Epson FX-880+ User manual

9-pin Dot Matrix Printer
®
Setup Guide
Read Before Using the Printer . . . . . . . . . . . 2
1 Setting Up the Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
2 Using Online Guides . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
3 Safety and Environmental Information. . 24
4014598-00
XXX

Where to Find Information
Setup Guide (this manual)
Explains how to set up the printer and install the printer software.
Reference Guide (online guide)
Provides detailed information on the printer’s functions, optional
products, printer software, troubleshooting, and technical
specifications. You can view this guide directly from the CD, or
install it on your computer and view it from your hard disk.
Quick Guide (online guide)
Provides a summary of basic information on how to use the
printer.
Online Help
Provides detailed information and instructions on the printer
software that controls your printer. Online help is automatically
installed when you install the printer software.
Note:
Although the illustrations in this manual show the FX-880+ printer, the
instructions apply to both the FX-880+ and the FX-1180+; the printers work
in the same way.

1
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or
transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or
otherwise, without the prior written permission of SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION. The
information contained herein is designed only for use with this EPSON printer. EPSON is not
responsible for any use of this information as applied to other printers.
Neither SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION nor its affiliates shall be liable to the purchaser of
this product or third parties for damages, losses, costs, or expenses incurred by the purchaser
or third parties as a result of: accident, misuse, or abuse of this product or unauthorized
modifications, repairs, or alterations to this product, or (excluding the U.S.) failure to strictly
comply with SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION’s operating and maintenance instructions.
SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION shall not be liable for any damages or problems arising from
the use of any options or any consumable products other than those designated as Original
EPSON Products or EPSON Approved Products by SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION.
EPSON and EPSON ESC/P are registered trademarks of SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION.
Microsoft, Windows, and Windows NT are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
IBM is a registered trademark of International Business Machines Corporation.
General Notice: Other product names used herein are for identification purposes only and may be
trademarks of their respective owners. EPSON disclaims any and all rights in those marks.
Copyright © 2001 by SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION, Nagano, Japan.

2Read Before Using the Printer
Read Before Using the Printer
This guide consists of three chapters. The first and the second
chapters describe how to set up your printer and install the printer
software. The last chapter provides detailed safety and
environmental information. Be sure to follow the instructions
carefully to ensure safe and efficient use of your printer.
Warnings, Cautions, and Notes
wWarnings must be followed carefully to avoid bodily injury.
cCautions must be observed to avoid damage to your equipment.
Notes contain important information and useful tips on the operation of
your printer.

Setting Up the Printer 3
1Setting Up the Printer
Follow the instructions in this chapter to unpack and set up your
printer.
1-1 Unpacking the Printer
Besides the items shown in the illustration below, the printer box
should include an EPSON printer software CD-ROM and a Notice
Sheet.
Note:
Depending on your printer model, the power cord may be permanently
attached to the printer. Also, the shape of the power cord plug varies
depending on the country of purchase; be sure the plug you have is the
right one for your location.
printer paper guide
power cord
ribbon cartridge

4Setting Up the Printer
cCaution:
There are several models of the printer designed for different
voltages, and it is not possible to adjust the printer for use with
another voltage. If the label on the back of the printer does not
show the correct voltage for your country, contact your dealer.
You must remove all protective materials packed around and
inside your printer before you set it up and turn on the power.
Follow the directions on the Notice Sheet (packed with the
printer) to remove these materials.
Save all packing and protective materials in case you need to ship
the printer in the future. It should always be transported in its
original packing materials.
1-2 Choosing a Place for the Printer
Follow these guidelines when selecting a location for your printer.
❏Place the printer on a flat, stable surface. The printer will not
operate properly if it is tilted or placed at an angle.
❏Place the printer where you can easily connect it to a network
interface cable, if necessary.
❏Leave adequate room around the printer for easy operation
and maintenance.
❏Avoid using or storing the printer in places subject to rapid
changes in temperature and humidity. Keep it away from
direct sunlight, strong light, heat sources, or excessive
moisture or dust.
❏Avoid places subject to shocks and vibrations.
❏Place the printer near a wall outlet where you can easily
unplug the power cord.

Setting Up the Printer 5
Note for French-speaking users:
Placez l’imprimante près d’une prise de courant où la fiche peut être
débranchée facilement.
❏Avoid electrical outlets controlled by wall switches or
automatic timers. An interruption in power can erase
information in the memory of your printer or computer. Also
avoid outlets on the same circuit as large motors or other
appliances that can cause voltage fluctuations.
❏Keep the entire computer system away from potential sources
of electromagnetic interference, such as loudspeakers or the
base units of cordless telephones.
❏Use a grounded power outlet; do not use an adapter plug.
If you plan to use a printer stand, follow these guidelines:
❏Use a stand that can support at least the following weight:
❏Never use a stand that tilts the printer. The printer should
always be kept level.
❏Position your printer’s power cord and interface cable so they
do not interfere with paper feeding. If possible, secure the
cables to a leg of the printer stand.
29.0 kg (63.93 lb) for FX-880+
37.0 kg (81.57 lb) for FX-1180+

6Setting Up the Printer
1-3 Assembling the Printer
Follow the steps in this section to attach the paper guide and
install the ribbon cartridge.
Attaching the paper guide
To attach the paper guide to your printer, insert the tabs on the
paper guide straight down into the mounting slots on the printer.
Then place the paper guide in the upright position.
Note:
You can use the paper guide only when the tractor is installed in the
front or rear push position. To switch from printing on single sheets
using the paper guide to printing on continuous paper from a tractor,
see “Switching Between Continuous Paper and Single Paper” in the
Reference Guide.

Setting Up the Printer 7
When you are not using the paper guide, lay it flat on the printer
to prevent it from obstructing your paper or being damaged. To
lay the paper guide down, lift it up slightly, then lower it until it
is lying flat on top of the printer.
1-4 Installing the Ribbon Cartridge
EPSON recommends the use of genuine EPSON ribbon cartridges
(#8750 for the FX-880+, #8755 for the FX-1180+). Products not
manufactured by EPSON may cause damage to your printer,
which is not covered by EPSON’s warranties.
Follow these steps to install the ribbon cartridge:
wWarning:
You need to move the print head by hand to install the ribbon
cartridge. If you have just used the printer, the print head may be
hot; let it cool for a few minutes before touching it.
2
1

8Setting Up the Printer
1. Make sure the printer is turned off. The printer is off when
the power switch is pressed down to the
Nside.
2. If the printer is connected to an electrical outlet, unplug it from
the outlet.
3. Open the printer cover to the upright position, then pull it up
to remove it.

Setting Up the Printer 9
4. Press the tabs on each side of the paper tension unit upward,
then lift the front of the unit and pull it up and out of the
printer.
5. Make sure the print head is not hot; if it is, let it cool for a few
minutes before touching it. Then slide the print head to the
middle of the printer by hand.
cCaution:
Never move the print head while the printer is turned on; this can
damage the printer.

10 Setting Up the Printer
6. Remove the new ribbon cartridge from the package and turn
the ribbon-tightening knob in the direction of the arrow to
remove any slack from the ribbon so it is easier to install.
7. Hold the ribbon cartridge by its handle and insert it into the
printer as shown below; then press both sides of the cartridge
firmly to fit the plastic hooks into the printer slots.

Setting Up the Printer 11
8. Use a pointed object, such as a ball point pen, to guide the
ribbon between the print head and ribbon guide. Turn the
ribbon-tightening knob to help feed the ribbon into place; it
should not be twisted or creased.
9. Slide the print head from side to side to make sure it moves
smoothly.

12 Setting Up the Printer
10. Reinstall the paper tension unit by placing it on the printer’s
mounting pegs and lowering it into place. Press down on both
sides of the unit until it clicks into place.
11. Replace the printer cover by inserting the front tabs into the
slots on the printer and lowering the cover into place. Then
push it down until it clicks.

Setting Up the Printer 13
1-5 Connecting the Printer to Your Computer
Your printer is equipped with both an IEEE-1284-compatible
parallel interface and a USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface. Also
a Type-B optional interface slot is provided in case your computer
requires a different type of printer interface. See the Reference
Guide for more information on optional interface cards.
Connect your computer to the desired interface as described
below.
Note:
You can connect a cable to both interfaces; the printer switches
automatically to the appropriate interface when it receives data.
Using the parallel interface
To connect your computer to your printer’s built-in parallel
interface, you need a shielded, twisted-pair parallel cable with a
36-pin Centronics®compatible connector for the printer.
Follow these steps to connect the printer to your computer using
the parallel interface:
1. Make sure both the printer and computer are turned off. The
printer is off when the power switch is pressed down to the
❍side.
2. Plug the parallel cable connector securely into the printer’s
parallel interface port.

14 Setting Up the Printer
3. Squeeze the wire clips together untilthey lock in place onboth
sides of the connector.
Note:
If there is a ground wire at the end of the cable, attach it to the
printer’s ground connector as shown below.
4. Plug the other end of the cable into the computer’s parallel
interface port. (If there is a ground wire at the end of the cable,
attach it to the ground connector at the back of the computer.)

Setting Up the Printer 15
Using the USB interface
To connect the printer to a USB port, you need a standard,
shielded USB cable.
Note:
❏In order to connect your computer via the USB interface, your
computer must be a Windows Me, 98, or 2000 pre-installed model
that is equipped with a USB port.
❏If you use a USB hub, it is recommended that you connect the printer
to the first tier of the hub or connect the printer directly to the
computer’s USB port.
Follow these steps to connect the printer to your computer using
the printer’s built-in USB interface:
1. Make sure that both the printer and computer are turned off.
2. Plug the appropriate end of the cable into the USB port on the
back of the printer. (The end that fits the printer’s USB port
has a different shape from the end that fits the computer’sUSB
port.)
3. Connect the other end of the cable to the computer’s USB port.

16 Setting Up the Printer
1-6 Plugging in the Printer
Follow these steps to plug in the printer:
1. Make sure the printer is turned off. The printer is off when
the power switch is pressed down to the
Nside.
2. Check the label on the back of the printer to make sure the
voltage required by the printer matches that of your electrical
outlet. Also make sure the shape of the plug on your printer’s
power cord matches the shape of your electrical outlet.
cCaution:
It is not possible to change the printer’s voltage. If the rated
voltage on the printer and your outlet voltage do not match,
contact your dealer for assistance. Do not plug in the power
cord.
3. If the power cord is not attached to the printer, plug the
appropriate end into the AC inlet on the back of the printer.
4. Plug the power cord into a properly grounded electrical
outlet.

Setting Up the Printer 17
1-7 Installing the Printer Software
After you connect the printer to your computer, you need to
install the software included in the EPSON printer software
CD-ROM shipped with your printer.
❏Printer driver
The printer driver is the software that runs, or “drives,” your
printer. With it, you can make printer settings such as print
quality, resolution, and paper size.
❏EPSON Status Monitor 3 utility (Windows Me, 98, 95, 2000 or
NT 4.0)
The EPSON Status Monitor 3 utility notifies you of printer
errors and displays printer status information. Refer to the
Reference Guide for more information on the Status Monitor 3
utility.

18 Setting Up the Printer
Installing the software in Windows Me, 98, 95,
2000, or NT 4.0
Follow these steps to install the printer software in Windows Me,
98, 95, 2000, or NT 4.0:
Note:
❏Installing the printer software for Windows 2000 or NT 4.0 may
require administrator privileges. If you have problems, ask your
administrator for more information.
❏If you wish to make a floppy disk version of the printer software on
your CD-ROM, insert the CD and run SETUP.exe.In the dialog
box that appears, double-click Create Floppy based printer
driver/utility disks and follow the on-screen instructions.
❏If you are usingthe floppy disk version of the EPSON software, make
a backup copy of the EPSON printer software disk or disks before
you begin installation.
❏If the New Hardware Found screen or any other wizard appears
when you turn on your computer, click Cancel.
❏If the Digital Signature Not Found screen appears, click Yes. If you
click No, you must reinstall the printer driver as described below.
❏Installation time varies depending on your computer.
1. Make sure Windows Me, 98, 95, 2000, or NT 4.0 is running
and the printer is turned off.
2. Insert the printer software CD-ROM into the CD-ROM drive.
The Install dialog box appears. If it does not, double-click the
My Computer icon. Click the CD-ROM icon, then select
Open from the File menu. Then double-click SETUP.exe. (If
you are using a floppy disk, insert the disk into the floppy
disk drive. Double-click the floppy disk drive icon and then
double-click the FD-SETUP.exe icon.)