- Hewlett-Packard Printer Owner's Manual

PROBLEM: PRINTS GARBAGE

SYMPTOM: MISSING CHARACTERS

CAUSE: Incorrect printer cable type.

SOLUTION: See

Appendix A

for correct pinouts

between Print Master and printer. Check

handshaking. A way to check is to force an error

condition at the printer (i.e. remove paper tray

from laser printer or turn off-line with power still

applied). Send print job to printer. If printer LED

goes off, you can conclude no handshaking was

done. If your printer is connected in serial, check

printer's configuration and match handshaking

(i.e., you must use CTS/DTR or XON/XOFF for

both Print Master and printer). Also check pin 20

(DTR) on serial ports or pin 11 on parallel ports

for continuity by using an ohm meter to check

resistance from end to end.

CAUSE: Parallel cable length.

SOLUTION: Parallel cable should not exceed 15 feet.

Use shorter length or higher-quality cable.

CAUSE: Configuration problem.

SOLUTION: Check baud rate, word size, stop bits and

parity on serial ports. Verify that these

parameters match those of your equipment.