® 24-pin Dot Matrix Printer User’s Guide This manual is divided into two sections: English and Spanish. The English section begins after this page. The Spanish section begins approximately at the middle of the manual. Este manual está dividido en dos secciones: Inglés y Español. El manual en español comienza aproximadamente a la mitad del libro. El manual en inglés comienza después de esta página.
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.
Contents Introduction Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Chapter 1 - Setting Up the Printer Unpacking the Printer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Choosing a Place for the Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Assembling the Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Connecting the Printer to Your Computer . . .
Chapter 3 - Using the Control Panel Buttons and Lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Selecting a Font and Pitch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Changing the Printer’s Default Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Default-setting mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 37 38 39 Chapter 4 - Troubleshooting Using the Error Indicators. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Introduction This manual covers the following basic information to get you started using your Epson® printer: ❏ Setting Up the Printer ❏ Paper Handling ❏ Using the Control Panel ❏ Troubleshooting ❏ Product Information Although most of the illustrations in this manual show the LQ-590, the instructions apply to both the LQ-590 and the LQ-2090. w Warnings must be followed carefully to avoid bodily injury. c Cautions must be observed to prevent damaging your equipment.
Introduction
Chapter 1 Setting Up the Printer This chapter describes how to unpack and set up your printer. Unpacking the Printer Make sure you have the following items. Paper guide Ribbon cartridge Printer Front sheet guide (LQ-590 only) Front paper guide (LQ-2090 only) Power cord Printer software Follow the directions on the Notice Sheet to remove the protective materials before you turn on the printer. Save all packing and protective materials in case you need to ship the printer in the future.
❏ Place the printer near a wall outlet where you can easily unplug the power cord. Position the power cord and interface cable so they do not interfere with paper feeding. 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.
3. Use your hand to slide the print head to the middle of the printer. 4. Remove the new ribbon cartridge from the package. The black plastic ribbon guide is held in place on top of the cartridge with a small tab. To release it, hold the sides of the ribbon guide and gently disconnect it. (Do not remove the ribbon guide from the ribbon, however.) 5.
6. Slide the ribbon guide into the print head until it clicks in place. Be careful not to twist or crease the ribbon. Turn the ribbon-tightening knob to help feed the ribbon into place. 7. Reinstall the paper tension unit by lowering it onto the printer’s mounting pegs. Then press down on both ends until it clicks into place. 8. To replace the printer cover, insert the front tabs into the slots on the printer and lower the cover into place. Then push it down until it clicks. 9.
Note: When printing, you can use the paper guide only when the tractor is installed in the front or rear push position. 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. It also includes a Type-B optional interface slot in case your computer requires a different type of printer interface. (See the Reference Guide if you need to install an interface card.
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. 3. Plug the power cord into the AC inlet on the back of the printer and plug the other end into a properly grounded electrical outlet.
Follow these steps to install the printer software: 1. Make sure Windows is running and the printer is turned off. 2. Insert the printer software CD-ROM into the CD-ROM or DVD drive. After a moment the Installation screen appears: If it does not, double-click Setup.exe on the CD-ROM. 3. Select your printer model and click . You see this window: 4. Select Install Printer Software and click . You see the software license agreement. 5. Read the agreement and click Accept.
6. Turn on your printer, then wait for the software to be installed. (This may take a few minutes.) If you are prompted to insert the Windows CD-ROM, go to step 7. Otherwise, follow any instructions on the screen until the installation is complete and you see the Installation screen again. Then turn to page 15 and follow the instructions to install the Reference Guide and the Remote Configuration Manager utility. 7.
For DOS programs To control the printer from DOS application programs, you need to select the printer you are using or another available printer from the printer list in your application. Choose the Epson printer at the appropriate step in the installation or setup procedure. If the list in your application does not include your printer, choose the first available printer from the following list.
2. When you see the InstallShield window, click Yes. After a moment, you see this screen: 3. Click Next and follow the instructions on the screen. 4. When the installation is complete, click Finish. (If a window remains on the screen, close it so you can see the final installation screen.) The Remote Configuration Manager is installed on the computer in its own folder, along with an uninstall option and the online User’s Guide, which describes how to use the program.
Chapter 2 Paper Handling This chapter covers some important instructions you need to load and use paper in your printer. For complete paper handling information, see the Reference Guide. Setting the Paper Release Lever Before you start printing, be sure to set the paper release lever to indicate the paper source you want to use, as described in the table below. Lever position Description Single-sheet position For loading single-sheet paper from the top or front slot.
Adjusting the Paper-Thickness Setting Before you start printing, make sure the paper-thickness setting is correct for the type of paper you are using. Turn the printer off and open the printer cover. The paper-thickness lever is located on the left side of the printer. The numbers next to the lever indicate the thickness setting.
Loading Continuous Paper with the Front Push Tractor 1. Make sure the printer is turned off. Then open the front cover and make sure the tractor is installed in the front push position. (You may need to move it from the rear push or pull position.) 2. If you have the LQ-2090, remove the sub cover from the front cover. (If it is difficult to remove, you can temporarily remove the front cover and then separate the sub cover from it.
5. 10 5 Slide the left sprocket approximately 0.5 inch (12 mm) from the far left position and pull the blue lever forward to lock it in place. Then slide the right sprocket to match the width of your paper, but do not lock it. 0 6. Remove the front cover by pulling it straight down. 7. Make sure your paper has a clean, straight edge. Then open both sprocket covers and fit the first four holes of the paper, with the printable side up, over the tractor pins. 8. Close the sprocket covers. 9.
10. Attach the front cover with the continuous paper positioned as shown. 11. Make sure the paper guide is lying flat on the printer and slide the edge guides to the middle of the paper guide. 12. Turn on the printer. When the printer receives data, it automatically loads the paper and starts printing. If the first line on your page appears too high or low, you can change its position using the Micro Adjust function as described on page 33.
4. Slide the left sprocket approximately 0.5 inch (12 mm) from the far left position and push the blue lever back to lock it in place. Then slide the right sprocket to match the width of your paper, but do not lock it. The triangle mark on top of the printer indicates the point furthest to the left where printing can begin. 5. Make sure your paper has a clean, straight edge. Then open both sprocket covers and fit the first four holes of the paper, with the printable side down, over the tractor pins. 6.
Loading Continuous Paper with the Pull Tractor 1. Make sure the printer is turned off, and the printer cover is removed. Also make sure the tractor is installed in the pull position and the paper guide is lying flat on the printer. (You may need to move the tractor from the rear push or front push position.) 2. Set the paper release lever to the pull tractor position. 3. Release the sprockets by pulling the sprocket lock levers forward. 4. Slide the left sprocket approximately 0.
6. Insert the paper into the front or bottom paper slot as shown below until it emerges between the platen and the ribbon guide. Then pull up the paper until the perforation between the first and second pages is even with the top of the printer’s ribbon. Front slot Before you load paper in the front slot, remove the front cover. Then load paper with the printable side facing up. Bottom slot Load paper in the bottom slot with the printable side facing up. 7.
10. If you load paper in the front slot, reattach the front cover. If you have the LQ-2090, remove the sub cover from the front cover before replacing the front cover. Be sure to reattach the sub cover when you want to print from a different paper source. 11. Turn on the printer. 12. Remove any slack in the paper by pressing the LF/FF button. When the printer receives data, it will start printing at the current position without advancing the paper.
Removing paper from the pull tractor 1. After you finish printing, tear off the paper supply at the perforation nearest the paper entry slot. 2. To feed paper forward and eject it, hold down the LF/FF button. c Caution: Never press the Load/Eject or Tear Off/Bin button when you are using the pull tractor; the paper could come off the pull tractor and jam in the printer.
1. Make sure the paper guide is in the upright position. Then set the paper-thickness lever to 0 if you are using ordinary single-sheet paper. (If you are using envelopes, see “Envelopes” on page 30.) 2. Move the paper release lever to the single-sheet position. 3. Turn on the printer, if necessary. 4. Slide the left edge guide until it locks in place next to the triangle mark on the paper guide. Next adjust the right edge guide to match the width of your paper. 5.
Loading Special Papers Follow the guidelines in this section when loading single-sheet multipart forms, labels, envelopes, and postcards. Continuous multipart forms Except for adjusting the paper-thickness lever, you load continuous multipart forms the same way as ordinary continuous paper. Note: ❏ Be sure the multipart forms do not exceed 0.015 inch (0.39 mm) in thickness. ❏ Do not load paper that is curled or has been folded.
Note: ❏ It is best to load continuous paper with labels on the pull tractor. Do not load labels on the rear or front push tractor. ❏ Do not load continuous paper with labels from the rear paper slot. Because the rear paper path is curved, labels may come off their backing sheets inside the printer and cause a paper jam. ❏ Do not load paper that is curled or has been folded. ❏ Never feed labels backward using the Load/Eject or Tear Off/Bin button.
Envelopes You can feed envelopes one at a time using the paper guide, or you can load multiple envelopes using the optional high-capacity cut-sheet feeder (bin 1 of the double-bin cut-sheet feeder). Before loading envelopes, set the paper-thickness lever to position 3, 4, or 6, depending on the thickness of the envelopes. See page 18 for more information. To load single envelopes, follow the instructions under “Loading Single Sheets with the Paper Guide” on page 26.
To load a single card, follow the instructions in “Loading Single Sheets with the Paper Guide” on page 26. To load multiple cards, see the Reference Guide. Note: ❏ When you are loading postcards long edge first, always load them in the top slot. ❏ When loading A6 size cards, always load them long edge first. ❏ Before printing, turn on the card mode by pressing the Tear Off/Bin button several times until the left Tear Off/Bin light is on.
1. You may need to press the Tear Off/Bin button to advance the paper to the tear-off position. Make sure the Tear Off/Bin lights are flashing (the paper is at the current tear-off position). 2. Hold down the Pause button for about three seconds. The Pause light begins flashing and the printer enters Micro Adjust mode. 3.
Adjusting the top-of-form position The top-of-form position is the position on the page where the printer starts printing. If your printing appears too high or low on the page, you can use the Micro Adjust function to adjust the top-of-form position, as described below. Your top-of-form position setting remains in effect until you change it, even if you turn off the printer.
Note: ❏ The printer has a minimum and a maximum top-of-form position. If you try to adjust it beyond these limits, the printer beeps and stops moving the paper. 34 ❏ When the paper reaches the default top-of-form position, the printer beeps and stops moving the paper briefly. You can use this setting as a reference point when adjusting the position. ❏ The top margin setting selected in some software overrides the top-of-form position setting you make with the Micro Adjust function.
Chapter 3 Using the Control Panel This chapter describes the buttons and lights on the control panel, plus: ❏ Selecting a font and pitch ❏ Changing the printer’s default settings Buttons and Lights 6 1 Button/Light 1 Font (ItemD) button 2 3 4 5 7 8 11 9 10 Function Selects one of the fonts. See “Selecting a Font and Pitch” on page 37. In default setting mode, ItemD selects the next menu. Font lights Indicate which font is selected.
4 Tear Off/Bin (Set) button Feeds continuous paper forward to the tear-off position. Feeds continuous paper backward from the tear-off position to the top-of-form position. Selects a cut-sheet feeder bin when it is installed. In default setting mode, selects a value. Tear Off/Bin lights Both flash when continuous paper is in the tear-off position. Both off when continuous paper is not in the tear-off position or when bin 1 of the optional cut-sheet feeder is selected.
Selecting a Font and Pitch Usually, you use your application program to select the font and pitch you want to use in a document. However, you can select one of the printer’s fonts (in different pitches) with the buttons on the printer’s control panel, as described below. (The settings you make in application programs usually override settings you make from the printer’s control panel.
2. Press the Pitch button until the three Pitch lights indicate the desired pitch. (The pitches available depend on which font you select.) N N O 10 cpi N O N 12 cpi N O O 15 cpi O N N 17 cpi O N O 20 cpi O O O PS O = On, N = Off Changing the Printer’s Default Settings While you can often change the printer’s settings through your software or printer driver, you may sometimes need to change one or more of the printer’s default settings.
Setting Options (default in bold) Software ESC/P, IBM PPDS 0 slash 0, I/F (interface) mode Auto, Parallel, USB, Option Auto I/F wait time 10 seconds, 30 seconds Parallel I/F bidirectional mode Off, On Packet mode Auto, Off Auto CR (available in IBM PPDS emulation mode) Off, On A.G.M.
2. If you want a different language, press the ItemD button until the printout shows the language you want underlined. 3. Press the Set button to accept the language. The printer prints a line asking if you want to print all the current settings. 4. To print a list of all the current settings, press the Set button. The printer prints all the settings and then the first setting again. Go to step 5. To go through the settings one at a time, press the ItemD or ItemU button.
Chapter 4 Troubleshooting This chapter explains the error indicators and describes how to clear paper jams and print a self test. For more troubleshooting information, see your Reference Guide. If you cannot resolve the problem using the information in the manuals, see “Where To Get Help” on page 44. Using the Error Indicators Use the following table to diagnose printer errors. Light status O Paper Out O Pause Beep Problem pattern Solution ••• No paper is loaded in the selected paper source.
Light status Beep Problem pattern Solution F Pause — The print head is overheated. Wait a few minutes; the printer resumes printing automatically once the print head cools. F F F F F Paper Out Pause F Tear Off/Bin F F Font light F F Pitch light ••••• An unknown or serious printer error has occurred. Turn off the printer and leave it off for several minutes; then turn on the printer again. O = On, F = Flashing ••• = Three beeps, ••••• = Five beeps Clearing Paper Jams 1.
Printing a Self Test Running the printer’s self test helps you determine whether the printer or the computer is causing the problem. If the self test results are satisfactory, the printer is working properly and the problem probably results from your printer driver settings, application settings, computer, or interface cable. (Be sure to use a shielded interface cable.) If the self test does not print properly, there is a problem with the printer.
Where To Get Help If your Epson printer is not operating properly and you cannot solve the problem using the troubleshooting information, see the contact information below. Epson provides technical assistance 24 hours a day through the electronic support services and automated telephone services listed below. Service Access World Wide Web From the Internet, you can reach Epson Support at http://support.epson.com.
Chapter 5 Product Information Safety Instructions 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. In addition, follow all warnings and instructions marked on the printer itself.
ENERGY STAR Compliance ® As an ENERGY STAR Partner, Epson has determined that this product meets the ENERGY STAR guidelines for energy efficiency. The International ENERGY STAR Office Equipment program is a voluntary partnership with the computer and office equipment industry to promote the introduction of energy-efficient personal computers, monitors, printers, fax machines, copiers, and scanners in an effort to reduce air pollution caused by power generation.
Declaration of Conformity According to 47CFR, Part 2 and 15 for Class B Personal Computers and Peripherals; and/or CPU Boards and Power Supplies used with Class B Personal Computers: We: Located at: EPSON AMERICA, INC. MS 3-13 3840 Kilroy Airport Way Long Beach, CA 90806 Telephone: (562) 290-5254 Declare under sole responsibility that the product identified herein, complies with 47CFR Part 2 and 15 of the FCC rules as a Class B digital device.
What This Warranty Does Not Cover: This warranty covers only normal consumer use in the United States and Canada. This warranty is not transferable and will not apply to products purchased from an end user. This warranty does not cover damage to the Epson printer caused by parts and supplies not manufactured, distributed or certified by Epson. This warranty does not cover ribbon or third party parts, components or peripheral devices added to the Epson product after its shipment from Epson, e.g.