Digital Equipment LA310 User manual

LA310MultiPrinter
InstallationandUserGuide
Order Number: EK-LA310-IN. A01
Digital Equipment Corporation

November 1992
The information in this document is subject to change without notice and should not be
construed as a commitment by Digital Equipment Corporation. Digital Equipment Corporation
assumes no responsibility for any errors that may appear in this document.
© Digital Equipment Corporation 1992.
All Rights Reserved.
The following are trademarks of Digital Equipment Corporation:
DEC DIBOL RSX
DEC/CMS EduSystem UNIBUS
DEC/EDI IAS VAX
DECnet MASSBUS VAXcluster
DECsystem-10 Message Router VMS
DECSYSTEM-20 PDP VT
DECUS PDT
DECwriter RSTS
dt
IBM is a registered trademark, and IBM Proprinter is a trademark of International Business
Machines Corporation.
Epson, FX-850, FX-1050 and ESC/P are registered trademarks of Seiko Epson Corporation.
This document was prepared using VAX DOCUMENT, Version 2.0.

FCC NOTICE
This equipment generates and uses radio frequency energy and if not installed
and used properly, that is, in strict accordance with the manufacturer’s
instructions, may cause interference to radio and television reception. It has
been type tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B computing
device in accordance with the specifications in Subpart J of Part 15 of FCC
Rules, which are designed to provide reasonable protection against such
interference in a residential installation. However, there is no guarantee that
interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does
cause 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 methods.
Reorient the receiving antenna.
Relocate the computer or peripheral with respect to the receiver.
Move the computer or peripheral away from the receiver.
Plug the computer or peripheral into a different outlet so that they are on
different branch circuits than the receiver.
If necessary, the user should consult the dealer or an experienced ra-
dio/television technician for additional suggestions. The user may find the
booklet How to Identify and Resolve Radio/TV Interference Problems, prepared
by the Federal Communications Commission helpful. This booklet is available
from the U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington DC, 20402, Stock No.
004-000-00345-4.
To meet FCC requirements, a shielded parallel cable is required to connect the
device to a personal computer or other Class B device.
iii

COMPLIANCE STATEMENT
TO THE CANADIAN DEPARTMENT
OF COMMUNICATIONS
Radio Act Registration SOR/88-475
This digital apparatus does not exceed the Class B limits for radio noise
emissions from digital apparatus as set out in the radio interference
regulations of the Canadian Department of Communications.
Le présent appareil numérique n’émet pas de bruits radio-électriques
dépassant les limites applicables aux appareils numériques de Classe B
prescrites dans le règlement sur le brouillage radio-électrique édicté par le
ministère des communications du Canada.
iv

NORMENKONFORMITÄT UND ZULASSUNGEN
Funkentstörung:
DBP-Verfügung 1046/84 und VDE 0871 - Klasse B
Dieses Gerät trägt als Nachweis, daß es den Funk-Entstöranforderungen
der DBP-Verfügung 1046/1984 entspricht, das VDE-Funkschutzzeichen. Der
Zusatz "0871-B/P" soll in Kurzform ausdrücken, daß es sich um ein peripheres
(nicht selbständig betreibbares) Gerät handelt, das nur einzeln den Funk-
Entstöranforderungen der Grenzwertklasse B nach DIN VDE 0871/6.78 und
der DBP-Verfügung 1046/1984 entspricht.
Wird das Gerät innerhalb einer Anlage zusammen mit anderen Geräten
betrieben, so muß bei Inanspruchnahme der "Allgemeinen (Betriebs-)
Genehmigung" nach der DBP-Verfügung 1046/1984 die gesamte Anlage der
Grenzwertklasse B nach DIN VDE 0871/6.78 sowie den Voraussetzungen nach
Paragraf 3 der DBP-Verfügung 1046/1984 entsprechen.
Dies ist in der Regel nur dann erfüllt, wenn das Gerät in einer Anlage
betrieben wird, die typgeprüft und mit dem VDE-Funkschutzzeichen mit
dem Zusatz "0871-B/P" gekennzeichnet ist.
NETZLEITUNG
Netzleitung muß geprüftem Typ HO5VV entsprechen.
Schallemissionswerte—Vorläufige Werteangaben nach ISO 9296 und ISO
7779/DIN45635-19:
Schalleistungspegel LWAd, B(A) Schalldruckpegel LpAm, dB(A)
(Zuschauerpositionen)
Leerlauf Keine meßbaren Geräuschemissionen Keine meßbaren Geräuschemissionen
Betrieb 7,1 bels 58 dBA
[Aktuelle Werte für spezielle Ausrüstungsstufen sind über die Digital
Equipment Vertretungen erhältlich. 1 bel = 10dBA.]
v

Contents
Preface ..................................................... xv
1 Installing the Printer
1.1 Checking the Contents of the Box ........................ 1–1
1.2 Site Considerations ................................... 1–3
1.3 A First Look at the Printer . . ........................... 1–4
1.3.1 Removing the Packing Material ....................... 1–6
1.3.2 Installing the Power Cord ........................... 1–7
1.3.3 Installing the Ribbon Cartridge ....................... 1–8
1.3.3.1 Removing and Replacing a Ribbon Cartridge .......... 1–10
1.4 Testing the Printer . ................................... 1–11
1.5 Connecting the Printer to a Computer System............... 1–19
1.5.1 Physical Connection to a Computer System .............. 1–19
1.5.2 Communication Modes . . . ........................... 1–22
1.5.3 Protocols ........................................ 1–22
1.5.4 Protocol Selection .................................. 1–22
1.5.5 Printing a File . ................................... 1–23
1.5.6 If You Have Difficulties Printing a File ................. 1–23
1.6 Matching Printer Protocol to Your Computer Application ...... 1–25
1.6.1 Matching Printer Protocol on Digital VMS Systems ....... 1–25
1.6.2 Matching Printer Protocol on a Personal Computer ........ 1–26
2 Using the Operator Control Panel
2.1 About the LA310 MultiPrinter Control Panel ............... 2–1
2.1.1 Printer Operating Buttons .......................... 2–3
2.1.2 Printer Operating Indicators ......................... 2–4

3 Loading the Paper
3.1 Paper Controls ....................................... 3–1
3.2 Loading Paper ....................................... 3–4
3.2.1 Tractor Feeding . . . ................................ 3–6
3.2.1.1 Automatic Paper Feed . . . ........................ 3–12
3.2.1.2 Viewing the Last Printed Line (Tractor-Fed Paper
Only) ........................................ 3–13
3.2.1.3 Document on Demand (Tractor-Fed Paper Only) ....... 3–13
3.2.2 Single-sheet Loading ............................... 3–15
3.2.3 Parking Continous Stationery ........................ 3–19
3.3 Adjusting the Printhead for Paper Thickness ............... 3–20
3.4 Adjusting for Paper Width .............................. 3–22
3.4.1 Paper Width—Recommended Settings . . ................ 3–22
3.5 Error Conditions During Operation ....................... 3–24
4 Configuring the Printer
4.1 What is Configuration? ................................ 4–1
4.2 Structure of the Set-up Menus . . . ........................ 4–1
4.3 Set-up Mode Buttons and Indicators ...................... 4–3
4.3.1 Entering Set-up Mode .............................. 4–3
4.3.2 Printing the Printer’s Current Configuration ............. 4–4
4.3.3 Changing the Printer’s Configuration . . ................ 4–5
4.3.4 Saving New Values and Exiting Set-up Mode ............ 4–7
4.3.5 Recalling the Factory Defaults ........................ 4–7
4.3.6 Optional Emulation Selection Set-up . . . ................ 4–8
4.3.7 Error Conditions in Set-up Mode ...................... 4–9
4.4 Summary of Set-up Features ............................ 4–10
5 Maintaining the Printer
5.1 General Maintenance . . ................................ 5–1
5.2 Correcting Simple Problems ............................. 5–1
5.2.1 Power-related Problems ............................. 5–2
5.2.2 No Printout ...................................... 5–3
5.2.3 Operation-related Problems . . ........................ 5–4
5.2.4 Print-related Problems .............................. 5–6
5.2.5 Ribbon or Carriage-related Problems . . . ................ 5–8
5.3 Service ............................................. 5–9
5.4 Digital Equipment Corporation Services . . . ................ 5–9
5.5 Calling the Service Center .............................. 5–9

A Reference Information
A.1 Specifications ........................................ A–1
A.2 Printer Accessories . ................................... A–7
B Using Font and Character Set Cartridges
B.1 Types of Cartridges ................................... B–1
B.1.1 Font Cartridges ................................... B–2
B.1.2 Character Set Cartridges . ........................... B–2
B.2 Installing a Cartridge ................................. B–2
B.3 Checking the Contents of the Cartridge . ................... B–4
B.3.1 Manual Selection of Cartridges ....................... B–4
B.3.1.1 Manual Selection of Font Cartridges ................ B–4
B.3.1.2 Manual Selection of Character Set Cartridges ......... B–4
C Defining Form Settings
C.1 User Form Length Mode ............................... C–1
C.1.1 Setting User Form Length Automatically ............... C–1
C.1.2 Setting User Form Length Manually ................... C–2
C.1.3 Checking the Form Length Value Store ................. C–3
C.2 Top of Form Setting ................................... C–4
D Printing Control Characters
D.1 Entering Control Rendition Mode ........................ D–1
E Internal Console
F Horizontal Line Adjustment
G Set-up Menu Structure
G.1 Set-up Menu Structure ................................ G–1

H DEC PPL2 Quick Reference
I IBM Proprinter III Quick Reference
J Epson FX-1050 Quick Reference
Index
Figures
1–1 Box Contents ..................................... 1–2
1–2 A First Look at the Printer . . ........................ 1–5
1–3 Removing the Packing .............................. 1–6
1–4 Plugging in the Power Cord . . ........................ 1–7
1–5 Preparing the Cartridge ............................. 1–8
1–6 Installing the Cartridge ............................. 1–9
1–7 Opening the Front Cover and Setting the Printhead
Adjustment Lever . ................................ 1–11
1–8 Fixing the Rollers . ................................ 1–13
1–9 Fixing the Rear Cover in Sloping Position ............... 1–14
1–10 Setting the Paper Selection Lever ..................... 1–15
1–11 Adjusting the Paper Guides and Repositioning the Front
Cover . . . ........................................ 1–16
1–12 Inserting Paper . . . ................................ 1–17
1–13 Interface Cable.................................... 1–20
1–14 Plugging the Interface Cable into Your Terminal . . . ....... 1–21
2–1 Operator Control Panel ............................. 2–2
3–1 Paper Controls .................................... 3–2
3–2 Loading Methods—Push Tractor (sloping) (A1), Push Tractor
(horizontal) (A2), Single-sheet (B), Pull Tractor (C) . ....... 3–5
3–3 Setting the Paper Selection Lever and Removing Rear
Cover . . . ........................................ 3–6
3–4 Unlocking and Adjusting the Tractor Clamps ............ 3–7
3–5 Opening the Tractor Doors and Threading Pinfeed Paper . . . 3–8
3–6 Closing the Tractor Doors and Adjusting Tension . . ....... 3–9
3–7 Locking the Tractors into Position ..................... 3–10
3–8 Positioning the Rear Paper Support in Sloping Position .... 3–11

3–9 Positioning the Rear Paper Support Horizontally ......... 3–12
3–10 Tearing Off Paper at the Tear Blade ................... 3–14
3–11 Raising the Rear Paper Support and Setting the Paper
Selection Lever. ................................... 3–16
3–12 Adjusting the Paper Guides .......................... 3–17
3–13 Inserting a Sheet of Paper ........................... 3–18
3–14 Adjusting the Printhead for Paper Thickness . . .......... 3–21
3–15 Bail Bar Settings .................................. 3–23
4–1 Positioning of Red Triangle against Main Menu Entry
COMMUNICATIONS ............................... 4–2
B–1 Inserting the cartridge . . . ........................... B–3
E–1 Internal Console................................... E–2
F–1 Horizontal Line Adjustment Pattern ................... F–2
H–1 Designating and Invoking Character Sets ............... H–7
H–2 Standard 8-bit Code Table (Left Half) .................. H–12
H–3 Standard 8-bit Code Table (Right Half) ................. H–13
H–4 DEC Special Graphics Character Set ................... H–16
H–5 DEC Technical Character Set......................... H–17
H–6 ISO Latin-1 Supplemental Character Set ............... H–18
H–7 Legal Character Set ................................ H–19
H–8 DEC 7-bit Hebrew Character Set . . . ................... H–20
H–9 DEC Hebrew Supplemental Character Set .............. H–21
H–10 ISO Latin-Hebrew Supplemental Character Set .......... H–22
H–11 ISO Latin-Greek Supplemental Character Set . . .......... H–23
H–12 DEC Greek Supplemental Character Set ................ H–24
H–13 ISO Latin-5 Supplemental Character Set ............... H–25
H–14 DEC Turkish 7-bit Character Set . . . ................... H–26
H–15 DEC Turkish 8-bit Supplemental Character Set .......... H–27
H–16 ISO Latin-Cyrillic Supplemental Character Set . .......... H–28
H–17 ISO Latin-2 Supplemental Character Set ............... H–29
H–18 JIS Katakana Character Set ......................... H–30
I–1 All Characters Set, All Code-pages, Left Side . . .......... I–10
I–2 All Characters Set, Code-page 437 U.S.A. , Right Side . . . . . I–11
I–3 All Characters Set, Code-page 850 Multilingual, Right
Side . ........................................... I–12
I–4 All Characters Set, Code-page 210 Right Side . . .......... I–13
I–5 All Characters Set, Code-page 220 Right Side . . .......... I–14

I–6 All Characters Set, Code-page 852 Right Side ............ I–15
I–7 All Characters Set, Code-page 857 Right Side ............ I–16
I–8 All Characters Set, Code-page 860 Right Side ............ I–17
I–9 All Characters Set, Code-page 862 Right Side ............ I–18
I–10 All Characters Set, Code-page 863 Right Side ............ I–19
I–11 All Characters Set, Code-page 865 Right Side ............ I–20
I–12 All Characters Set, Code-page 866 Right Side ............ I–21
J–1 Italic Table ....................................... J–10
J–2 National ASCII Table ............................... J–11
Tables
1–1 A First Look at the Printer . . ........................ 1–4
1–2 Matching Printer Protocol on a Personal Computer . ....... 1–26
3–1 Paper Controls .................................... 3–3
3–2 Loading Methods and Types of Paper . . ................ 3–4
3–3 Adjusting the Printhead for Paper Thickness ............ 3–20
4–1 SET-UP DIRECTORY menu . ........................ 4–10
4–2 GENERAL Menu . . ................................ 4–10
4–3 PROTOCOL SELECTION menu ...................... 4–11
4–4 COMMUNICATIONS Menu . . ........................ 4–11
4–5 DEC PPL2 Menu . . ................................ 4–12
4–6 IBM PP III Menu . . ................................ 4–13
4–7 Epson FX-1050 Menu ............................... 4–14
4–8 OPTIONAL EMULATION Menu ...................... 4–14
C–1 Top of Form Setting Buttons . ........................ C–4
H–1 Conventions ...................................... H–2
H–2 Positioning Controls ................................ H–3
H–3 Sheet size and margins ............................. H–3
H–4 Type size and spacing, managing implicit cursor motion .... H–4
H–5 Font management and attribute selection ............... H–5
H–6 Tabs............................................ H–5
H–7 Selecting character sets ............................. H–6
H–8 Character Sets Power-up Settings ..................... H–8
H–9 Reports. . ........................................ H–8
H–10 Miscellaneous ..................................... H–9
H–11 SCS Final Characters .............................. H–10

H–12 National Replacement Character sets .................. H–14
I–1 Conventions . . . ................................... I–1
I–2 Control Characters ................................. I–2
I–3 Terminal Management . . . ........................... I–2
I–4 Vertical Form Handling . . ........................... I–3
I–5 Horizontal Form Handling and Printing Modes . .......... I–4
I–6 Print-Mode Priority Chart ........................... I–5
I–7 Graphics Modes ................................... I–6
I–8 Character Set Selection . . ........................... I–7
I–9 Emulation Differences between the LA310 MultiPrinter in
IBM PP III mode and the IBM Proprinter III/III-XL ....... I–7
J–1 Conventions . . . ................................... J–1
J–2 Printer Management ............................... J–2
J–3 Data Control . . ................................... J–2
J–4 Character Table Selection ........................... J–3
J–5 User-Defined Characters . ........................... J–4
J–6 Graphics......................................... J–4
J–7 Horizontal Form Handling ........................... J–5
J–8 Vertical Form Handling . . ........................... J–6
J–9 Printing Attributes and Styles ........................ J–7
J–10 Character Size and Pitch . ........................... J–8
J–11 Emulation Differences Between the LA310 MultiPrinter in
EPSON FX-1050 mode and the Epson FX-1050 Machine. . . . J–8

Preface
About This Guide
The LA310 MultiPrinter Installation and User Guide explains how to install
and operate the LA310 MultiPrinter. This guide is written for someone with
little or no computer experience. Even if you are familiar with this kind of
desktop printer, you should read at least Chapter 3, Loading the Paper, to
familiarize yourself with the LA310 MultiPrinter’s new features.
The guide is divided into five chapters and ten appendixes.
Chapter 1, Installing the Printer describes how to unpack and install the
printer. It names the printer parts, shows you how to test the printer, and
how to connect your printer to your computer system, personal computer, or
video terminal. Read this chapter completely before you begin the installation
procedure.
Chapter 2, Using the Operator Control Panel describes how to use the
printer’s operating controls.
Chapter 3, Loading the Paper provides a detailed explanation of the
different ways to load paper.
Chapter 4, Configuring the Printer explains how to configure the printer so
that it can communicate with your computer system.
Chapter 5, Maintaining the Printer describes how to keep the printer clean.
The chapter also suggests how you can identify and solve simple problems, and
so avoid having to contact your local Digital office.
Appendix A, Reference Information contains general user reference
material, including a summary of the printer’s set-up features, and printer and
paper specifications.
Appendix B, Using Font and Character Set Cartridges describes how
to insert and access the optional font cartridges available for the LA310
MultiPrinter.
xv

Appendix C, Defining Form Settings describes how to set User Form
Length and Top of Form settings.
Appendix D, Printing Control Characters explains how to print printer
control codes and escape sequences.
Appendix E, Internal Console explains buttons that are used in the internal
console.
Appendix F, Horizontal Line Adjustment provides a procedure to check
and adjust the alignment between lines in bidirectional mode.
Appendix G, Set-up Menu Structure contains details of the Set-up menus
structure.
Appendix H, DEC PPL2 Quick Reference contains basic information on
using DEC PPL2 control codes and escape sequences.
Appendix I, IBM Proprinter III Quick Reference contains basic
information on using IBM Proprinter III control codes and escape sequences.
Appendix J, Epson FX-1050 Quick Reference contains basic information
on using Epson FX-1050 control codes and escape sequences.
Conventions Used in This Guide
Warnings, Cautions, and Notes
The warnings, cautions, and notes in this guide have the following specific
purposes:
WARNING: Contains information about preventing personal injury.
CAUTION: Contains information about preventing damage to equipment.
NOTE: Contains general information of which you should be aware.
xvi

Associated Documentation
The optional Pull Tractor is documented separately in the LA310 MultiPrinter
Pull Tractor Guide, which is included with the Pull Tractor kit.
The LA310 MultiPrinter Programmer Reference Manual, part number
EK-PPLV2-DK, consists of the following two volumes:
•Digital ANSI Printing Protocol Level 2 Programming Reference Manual:
this is generic for the DEC PPL2 protocol.
•Digital ANSI Printing Protocol Level 2 Programming Supplement: this
documents the specific protocol details for the LA310 MultiPrinter and
other Digital printers that support the DEC PPL2 protocol.
Software Requirements
The LA310 MultiPrinter has many features. The features you can use depend
on the following conditions:
• The computer system (also known as the host) to which the printer is
connected
• The operating software used by your computer
• The software program you are using
Check the documentation for the software you are using to determine which
printer features you can use. Some software programs may allow insertion
of printer control codes and escape sequences. The escape sequences are
listed in Appendix H, Appendix I, and Appendix J. Refer to your software
documentation for information about how to insert escape sequences.
The correct use of the LA310 MultiPrinter requires your application package
to have the Digital LA310 driver. If this driver is not available, choose
between the IBM Proprinter driver or the Epson FX-1050 driver, and select the
corresponding protocol on the LA310 MultiPrinter. For more information, refer
to Section 1.6.
If you need help choosing the correct computer software for your application
needs, contact your local Digital office.
xvii

About the Printer
The LA310 MultiPrinter is a wide-carriage, impact dot-matrix printer, designed
for general business applications. It has flexible paper handling, and is capable
of printing on continuous pinfeed paper, single sheets, multiple-part forms,
and envelopes. A Pull Tractor is available as an option. The print quality is
suitable for word processing in a small-to-medium computer environment.
The following are the major features of the LA310 MultiPrinter:
• The LA310 MultiPrinter is a 9-pin printer.
• The printer has a Document on Demand capability (automatic or manual)
which prevents you from wasting forms or paper between printing jobs.
• The printer has an Automatic Viewing capability, which allows you to see
the last printed line after a job has finished.
• The printer can be connected to both serial and parallel ports, and will
read automatically from them when data is received.
• The printer has protocol switching. The protocol can be switched from the
front panel or by software. Also, different protocols can be assigned to the
serial and parallel ports. The printer will switch to the assigned protocol
when a port is selected.
• The printer is compatible with Digital ANSI-Compliant Printing Protocol
Level 2 (DEC PPL2). It is also compatible with the LA210 Letterprinter.
• The printer is compatible with the IBM Proprinter III, and with the Epson
FX-1050 printer.
• The printer has a slot for optional cartridges for one of the following:
Optional emulation
Fonts
Additional character sets
xviii

1
Installing the Printer
1.1 Checking the Contents of the Box
Unpack the LA310 MultiPrinter and make sure you have all the items shown
in Figure 1–1. If any items are missing or damaged, contact your Digital office.
Please complete the installation procedure in sequence. After you install the
LA310 MultiPrinter, keep this guide near the printer for easy reference.
Installing the Printer 1–1

Installing the Printer
1.1 Checking the Contents of the Box
Figure 1–1 Box Contents
1. Printer
2. Documentation
3. Ribbon Cartridge
4. Power Cord
5. Serial Interface Cable
1–2 Installing the Printer