Argox OS-214 plus User manual

OS-214 plus
Desktop Barcode Printer
User’s Manual
I
Proprietary Statement
This manual contains proprietary information of Argox Information Co., Ltd. It is
intended solely for the information and use of parties operating and maintaining the
equipment described herein. Such proprietary information may not be used, reproduced,
or disclosed to any other parties for any other purpose without the expressed written
permission of Argox Information Co., Ltd.
Product Improvements
Continuous improvement of products is a policy of Argox Information Co., Ltd. All
specifications and signs are subject to change without notice.
FCC Compliance Statement
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A
digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to
provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation.
This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not
installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference
to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that the interference will not
occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to
radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and
on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by the following measures:
•Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
•Increase the separation between the equipment and the receiver.
•Connect the equipment into a different outlet on a different circuit.
•Consult the dealer or an experience Radio/TV technician for help.
This unit was tested with shielded cables on the peripheral devices. Shielded cables
must be used with the unit to insure compliance. The user is cautioned that any changes
or modifications not expressly approved by Argox Information Co., Ltd. could void the
user’s authority to operate the equipment.
Liability Disclaimer
Argox Information Co., Ltd. takes steps to assure that the company’s published
engineering specifications and manuals are correct; however, errors do occur. Argox
Information Co., Ltd. reserves the right to correct any such errors and disclaims any
resulting liability. In no event shall Argox Information Co., Ltd. or anyone else involved
in the creation, production, or delivery of the accompanying product (including
hardware and software) be liable for any damages whatsoever (including, without
limitation, damages for loss of business profits, business interruption, loss of business
information, or other pecuniary loss) arising out of the use of or the results of use of or
inability to use such product, even if Argox Information Co., Ltd. has been advised of
the possibility of such damages.

II
A Letter to Our Customers
Dear Customers,
Congratulation on selecting an Argox OS series printer!
We believe soon you will find that you have made a
cleverest choice!
This booklet is a small gift from us. It is intended for
helping you to know your printer better, then further to
optimize it. Basically, this booklet contains two parts:
operation guidance and related valuable information.
In the part of the operation guidance, we will furnish you
with a lot of complementary illustrations, so you may pick
up those operation guides more quickly.
In the latter chapters of Trouble Shooting, Maintenance as
well as Reference Technical information, which we think,
you may need them just in case. Therefore, for your quick
reference, we try to table them as much as possible.
Enjoy your reading and have a good time with your printer!
Best wishes,
Argox Information Co., Ltd.
III
Table of Contents
Getting Started .............................................................................1
Unpacking..................................................................................1
Package Contents...................................................................2
Connecting the Power Supply....................................................3
Getting to Know Your Printer ....................................................4
Parts and Features ......................................................................4
Controls and Indicators..............................................................7
Loading Ribbon and Media ........................................................9
Loading a Ribbon.......................................................................9
Loading Media.........................................................................14
Standard Mode.....................................................................14
Peel Off Mode......................................................................19
Cutting Mode .......................................................................23
Configuration .............................................................................25
Performing Calibration ............................................................25
Printing a Configuration Report ..............................................25
Resetting to Factory Default Settings ......................................26
Computer Connections..............................................................27
USB Interface Requirements ...................................................27
Serial (RS-232) Interface Requirements..................................28
Parallel Interface Requirements...............................................29
Serial and Parallel Cabling Requirements. ..............................29
Communicating with the Printer..............................................30
Before Installation....................................................................30
Installing the Driver (auto install driver) .................................30
Installing the USB Driver (Plug and Play) ..............................34
Setting Parameters ...................................................................39
Parameters for Win 98 .........................................................40
Parameters for Win 2000 .....................................................43
For NT 4.0............................................................................47

IV
For Win XP ......................................................................... 49
Troubleshooting......................................................................... 53
LED Diagnosis........................................................................ 53
Miscellaneous ......................................................................... 55
Recovery ................................................................................. 56
Caring for Your Printer............................................................ 57
Cleaning .................................................................................. 57
Thermal Print Head............................................................. 57
Paper Sensor........................................................................ 57
Technical Reference .................................................................. 60
General Specifications ............................................................ 60
Fonts, Bar Codes and Graphics Specification......................... 62
Printer Programming Language A, PPLA .......................... 62
Printer Programming Language B, PPLB........................... 63
Interface Specifications........................................................... 64
Serial ................................................................................... 64
Connection with host: ......................................................... 65
Parallel (Centronics) ........................................................... 67
Auto Polling ........................................................................ 67
ASCII TABLE......................................................................... 68
Appendix I - Installing Dispenser Kit ..................................... 69
Top Cover................................................................................ 69
Middle Cover .......................................................................... 70
Base Housing .......................................................................... 71
Appendix II - Installing the Cutter.......................................... 74
1
Getting Started
Congratulations on choosing the Argox OS-214 plus desktop
barcode printer. This manual will help you get to know your new
printer. There are two parts to this manual, an operation guide
and related information. The operation guide is illustrated to help
you quickly become familiar with the printer. The related
information includes troubleshooting, maintenance and technical
information for your reference.
Unpacking
After receiving your printer, please check for possible shipping
damage:
1. Inspect the outside of both the box and the printer for
possible damage.
2. Open the top cover of the printer to see if the media
compartments are in order.
Note: If damage has occurred, contact your shipping company
immediately to file a claim.
3. Check whether you have received the following
accessories together with the printer. If there are any
items missing, please contact your local dealer.

2
Printer
Package Contents
•Printer
•Power Adapter
•User’s Manual
•CD Rom Disk
•Ribbon
•Sample Media
Power Ada
p
te
r
Sample Media
Ribbon
CD Rom Disk
User
’
s Manual
3
Connecting the Power Supply
Connect the power supply as below.
WARNING! Do not operate the printer and power supply in an
area where they can get wet.
Make sure the power switch is in the "O" position, and be careful
not to touch the 36-pin parallel connector.
1. Insert the barrel connector of the Power Adapter into the
power jack on the back of the printer. Note the location of the
power jack for different models in the diagrams below.
2. Plug the other end of the cord into an AC electrical outlet.
OS-214 plus
Power Switch
Barrel Connector
Power Jac
k
Power Adapter
Cord
AC Electrical Outlet

4
Getting to Know Your Printer
Parts and features of the OS-214 plus are illustrated below.
Parts and Features
OS-214 plus
Top Cover
Power Switch
H
Cover
Power
Indicator
Ready Indicator
Feed Button
5
Ribbon Pick-up Holder
Release Levers
Media Hanger
Power Switch
Ribbon Supply Holder
Thermal Print head
Platen Roller

6
Peel-Off Option
White Plastic Roller
Cutter Option
Cutter
7
Controls and Indicators
The printer’s controls and indicators are shown in the diagram
below. The following table explains control and indicator
functions.
Top Cover
Power Indicator
Ready Indicator
Feed Button
Power Switch

8
Control /
Indicator Function
Power Switch
•On: power on
•Off: shut down
Note: Turn power off before connecting or
disconnecting cables
Power Indicator
•Green light shows the power-on status
•Light off shows the power-off status
•Blinking light indicates error has occurred
Ready Indicator
•Green shows printer is ready to operate
•Blinking light indicates printer is paused or
data transferring
•Light off indicates pack flash is under
processing
Feed Button
•Press to advance labels to the first printing
position
•Press to leave "pause" status
•Press to back feed if a label is not properly
aligned
•Press and hold while turning on the power
to print out a configuration profile
9
Loading Ribbon and Media
This section describes how to load ribbon and media into the
OS-214 plus printer.
Loading a Ribbon
Note: This section does not apply to direct thermal printing.
1. Lift the top cover to expose the media compartment.
2. Unlatch the print head module by pushing the two white
release levers on the sides toward the rear.
3. Turn over the print head module to expose the ribbon
supply holder.

10
Media Compartment
Release Lever
Print Head Module
Release Lever
Ribbon Supply Holder
11
4. Unwrap the ribbon roll pack and separate the ribbon roll
and the bare core.
5. Attach the edge of the ribbon on the bare core and wind it
a little bit onto the core.
6. Insert the ribbon roll into the supply holder. (First snap in
the left side and then the right side.)
Ribbon Supply Holder
Ribbon Roll
Bare Core

12
7. Put the print head module down and insert the bare core
into the pick-up holder. (First snap in the left side, and
then the right side.)
Ribbon Pick-up Holder
Bare Core
13
8. Turn the wheel of the print head module to ensure the
ribbon is tightly wound.
9. Press down the print head module firmly until you hear a
snap.
Wheel
Print Head Module

14
Loading Media
The OS-214 plus offers three different loading modes: standard,
peel-off, or cutting.
•Standard mode allows you to collect each label freely.
•Peel-off mode peels backing material away from the label
as it prints. After a label is removed, the next label prints.
•Cutting mode automatically cuts the label after it prints.
Standard Mode
1. Lift the top cover to expose the media compartment.
15
2. Remove the media hanger.
3. Load the media roll onto the hanger from left to right.
Media Compartment Media Hanger
Media Roll
Media Han
g
e
r

16
4. Click the media hanger back into the media
compartment.
5. Align the media roll to the left end.
6. Move the shield from right to left until it leans against the
media.
Media Compartment
Shield
Media Roll
17
7. Unlatch the print head module.
8. Hold the print head module upright with one hand to
allow the media to pass under it. Lead the media through
the media guides with the other hand.
9. Lead the media over the platen roller.
Print Head Module Media Guides

18
10. Put the print head module down and press down firmly
until you hear a snap.
11. Close the top cover and turn on the printer or press the
"FEED" button if the printer is already on.
Print Head Module
Feed Button
19
Peel Off Mode
Note: For Peel-off mode you must first install the dispenser kit.
Please refer to Appendix I.
Follow Steps 1 to 8 listed in Standard Mode above.
9. Remove enough labels to expose approximately a 6"
length of backing paper.
Backing Paper
Peeler Sensor

20
10. Trim the front edge of the label backing paper with
scissors or a knife.
11. Lead the backing paper over the dispenser bar, then
thread it back into the slot between the dispenser bar and
H cover, ensuring that it is inserted between the white
plastic roller and platen roller.
H Cover
Media Guides
Dispenser Bar
21
12. Press the "FEED" button for the label backing paper to
come out from the slot under the H cover.
13. To remove any slack, rewind the media onto the roll.
Press down the print head module firmly.
14. Close the top cover and turn on the printer or press the
"FEED" button if the printer is already on.
Slot
H Cover
Feed Button

22
Note: The "FEED" button does not make the printer peel.
Peeling occurs only when the software is properly set.
Label
23
Cutting Mode
Note: For Cutting mode you must first install the cutter. Please
refer to Appendix I.
Follow Steps 1 to 8 listed in Standard Mode above.
9. Thread the media over the platen roller, then route the
media through the slot of the cutter module.
10. Press down the print head module firmly.
Cutter Module

24
11. Close the top cover and turn on the printer or press the
"FEED" button if the printer is already on.
Note: The "FEED" button does not make the printer cut. Cutting
occurs only when the software is properly set.
25
Configuration
This section discusses calibration, printing configuration and
resetting the printer to factory defaults.
Performing Calibration
1. Press and hold the feed button while turning on the power,
until the printing motor is activated.
2. Calibration is performed while the printer automatically
feeds the label stock for a certain length.
Important! You must always carry out calibration when
changing media. Failure to do so will result in
improper detection by the label sensor.
Printing a Configuration Report
1. Press and hold the "Feed" button while turning on the
power, until the printing motor is activated.
2. After feeding 12-inches of blank media, the printing motor
suspends for one second and then prints out a
configuration profile. The profile includes firmware version,
ROM checksum, RS232, thermal transfer/direct thermal
settings, hardware configuration, and font types.
3. At PPLB emulation, the printer enters character dump
mode. To exit from dump mode, press the feed button
again.

26
Resetting to Factory Default Settings
1. Turn on the printer and wait for 5 or more seconds.
2. Press the "Feed" button for 10 seconds, and the "Ready"
indicator and "Power" indicator will go off in order.
3. When the two indicators relight, release the feed button.
4. The printer feeds approximately 3 ~5 blank labels, and
then resets to the factory defaults.
Note: All settings are stored in flash and are retained even after
the printer is turned off.
27
Computer Connections
Note: You must insert the power supply’s barrel connector into
the power jack on the back of the printer before
connecting communication cables.
This printer comes with a USB interface, a nine-pin Electronics
Industries Association (EIA) RS-232 serial data interface and a
standard Centronics parallel interface. You must supply the
required interface cable for your application.
Note: This printer complies with FCC Rules and Regulations,
Part 15, for Class B Equipment, for use with fully shielded
six-foot data cables. Use of longer cables or unshielded
cables may increase radiated emissions above Class B
limits.
USB Interface Requirements
The Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface is version 2.0 and 1.1
compliant and provides a full-speed (12Mb/s) interface that is
compatible with your existing PC hardware. The USB’s “plug and
play” design makes installation easy. Multiple printers can share a
single USB port/hub.

28
Serial (RS-232) Interface Requirements
The required cable must have a nine-pin "D" type male connector
on one end, which is plugged into the mating serial port located
on the back of the printer. The other end of the signal interface
cable connects to a serial port on the host computer.
For technical and pin-out information, please refer to the
Reference Technical Information, Interface Specification.
Power Jack
RS232 Serial Port
Parallel Port
U
S
B Port
29
Parallel Interface Requirements
The required cable (IEEE 1284-compliant is recommended) must
have a standard 36-pin parallel connector on one end, which is
plugged into the parallel port located on the back of the printer.
The other end of the parallel interface cable connects to the
printer connector at the host computer. For pin-out information,
refer to the Reference Technical Information, Interface
Specification.
Serial and Parallel Cabling Requirements.
Data cables must be of fully shielded construction and fitted with
metal or metalized connector shells. Shielded cables and
connectors are required to prevent radiation and reception of
electrical noise.
To minimize electrical noise pickup in the cable:
•Keep data cables short (6 ft or 1.83m recommended).
•Do not tightly bundle the data cables with power cords.
•Do not tie the data cables to power wire conduits.
Notes:
1. Centronics allows a much higher communication speed
than serial.
2. The printer automatically detects parallel or serial port.
No need to set a switch or send a command.
3. Default settings are included in the configuration report.

30
Communicating with the Printer
The bundled printer driver can be applied to all applications under
Windows 98/2000/NT, and Windows XP. With this driver you can
run any popular Windows software applications such as MS-Word
and print to this printer.
Before Installation
1. Check the contents of the driver to ensure it is complete.
2. Make a backup copy of the driver.
Installing the Driver (auto install driver)
1. Double click the driver file (Label Dr. 200 or Label Dr. 300)
to execute in Windows.
2. Click "Next".
31
Select a driver for your
printer and click "Next".
For 203 dpi modes with 4
inches print width, you
should select Label
Dr.200 (4 inch model).
3. Select the port of the
printer and click "Next".

32
4. After the related files
are copied to your
system, click “Next”.
5. After the installation
is complete, click
“Finish”.
Note:
1. If you are updating the driver, previous driver files are
overwritten automatically.
2. If you install new bar code application software such as
ArgoBar, LabelView or CodeSoft, you may activate the
Label Dr. 200 (or Label Dr. 300) driver and set it as the
current printer driver:
33
3. If you install new bar code application software such as
Bartender Ultra Lite, you should activate the seagull driver
for Argox printer.
ArgoBar
File →New→Select Printer→Label Dr. on LPT1: →OK
LabelView
File→Select Printer→Label Dr. on LPT1: →OK
CodeSoft
File→Printer→Windows→Label Dr. on LPT1: →OK
LabelMatrix
File→Printer Setup →Label Dr. on LPT1: →OK
Nicelabel
File→Printer Setup →Label Dr. on LPT1: →OK
Bartender
File→Printer Setup →Label Dr. on LPT1: →OK

34
Installing the USB Driver (Plug and Play)
Note:
The printer driver needs to install version 1.4.00 or later
and support “USB Plug and Play” for Windows XP,
Windows 2003 and Windosw 2000.
1. Extract the PrinterDriver.exe to the fixed route. (“C:\Label Dr.
200”, for example)
2. Connect the label printer to a computer with a USB cable.
3. Turn on the printer’s power and the system detects the device
automatically.
4. Select “Install from a list or specific location (Advanced)”, click
“Next”.
35
5. Select “Search for the best driver in these locations” and
choose “Include this location in the search”. Input the location
of printer driver, click “Next”.