Epson LX-300+ User manual

9-pin Dot Matrix Printer
Reference Guide

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© 2006 Epson America, Inc. All rights reserved. 4/06

3
Contents
Introduction
About This Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Warnings, Cautions, and Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Safety Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Hot parts caution symbol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
When setting up the printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
When operating the printer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
When handling paper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
When maintaining the printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Chapter 1 Paper Handling
Printing on Continuous Paper. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Printing with the push tractor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Printing with the pull tractor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
Adjusting the top-of-form position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
Advancing paper to the tear-off edge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
Printing on Single Sheets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
Printing on Special Paper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29
Adjusting the paper thickness lever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29
Multipart forms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30
Labels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31
Envelopes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32
Chapter 2 Using the Printer Software
Accessing the Printer Driver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34
From Windows applications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34
From the Start menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36
Changing the Printer Driver Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38

4
Using EPSON Status Monitor 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Setting up EPSON Status Monitor 3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Accessing EPSON Status Monitor 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Installing EPSON Status Monitor 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Setting Up Your Printer on a Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Setting up the printer server . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Setting up the clients. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Installing the printer driver from the CD-ROM . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Canceling Printing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Uninstalling the Printer Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Uninstalling the printer driver and EPSON
Status Monitor 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Chapter 3 Using the Control Panel
Control Panel Buttons and Lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Selecting a built-in font . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Changing the Default Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Using Default Setting mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Restoring the printer’s default settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Chapter 4 Maintenance and Troubleshooting
Cleaning the Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Transporting the Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Using the error indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Problems and solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Clearing a paper jam. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Printing a self test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Where To Get Help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
Internet support. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
Speak to a support representative . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
Purchase supplies and accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97

5
Chapter 5 Options and Consumables
Cut-sheet Feeder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .98
Optional Tractor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .102
Roll Paper Holder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .104
Replacing the Ribbon Cartridge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .105
Chapter 6 Product Information
Printer Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .109
Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .111
Mechanical. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .111
Electronic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .113
Electrical . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .115
Environmental . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .115
Paper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .115
Printable area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .119
Paper alignment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .121
Command Lists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .122
EPSON ESC/P control codes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .122
IBM 2380 Plus emulation control codes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .123
Standards and approvals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .125
Safety approvals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .125
CE marking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .125
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .126

6 Introduction
Introduction
Your Epson®LX-300+II printer provides high-quality printing
and superior performance in a compact design. This 9-pin dot
matrix printer provides:
❏A variety of paper paths to suit your printing needs.
❏The ability to handle a wide range of paper types, including
continuous paper, multipart forms (with one original and up
to four copies), labels, single sheets, and envelopes.
❏High-speed printing of up to 300 cps (characters per second)
at 10 cpi (characters per inch).
The CD-ROM that came with your printer contains the printer
driver for Microsoft®Windows®98, Me, 2000, XP and NT 4.0,
plus the EPSON Status Monitor 3 utility.
About This Manual
This manual provides detailed information about your printer:
❏Chapter 1, “Paper Handling,” explains how to load various
types of paper.
❏Chapter 2, “Using the Printer Software,” describes how to
print using the printer software.
❏Chapter 3, “Using the Control Panel,” provides information
about the control panel functions, including how to change
the printer’s default settings.
❏Chapter 4, “Maintenance and Troubleshooting,” includes
basic maintenance procedures and solutions to possible
problems.

Introduction 7
❏Chapter 5, “Options and Consumables,” describes how to
use options such as the roll paper holder and cut-sheet
feeder, and explains how to replace the ribbon cartridge.
❏Chapter 6, “Product Information,” contains technical
information about the printer.
For setup instructions and basic information, please see the
User’s Guide.
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.
Safety Instructions
Read all of these safety instructions before using the printer and
follow all warnings and instructions marked on the printer.
Hot parts caution symbol
KThis symbol is placed on the print head and other parts to
indicate that they may be hot. Never touch these parts just after
the printer has been used. Let them cool for a few minutes before
touching them.

8 Introduction
When setting up the printer
❏Do not place the printer on an unstable surface or near a
radiator or heat source.
❏Place the printer on a flat, stable surface. It will not operate
properly if it is tilted or placed at an angle.
❏Do not place the printer on a soft surface like a bed or a sofa,
or a small, enclosed area, as this restricts ventilation.
❏Do not block or cover the slots and openings in the printer’s
cabinet, and do not insert objects through the slots.
❏Use only the type of power source indicated on the printer’s
label. If you are not sure of the power supply specifications
in your area, contact your local power company or consult
your Epson reseller.
❏Connect all equipment to properly grounded electrical
outlets. Avoid using outlets on the same circuit as
photocopiers or air control systems that regularly switch on
and off.
❏Do not use a damaged or frayed power cord.
❏The power cord should be placed to avoid abrasions, cuts,
fraying, crimping, kinking, and other damage.
❏If you use an extension cord with the printer, make sure the
total ampere rating of all devices plugged into the extension
cord does not exceed the cord’s ampere rating. Also, make
sure the total ampere of all devices plugged into the
electrical outlet does not exceed the electrical outlet’s
ampere rating.
❏Use only the power cord that comes with this product. Use
of another cord may result in fire or electric shock.

Introduction 9
When operating the printer
❏Adjust only those controls that are covered in the user
documentation. Improper adjustment of other controls may
result in damage requiring extensive repair by a qualified
technician.
❏Whenever you turn off the printer, wait at least five seconds
before turning it back on; otherwise, you may damage it.
❏Do not turn off the printer while it is printing the self test.
Always press the Pause button to stop printing and then
turn off the printer.
❏Do not reconnect the power cord to an electrical outlet that
has the wrong voltage for your printer.
❏Never replace the print head yourself; you may damage the
printer. Also, other parts of the printer must be checked
when the print head is replaced.
❏You may need to move the print head by hand to replace the
ribbon cartridge. If you have just used the printer, the print
head may be hot; let it cool before touching it.
When handling paper
❏Because labels are sensitive to temperature and humidity,
use them only under these normal operating conditions:
Temperature: 59 to 77°F (15 to 25°C)
Humidity: 30 to 60% RH
❏Do not leave labels in the printer between jobs; they may
curl around the platen and jam when you resume printing.
❏Do not load paper that is curled or has been folded.

10 Introduction
When maintaining the printer
❏Unplug the printer before cleaning it, and always clean it
with a damp cloth only.
❏Do not spill liquid onto the printer.
❏Except as specifically explained in this manual, do not
attempt to service the printer yourself.
❏Unplug the printer and refer servicing to qualified service
personnel under the following conditions:
i. If the power cord or plug is damaged.
ii. If liquid has entered the printer.
iii. If the printer has been dropped or the cabinet damaged.
iv. If the printer does not operate normally or exhibits a
distinct change in performance.
❏Do not use aerosol blowers which contain flammable gas
inside or around this product. Doing so may cause fire.
❏Adjust only those controls that are covered by the operating
instructions.

Paper Handling 11
Chapter 1
Paper Handling
Your printer can handle continuous paper in either the push or
the pull position, as well as single sheets and special papers such
as labels and envelopes.
For instructions on using continuous paper, see the following
section. To load single sheets, see page 26. For information about
special paper, see page 29.
Printing on Continuous Paper
You can print on continuous paper using the tractor in either the
push or pull position:
❏Use the tractor in the push position if you want to be able to
switch between printing on single sheets and continuous
paper without removing the paper supply, or if you will be
tearing off continuous paper sheet-by-sheet. (Follow the
instructions in the next section.) The printer comes with the
tractor installed in the push position.
❏Use the tractor in the pull position if you will be printing on
labels, multipart forms, or other documents that require a
precise print position. (See “Printing with the pull tractor”
on page 17 for instructions.)

12 Paper Handling
Printing with the push tractor
Follow these steps to load continuous paper on the push tractor:
1. Turn off the printer.
2. Remove the printer cover and the paper guide, and pull the
paper release lever forward to the continuous paper
position.
3. Unlock the sprockets on the tractor by pulling the blue lock
levers forward.

Paper Handling 13
4. Slide the left sprocket so the pins are aligned with the 0 mark
on the printer scale (which is beneath the tractor). Push the
lock lever back to lock it in place. Then slide the right
sprocket to match the width of your paper, but do not lock it.
Move the paper support so it is midway between the
sprockets.
5. Stack your continuous paper behind the printer. Make sure
there are no obstructions between the paper and the printer
and that the paper is aligned squarely with the printer so it
will feed in straight.
6. Make sure your paper has a clean, straight, leading edge.
Then open the sprocket covers and fit the first holes of the
paper over the sprocket pins.
7. Close the covers. Slide the right sprocket to remove any
slack in the paper and lock it in place.
0 mark

14 Paper Handling
8. To separate the incoming paper from the printed paper,
attach the paper guide by holding it horizontally and fitting
its notches over the printer’s mounting posts as shown
below. Then slide the paper guide toward the front of the
printer until you feel it click.
9. Replace the printer cover and close it.
10. Turn on the printer.
11. When using the push tractor, it is a good idea to turn on the
Auto tear off feature in Default Setting mode. See page 67.
12. Press the LF/FF button to feed the paper to the loading
position. When the printer receives data, it begins printing
automatically.
13. After you finish printing, follow the steps in the next section
to tear off your printed document. If the first printed line on
your page appears too high or too low, you can change its
position using the Micro Adjust feature. See “Adjusting the
top-of-form position” on page 22.
cCaution:
Never use the paper feed knob to adjust the top-of-form position;
this may damage the printer or cause it to lose the top-of-form
position.
The next time you print, the paper automatically feeds back to
the loading position.

Paper Handling 15
Removing a printed document from the push tractor
Follow these steps to remove the printed document:
1. Press the Tear Off (Font) button. The Tear Off (Font) lights
start flashing. (This indicates that your paper is at the
current tear-off position.)
2. Open the printer cover and tear off the printed document
using the tear-off edge on the paper tension unit.
Note:
If your paper’s perforation is not properly aligned with the tear-off
edge, you can adjust the tear-off position using the Micro Adjust
feature. See “Adjusting the tear-off position” on page 25.
cCaution:
Never use the paper feed knob to adjust the tear-off position; this
may damage the printer or cause it to lose the tear-off position.
3. Close the printer cover.
When you resume printing, the printer automatically feeds the
paper back to the top-of-form position and starts printing.

16 Paper Handling
To feed continuous paper backward to the standby position,
where you can remove the paper, first tear off any printed
sheets. Then press the Load/Eject button. Open the sprocket
covers on the tractor and remove the paper.
cCaution:
Always tear off your printed document before you press the
Load/Eject button. Reverse feeding several pages at a time
may cause a paper jam.
Switching between continuous paper and single sheets
If you want to switch to single sheets while continuous paper is
loaded in the push tractor position, follow these steps:
1. Tear off your printed document.
cCaution:
Always tear off your printed document before you press the
Load/Eject button. Reverse feeding several pages at a time
may cause a paper jam.
2. Press the Load/Eject button to feed the paper backward to
the standby position.
3. Push the paper release lever back to the single sheet
position.
4. Follow the instructions on page 26 to load single sheets.
To switch back to continuous paper, follow these steps:
1. Press the Load/Eject button to eject any sheet in the printer.
2. Move the paper release lever to the continuous paper
position.
3. Press the LF/FF button to load the paper on the tractor.

Paper Handling 17
Printing with the pull tractor
To load continuous paper using the pull tractor, you must move
the tractor to the pull tractor position, as described below. If
your tractor is already installed in this position, make sure the
printer is turned off and skip to step 6.
1. Turn off the printer.
2. Remove the printer cover and the paper guide.
3. Remove the paper tension unit by gently squeezing the lock
tabs and pulling it out of the printer.
4. Pull the paper release lever forward to the continuous paper
position.

18 Paper Handling
5. To remove the tractor from the push position, gently
squeeze the lock tabs on both sides and then rotate the
tractor up to pull it away from the printer.
6. Lower the tractor onto the mounting slots at the top of the
printer as shown below, and tilt it back until you feel it lock
into place.

Paper Handling 19
7. Unlock the sprockets by pulling the blue lock levers
forward.
8. Feed the paper into the rear paper slot as shown below, and
pull it up. Position the paper using the scale on the printer as
a guide. Printing starts to the right of the position marked 0
(under the paper now).

20 Paper Handling
9. Slide the left sprocket so its pins are aligned with the holes in
the paper and push the blue lock lever to lock the sprocket in
place. Then slide the right sprocket to match the width of
your paper, but do not lock it. Move the paper supports
midway between the two sprockets.
10. Make sure your paper has a clean, straight leading edge.
Open the sprocket covers. Fit the first holes of the paper over
the sprocket pins and then close the sprocket covers. Slide
the right sprocket to remove any slack in the paper and then
lock it in place.
Note:
Remove any remaining slack by gently pulling the paper from the
back.