Home » Epson Manuals » Printers » Epson FX-286 » Manual Viewer

Epson FX-286 User Manual - Page 38

The IBM Proprinter mode, Using the FX-286 with Other Applications Programs - drivers

Add to My Manuals
Save this manual to your list of manuals

Page 38 highlights

If your word processor doesn't list the FX-286, don't worry. The FX-286 recognizes the same codes as earlier models in the FX series, so you can choose any FX model that's listed. Some programs simply list "Epson Printer," or "Standard' or "Draft" printer-these choices will also work, because all Epson dot-matrix printers recognize a standard set of printer codes. Once you've made your selection, the program remembers the type of printer you're using every time you want to print and sends the appropriate codes. These are general guidelines to help you get started with your FX-286. The process is different for each word processing program, but the specific information can be found in your word processor's manual. Consult the sections on printers, printing text, print functions, print devices, and printer drivers for further information. The IBM Proprinter mode The FX-286 can also reproduce the IBM Proprinter character sets if you reset three DIP switches (see Appendix A). Remember, however, that when you reset the FX-286 for the IBM Proprinter mode, you will lose some of the capabilities available in the Epson mode. When you reset the FX-286 for the IBM Proprinter mode, you need to change the printer driver on your word processor or applications program. Your first choice should be "IBM Proprinter" (model 4201) if it's listed. If the Proprinter isn't listed, look for "IBM Parallel Printer," "IBM Graphics Printer," or just "IBM Printer"-any of these choices should work when the FX-286 is in the IBM Proprinter mode. Remember, when you switch your printer in and out of the IBM Proprinter mode, you must change the DIP switches on the FX-286, and change the selected printer if you're using an applications program. For further information on the Proprinter IBM mode, see Chapter 5. Using the FX-286 with Other Applications Programs You can also use the FX-286 to print other documents, such as spreadsheets, with various commercial software packages. Although word processors are often designed to provide a variety of type enhancements (such as condensed, double-width, etc.), many spreadsheets or other programs are more limited in what they offer. 2-2

Section	Page
FRONT MATTER	1
TABLE OF CONTENTS	4
INTRODUCTION	12
CHAP 1-SETTING UP THE FX-286	13
Unpacking Your Printer	13
Installing the paper feed knob	14
Selecting the Right Location	14
Installing the Ribbon	16
Replacing the ribbon...	19
Loading Continuous-feed Paper	19
Loading single-sheet paper…	25
Installing the paper separator	26
Turning the Power On	27
Operating the Control Panel	28
Off Line/On Line	29
Form Feed/Nlq	29
Line Feed/Draft	29
The NLQ Mode	30
Setting the Top-of-Page Position	30
Adjusting the Paper-thickness Lever	31
Running the Self Test	33
Connecting Your Printer to Your Computer	34
Printing Your First Document	36
CHAP 2-USING THE FX-286 WITH COMMERCIAL SOFTWARE	37
Using the FX-286 with Word Processors	37
The IBM Proprinter mode	38
Using the FX-286 with Other Applications Programs	38
CHAP 3-SELECTYPE	41
SelecType Operation	41
Turning SelecType on	41
Selecting typestyles	42
SelecType exercise	43
Mode combination	45
Skip-over-perforation	46
SelecType Tips	46
CHAP 4-ELEMENTS OF DOT-MATRIX PRINTING AND COMPUTER/PRINTER COMMUNICATIONS	49
The Print Head	49
Changing Widths	50
Computer-to-Printer Communications	51
ASCII Codes	51
Control Codes	52
ESCape Sequences	52
Demonstration Programs	52
Running BASIC Programs	53
How to Send Control Codes to the Printer	54
CHAP 5-FX-286 FEATURES	57
IBM Proprinter Mode	57
Pica Printing	59
Changing Widths	59
Cancelling Codes	60
Resetting the Printer	60
Disabling a program s reset code	61
Width Comparison	61
Near Letter Quality Mode	62
Print Enhancements and Special Characters	63
Emphasized mode	63
Double-strike	64
Double-width mode	65
Mode combinations	65
Underline mode	66
Proportional mode	67
Master Select	67
Superscript and subscript	69
International characters	70
Page Formatting	72
Margins	73
Skip-over-perforation	74
Line spacing	74
Paper-out Sensor	75
CHAP 6-INTRODUCTION TO DOT GRAPHICS	76
Dot Patterns	77
The Print Head and Graphics	77
Graphics Mode	78
Pin Labels	79
First Graphics Program	80
Width Statements	81
Multiple-line Exercise	81
Density Varieties	83
Reassigning Code	85
Column Reservation Numbers	85
Designing Your Own Graphics	86
String variables	89
CHAP 7-USER-DEFINED CHARACTRERS	92
Defining Your Own Characters	92
Designing Process	93
Definition program 1	95
Running the program	96
Definition program 2	97
Running the program	98
APPENDIX A-DEFAULTS AND DIP SWITCHES	99
Default Settings	99
The DIP Switches	100
Selecting the IBM Proprinter Mode	101
Printing the Alternate and All Print character sets	101
Running the self test in the IBM Proprinter mode	101
APPENDIX B-LOADING SINGLE-SHEET PAPER IN THE FX-286	105
Removing the Tractor Unit	105
Loading Single-sheet Paper	106
Installing the Tractor Unit	108
APPENDIX C-TROUBLESHOOTING AND PROBLEM SOLVING	109
Troubleshooting	109
Double-spacing or overprinting	109
Paper loading	109
Paper advancing	110
Tabbing	110
Paper-out sensor will not turn off	110
Self-adhesive labels	110
Graphics Solutions	110
Cancelling Unwanted Functions with SelecType	111
Beeper Error Warnings	112
Using the Hex Dump Mode to Solve Problems	112
System Solutions	114
IBM PC BASIC solutions	115
Applesoft BASIC Solutions	116
QX-10 and QX’-16 Solutions	116
User-defined Character Solutions	116
Defining more than three characters	116
Data numbers for user-defined characters	117
Width statements	117
APPENDIX D-MAINTENANCE	119
Changing the Print Head	119
Removing the old print head	119
Installing the new print head	120
APPENDIX E-THE PARALLEL INTERFACE	121
Data Transfer Sequence	123
Interface timing	123
Printing enabled/disabled signals and control conditions	123
APPENDIX F-TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS	125
Printing	125
Character sizes:	125
Characters per line:	126
Paper	126
Printer	126
Dimensions and weight	127
Environment	127
Interface	128
APPENDIX G-EPSON MODE COMMAND SUMMARY	129
Software Commands in Numerical Order	130
Epson Mode Commands	133
Near Letter Quality Mode	135
Character Width	135
Print Enhancement	138
Page Formatting	142
Margins	142
Line spacing	143
Form feed and page length	146
Tabs	147
Word Processing	149
Graphics	152
User-defined Characters	155
MSB Control	157
Other Codes	158
APPENDIX H-FX286 CHARACTER FONTS-EPSON MODE	163
How to Use the Charts	164
Converting hexadecimal numbers to decimal numbers	164
APPENDIX I-ASCII CODE CONVERSION CHART AND PROPORTIONAL WIDTH TABLES	167
ASCII Code Conversion Chart	168
Proportional Width Table	172
International Character Width Table	173
APPENDIX J-IBM PROPRINTER MODE COMMAND SUMMARY	175
Selecting the IBM Proprinter Mode	176
Printing the Alternate and All Print character sets	176
Running the self test in the IBM Proprinter mode	177
Software Commands in Numerical Order	178
IBM Proprinter Mode Commands	181
Character Width	183
Print Enhancement	185
Page Formatting	189
Margins	189
Line spacing Line Feed	190
Form Feed and Page Length	192
Tabs	194
Graphics	195
Other Codes	198
APPENDIX K-FX-286 CHARATER FONTS-IBM PROPRINTER MODE	203
How to Use the Charts	204
Converting hexadecimal numbers to decimal numbers	204
INDEX	209
QUICK REFERENCE	216

Match case Limit results 1 per page

If your word processor doesn’t list the FX-286, don’t worry. The

FX-286 recognizes the same codes as earlier models in the FX series, so

you can choose any FX model that’s listed. Some programs simply list

“Epson Printer,” or “Standard’ or “Draft” printer-these choices will

also work, because all Epson dot-matrix printers recognize a standard

set of printer codes.

Once you’ve made your selection, the program remembers the type

of printer you’re using every time you want to print and sends the

appropriate codes.

These are general guidelines to help you get started with your

FX-286. The process is different for each word processing program,

but the specific information can be found in your word processor’s

manual. Consult the sections on printers, printing text, print func-

tions, print devices, and printer drivers for further information.

The IBM Proprinter mode

The FX-286 can also reproduce the IBM Proprinter character sets if

you reset three DIP switches (see Appendix A). Remember, however,

that when you reset the FX-286 for the IBM Proprinter mode, you will

lose some of the capabilities available in the Epson mode.

When you reset the FX-286 for the IBM Proprinter mode, you need

to change the printer driver on your word processor or applications

program. Your first choice should be “IBM Proprinter” (model 4201) if

it’s listed. If the Proprinter isn’t listed, look for “IBM Parallel Printer,”

“IBM Graphics Printer,” or just “IBM Printer”-any of these choices

should work when the FX-286 is in the IBM Proprinter mode.

Remember, when you switch your printer in and out of the IBM

Proprinter mode, you must change the DIP switches on the FX-286,

and change the selected printer if you’re using an applications pro-

gram. For further information on the Proprinter IBM mode, see Chap-

ter 5.

Using the FX-286 with Other Applications Programs

You can also use the FX-286 to print other documents, such as

spreadsheets, with various commercial software packages.

Although word processors are often designed to provide

variety

of type enhancements (such as condensed, double-width, etc.), many

spreadsheets or other programs are more limited in what they offer.

2-2