Canon BJ-230 User manual

BJ-230
USER’S
MANUAL
Canon

Contents
Chapter 1 Introduction
Features and Benefits
Using This Manual
Customer Support
Chapter 2 Setting Up the Printer
Unpacking the Printer
Choosing a Location for Your Printer
Examining the Printer
Assembling the Printer
Chapter 3 Loading Paper
Automatically Feeding Paper
Printing On Envelopes
Manually Feeding Thick Paper or Transparencies
Loading Paper in Landscape Orientation
Chapter 4 Using the Operator Panel
Turning On the Printer
Pausing a Print Operation
Feeding Paper
Selecting a Print Mode
Selecting Reduction Mode
Printing the Test Prints
Performing Automatic Line Feeds
Chapter 5 Using the Printer With Your Software
Setting Up Windows for Your Printer
Setting Up Other Software Applications
Software and Printer Compatibility
Chapter 6 Maintaining the Printer
Cautions
Cleaning the Printer
Replacing the Ink Cartridge
Transporting the Printer
Chapter 7 Troubleshooting
Operational Problems
Paper Loading Problems
Print Quality Problems
Printing Problems
Windows Problems
Chapter 8 Customizing the Printer
Factory Default Settings
DIP Switch Setting
BJ-10 Mode
Epson LQ Mode
Appendix A Printer Specifications

editiing by Jason Plank and Cindy Cassat
Appendix B Interface Specifications
Appendix C Printer Command Summaries and Character Set
BJ-10 Command Summary
BJ-10 Character Sets
Epson LQ Command Summary
Epson LQ Character Sets
Glossary
Index

Chapter 1
Introduction
Congratulations on your purchase of the Canon Bubble Jet Printer BJ-
230. We appreciate you choosing this printer to meet your printing
needs. It offers exceptional print quality, flexible paper handling, fast
printing speeds, and trouble-free operation.
This chapter introduces you to the features of your new printer and
describes how to use this User's Manual.
Features and Benefits
The Bubble Jet Printer BJ-230 produces high-quality printing by
incorporating many useful features.
Excellent print quality
High-performance print head offers 360X360 dots per inch (dpi) for
high resolution graphics
Convenient paper handling
An automatic sheet feeder holds up to 100 sheets of letter or legal-size
paper, 50 sheets of ledger-size paper, 10 envelopes, or 10 transparencies
Software Compatibility
Two resident printer control modes:

BJ-10 mode emulates the IBM Proprinter X24E printer

Epson LQ mode emulates the Epson LQ-510 printer
Three print modes/speeds
The print modes allow you to choose between print quality, speed, and

quietness:

HQ (high quality) mode provides high quality and high speed at
173 characters per second (cps)

HS (high speed) mode provides draft quality at 248 cps

SHQ(super high quality) mode provides the highest quality print
at 124 cps
Quiet printing
Non-impact printing method offer quiet operation
Simple maintenance
The replacement ink cartridge contains both the ink and the print head;
when it runs out of ink, you simply replace it
Compact desktop design
Lightweight (7.7 1b/3.5 kg)
Using This Manual
This section describes the contents and conventions of this manual.
Contents
This manual includes all the information you need to set up and operate
your printer in several easy-to-read chapters.
Chapter 1, Introduction
Introduces you to the features of the printer, and describes how this
manual is organized.
Chapter 2, Setting Up the Printer
Describes how to select a location for your printer, and how to unpack
and assemble it.
Chapter 3, Loading Paper
Describes how to select paper and how to load it in the printer. It also
shows you how to print on envelopes and thick paper.
Chapter 4, Using the Operator Panel
Explains how to control your printer using the buttons on the operator
panel.
Chapter 5, Using the Printer With Software
Describes how to install a printer driver and select a printer control
mode. It also describes how to use the printer with Windows.
Chapter 6, Maintaining the Printer

Describes how to clean the printer and replace the ink cartridge.
Chapter 7, Troubleshooting
Provides procedures to help you solve problems that may occur with the
printer.
Chapter 8, Customizing the Printer
Describes the printer's DIP switches and explains how you can
customize the factory default settings of the printer by changing the DIP
switches.
The appendices include printer specifications. interface specifications,
and summary tables of the BJ-10 mode and Epson LQ mode printer
commands and character sets.
The Canon Bubble Jet Printer BJ-200/BJ-230 Programmer's Manual is
available for software designers, advanced programmers, and users
interested in using a programming language to send commands to the
printer. To obtain a copy of this manual, call the Canon Special Offers
Group at 1-800-385-2155.
Conventions
This User's Manual uses the following conventions to help you operate
the printer correctly and safely:
Distinctive typefaces identify the printer buttons you press, the lights on
the operator panel, and any commands you enter at your computer. For
example, the buttons you press appear in this typeface: POWER. The
lights you see appear in this typeface: HQ. When you type something on
your computer, it appears in this typeface: DIR /P.
Customer Support
Canon provides customer support and service for all Canon printer
products. If you have any questions regarding your new printer, call the
Canon Computer Systems, Inc. (CCSI) help desk at 757-413-2848
(request Technical Support). This number is available Monday through
NOTE: Notes provide advice or suggestions regarding the use of the
printer.
CAUTION: Cautions alert you to operations that could cause damage to
your hardware or software.

Friday from 8 am to 10 pm Eastern Standard Time(EST), except on
holidays.
If you seem to have an operational problem, try to solve it by referring
to the information in Chapter 7, Troubleshooting. If you cannot quickly
resume normal operation, contact CCSI's experienced support personnel
at the help desk.
Canon also provides a bulletin board service (BBS). Call the help desk
to obtain the number for the BBS.
If you use CompuServe, you can access the Canon Peripherals Forum.
Just type GO CANON at any CompuServe prompt.
Customer support for Canadian residents is available at 416-795-2083
from 9 am to 7 pm EST (except holidays). In other countries, please
contact your Canon dealer.
Servicing the Printer
The Canon Bubble Jet Printer BJ-230 is designed with the latest
technology to help you realize years of trouble-free operation. The blue
warranty card that came with your printer describes CCSI's limited two
year warranty for its Bubble Jet Printers. Be sure to read the warranty
information and save the blue card. Also, save your original invoice or
receipt to verify the date of purchase. If you feel your Bubble Jet Printer
BJ-230 needs servicing, call the Canon referral service at 1-800-848-
4123 to locate the CCSI Authorized Service Facility (ASF) nearest you.
If you are interested in service after your CCSI warranty expires, contact
the nearest CCSI Authorized Service Facility about the options it makes
available to its customers.

Chapter 2
Setting Up the Printer
This chapter describes the steps you follow to unpack and set up your
printer. It offers guidelines for finding a suitable location for the printer,
explains how to install the ink cartridge, and describes how to connect
the power and interface cable.
If you have already set up your printer using the Quick Start Guide, you
may want to scan this chapter for the additional information it supplies.
Unpacking the Printer
Carefully remove all items from the box. Ask someone to hold the box
while you pull the printer and its protective packaging from the carton.
In addition to this User's Manual, you will find these items in the box:

If your printer was damaged in shipping, or if any items are missing,
notify your dealer immediately.
As you unpack the printer, save the carton and packing materials in case
you want to move or ship the printer in the future. Remove all the
shipping tape and any Styrofoam packing material used to protect the
printer during shipping.
Open the front cover and remove the tape that secures the ink cartridge
holder. Make sure the paper thickness lever is to the left for printing on
normal paper.
Choosing a Location for Your Printer
Whether at home or in the office, you need to find a comfortable and
convenient location for the printer. Follow the guidelines in this section
to make sure the location is right for your printer.

Canon Bubble Jet
Printer BJ-230

Quick Start Guide

BC-02 ink cartridge

Windows driver
diskette
(in envelope)

Paper exit support

Product Warranty
card

AC power cord

Registration Card
NOTE: In addition to the items shipped with your printer, you need a
Centronic®-compatible, parallel interface cable, which you can purchase
from your dealer.
NOTE: Be sure to fill out your Registration card and send it to Canon
Computer Systems, Inc.


Place the printer in a cool, dry, clean, well ventilated area. Avoid
placing it in direct sunlight.

Set the printer on a sturdy, level surface. Do not set the printer on
an angled printer stand.

Place the printer where the temperature is stable and set for
human comfort.

Locate the printer near an electrical wall outlet that accepts a
three-prong, grounded plug.

Keep the printer and your computer away from potential sources
of electromagnetic interference such as loudspeakers or the base
units of cordless telephones.

Make sure there is enough room around the printer for storing and
feeding paper.

Keep the paper exit area clear from objects that may block paper
from exiting the printer.

Make sure there is enough room to fully extend the paper rest and
use the paper exit support. The printer requires this much space:
NOTE: Use only the power cord that came with your printer. Using a
longer cord or an extension cord may result in reduced voltage or
malfunctions.

Examining the Printer
Before setting up your printer, you should become familiar with its
components and understand their functions.
From the Front

Sheet feeder
Stacks ups to 100 sheets of lette- or- legal size paper or 50 sheets of
ledger-size paper for automatic feeding. You can also manually feed a
single sheet, such as a transparency or card stock.
Paper guide
Aligns paper in the sheet feeder. You can adjust the guide for paper
widths of up to 11 inches (279 mm).
Paper rest
Keeps the paper straight in the sheet feeder and helps prevent misfeeds.
Extend this support before loading a stack of paper in the sheet feeder.
Paper selection feeder
Selects the appropriate paper setting. For loading multiple sheets of
normal-weight paper, set this lever to the back position. For envelopes
or thick paper, set this lever to the front position. (Leave this lever in the
back position when loading stacks of normal paper.)
Operator Panel
Controls the printer and defines basic printer operations. The various
lights on the operator panel indicate statusof the prienter, and identify
the print mode you've selected. See Chapter 4, Using the Operator
Panel, for complete information on these buttons and lights.
Front cover
Allows access to the inside of the printer when you are installing the ink
cartridge or adjusting the paper thickness lever.
Paper exit support
Provides support when outputting letter-size sheets of paper. Slide the

exit support from side to side to match the width of the paper on which
you are printing such that the paper will be centered on the support.
(How you attach this support is describe later in this chapter.)
Dip switch cover
Protects the DIP switches. You use these switches to change the
printer's factory default settings. For information about changing the
default settings, see Chapter 8, Customizing the Printer.
From the Back
Parallel interface port
Allows you to attach the printer's interface cable.
AC power receptacle
Allows you to attach the printer's power cord.
Inside the Printer

Ink cartridge holder
Allows you to install the ink cartridge (as described later in this chapter).
Paper thickness lever
Identifies the thickness of your paper. The setting you choose adjusts the
distance between the print head and the paper. There are two settings:
left for normal paper and right for thick paperor envelopes. (After you
remove the tape that protects this lever during shipping, slide the lever
to the left.)
Assembling the Printer
Now that you are familiar with the components of your printer, you are
ready to install the printer and connect it to your computer. The first
step is to install the ink cartridge.
Installing the Ink Cartridge
You use the BC-02 ink cartridge with this printer. Each ink cartridge
can print about 400 to 500 letter-size pages (700,000 characters) in HQ
mode and 800 to 1000 pages (1,400,000 characters) in HS mode. The
actual amount varies according to the print density of a page. If you
print a lot of graphics, you may need to change cartridges more often.
CAUTION: Canon makes numerous ink cartridges; teh BC-02 is
desginged specifically for the Bubble Jet Printers BJ-200 and BJ-230 and is
the only one you should use.

To avoid spilling ink, follow these precautions:

Do not touch the print head on the ink cartridge or the sharp
edges around it.

Do not hold the ink cartridge, or place it on your table, with the
print head facing down, except when you are installing it.

Do not attempt to disassemble the cartridge.

Do not vigorously shake the ink cartridge while handling it.
To install the ink cartridge, follow these steps:
1. Grasp the sides of the front cover and open it so you can access
the cartridge holder.
2. Take the ink cartridge out of its protective packaging.
3. Slide off the orange protective cap from the print head and
CAUTION: Keep the ink cartridge out of children's reach; the ink contains
isopropyl alcohol 67-63-0.

remove the orange tape.
4. Locate the cartridge holder on the right side of the printer.
5. Lift the green lock lever on the cartridge holder.
CAUTION: Avoid touching the yellow mounting base on which you place
the cartridge -- especially the circuit board on the side of the mounting
base and the film cable that extends from the cartridge holder.

6. Fit the ink cartridge over the yellow mounting base with the print
head facing down. (When installed correctly, the label on the
cartridge will appear upside down.)
7. Push the lock lever down until it snaps into place.

Make sure there is no resistance when you press on the lock lever, and
be sure no gap exists between the ink cartridge and cartridge holder.
When secure, the ink cartridge makes contact with the circuit board
inside the cartridge holder.
8. Close the front cover.
When you turn off the printer, the ink cartridge moves to the home
position on the right and caps itself to keep from drying out. If you
unplug the printer while it is printing, or if you move the ink cartridge
from the home position, the cartridge is not capped and may dry out.
CAUTION: Do not move the ink cartridge after installing it. Moving the
ink cartridge to the left and leaving it there may uncap the print head and
cause it to dry out.
NOTE: If, after installing a new ink cartridge, the printer seems to be
printing but no ink appears, stop the print operation. Remove and replace
the ink cartridge making sure it is secure.

Chapter 3
Loading Paper
This chapter descibes how to load paper, envelopes, thick paper, and
transparencies in the printer. To ensure the best performance of your
printer, you want to select the best paper and load it correctly.
The wide-carriage capabilities of your printer allow you to load letter-
size paper in either portrait or landscape orientation and legal-or ledger-
size paper in portrait orientation.
You can stack paper in the sheet feeder to load it automatically, or you
can manually feed one sheet at a time. The path that the paper travels
through the printer is the same for automatic and manual feeding.
Automatically Feeding Paper
Your printer produces letter-quality print on most plain bond papers,
including cotton bond papers and photocopying papers,. This printer
does not require special ink-jet papers.
CAUTION: Make sure the width of the paper on which you are
printing matches the width defined by your software so there is always
paper between the print head and the platen. The print head may be
damaged if it prints directly on the platen.

Purchase a small amount of paper and test it to see if it meets your
printing requirements.
You can automatically feed single sheets of plain papers:
You can stack up to 100 sheets of plain letter-size or legal-size paper
(20lbs or 75 g/m), and up to 50 sheets of plain ledger-size paper (20lbs
or 75 g/m), in in the sheet feeder.
1. Set the paper selection lever to the back position.
NOTE: Attempting to print on damp, curled, wrinkled, or torn paper can
cause paper jams and poor print quality.
Size: Letter -- 8.5 x 11 inches (210 x 279 mm)
Legal -- 8.5 x 14.0 inches(216 x 356 mm),
portrait orientation only
Ledger -- 11 x 17 inches(279 x 420 mm),
portrait orientation only
Thickness: Less than 0.008 inches (0.2 mm)
Weight: 17 to 24 lbs (64 to 90 g/m²)
NOTE: Make sure the paper size you select within your printer driver
matches the orientation in which you load the paper in the printer. See
Chapter 5, Using the Printer With Software, for information on printer
drivers.