® 9-pin Dot Matrix Printer Setup Guide Read Before Using the Printer . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 Setting Up the Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 2 Using Online Guides . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 3 Safety and Environmental Information. .
Where to Find Information Setup Guide (this manual) Explains how to set up the printer and install the printer software. Reference Guide (online guide) Provides detailed information on the printer’s functions, optional products, printer software, troubleshooting, and technical specifications. You can view this guide directly from the CD, or install it on your computer and view it from your hard disk. Quick Guide (online guide) Provides a summary of basic information on how to use the printer.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION. The information contained herein is designed only for use with this EPSON printer. EPSON is not responsible for any use of this information as applied to other printers.
Read Before Using the Printer This guide consists of three chapters. The first and the second chapters describe how to set up your printer and install the printer software. The last chapter provides detailed safety and environmental information. Be sure to follow the instructions carefully to ensure safe and efficient use of your printer. Warnings, Cautions, and Notes w c Warnings must be followed carefully to avoid bodily injury. Cautions must be observed to avoid damage to your equipment.
1 Setting Up the Printer Follow the instructions in this chapter to unpack and set up your printer. 1-1 Unpacking the Printer Besides the items shown in the illustration below, the printer box should include an EPSON printer software CD-ROM and a Notice Sheet. printer paper guide power cord ribbon cartridge Note: Depending on your printer model, the power cord may be permanently attached to the printer.
c Caution: There are several models of the printer designed for different voltages, and it is not possible to adjust the printer for use with another voltage. If the label on the back of the printer does not show the correct voltage for your country, contact your dealer. You must remove all protective materials packed around and inside your printer before you set it up and turn on the power. Follow the directions on the Notice Sheet (packed with the printer) to remove these materials.
Note for French-speaking users: Placez l’imprimante près d’une prise de courant où la fiche peut être débranchée facilement. ❏ Avoid electrical outlets controlled by wall switches or automatic timers. An interruption in power can erase information in the memory of your printer or computer. Also avoid outlets on the same circuit as large motors or other appliances that can cause voltage fluctuations.
1-3 Assembling the Printer Follow the steps in this section to attach the paper guide and install the ribbon cartridge. Attaching the paper guide To attach the paper guide to your printer, insert the tabs on the paper guide straight down into the mounting slots on the printer. Then place the paper guide in the upright position. Note: You can use the paper guide only when the tractor is installed in the front or rear push position.
When you are not using the paper guide, lay it flat on the printer to prevent it from obstructing your paper or being damaged. To lay the paper guide down, lift it up slightly, then lower it until it is lying flat on top of the printer. 2 1 1-4 Installing the Ribbon Cartridge EPSON recommends the use of genuine EPSON ribbon cartridges (#8750 for the FX-880+, #8755 for the FX-1180+). Products not manufactured by EPSON may cause damage to your printer, which is not covered by EPSON’s warranties.
1. Make sure the printer is turned off. The printer is off when the power switch is pressed down to the N side. 2. If the printer is connected to an electrical outlet, unplug it from the outlet. 3. Open the printer cover to the upright position, then pull it up to remove it.
4. Press the tabs on each side of the paper tension unit upward, then lift the front of the unit and pull it up and out of the printer. 5. Make sure the print head is not hot; if it is, let it cool for a few minutes before touching it. Then slide the print head to the middle of the printer by hand. c Caution: Never move the print head while the printer is turned on; this can damage the printer.
6. Remove the new ribbon cartridge from the package and turn the ribbon-tightening knob in the direction of the arrow to remove any slack from the ribbon so it is easier to install. 7. Hold the ribbon cartridge by its handle and insert it into the printer as shown below; then press both sides of the cartridge firmly to fit the plastic hooks into the printer slots.
8. Use a pointed object, such as a ball point pen, to guide the ribbon between the print head and ribbon guide. Turn the ribbon-tightening knob to help feed the ribbon into place; it should not be twisted or creased. 9. Slide the print head from side to side to make sure it moves smoothly.
10. Reinstall the paper tension unit by placing it on the printer’s mounting pegs and lowering it into place. Press down on both sides of the unit until it clicks into place. 11. Replace the printer cover by inserting the front tabs into the slots on the printer and lowering the cover into place. Then push it down until it clicks.
1-5 Connecting the Printer to Your Computer Your printer is equipped with both an IEEE-1284-compatible parallel interface and a USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface. Also a Type-B optional interface slot is provided in case your computer requires a different type of printer interface. See the Reference Guide for more information on optional interface cards. Connect your computer to the desired interface as described below.
3. Squeeze the wire clips together until they lock in place on both sides of the connector. Note: If there is a ground wire at the end of the cable, attach it to the printer’s ground connector as shown below. 4. Plug the other end of the cable into the computer’s parallel interface port. (If there is a ground wire at the end of the cable, attach it to the ground connector at the back of the computer.
Using the USB interface To connect the printer to a USB port, you need a standard, shielded USB cable. Note: ❏ In order to connect your computer via the USB interface, your computer must be a Windows Me, 98, or 2000 pre-installed model that is equipped with a USB port. ❏ If you use a USB hub, it is recommended that you connect the printer to the first tier of the hub or connect the printer directly to the computer’s USB port.
1-6 Plugging in the Printer Follow these steps to plug in the printer: 1. Make sure the printer is turned off. The printer is off when the power switch is pressed down to the N side. 2. Check the label on the back of the printer to make sure the voltage required by the printer matches that of your electrical outlet. Also make sure the shape of the plug on your printer’s power cord matches the shape of your electrical outlet. c Caution: It is not possible to change the printer’s voltage.
1-7 Installing the Printer Software After you connect the printer to your computer, you need to install the software included in the EPSON printer software CD-ROM shipped with your printer. ❏ Printer driver The printer driver is the software that runs, or “drives,” your printer. With it, you can make printer settings such as print quality, resolution, and paper size. ❏ EPSON Status Monitor 3 utility (Windows Me, 98, 95, 2000 or NT 4.
Installing the software in Windows Me, 98, 95, 2000, or NT 4.0 Follow these steps to install the printer software in Windows Me, 98, 95, 2000, or NT 4.0: Note: ❏ Installing the printer software for Windows 2000 or NT 4.0 may require administrator privileges. If you have problems, ask your administrator for more information. ❏ If you wish to make a floppy disk version of the printer software on your CD-ROM, insert the CD and run SETUP.exe.
3. Double-click Install printer Driver/Utility to start the printer software installation. 4. Select your printer from the list, then follow the instructions on the screen. When you install the printer driver on Windows Me, 98, 95, 2000 or NT 4.0, the EPSON Status Monitor 3 utility will also be installed. For information on launching and using the software, see “Printer Software” in the Reference Guide.
If none of these printers is listed, choose the first one available from the following: FX LX RX MX EPSON printer Standard printer Draft printer ASCII printer Note: If your application does not list a suitable alternative, contact the software manufacturer to see if an update is available. 1-8 Options By adding options, such as a cut-sheet feeder or roll paper holder, you can further expand your printer’s versatility.
2 Using Online Guides This chapter describes how to use the two online guides: the Reference Guide and the Quick Guide. System Requirements Your system must meet the following requirements necessary for you to use the online guides. System Requirements System Windows Me/98/95, or Windows 2000/NT 4.0 CPU i486/25 MHz (for Windows 95, NT 4.
Using the Reference Guide The Reference Guide provides you with detailed information on printer operation such as paper handling and troubleshooting. You can view this guide directly from the CD-ROM that comes with the printer, or install it on your computer and view it from the hard disk. Viewing the Reference Guide from the CD-ROM Follow these steps to view the Reference Guide from the CD-ROM: 1. Insert the printer software CD-ROM in the CD-ROM drive. The Installation Program Screen appears.
Installing and viewing the Reference Guide from the hard disk To install the Reference Guide on your hard disk, follow steps 1 and 2 in the previous section. Then, click Install Reference Guide in the dialog box that appears, and follow the on-screen instructions. When the installation is complete, the FX880P 1180P Guide icon appears in the EPSON folder. Double-click the icon to open the guide.
3 Safety and Environmental Information This chapter contains the safety and environmental information about your printer. Hot Parts Caution Symbol K This symbol is placed on the print head and other parts to indicate that they may be hot. Never touch those parts just after the printer has been used. Let them cool for a few minutes before touching them. Important Safety Instructions Read all of these safety instructions before using the printer.
❏ If you use an extension cord with the printer, make sure the total ampere rating of all devices plugged into the extension cord does not exceed the cord’s ampere rating. Also, make sure the total ampere of all devices plugged into the wall outlet does not exceed the wall outlet’s ampere rating. ❏ Unplug the printer before cleaning it, and always clean it with a piece of damp cloth only. ❏ Do not spill liquid onto the printer.
For United Kingdom Users Use of options Epson (UK) Limited shall not be liable against any damages or problems arising from the use of any options or consumable products other than those designated as Original EPSON Products or EPSON Approved Products by Epson (UK) Limited. Safety information w Warning: This appliance must be earthed. Refer to the rating plate for voltage and check that the appliance voltage corresponds to the supply voltage.
The brown wire must be connected to the terminal in the plug marked with the letter L. If damage occurs to the plug, replace the cord set or consult a qualified electrician. Replace fuses only with a fuse of the correct size and rating.
28 Safety and Environmental Information
EPSON OVERSEAS MARKETING LOCATIONS Epson America, Inc. EPSON UK LTD. 3840 Kilroy Airport Way Long Beach, CA 90806 Phone: (562) 981-3840 Fax: (562) 290-5220 Campus 100, Maylands Avenue, Hemel Hempstead, Herts, HP2 7TJ, U.K. Phone: (+44) 01442 261144 Fax: (+44) 01442 227227 EPSON DEUTSCHLAND GmbH EPSON FRANCE S.A. Zülpicher Straße 6, 40549 Düsseldorf Germany Phone: (0211) 56030 Fax: (0211) 5047787 68 bis, rue Marjolin 92300, Levallois-Perret, France Phone: 33.1.41.86.26.
Printed in Japan 01.
