Star Micronics LC-240C User Manual
Star Micronics LC-240C User Manual

Star Micronics LC-240C User Manual

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USERS MANUAL
LC-240C
LC-240
NX-2460C
NX-2460
DOT MATRIX PRINTER
HBA 80825632

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Summary of Contents for Star Micronics LC-240C

  • Page 1 USERS MANUAL LC-240C LC-240 NX-2460C NX-2460 DOT MATRIX PRINTER HBA 80825632...
  • Page 2: Federal Communications Commission Radio Frequency Interference Statement

    Federal Communications Commission Radio Frequency Interference Statement The 120V version equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursu- ant to Part 15 of FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation.
  • Page 3: Trademark Acknowledgments

    Trademark acknowledgments LC-240C, LC-240, NX-2460C, NX-2460, LC24-30, NX-2450, PT-10Y, SPC-8K: Star Micronics Co. Ltd. LQ850, LQ860, LQ1050, LQ1060: Seiko Epson Corporation IBM PC, IBM Proprinter X24E, IBM Proprinter XL24E, IBM Proprinter X24, IBM Proprinter XL24: International Business Machines Corporation. TrueType: Apple Computer Inc.
  • Page 4: About This Manual

    About this manual This manual describes how to set up, use, and care for the Star LC-240C and NX-2460C color printers, and the LC-240 and NX-2460 monochrome printers. All of the operations contained in this manual apply to all of these models, except where specifically noted otherwise.
  • Page 5: Table Of Contents

    Contents Chapter 1: Printer Setup … 1 Choosing a place for the printer … 1 Unpacking the printer … 2 General guide … 3 Opening the front cover … 4 Removing the print head protector (color printer only) … 4 About ribbon cartridges …...
  • Page 6 Chapter 4: Control Panel Operations … 37 To enter the Sleep Mode … 37 To restore full power from the Sleep Mode … 37 To switch between the Ready and Not-Ready Modes … 38 To feed single-sheet paper into the printer … 38 To eject single-sheet paper from the printer …...
  • Page 7: Chapter 1: Printer Setup

    Chapter 1: Printer Setup This chapter contains important information on setting up your printer. Be sure to read this chapter carefully before using the printer for the first time. In this chapter you will learn about: Choosing a place for the printer Unpacking and setting up the printer Installing the ribbon cassette Loading paper...
  • Page 8: Unpacking The Printer

    Printer Setup Unpacking the printer Check to make sure that the carton contains each of the items shown in the following illustration. For Color printer model Ribbon cartridges For Monochrome model Printer Paper support User’s manual 3.5” Floppy disk If anything is missing, contact the store where you bought the printer and ask them to supply the missing part.
  • Page 9: General Guide

    General guide General guide The following illustrations show the major component parts of the your printer. For a description of what each part does, see the Glossary on page 72 of this manual. Paper support Automatic sheet feeder Front cover Paper button Control panel Power button...
  • Page 10: Opening The Front Cover

    Printer Setup Opening the front cover Hook your fingers under the two small tabs on either side of the front cover and pull upwards to swing the front cover open. Note: You can completely remove the front cover from the printer. However, we recommend that you normally leave it in place.
  • Page 11: About Ribbon Cartridges

    About ribbon cartridges About ribbon cartridges The type of ribbon cartridge that comes with your printer depends on whether it is a color printer or a monochrome printer. Monochrome printer models come with a monochrome ribbon cartridge with a built-in print head shield, while color printer models come with a color cartridge without a print head shield (this is because the color printer has its own print head shield).
  • Page 12 Printer Setup Carefully place the cartridge onto the cartridge holder making sure that the spindle of the holder fits into the socket on the bottom of the cartridge. Knob If you have a color printer model, be sure to carefully position the ribbon between the print head and the print head shield as shown in the illustration.
  • Page 13: Installing The Paper Support

    Installing the paper support Replace the front cover of the printer. Press down on the raised parts at the back of the cover until it snaps securely shut. Installing the paper support Insert the ends of the paper support into the slots on the printer as shown in the following illustration.
  • Page 14 Printer Setup Important! The following instructions apply to the Centronics parallel cable that is used with an IBM-compatible personal computer. Note that they do not apply to all types of computers and cables. If you are unsure about what type of cable you should use to connect with your computer, consult with your dealer.
  • Page 15: Connecting To A Power Outlet

    Connecting to a power outlet Connecting to a power outlet Plug the power cord of the printer into a standard power outlet whose voltage matches the power rating noted on the label affixed to the bottom of your printer. Note that the printer does not have a power switch to turn power on and off. Instead, its Sleep Mode automatically reduces power consumption whenever you leave the printer unattended.
  • Page 16 Printer Setup Pull the paper tray cover of the automatic sheet feeder forward. Slide the left-hand paper guide all the way to the left. Paper guide...
  • Page 17: Connecting To Your Computer

    Loading paper Pick up the stack of paper with both hands, and fan through the paper with your thumb. This prevents paper from sticking together when it is fed by the automatic feeder. Note: The automatic sheet feeder can hold about 55 sheets of paper at one time. Make sure that all four edges of the stack are smooth and even.
  • Page 18: Detaching The Automatic Sheet Feeder

    Printer Setup Slide the left-hand paper guide to the right so that the stack of paper now sits snugly between the two guides. The paper should be able to slide freely into the printer, but it should not be able to move from side to side. Push the paper tray cover of the automatic sheet feeder closed.
  • Page 19 Detaching the automatic sheet feeder Grasp the automatic sheet feeder and pull it gently towards the front of the printer until it stops. Lift the automatic sheet feeder straight up.
  • Page 20: Re-Installing The Automatic Sheet Feeder

    Printer Setup Re-installing the automatic sheet feeder Open the front cover of the printer. Carefully lower the automatic sheet feeder into the printer, making sure that the two round tabs on either end of it enter into the corresponding slots inside the printer.
  • Page 21: Chapter 2: User Setup Utility

    Chapter 2: User Setup Utility In addition to the Windows 3.1 driver, the 3.5” floppy disk drive that comes with this printer also contains a User Setup Utility that gives you total control over a variety of printing features and functions. In this chapter you will learn about: Installing the User Setup Utility Starting up the User Setup Utility Editing setup data...
  • Page 22 Execute the command that installs the User Setup Utility: A:\>SETUP ↵ Star LC-240(C) / NX-2460(C) Installation of User Setup Utility Version 1.0 Please select Language English Deutsch Français Italiano = Enter = Scroll up = Scroll down = Help = Abort Select the language you want to use and then press Enter.
  • Page 23: Starting Up The User Setup Utility

    Starting up the User Setup Utility Starting up the User Setup Utility To start up the User Setup Utility, move to the directory you specified under “Installing the User Setup Utility” on page 15. If you want to move to the directory we named “star”...
  • Page 24: Changing User Setup Utility Parameter Settings

    User Setup Utility Important! Your printer cannot read the settings if your computer and printer are connected through an optional Serial-To-Parallel Interface Converter. In such a case, you can still use the User Setup Utility to send settings to the printer, but you cannot read the printer’s current settings.
  • Page 25: To Change A Parameter Setting

    Using the General window The other type of parameter box are “toggle” type, which means that you select one setting or the other. (•) Input Buffer usage ( ) Download Note that with both types of parameter boxes, the currently selected setting is indicated by a ball inside the parentheses on the left of the setting.
  • Page 26 User Setup Utility Emulation Select either standard emulation or IBM emulation. Note that the emulation you choose determines the character set and printer control commands that are applied for printing. See “Character Sets” on page 60 for the character sets used by each type of emulation. See “Printer Control Codes”...
  • Page 27 Using the General window RAM Usage Specify whether RAM should be used as an input buffer or as a download buffer. Selecting Input Buffer tells the printer to use available RAM to store data it receives from the computer. This speeds up the printing operation, but it also means that RAM cannot be used to store character patterns used to define down loaded characters.
  • Page 28: Using The Font Window

    User Setup Utility Using the Font window While in the User Setup Utility, select Font from the menu bar. Load Save General Font Paper Adjust. Port Help Exit (•) Roman Font ( ) Enabled Font ( ) Sanserif lock (•) Disabled Pitch (•) 10 cpi Zero...
  • Page 29 Using the Font window Font Lock Switch the font lock on (Enabled) or off (Disabled). When font lock is enabled, the printer will not allow the font to be changed by the software application you are using. When disabled, the application software can control the fonts used for printing.
  • Page 30: Using The Paper Window

    User Setup Utility Using the Paper window While in the User Setup Utility, select Paper from the menu bar. Exit Load Save General Font Paper Adjust. Port Help Emulation (•) Standard (•) Input Buffer ( ) IBM usage ( ) Download Graphic (•) Uni-direction Sleep...
  • Page 31 Using the Paper window Top Margin Select the spacing from the top of the paper to the first line of printing. Paper Out Switch the paper out detect function on (Enabled) or off (Disabled). When paper out detection is enabled, the printer automatically stops printing whenever it senses there is no more paper.
  • Page 32: Adjusting The Printer's Vertical Alignment

    User Setup Utility Adjusting the printer’s vertical alignment While in the User Setup Utility, select Adjust. from the menu bar. Load Save General Font Paper Adjust. Port Help Exit Draft (•) Triple- (•) density Double- (•) Quadruple- (•) density density CRT graphics (•) LQ.
  • Page 33: Changing The Printer Port

    Changing the printer port If you see that your printer requires adjustment, select the box for the mode you want to adjust (by clicking inside it with the mouse or by moving to it by pressing Tab). Next, select a negative value to shift the lower row left, or a positive value to shift the lines right.
  • Page 34: Saving Setup Data As A New Configuration File

    User Setup Utility Saving setup data as a new configuration file Use the following procedure to save the current User Setup Utility settings as a configuration file. While in the User Setup Utility, select the Save item from the menu bar. Exit Load Save...
  • Page 35: Importing Setup Data From A Configuration File

    Importing setup data from a configuration file Importing setup data from a configuration file Use the following procedure to load setup data from a previously saved configuration file. While in the User Setup Utility, select the Load item from the menu bar. Exit Load Save...
  • Page 36: Exiting The User Setup Utility

    Exiting the User Setup Utility While in the User Setup Utility, select the Exit item from the menu bar. Exit Load Save General Font Paper Adjust. Port Help Exit and send the settings to the printer Exit and do not send the settings to the printer = Scroll up = Scroll down = Enter...
  • Page 37: Chapter 3: Using The Printer With Windows 3.1

    Chapter 3: Using the Printer with Windows 3.1 This chapter contains specific information you need to know when using the printer with Microsoft Windows 3.1. It also tells you how to install the printer driver on your computer so that it can control the printer correctly. In this chapter, you will learn about: How to set up for printing with Microsoft Windows 3.1 How to prepare for printing...
  • Page 38 Click the name of your printer in the list that appears on the display to highlight it. If you are using English (UK), you can choose either LC-240 or LC-240C. In the case of English (US), you have a choice between NX- 2460 and NX-2460C.
  • Page 39: Getting Ready To Print

    Getting ready to print Getting ready to print Before printing, there are a number of things you must first do to set up the printer. You must select the printer driver, and the paper source, size, and orientation. Use the following procedure to make these selections. Note: You do not need to perform printer driver and paper selections mentioned above each time you print, but only if there are any changes to the last...
  • Page 40: Printing A Document

    Using the Printer with Windows 3.1 Note: The Paper Source pull down menu in the above window gives lets you choose between Auto Sheet Feeder and Manual Feed. If you are using the optional push tractor unit, you must use the Paper Source menu to specify the push tractor unit as the paper source.
  • Page 41 Printing a document Use this window to specify the range of the pages to be printed, the quality of the printing (in dots per inch), and the number of copies you want to print. Note also that there are boxes that you can select to specify printing to a file or collating (printing from back to front).
  • Page 42: Installing Truetype Fonts

    Using the Printer with Windows 3.1 Installing TrueType fonts The TrueType fonts that are supplied on the 3.5” floppy disk that comes with the printer can be used only when you are running Windows 3.1 or later. Use the following procedure to install the fonts. Launch Windows.
  • Page 43: Chapter 4: Control Panel Operations

    Chapter 4: Control Panel Operations The control panel gives you push-button control over the printer’s power and paper feed operations. It also includes an indicator light that tells you the current status of the printer at a glance. Note: For full details on paper handling, see page 39 of this manual. To enter the Sleep Mode Hold down Power for a few seconds.
  • Page 44: To Switch Between The Ready And Not-Ready Modes

    Control Panel Operations To switch between the Ready and Not-Ready Modes Press Power to switch the computer between being the Ready and Not- Ready Modes. When the printer is in the Ready Mode, the READY indicator is lit and the printer can receive data from the computer.
  • Page 45: Chapter 5: Paper Handling

    Chapter 5: Paper Handling Your printer is designed to print on a variety of different paper types. This chapter tells you everything you need to know about paper, and how to set the printer up for automatic paper feed and manual paper feed. In this chapter, you will learn about: Selecting the best type of paper to use Adjusting for paper thickness...
  • Page 46: Adjusting For Paper Thickness

    Paper Handling Adjusting for paper thickness Paper comes in different weights, normally expressed as gsm (grams per square meter) or lbs (pounds). Some form paper also has multiple pages that make them quite thick. Use the following procedure to change the gap between the print head and the platen and adjust for paper thickness.
  • Page 47: Automatic Sheet Feeding

    Automatic sheet feeding Automatic sheet feeding Your printer comes with a built-in automatic sheet feeder that can hold up to 55 sheets of paper. See page 9 of this manual for details on using the auto sheet feeder. To feed paper into the printer, press the control panel’s PAPER button twice.
  • Page 48 Paper Handling Lifting up on the two paper release levers on the back of the printer, pull the jammed paper out. Paper release levers After you clear the jam, replace the automatic sheet feeder (see, “Re- installing the automatic sheet feeder” on page 14). Reload paper into the automatic feeder.
  • Page 49: Chapter 6: Using The Printer With Ms-Dos

    Use User Setup Utility to select Standard emulation (page 20). Star LC-240C / NX-2460C Star LC-240 / NX-2460 Star LC24-30 / NX-2450...
  • Page 50: Selecting Fonts In Ms-Dos Applications

    Using the Printer with MS-DOS If none of the printers listed above is available in the application, choose one of the following. Once again, you should choose the one that is nearest to the top in the following list. Use User Setup Utility to select IBM emulation (page 20).
  • Page 51: Chapter 7: Other Printing Features

    Chapter 7: Other Printing Features This chapter details other features that you are sure to find helpful, no matter what kind of document you are printing. They provide you with the versatility to make your output look exactly as you want it. In this chapter, you will learn about: How to pause printing Feeding paper...
  • Page 52: Appendix A: Troubleshooting

    Appendix A: Troubleshooting The appendix tells you what you need to know if you experience problems with your printer. It tells you how to test the printer, how to check system software settings, and how to adjust the vertical alignment. In addition, there is information on actions to take for specific problems, and on the meanings of printer beep tones.
  • Page 53: Short Test

    Testing the printer Short test The short test prints the version number of the software contained in the printer’s ROM, followed by seven lines of text. If you are using a color ribbon, each line is printed using a different color. *** Ver 1.0 *** !"#$%&'()*+,-./0123456789:;<=>?@ACBDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ[\]^_`abcdefghijklmno !"#$%&'()*+,-./0123456789:;<=>?@ACBDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ[\]^_`abcdefghijklmnop...
  • Page 54 Troubleshooting Instead of a normal printout, data will be printed in sixteen columns of hexadecimal numbers (two groups of eight numbers each). The equivalent printalble characters (or dots in the case of unprintable codes) are printed to the right of each row of hexadecimal numbers. After you start the hexadecimal dump (by using the procedure described above), you can switch it off (and return the printer to normal operation) by holding down the control panel’s Power button.
  • Page 55: Troubleshooting Guide

    Troubleshooting guide Troubleshooting guide Use the following table to help track down the causes of problems and to determine the best solution to deal with them. Recommended Problem Possible Cause Action The READY indicator does The printer is not receiving Check whether the power not light or flash.
  • Page 56: Troubleshooting

    Troubleshooting Recommended Problem Possible Cause Action Printer test works, but printer The interface cable is Check to make sure that the will not print out data from connected incorrectly or printer interface cable is the attached computer. damaged. connected correctly. If it is, try a different cable.
  • Page 57 Troubleshooting guide Recommended Problem Possible Cause Action Line spacing is incorrect. Jamming paper. Set up the printer for the paper thickness you are using. See “Adjusting for paper thickness” on page 40. The line spacing or leading Choose a different line selected your application spacing or leading setting program is wrong.
  • Page 58 Troubleshooting Recommended Problem Possible Cause Action Text and graphics are The print head is damaged. Return the printer to your malformed. dealer for repair. Print quality is poor. Forms are smudged. The printer is not set up Set up the printer for the correctly for the thickness of paper thickness you are Printing is too dark.
  • Page 59 Troubleshooting guide Recommended Problem Possible Cause Action Printer prints past the edge The paper guide is not Remove the paper and of the paper. positioned correctly. adjust the position of the paper guide. Reload the paper and try printing again. The ribbon is jammed, Make sure that the ribbon causing the print head to...
  • Page 60 Troubleshooting Recommended Problem Possible Cause Action Left margin moves to the Static electricity caused by Make sure that the printer is right during printing. interference from nearby not too close to any devices electrical devices or by low- with electric motors or that level humidity is affecting raise the humidity level.
  • Page 61: Checking System Software Settings In Windows

    Checking system software settings in Windows Checking system software settings in Windows Whenever you have problems printing from a Windows application, you should check the following three things: Is the printer you are using set as the default printer? Is the printer you are using correctly selected in your application? Is the correct port selected? You should also refer to your Microsoft Windows User’s Guide for other information that might be helpful.
  • Page 62: Checking System Software Settings In Ms-Dos

    Troubleshooting Checking system software settings in MS-DOS If you are using a parallel cable and cannot print a text file using the MS-DOS PRINT command, you may have a problem with your AUTOEXEC.BAT file. Open the file and look for the following line: MODE LPT1:=COM1 or MODE LPT1:=COM2 These lines indicate printing you are using a serial cable connection, and so you should delete them, save the AUTOEXEC.BAT file, and try printing again.
  • Page 63: Appendix B: Specifications

    Appendix B: Specifications Printing System Serial Impact Dot-Matrix Printing Speed Pitch Draft (cps/dpi) LQ (cps/dpi) Pica (10 cpi) 160/120H 53/360H Elite (12 cpi) 192/120H 64/360H Semi-condensed (15 cpi (S)) 240/120H 80/360H Semi-condensed (15 cpi (I)) 120/240H 80/360H Condensed pica (17 cpi) 136/240H 91/360H Condensed elite (20 cpi)
  • Page 64: Specifications

    9.1″ / 232 mm Height: 6.2″ / 158 mm Weight: 13.9 lbs. / 6.3 kg (LC-240/NX-2460) 15.2 lbs. / 6.9 kg (LC-240C/NX-2460C) 120V AC ±10%, 230V AC +6%/-14%, 240V AC±10%; 50/60Hz (depending on Power Supply country of purchase) Power consumption...
  • Page 65: Appendix C: Interface Pin Outs

    Appendix C: Interface Pin Outs Parallel Interface Name Function Goes low for ≥0.5µs when active. STROBE DATA0 High when active. DATA1 High when active. DATA2 High when active. DATA3 High when active. DATA4 High when active. DATA5 High when active. DATA6 High when active.
  • Page 66: Appendix D: Character Sets

    Appendix D: Character Sets Standard Character Set #2 International Character Set The character codes shown in the table are hexadecimal.
  • Page 67 Checking the port settings in the User Setup Utility IBM Character Set #2 Code Page #437 (IBM-PC) Code Page #850 Code Page #852 Multi-lingual Latin-2 (LC-240/240C only) Other characters are the same as those for Other characters are the same as those for Code Page #437.
  • Page 68 Character Sets Code Page #860 Code Page #861 Icelandic Portuguese Other characters are the same as those for Other characters are the same as those for Code Page #437. Code Page #437. Code Page #863 Code Page #865 Canadian French Nordic Other characters are the same as those for Other characters are the same as those for...
  • Page 69 Checking the port settings in the User Setup Utility Code Page #3840 Code Page #866 IBM-Russian Russian (LC-240/240C only) (LC-240/240C only) Other characters are the same as those for Other characters are the same as those for Code Page #437. Code Page #437.
  • Page 70 Character Sets Code Page #3845 Code Page #3844 Hungarian (LC-240/240C only) (LC-240/240C only) Other characters are the same as those for Other characters are the same as those for Code Page #437. Code Page #437. Code Page #3847 Code Page #3846 Brazil-ABNT Turkish (LC-240/240C only)
  • Page 71 Checking the port settings in the User Setup Utility Code Page #3848 IBM Special Character Set Brazil-ABICOMP The following characters can be printed The other characters are the same as in using the <ESC> ^ command. code page #437. Character Set #1 Other characters are the same as those for Character Set #2.
  • Page 72: Appendix E: Printer Control Codes

    Appendix E: Printer Control Codes This appendix lists the printer’s control commands. It gives the name of each control command, along with the applicable emulation mode (Standard, IBM, or Both), and the applicable ASCII code. Font and Character Set Control Commands Description Mode ASCII Code...
  • Page 73 Checking the port settings in the User Setup Utility Print Pitch Control Commands Description Mode ASCII Code Select one line expanded print Both Same as SO Both ESC SO Select condensed print Both Same as SI Both ESC SI Cancel condensed print Set print pitch to pica Cancel one-line expanded print Both...
  • Page 74: Printer Control Codes

    Printer Control Codes Special Print Mode Commands Description Mode ASCII Code Set master print mode ESC! Cancel underlining Both ESC-0 Select underlining Both ESC-1 Select emphasized print Both ESC E Cancel emphasized print Both ESC F Select double-strike print Both ESC G Cancel double-strike print Both...
  • Page 75: Line Spacing Commands

    Checking the port settings in the User Setup Utility Line Spacing Commands Description Mode ASCII Code Advance paper one line (line feed) Both Reverse paper one line ESC LF Set line spacing to 1/8″ Both ESC 0 Set line spacing to 7/72″ ESC 1 Set line spacing to 1/6″...
  • Page 76: Other Commands

    Printer Control Codes Horizontal Print Position Control Commands Description Mode ASCII Code Move print head to next horizontal tab position Both Return print head to left margin (carriage return) Both Move print head to absolute horizontal position ESC $ n1 n2 Add n dot spaces between characters ESC SPn Cancel automatic line feed...
  • Page 77 Checking the port settings in the User Setup Utility Other Commands (Continued) Description Mode ASCII Code Set initial condition ESC [K ESC h n Ignored Stop printing ESC j ESC r n Select printing color Both Cancel double-high mode ESC w0 Select double-high mode ESC w1 Ignored...
  • Page 78: Appendix F: Glossary

    Appendix F: Glossary A.E.C Automatic Emulation Change feature that allows the printer to automatically select the proper emulation mode (standard or IBM). automatic sheet feeder Device built into the printer that automatically feeds individual sheets for printing. Centronics cable Parallel cable normally used to connect the printer to the computer. configuration file Computer file created by the User Setup Utility to store printer configuration settings.
  • Page 79 Portuguese Russian 40, 41 adjustment lever Turkish Adjustment window 24, 58 code page application printer selection 2, 4, 22, 43, 52, 54 color 48, 50, 60 AUTOEXEC.BAT connecting Automatic Emulation Change to a power outlet automatic sheet feeder to your computer detaching Control Panel reinstalling...
  • Page 80 General Options window selecting General window thickness adjustment graphic direction paper jams Paper Options window Line Spacing Page Length Help menu Paper-out hexadecimal dump Tear-off paper out detection ink color 7, 78 paper support input buffer Paper window paper0out 11, 61 parallel cable manual sheet feeding pitch...
  • Page 81 ribbon cartridge Font Options window color graphic direction control installing Importing setup data monochrome ink color control Inquire Adjustment command Inquire General command serial-to-parallel converter connecting Inquire Paper command DIP switches installing with MS-DOS Load default command serial-to-parallel interface Load file command 46, 78 converter Printer Configuration...
  • Page 82: Customer Service Information

    Netherlands: 31-73-424485 Australia and New Zealand: 61-2-748-2960 Customer response Star Micronics Co., Ltd. invites your suggestions and comments on your printer and this manual. Please address your correspondence to Attn: Product Manager Worldwide Headquarters Australian Market STAR MICRONICS CO., LTD.

This manual is also suitable for:

Lc-240Nx-2460Nx-2460c

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