Operator's Manual

Unit 5: Troubleshooting
SATO HT200e Operator Manual PN 9001103B Page 5-4
TROUBLESHOOTING PROCEDURES
RS232 SERIAL INTERFACE TROUBLESHOOTING
• Ensure the serial cable is thoroughly connected to the PC and the printer.
• Ensure the serial cable is not defective and that it is manufactured to specifications.
• Ensure the RS232 Interface Module is properly installed.
• Ensure the data stream is correct (all letters of command codes are in upper case and
without spaces).
• Ensure the Baud Rate, Parity, Data Bits, and Stop Bits are consistent with that of computer.
Print a Configuration Test Label to determine the RS232 settings.
• Ensure the printer is recieving from the computer using the Hex Dump Mode. Refer to that
procedure for instructions. The printer will print (only once) a hexadecimal dump of everything
it has received from the host computer. Each hexadecimal character represents a character
the printer received. Analyze and troubleshoot the data stream.
While checking the hex dump printout, look for OD
h OAh (carriage return and line feed)
characters throughout. The command string should be continuous. CR or LF characters are
not allowed between the start command (<ESC>A) and the stop command (<ESC>Z). If
Basic is being used, it may be adding these characters automatically as the line wraps.
Adding a width statement to your program can help suppress these extra OD
H OAH
characters by expanding the line length up to 255 characters.
If not programming in BASIC, check to see if the equivalent statement in language exists to
suppress extra carriage returns and line feeds from data being sent to the printer. The data
stream must be one complete line going to the printer.
CAUTION: 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 INTER-
FACE CIRCUITRY AND IS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY.
NOTE: A small label may produce a large amount of data when printed in
Hex Dump.