Atari SLM804 Series User manual

1enueLAJ S)SUMQ
SJSlndWOQ vu!S !Jel'f 11e JO.:f
JaiUIJd Jase1
. J7081N1S
J~VlV~I(
- /////////////// L

////////////~
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
DHHS Certification
This Atari SLM804 Laser Printer has been certified as a Class 1 laser product under the
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' (DHHS) Radiati
on Performance Sta nd ar d
established in the Radiation Control for Health and Safety Act of
1968 . This m ea ns that
the printer does not produce hazardous laser
rad iation.
Since radiation emitted inside the printer is completely confined with
in the protective
housings and external covers, the laser beam cannot escape from the machi
ne duri ng
any phase of user operation.
FCC Notice and Warning
The Atari SLM804 Laser Printer uses and produces radio-frequency energy. If not installed
and operated according to the instructions in this manual, the equipment
may cause
interference with radio communications. This equipment is certified to comply with the
limits for a Class A computing device, pursuant to Subpart J of Part
15 of the FCC ru l es .
These rules are designed to provide reasonable protecti
on from interference when the
equipment is used in a commercial setting. However, there is no guarantee that interfer·
ence will not occur in a particular installation. Operation of this equipment
in a residen·
tial area is likely
to cause such interference, and the user, at his or her own expense, will
be required to ta)l:e whatever measures are necessary to correct the interference.
In satisfaction of Federal Communications regulations, this laser printer includes an Atari
shielded cable to minimize interference with older electronic devices.
Use of this device
without
an Atari shielded cable or its equivalent is prohibit ed . Rep lacement cables are
available through your Atari dealer.
Please Note
Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the product documentation in this
manual. However, because Atari Corporation is constantly improving and updating its com-
puter hardware and software, it is unable to guarantee the accuracy of printed material after
the date of publication and disclaims liability for changes, errors, or omissions.
AT ARI, SLM804, SLMC804, and ST are trademarks or registered trademarks of Atari Corpora-
tion.
GEM is a trademark of Digital Research Inc.
Reproduction of this document or any portion of its contents is not allowed without the
specific written consent of Atari Corporation.
J"-.ATARr
Copyright © 1987, Atari Corporation
Sunnyvale,
CA 94086
All rights reserved.

SJa~ndWOQ vu!S pe~\f 11e JO.:I
JBIUIJd JaSel
J7081N15 .I~VlV"'V'
////////////////

////////////////
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION ....................................... 1
Welcome to the Atari SLM804 Laser Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Using the Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
CHAPTER 1: SETTING UP ... ............................ 3
Choosing the Right Working Environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Installing the Toner Cartridge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Installing the Drum and Toner Hopper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
The Drum Page Counter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Accessing the Drum and Toner
Hopper............... 9
Installing the Cleaning
Pad ........................... 10
Installing the Manual-Feed Paper Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
11
Connecting the Controller ........................... 13
Power Connection
.................................. 15
CHAPTER 2: WORKING WITH THE PRINTER ................. 17
Loading Paper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Automatic Paper Feed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Manual Feed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
21
Printing on Two Sides ............................... 22
Print Density Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
The Control Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
23
The Controller's Front Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Ready to Print: Running the Test Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
CHAPTER 3: REGULAR MAINTENANCE .................... 27
Replacing the Toner, Residual-Toner
Container, and Cleaning
Pad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Toner .......................................... 27
Residual-Toner Container . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Cleaning Pad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Cleaning the Drum and Paper Chargers ................. 30
Drum Charger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Paper Charger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Cleaning the Paper Path . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Cleaning the Drum/PaperSeparator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
34
Cleaning the Fuser Roller ............................ 34
Cleaning the Press Roller ............................ 35
Replacing the Drum, Drum Charger, and Paper Charger . . . . 36
The Drum Page Counter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Drum
.......................................... 37
Drum Charger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Paper Charger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

////////////////
Transporting the Printer .............................. 39
Other Precautionary and Preventive Measures . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Maintenance Checklist
.............................. 40
APPENDIX A: TROUBLESHOOTING ........................ 41
APPENDIX B: ADDRESSING MORE THAN ONE DMA DEVICE .... 43
APPENDIX C: SLMC804 CONTROLLER COMMAND SUMMARY .. 47
APPENDIX D: SPECIFICATIONS ........................... 55
APPENDIX E: POWER CONNECTION IN
THE UNITED KINGDOM ...................... 59
INDEX .............................................. 61
CUSTOMER SUPPORT .......... ........................ 63

////////////////
INTRODUCTION
Welcome to the Atari SLM804 Laser Printer
The Atari SLM804TM Laser Printer works with your Atari ST Computer
to bring you one of the most advanced and versatile laser printing
systems
on the market today. For desktop publishing or writing the
simplest letter, the Atari SLM804 Laser Printer delivers near typeset-
quality text and graphics quickly and easily.
Using the Manual
Operating the laser printer is not difficult, especially if you learn to
use it correctly. This manual is designed to assist you, whether
you're a computer novice or seasoned expert. Information
in the
manual progresses from setting
up and working with the printer to
regular maintenance and troubleshooting. Reading the manual
thoroughly from beginning to end will help you take full advantage
of your laser printer's capabilities.
SLM804 Laser Printer owners living
in the United Kingdom should
refer to
Appendix E for additional instructions when connecting
their system.
The manual's contents are outlined below:
Chapter 1: Setting Up explains how to set up the printer, install its
parts and accessories, and connect it to your computer.
Chapter 2: Working with the Printer contains important information
about operating your new printer, including how to load paper and
how to interpret the printer's control panel.
Chapter 3: Regular Maintenance explains the important regular
maintenance procedures you must perform
on your printer to keep
it
in top operating condition.
Appendix A: Troubleshooting lists a few problems you may
encounter while setting
up or operating your printer and offers
simple solutions.
Appendix B: Addressing More Than One DMA Device describes
how to connect more than one laser printer to your computer system.
Appendix C: SLMC804 Controller Command Summary details the
SLMC804™ Controller's command set and
is supplied for
advanced users.
1

///////////h
Appendix D: Specifications lists the printer's technical specifications.
Appendix E: Power Connection in the United Kingdom provides
additional set-up instructions for SLM804 Laser Printer owners
living
in the United Kingdom.
Index helps you locate terms or procedures used or explained in
the manual.
Customer Support tells where to find further information about the
Atari SLM804 Laser Printer.
Paragraphs marked
Warning or Note appear throughout the manual.
Warnings alert you to potential problems and suggest ways to avoid
them. Notes contain useful hints and information.
2

////////////////
CHAPTER 1
SETTING UP
This chapter explains how to set up your new Atari SLM804 Laser
Printer.
Read and follow the instructions carefully. The printer does
not come fully assembled;
you must install many of its working parts.
If
you haven't done so already, unpack the printer following the
unpacking instructions found
in the carton.
Choosing the Right Working Environment
Your new Atari SLM804 Laser Printer is composed of sophisticated
and sensitive electronic, electrophotographic, and mechanical
devices. Therefore, it
is imperative that you choose the right work-
ing environment for your printer. Avoid places that would expose
the printer to dust, grease, extreme temperatures, direct sunlight,
or high humidity. Make sure that the site you choose
is well venti-
lated.
An environment considered suitable for your computer
system will also work well for your laser printer. Always place the
printer
on a firm, level surface. And always turn off the printer
when it
is not in use.
Note: For an exact specification of ambient environmental condi-
tions, see
Appendix D, Specifications. For a listing of additional
important environmental conditions, see
Other Precautionary and
Preventive Measures in Chapter 3.
Now that you've positioned the printer, it's time to install its parts
and accessories.
Installing the Toner Cartridge
Toner is a fine, black powder that is used to form the printed
characters
on the paper. The toner cartridge contains the toner.
The toner hopper holds the toner in readiness for printing.
When you install the toner cartridge, and whenever you replace
toner, avoid getting the powder
on your hands and face. Wash
your hands thoroughly after installing the toner cartridge.
3

////////////////
To install the toner cartridge in the hopper, follow these steps:
1.
Toner Hopper
2. Using both hands, hold the toner cartridge label-side up and shake
it gently from side to side (not
up and down) a few times.
3. Place the toner hopper in front of you so that its cavity is right-
side up and its metal rods are farthest from you.
4. Place the toner cartridge label-side up into the hopper. The clear
plastic tab taped to the top of the cartridge should
be on the right
side when
you set the cartridge in the hopper.
Hopper Cavity
5. While pressing down on the top of the cartridge, slide the two
green latches
on the sides of the cartridge away from you . This
will lock the cartridge
in place.
4

////////////////
~ < ~
• Lock
Unlock ·:·· ~ -- ~
~ .. .: · •• J
Note: Replace the toner cartridge every 3,000 pages. However,
because the toner hopper
is initially empty, you will first need to
replace the cartridge after approximately 1,800 pages. For more
information, see The Control Panel
in Chapter 2 and Chapter 3,
Regular Maintenance.
Installing the Drum and Toner Hopper
The image to be printed is formed on the drum by the printer's scan-
ning laser beam. Toner is then applied to the drum, and the drum
applies the toner to the paper. The drum and toner hopper attach to
one another; then both are placed
in the printer as a single unit.
Warning: The drum is photosensitive. When installing the drum,
keep it away from direct sunlight or strong incandescent light.
To install the drum and hopper, follow these steps:
1. Locate the drum packed inside the accessories assembly. Remove
the bubble pack from the drum. Remove the black plastic sheet
wrapped around the drum.
To protect the drum from excessive
exposure to light, loosely drape the black plastic sheet
on top
of the drum frame
as you work.
5

//////////////h
2. Attach the hopper to the drum. Set the hopper's upper rod on
the matching rest on the drum.
Upper Rod _"'"P,m
1\"-I!V.JII"':lll
3. Open the printer's top cover by slipping your left hand inside the
opening at the front of the printer. Then gently pull up
on the inside
latch while pressing lightly
on the top cover with your right hand.
Remove the black plastic sheet from the drum frame.
Note: Save the black plastic sheet for future use. Whenever you
remove the drum, drape the sheet
on top to protect the drum from
excessive exposure to light.
6

////////////////
4. Holding the drum by its handle, place the drum in the well toward
the back of the printer.
Be sure that the drum axle fits in the two
slots
on either side of the printer.
Slot
5. Untape the clear plastic tab from the top of the toner cartridge.
7
Pull the tab straight out and to the right while holding the toner
cartridge top
in place. This releases the toner into the hopper.
Make sure that you clean off any toner that drops onto the
contacts below.
Contacts

////////////////
6. Locate the drum control at the back of the printer. Set the control
to
A, B, or C according to the label on the right side of the drum
unit. (Ignore the density control for now.)
Right Side of Drum ~
Qrum Label
(A, B,
or C)
7. Close the printer's top cover.
Drum Setting (A, B, or C)
Note: The drum must be replaced every 9,000 to 10,000 pages. A
good rule is to replace the drum every third time you replace the
toner. The drum page counter inside the printer will tell you when
it's time to replace the drum. For more information, see
Chapter 3,
Regular Maintenance.
The Drum Page Counter
The drum must be replaced every 9,000 to 10,000 pages. Inside
the printer, at the front and to the left,
is the drum page counter.
The drum page counter tells you when it's time to replace the
drum. Open the printer, and take a look at the counter.
8

////////////////
The counter's yellow dot turns to a yellow box at 9,000 pages. The
red dot turns to a red box at 10,000 pages. Beyond that, the counter
begins to tick off
red numerals (2, 3, 4, and so on). Never allow the
counter to get this far. Replace the drum when the
red dot turns to
a
red box or before. For more information, see Chapter 3, Regular
Maintenance .
Reset Button
Drum Page Counter
Accessing the Drum and Toner Hopper
There are two ways to open the top cover. One you already know:
using the front latch alone.
The other method allows the drum and
toner hopper to drop down for easy access. You'll need to get to
them, for example, when replacing the toner or the drum. Now that
the drum and hopper are
in place, try this method.
To open the top cover and release the drum and hopper, follow
these steps:
1. Begin with the top cover closed.
9

////////////////
2. As before, slip your left hand inside the opening at the front of
the printer. Pull
up on the inside latch while you slide the drum
release latch
on the right side of the printer with your right thumb.
Maintain slight pressure
on the top cover with the fingers of your
right hand as you open the top cover.
3. Close the top cover.
Installing the Cleaning Pad
The toner is applied to the paper and then fused to the paper as it
runs
by the fuser roller at the back of the printer. The cleaning pad
cleans the fuser roller.
You must replace the pad every time you
change the toner. For more information, see
Chapter 3, Regular
Maintenance.
Warning: The fuser and the surrounding felt-covered surfaces
inside the printer get extremely hot whenever power to the printer
is
switched on. You should wait at least two hours after switching the
printer off before you perform any procedure near these surfaces.
To install the cleaning pad, follow these steps:
1. Locate the cleaning pad packed inside the accessories assembly.
10
Remove it from the plastic bag. Make sure that the white felt pad
fits snugly
in its frame.

////////////////
2. Open the printer's top cover without releasing the drum and
toner hopper.
3. Hold the cleaning pad by its white plastic tab, and place the pad
on the fuser roller in the space provided at the back of the printer.
Fuser Ro ller
4. Close the top cover.
Note: Every so often you should check the cleaning pad for exces-
sive toner residue. Between the times you replace the cleaning
pad , you can reverse the white felt pad if it has accumulated a
great deal of excess toner.
Installing the Manual-Feed Paper Guide
The manual-feed paper guide allows you to feed single sheets of
paper through the printer. Whether you intend to use single sheets
or not, you must still install the manual-feed paper guide.
The
printer will not operate properly without it.
11

/// ///////////~
To install the manual-feed paper guide, follow these steps:
1. Locate the manual-feed paper guide packed inside the acces-
sories assembly. Remove it from the plastic bag.
2. Open the top cover without releasing the drum and toner hopper.
3. Insert the manual-feed paper guide at a slightly upward angle,
aligning it with the metal paper guide inside the printer. Once
positioned, the top of the manual-feed paper guide should lie
flat, nearly flush against the metal paper guide.
4. Close the top cover.
Note: For information on how to load paper into the printer, see
Chapter 2, Working with the Printer.
12

////////////////
Connecting the Controller
The SLMC804 Controller allows your ST Computer and SLM804
Laser Printer to communicate with one another. The printer will
not operate properly without the controller.
To connect the controller to the printer and computer, follow these
steps:
1. Locate the controller packed inside the accessories assembly.
Remove its packing materials.
2. Make sure all parts of your ST Computer system are switched off.
3. Plug the cable permanently fixed in the back of the controller
into the port marked "Hard Disk"
on the back panel of your
computer. (If you have a hard disk drive, you must disconnect
the hard disk's cable from the computer while
you do this.)
Hard Disk Port
Permanently Fixed Cable
13

/7// /7/7/////~
4. Locate the 37-pin printer interface cable packed inside the
accessories assembly.
Plug the female end of the interface
cable into the controller's printer port.
Plug the male end into
the interface port
on the back of the printer.
Printer Interface Port Controller Printer Port
e~
'
Interface Cable
5. If you have a hard disk drive, plug the hard disk's interface
cable into the hard disk (DMA) port
on the controller.
Hard Disk Drive Controller Hard Disk (DMA) Port
['--- l o ~_ · _ "" _ g _ . : ..... _• l -~-- ~ JJ ~ o - o !J
' '
Note: If you want to connect more than one laser printer to your
system, or if you have
an Atari hard disk drive addressed as Unit 7
in your system, see Appendix B, Addressing More than One DMA
Device, for important information.
14

////////////////
Power Connection
To connect the printer's AC power cord, follow these steps:
1. Make sure all components in your ST Computer system are
switched off.
2. Plug one end of the power cord into the power jack on the back
panel of the printer.
Plug the power cord's pronged plug into a
grounded wall outlet or power strip.
\ ~~ J lo {F
Power Jack
'
To Power
3. The power switch is located on the left side of the printer.
Always switch
on the other components, including the printer,
before switching
on your computer.
~
Power Switch "< 1111>
Note: The printer's main power fuse is located at the back of the
printer, next to the interface port. Should the printer ever fail to start
up properly, or should it shut down while switched on, turn off the
printer, remove the fuse, and check it. If the fuse is burned or broken,
replace it with one of the same type.
Warning:
NEVER remove the printer's housing. Extremely high
voltages are found inside.
15