Initial Checklist; Troubleshooting The Centronics (Parallel) Interface - SATO CL408 Programming Manual

6. Troubleshooting

6.2 Initial Checklist

If you are unable to produce output on your printer, check the following
before deciding you are unable to proceed any further.
1. Is the printer switched up and ON-LINE?
2. Do any of the Front Panel LEDs indicate an error condition? If this light
is ON, it may indicate the print head assembly is open.
3. Is the Print Head and the Label Hold Down in the down and latched
position?
Other areas that may need looking at include:

6.3 Troubleshooting the Centronics (Parallel) Interface

1. Is the IBM parallel printer cable connected securely to your parallel
port (DB-25S Female) on the PC and to the Centronics connector on
the printer?
Warning: Never connect or disconnect interface cables (or use a
switch box) with power applied to either the printer or the host. This
may cause damage to the interface circuitry and is not covered by
warranty.
2. Is there more than one parallel interface port on your PC (LPT1, LPT2,
etc.)? If so, make sure you are sending data out the correct port.
3. When you send the print job to the printer, and it does not respond, do
you get an error message on your PC that says "Device Fault" or
something similar?
This may mean that the computer doesn't know the printer is there. Verify
that:
a) Both ends of the cable are securely inserted into their respective con-
nectors.
b) The printer is ON-LINE.
c) The cable is not defective. There are other things that can cause this
error message on your computer, but at this stage, a defective cable
may be one of the reasons.
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Programming Manual
SATO RISC Printers