Overall printing style Print size and character width Print enhancement Word processing Character tables User-defined characters Graphics 9-13 9-13 9-18 9-22...

  • Page 168: The Command Summary

    The Command Summary This chapter lists and describes all the commands available on the LQ-850, LQ-950, and LQ-1050. This summary is divided by topics, but there is a list of the commands in numerical order beginning on page 9-4. If you know which command you are looking for, consult this list to find the page number where it is described.
  • Page 169 ESC W SOH or ESC W1 Examples The simplest type of command consists of sending a single character to the printer. For instance, to print in condensed mode, you send the code 15. The code format is: ASCII code: SI...
  • Page 170 More complex commands consist of two or more character codes. For example, to print in proportional mode the code format ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: In this case n can be either 1 or 0, to begin or end proportional printing. To turn ON proportional printing from BASIC the command is: LPRINT CHR$(27);CHR$(112);CHR$(l) Control key chart...

  • Page 171: Commands In Numerical Order

    Select Condensed Mode ... . 9-24 Select Printer ..... . 9-8 Cancel Condensed Mode .
  • Page 172 Reassign Graphics Mode ... Initialize Printer ....9-8 Select n/60-inch Line Spacing ..9-16 Set Vertical Tabs .
  • Page 173 Hex. Description A S C I I D e c . ESC 1 ESC p ESC q ESC t ESC w ESC x Set Left Margin ....9-18 Turn Proportional Mode On/Off .

  • Page 174: Commands Arranged By Topic

    Decimal: Hexadecimal: 11 Comments: Returns the printer to the selected state if it has been deselected by the printer deselect code (DC3). Does not select the printer if it has been switched off line by pressing the DC1 and DC3 will not work if pin 36 on the parallel interface is low (for example, on IBM and some compatible computers).
  • Page 175 Format: ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: 13 Comments: Puts the printer into the deselected state until select printer code (DC1) is received. The printer cannot be reselected with the LINE button. Format: ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: 7F Comments: Removes the last text character on affect control codes.
  • Page 176 Printing direction ESC< Format: ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: Comments: Printing is normally bidirectional. This command selects unidirectional printing for one line only. (It is cancelled by a carriage return.) The print head moves to the extreme left (home) position and printing takes place from left to right. ESC U Format: ASCII code:...
  • Page 177 ESC EM Format: ASCII code: Decimal : Hexadecimal: Comments: The following values can be used for n: 4: Mode is turned ON. 1: Selects bin 1. 2: Selects bin 2. R: Ejects a sheet. (No paper is loaded from selected bin.) 0: Mode is turned OFF.
  • Page 178 ESC # Format: ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: Comments: Cancels the MSB control set by ESC = or ESC >. Beeper Format: ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: 07 Comments: Sounds the printer’s beeper. 9-12 Set MSB to 1 Cancel MSB Control Beeper...

  • Page 179: Data Control

    Data Control Format: ASCII code: CR Decimal : Hexadecimal: 0D Comments: Prints the data in the buffer and returns the print position to the left margin. A line feed may be added if the AUTO FEED XT line on the parallel interface is held LOW or if DIP switch 2-8 is on. Format: ASCII code: CAN Decimal :...
  • Page 180 ESC C Format : ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: Comments: Sets the page length to n lines in the current line spacing. The value of n must be from 1-127 lines. The top of form position is set to the current line. ESC C 0 Format: ASCII code:...
  • Page 181 ESC O Format : ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: Comments: Cancels the skip over perforation set by ESC N. Overrides the DIP switch skip over perforation setting. Line feeding Format: A S C I I c o d e : L F Decimal: Hexadecimal : 0A Comments:...
  • Page 182 ESC 2 Format: ASCII code: Decimal : Hexadecimal: Comments: Sets the line spacing to 1/6 of an inch for subsequent line feed commands. The 2 is the character two and not code 2. This is the default at power on. ESC 3 Format: ASCII code:...
  • Page 183 Comments: Sets the line spacing to commands. This value of n must be from ESC J Format: ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: Comments: Advances the paper n/180 of an inch. The value of n must be from 0-255. This command produces an immediate line feed but does not affect subsequent line spacing and does not produce a carriage return.

  • Page 184: Horizontal Motion

    ESC b Format: ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: Comments: Functions the same as ESC B, except that the variable c selects a channel for the vertical tabs, which must be between Therefore, up to eight sets of vertical tabs can be set. The channels are selected by ESC /.
  • Page 185 ESC Q Format: ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: Comments: Sets the right margin to n columns in the current pitch. Settings made in the proportional mode are treated as 10 pitch. This command clears previous tab settings and all previous characters in the print line.
  • Page 186 ESC $ Format: ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: Comments: This sequence specifies the distance from the left margin that subsequent characters are to be printed, using this formula: total number of dots = nl + (n2 X 256). Each unit equals 1/60th of an inch.
  • Page 187 Horizontal tabbing Format: A S C I I c o d e : H T Decimal: Hexadecimal: 09 Comments: Advances the print position to the next horizontal tab setting. The default settings are at intervals of eight characters in the currently selected pitch.

  • Page 188: Overall Printing Style

    This command affects only the Letter Quality typestyle, not draft. If n = 0, the Roman typestyle in the printer is used. To select one of the four other typestyles, use the family number of the font shown below. For example, to choose the Prestige font, use 3 for n.

  • Page 189: Print Size And Character Width

    ESC ! Format: ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: Comments: Selects any valid combination of the following modes: 10 pitch, 12 pitch, proportional, condensed, emphasized, double-strike, double-wide, italic, and underline. To determine n, add the values of the desired modes from the table below: Print Size and Character Width ESC P Format:...
  • Page 190 ESC g Format: ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: Comments: Selects pitch pitch. Fifteen cannot be combined with condensed. ESC p Format: ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: Comments: The following values can be used for n: Mode is turned ON. 0: Mode is turned OFF. The width of proportional characters varies from character to character.
  • Page 191 ESC SI Format: ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: Comments: Duplicates the SI command. Format: ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: Comments: Cancels condensed printing set by SI, ESC SI, or SelecType. Format: A S C I I c o d e : S O Decimal: Hexadecimal : 0E Comments:...

  • Page 192: Print Enhancement

    Format: ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: 14 Comments: Cancels one-line double-wide printing selected by SO or ESC SO, but not double-wide printing selected by ESC W or ESC !. ESC W Format: ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: 1B Comments: The following values can be used for n: 1: Mode is turned ON.
  • Page 193 ESC F Format: ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: Comments: Cancels emphasized, the mode selected by ESC E. ESC G Format: ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: Comments: Makes text bolder by printing each line twice, with the second printing slightly below the first. ESC H Format: ASCII code:...
  • Page 194 ESC S1 Format: ASCII code: Decimal : Hexadecimal: Comments: Prints characters about two-thirds of the normal character height in the lower part of the character space. ESC T Format: ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: Comments: Cancels either superscript or subscript. ESC - Format: ASCII code: Decimal:...
  • Page 195 ESC ( - Format : ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: Comments: Use decimal or hexadecimal values for all variables, not ASCII characters. Use the following values for the first 3 variables: nl must be 3 n.2 must be 0 m must be 1 The value of determines the location of the score: = 1 for underline...
  • Page 196 Decimal : Hexadecimal: Comments: Causes italic characters to be printed. This command is valid even if the Epson Graphic set has been selected by ESC t or a DIP switch, but character graphics are not italicized. ESC 5 Format: ASCII code:...

  • Page 197: Word Processing 9-3

    Word Processing ESC a Format: ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: Comments: The following values can be used for 0: Selects left justification. 1: Selects centering. 2: Selects right justification. 3: Selects full justification. The default setting is performed when the buffer becomes full; HT BS and spacing commands should not be used with justification.

  • Page 198: Character Tables

    ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: Comments: Selects the character table used by codes 128-255. Selecting Epson Character Graphics does not disable italic printing. Italic printing can still be selected by ESC 4. The following values can be used for n: 0: Selects Italics character table.

  • Page 199: User-Defined Characters

    Comments: When the Graphic character table is selected, this code causes codes 128 through 159 to be treated as control codes. This is the default. ESC R Format: ASCII code: Decimal : Hexadecimal: Comments: The following values can be used for n: 0 = USA 1 = France 2 = Germany...
  • Page 200 ESC : Format: ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: Comments: This code copies the characters in the ROM into RAM so that specific characters can be redefined. The variable n represents the font family. Roman = 0; Sans Serif = 1. ESC % Format: ASCII code: Decimal:...

  • Page 201: Graphics

    Graphics Note: See Chapter 4 for sample graphics programs. See the table under ESC* for graphics modes. ESC K Format: ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: Comments: Turns on eight-pin, single-density graphics mode. The total number of columns = nl + (~2 X 256). ESC L Format: ASCII code:...

  • Page 202: Graphics

    ESC Z Format: ASCII code: Decimal : Hexadecimal: Comments: Turns on eight-pin, quadruple-density graphics mode. The total number of columns = nl + (n2 X 256). ESC * Format: ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: Comments: Turns on graphics mode m. See the table below for details on the available modes.
  • Page 203 ESC ? Format: ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: Comments: Changes one graphics mode to another. The variable s is a character (K, L, Y or Z), which is reassigned to a mode m (0-6). Reassign Graphics Mode 9-37...
  • Page 204 Binary See Number systems A binary digit (0 or 1). The smallest unit used by a printer or computer. See also Number systems. Carriage return A control code that returns the print position to the left margin.
  • Page 205 An optional device that automatically feeds single sheets of paper into the printer. Data dump A trouble-shooting feature. When the printer is in the data dump mode, each code that it receives is printed in hexadecimal notation. Sometimes called hex dump.
  • Page 206 Font A font is a style of type designated by a family name. Font modules Options that plug into the LQ-850 and LQ-1050 to add character fonts available in Letter Quality mode. Form In printer terminology this term is usually equivalent to a page.
  • Page 207 Initialize Return the printer to its defaults. Interface The connection between the computer and the printer. A serial interface transmits data one bit at a time and a parallel interface transmits data one character or code at a time. Italic A typestyle in which the characters slant.
  • Page 208 A small switch behind the platen that sends a signal when it is not in contact with paper. Paper tension unit The part of the printer that fits on top of the platen to assure proper paper-feed tension. Parallel interface An interface is the connection between the computer and the printer.
  • Page 209 Returning a printer to its defaults, with either a command, an INIT signal, or by turning the printer off and on. Self test A method of checking the operation of the printer. When the self test is turned on, the printer prints the characters that are stored in its ROM.
  • Page 210 Tractor The part of the printer that moves continuous paper through the printer. 12 pitch A pitch with 12 characters per inch. User-defined characters Characters defined and stored temporarily in the printer by the user. Also known as download characters.
  • Page 211 1-20 Centronics-compatible parallel interface, l-18-19 Character fonts, 3-16-17, 7-34-35 Character pitch, 3-18 Character sets, 3-20-23 Epson Extended Graphics, 3-7, 3-21-22 international, 3-7-8, 3-20 italics, 3-7, 3-21, 3-23 selecting, 3-7-8, 3-20-23 Character tables, 3-7, 3-21-23 Cleaning the printer, 5-6 Computer, connecting printer...
  • Page 212 Download characters. See User- defined characters Electrical specifications, 8-5 Emulation Module, 7-38 Envelopes, 2-19-20, 7-10 Environmental specifications, Epson Extended Graphics character table, 3-2, 1-22 FONT button, 3-4, 3-16 Font modules, 7-34-37 Fonts, 3-16-17, 7-34-35 FORM FEED button, 3-3, 3-5, 3-13, 6-5 Graphics, 4-7-19 Hex dump.
  • Page 213 PITCH button, 3-4, 3-18 Platen knob, installing, l-6 Platen protector, removing, l-3 POWER light, 3-2 Print head, 4-9-12, 8-4 Print head protectors, removing, Printer commands, 4-6-7 maintenance, 5-1-6 options, 7-1-37 parts, 1-2, inside back cover setting up, 1-1-20 specifications. See Technical...
  • Page 214 7-2-15 loading, 2-2-5 reloading during printing, using, 2-2-5, 2-12-15 Skip over perforation, 3-10-11 Software, 4-2-7 IN-4 choosing printer from a software menu, 4-2 computer-printer communications, 4-3-4 graphics programs, 4-7 naming and using commands, 4-4 spreadsheets, 4-6-7...
  • Page 215 Index Unpacking the printer, 1-2-4 User-defined characters, 4-20--4-30 Width table, 9-36 Word processors, 4-4-6 IN-5...
  • Page 216 ® EPSON LQ-850/950/1050 Quick Reference...
  • Page 217 DIP Switch 1 Switch Descriction International character set DIP Switch 2 Switch Descriotion ( Page length 1 Skip Over Perforation Interface/Parity Baud rate Short Auto line feed* *When auto line feed is ON (DIP switch 2-8 ON), each carriage return code (CR) is automatically accompanied by the line feed code (LF).
  • Page 218 Chapter 4 ence to their complexity For those codes that contain variables, setting the right margin, see Chapter 9. Printer Operation/Data Control Code 1 Dee 1 Hex 1 FI ESC @ I127 ] 7F t ESC ( t ES&l...
  • Page 219 Overall Printing Style/Print Size Print Enhancement/Word Processing Character Tables ESC t ESC 6 ESC 7 ESC R Select Character Table Enable Printable Characters Enable Upper Control Codes Select a Character Set 9-32 9-32 9-33...
  • Page 220 paper guide edge guides paper rest tion cartridge compartment aper release lever control panel built-in push tractor aper tension unit serial power cord...
  • Page 221 m l n cl ul =o I I \ Printed in Japan 88.07-40...
  • Page 222 EPSON AMERICA, INC. 2780 Lomita Boulevard, Torrance, California 90505 ® EPSON...

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