Brother MP-21C User manual

Brother Mobile Full Color Inkjet Printer
MP-21C/CDX
User’s Guide
Please read this manual thoroughly before using the printer.
Keep this manual in a convenient place for quick and easy reference at all times.

Shipment of the Printer
If for any reason you must ship your Printer, carefully package the
Printer to avoid any damage during transit. It is recommended that you
save and use the original packaging. The Printer should also be
adequately insured with the carrier.
Warning
When shipping the Printer, DO NOT remove the INK CARTRIDGES
from the Printer. Failure to fit the ink cartridges into the Printer
during shipping will cause severe damage to the Printer and will
VOID THE WARRANTY.
1 DO NOT remove the ink cartridges.
Push the (On/Off) button to turn
the printer off.
Fig. 0-1 Turning the Printer off
2 Turn your computer off and remove the
Printer Interface Card from the
computer. Remove the PC Card cable
from the printer and from the Printer
Interface Card. Remove the AC Adapter
and Parallel Interface Cable if connected
(MP-21CDX or PA-21MP user only).
Fig. 0-2 Remove the Cable
3 Pack the printer in the original carton
box and tape it securely closed.
Fig. 0-3 Repacking
!
Caution
• Make sure the printer has the ink
cartridges fitted when shipping.
• DO NOT turn the printer upside down
while shipping.
• If the print quality reduces after you
have shipped the printer, clean the print
head. (See ‘Cleaning the Print Head’ in
Chapter 4)

(For USA & CANADA Only)
For technical and operational assistance, please call:
In USA 1-877-284-3238 (outside California)
949-859-9700 Ext. 329 (within California)
In Canada 1-800-853-6660
514-685-6464 (within Montreal)
If you have comments or suggestions, please write us at:
In USA Printer Customer Support
Brother International Corporation
15 Musick
Irvine, CA 92618
In Canada Brother International Corporation, Ltd.
1, Rue Hôtel De Ville
Dollard-des-Ormeaux P.Q.
Canada H9B3H6
BBS
For downloading drivers from our Bulletin Board Service, call:
In USA 1-888-298-3616
In Canada 1-514-685-2040
Please log on to our BBS with your first name, last name and a four digit
number for your password. Our BBS supports modem speeds up to 14,400,
8 bits no parity, 1 stop bit.
Fax-Back System
Brother Customer Service has installed an easy to use Fax-Back System so
you can get instant answers to common technical questions and product
information for all Brother products. This is available 24 hours a day, 7 days
a week. You can use the system to send the information to any fax machine,
not just the one you are calling from.
Please call 1-800-521-2846 (USA) or 1-800-681-9838 (Canada) and follow
the voice prompts to receive faxed instructions on how to use the system and
your index of Fax-Back subjects.
DEALERS/SERVICE CENTERS (USA only)
For the name of an authorized dealer or service center, call 1-800-284-4357.
SERVICE CENTERS (Canada only)
For service center address in Canada, call 1-800-853-6660
INTERNET ADDRESS
For technical questions and downloading drivers:http://www.brother.com

UJ5351001
Printed in Japan

i
Mobile Full Color Inkjet Printer
MP-21C/CDX
USER’S GUIDE
(For USA & CANADA Only)
For technical and operational assistance, please call:
In USA 1-877-284-32387746 (outside California)
949-859-9700 Ext. 329 (within California)
In CANADA 1-800-853-6660
514-685-6464 (within Montreal)
If you have comments or suggestions, please write us at:
In USA Printer Customer Support
Brother International Corporation
15 Musick
Irvine, CA 92718
In CANADA Brother International Corporation (Canada), Ltd.
- Marketing Dept.
1, rue Hôtel de Ville
Dollard-des-Ormeaux, PQ, Canada H9B 3H6
BBS
For downloading drivers from our Bulletin Board Service, call:
In USA 1-888- 298-3616
In CANADA 1-514-685-2040
Please log on to our BBS with your first name, last name and a four digit number for your
password. Our BBS supports modem speeds up to 14,400, 8 bits no parity, 1 stop bit.
Fax-Back System
Brother Customer Service has installed an easy to use Fax-Back System so you can get
instant answers to common technical questions and product information for all Brother
products. This is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can use the system to send the
information to any fax machine, not just the one you are calling from.
Please call 1-800-521-2846 (USA) or 1-800-681-9838 (Canada) and follow the voice prompts to
receive faxed instructions on how to use the system and your index of Fax-Back subjects.
DEALERS/SERVICE CENTERS (USA only)
For the name of an authorized dealer or service center, call 1-800-284-4357.
SERVICE CENTERS (Canada only)
For service center addresses in Canada, call 1-800-853-6660
INTERNET ADDRESS
For technical questions and downloading drivers: http://www.brother.com

ii
Trademarks
The brother logo is a registered trademark of Brother Industries, Ltd.
Windows is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation.
All other brand and product names mentioned in this User’s Guide are
registered trademarks of their respective companies.
Compilation and Publication Notice
Under the supervision of Brother Industries Ltd., this manual has been
compiled and published, covering the latest product’s descriptions and
specifications.
The contents of this manual and the specifications of this product are
subject to change without notice.
Brother reserves the right to make changes without notice in the
specifications and materials contained herein and shall not be responsible
for any damages (including consequential) caused by reliance on the
materials presented, including but not limited to typographical and other
errors relating to the publication.
©1998 Brother Industries Ltd.

iii
Definitions of Warnings, Cautions, and Notes
The following conventions are used in this User’s Guide:
Warning
Indicates warnings that must be observed to prevent possible
personal injury.
!
Caution
Indicates cautions that must be observed to use the printer properly or
prevent damage to the printer.
✒Note
Indicates notes and useful tips to remember when using the printer.
To Use the Printer Safely
Warning
DO NOT put your hands into the printer while it is printing to avoid
causing injury.
Fig. 0-1 Inside the Printer
Warning
Keep the ink cartridges away from children. If ink is swallowed,
drink plenty of water. The ink contains no harmful substances, but if
you are concerned you should consult a doctor.

iv
Warning
Before cleaning the printer platen, be sure to turn off the (On/Off)
button and make sure that all the LEDs are off. Remove the Printer
Interface Card Cable and AC Adapter if connected (MP-21CDX or
optional PA-21MP users only) from the printer.
Warning
DO NOT put your hands into the printer or move the carriage by
hand. The printer may move the carriage by itself and cause injury.
Warning
DO NOT push the shutters in the ink cartridge slot with your fingers.
There are sharp pins inside the Ink Cartridge Slot. If you touch them,
it might cause injury.
Printer Do's and Don't for Optimum Print Quality
!
Caution
DO NOT touch the nozzles and the print head. DO NOT move the print
head by hand or remove the print head from the printer.
!
Caution
During thunderstorms, push the (On/Off) button to turn off the printer
and make sure that all the LEDs are off. Remove the Printer Interface
Card Cable and AC Adapter if connected (MP-21CDX or optional PA-
21MP users only ).
!
Caution
DO NOT turn off or suspend your PC while the printer LEDs are on
or blinking.

v
!
Caution
DO NOT touch the flat cable and Ink Tube.
Fig. 0-2 The Flat Cable and Ink Tube
!
Caution
Keep the printer on a flat surface.
!
Caution
DO NOT move or shake the printer while it is printing.
!
Caution
Do not disassemble the printer.
!
Caution
DO NOT remove the Printer Interface Card, PC card cable or AC Adapter
if connected (MP-21CDX or optional PA-21MP users only) while the
printer LEDs are on or blinking.
!
Caution
When you carry the printer in your car, put the printer in a protective bag
or wrap the printer in a cloth.
!
Caution
When you carry the printer , put the printer in a plastic bag .

vi
!
Caution
If the printer get wet, wait until it dries out completely before attempting
to print.
!
Caution
If you drop the printer, check that there are no broken parts. If you find
some parts broken, consult your dealer or our authorized service
representative.
✒Note
We recommend you select the status monitor ON when you use the
printer.

vii
Printer Do's and Don't When Traveling
!
Caution
DO NOT leave the printer inside your car.
!
Caution
DO NOT shake or damage the printer.
!
Caution
When you carry the printer keep it upright.
!
Caution
When you travel by air, do not put the printer in your suitcase. Carry the
printer onto the aircraft as hand baggage.
!
Caution
When you carry the printer, keep the ink cartridges installed.
✒Note
If you take the printer and AC adapter abroad, make sure that the power
plug and the voltage requirements of the printer are correctly matched.
✒Note
It is recommended that you carry spare Brother Ink Cartridges when you
travel with your printer.

USER’S GUIDE
viii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION
ABOUT THE GUIDEBOOKS 1-1
ABOUT YOUR PRINTER 1-2
Printer Overview 1-2
Features 1-3
Operating and Storage Environment 1-4
CHAPTER 2 PAPER HANDLING
PAPER SPECIFICATIONS 2-1
ABOUT BROTHER SPECIAL PAPER 2-4
About Brother Special Coated Paper 2-4
About Brother Special GlossyPaper 2-5
LOADING PAPER 2-6
Howto Load Paper in the Paper Feeding Slot 2-6
Howto Load Paper in the Straight Paper Path Slot 2-7
Howto Load Envelopes in the Straight Paper Path Slot 2-8
Howto Load Paper in the Auto Cut Sheet Feeder (MP-21CDX or optional SF-21MP
users only)2-9
CHAPTER 3 CONTROL PANEL
LED AND BUTTONS 3-1
LEDs 3-1
Buttons 3-3
CHAPTER 4 MAINTENANCE
CLEANING THE PRINT HEAD 4-1
REPLACING THE INK CARTRIDGES 4-2
CLEANING THE PRINTER 4-5
REPACKING THE PRINTER 4-6

TABLE OF CONTENTS
ix
CHAPTER 5 TROUBLE SHOOTING
ALARM INDICATIONS AT A GLANCE 5-1
Operator Calls 5-1
Service Calls 5-2
PAPER JAMS5-3
Howto clear paper jams5-3
Q & A 5-5
Setting Up the Printer Hardware 5-5
Setting Up the Printer for Windows5-6
Paper Handling 5-7
Printing 5-8
Print Quality 5-9
APPENDIX
PRINTER SPECIFICATIONS Appendix-1
Printing Appendix-1
Controller Appemdix-1
Electrical and Mechanical Appendix-2
Print Media Appendix-2

USER’S GUIDE
x
IMPORTANT INFORMATION: REGULATIONS
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Declaration of Conformity
(For U.S.A. only)
Responsible Party: Brother International Corporation
100 Somerset Corporate Boulvard
Bridgewater, NJ 08807-0911, USA
TEL : [phone]
declares, that the products
Product Name: Brother Mobile Inkjet Printer MP-21C/CDX,
Printer Interface Card CI-100
AC Adapter AD-100MP, AD-200MP (for MP-
21CDX or optional PA-21MP user)
complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the
following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful
interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired operation.
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a
Class B 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 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 one or more of the following measures:
–Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
–Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
–Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to
which the receiver is connected.
–Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
Important
A shielded interface cable should be used in order to ensure compliance
with the limits for a Class B digital device.
Changes or modifications not expressly approved by Brother Industries,
Ltd. could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.

REGULATIONS
xi
Industry Canada Compliance Statement (For Canada only)
This Class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003.
Cet appareil numérique de la classe B est conforme à la norme NMB-003
du Canada.
Radio Interference (220-240 V model only)
This printer complies with EN55022(CISPR Publication 22)/Class B.
Before this product is used, ensure that you use a double-shielded
interface cable with twisted-pair conductors and that is marked
“IEEE1284 compliant”. The cable must not exceed 1.8 metres in length.
IMPORTANT - For Your Safety
When you use an AC Adapter with this printer, be sure to use only the
Brother option part number AD-100MP(100V), or AD-200MP(200V) .
Geräuschemission / Acoustic Noise Emission (For Germany Only)
Lpa < 70 dB(A) DIN 45635-19-01-KL2

USER’S GUIDE
xii
IMPORTANT - Wiring Information (For U.K. only)
If the power cord supplied with the AC Adapter (for MP-21CDX or option) is not
suitable for your electrical outlet, remove the plug from the mains cord and fit an
appropriate three pin plug. If the replacement plug is intended to take a fuse then fit
the same fuse as the original.
If a moulded plug is severed from the power cord then it should be destroyed
because a plug with cut wires is dangerous if plugged into a live socket outlet. Do
not leave it where a child might find it.
In the event of replacing the plug fuse, fit a fuse approved by ASTA to BS1362 with
the same rating as the original fuse.
Always replace the fuse cover. Never use a plug with the cover omitted.
WARNING - DO NOT CONNECT EITHER WIRE TO THE EARTH TERMINAL
WHICH IS MARKED WITH THE LETTER ‘E’, BY THE EARTH SYMBOL
OR COLOURED GREEN OR YELLOW.
The wires in the mains cord are coloured in accordance with the following code:
Blue: Neutral
Brown: Live
The colours of the wiring in the power lead of this AC Adapter may not correspond
with the markings which identify the terminals in your plug. If you need to fit a
different plug, proceed as follows.
Remove a length of the cord outer sheath, taking care not to damage the coloured
insulation of the wires inside.
Cut each of the wires to the appropriate length.
Remove a short section of the coloured insulation to expose the wires.
The wire which is coloured blue must be connected to the terminal which is marked
with the letter “N” or coloured black or blue.
The wire which is coloured brown must be connected to the terminal which is
marked with the letter “L” or coloured red or brown.
The outer sheath of the cord must be secured inside the plug. The coloured wires
should not hang out of the plug.

REGULATIONS
xiii
DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY (EUROPE)
We, Brother International Europe Ltd.,
Brother House 1 Tame Street, Guide Bridge,
Audenshaw, Manchester M34 5JE, UK.
declare that this product is in conformity with the following normative
documents:
EMC: EN 55022 Class B, EN 50082-1
following the provisions of the Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive
89/336/EEC (as amended by 91/263/EEC and 92/31/EEC) and that the
AC Adapter, as supplied with this system, conforms with EN 60950.
This system also follows the provisions of the Low Voltage Directive
73/23/EEC.
Issued by:
Brother International Europe Ltd.
European Technical Services Division

CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION
1-1
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
ABOUT THE GUIDEBOOKS
You have two guidebooks for this printer. Read each guidebook in the
following order:
1. Read the Quick Setup Guide to set up your printer and connect it to
your computer. It also contains information about setting up your
computer for your printer by installing the printer driver.
2. Read the Users Guide to obtain information about the following.
CHAPTER 1 - Introduction
CHAPTER 2 - Paper Handling
CHAPTER 3 - Control Panel
CHAPTER 4 - Maintenance
CHAPTER 5 - Troubleshooting
APPENDIX
INDEX

USER’S GUIDE
1-2
ABOUT YOUR PRINTER
Printer Overview
Fig. 1-1 Front View
Fig. 1-2 Rear View
Fig. 1-3 Inside the Printer
1-(MP-21CDX or optional SF-21MP users only)
2-(MP-21CDX or optional PA-21MP users only)
Top Cover
Ink Cartridges
(LC03BC, LC03MY)
Paper Release Lever
AC Adapter Connector
Paper Feeding Slot Guide
Auto Cut Sheet Feeder -1
AC Adapter -2
Parallel Interface
Cable -2
Straight Paper Path Slot
PC Card Cable
Printer Interface Card
(CI-100)
Print Head
Printer Stand

CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION
1-3
Features This printer has the following features:
❏Small and Light InkJet Printer
This printer weighs about 1kg (2.2 lbs.) and the footprint is very
small. You can take the printer with you anywhere, any time you
want.
❏Lowest Power Consumption in the World
Power consumption is so small (2.5-3.0 W: printing, 0.5 W: waiting )
that it is possible to take power from a Notebook PC through the
Printer Interface Card. Even if you use the AC adapter (MP-21CDX
or optional PA-21MP users only), it’s also easy to carry around.
❏Quietest InkJet Printer in the World
The printer is so quiet (less than 40dBA), that the printer never
disturbs you while you are working.
❏No need for an AC Adapter or Printer Cable
The printer can take power from the Notebook PC through the Printer
Interface Card. Therefore you do not have to carry an AC adapter and
a printer cable with you all the time.
❏Brilliant 4 Color Output at 720 dpi
You can get wonderful output at 720 by 720 dpi resolution. When you
print on Brother special coated paper and glossy paper, you can get
excellent high resolution output.
❏Two color print mode
When you select this mode through the printer driver, you can print
the color output in two colors. You can select Black/Cyan,
Black/Magenta or Black/Yellow.
❏Low Running Cost
You don’t have to throw the print head of your printer away every
time you have emptied an ink cartridge. When you run out of ink, you
have to change only ink cartridges.
❏Straight Paper Path
The printer can print on various types of paper - plain paper, coated
paper, glossy paper, transparencies, envelopes and organizers - with
fewer paper jams.
❏Auto Cut Sheet Feeder (MP-21CDX or SF-21MP users only)
The Feeder is detachable.When using the Feeder, you can easily load
up to 30 sheets of paper. When carried with the printer it fits on the
bottom of the printer and the total size including the printer is about
A4 size.
❏AC Adapter and Parallel Interface Connector (MP-21CDX or PA-
21MP users only)
When you want to print faster, use the AC Adapter.
When you cannot print using the PC Card slot, use the Parallel
Interface Cable and AC adapter instead.