Epson LX-300+II RTP User manual

9-pin Dot Matrix Printer
User’s Guide

2
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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.
A Note Concerning Responsible Use of Copyrighted Materials
Epson encourages each user to be responsible and respectful of the copyright laws when
using any Epson product. While some countries’ laws permit limited copying of
copyrighted material in certain circumstances, those circumstances may not be as broad as
some people assume. Contact your legal advisor for any questions regarding copyright law.
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of Seiko Epson Corporation.
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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.
CPD-21412R1
© 2006 Epson America, Inc. 11/06

Contents 3
Contents
Introduction
Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
1 Setting Up the Printer
Unpacking the Printer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Choosing a Place for the Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Assembling the Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Connecting the Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Installing the Printer Software. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
For DOS programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Viewing the On-screen Reference Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
2 Paper Handling
Printing on Continuous Paper. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Printing with the push tractor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Printing with the pull tractor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Adjusting the top-of-form position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Advancing paper to the tear-off edge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Printing on Single Sheets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Printing on Special Paper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Adjusting the paper thickness lever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Multipart forms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Labels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Envelopes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

4Contents
3 Using the Control Panel
Buttons and Lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Selecting a Built-in Font. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Changing the Printer’s Default Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Using Default Setting mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
4 Troubleshooting
Using the Error Indicators. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Clearing a Paper Jam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Printing a Self Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Where To Get Help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Purchase supplies and accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
5 Product Information
Safety Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Hot Parts Caution Symbol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Important Safety Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
FCC Compliance Statement for United States Users . . . . . . . . . . . 46
WARNING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
For Canadian users . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Declaration of Conformity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Epson America, Inc., Limited Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

Introduction 5
Introduction
This manual covers the following basic information to get you started
using your printer:
❏Setting up the printer
❏Paper handling
❏Using the control panel
❏Troubleshooting
❏Product information
For detailed information about your printer, refer to the online
Reference Guide (which you’ll copy to your computer when you install the
printer software). It describes all the printer’s functions, optional
products, printer software, troubleshooting, and technical specifications.
See “Viewing the On-screen Reference Guide” on page 14 for more
information.
As you read your documentation, please keep the following in mind:
Notes contain important information and useful tips about using your printer.
cCautions must be observed to avoid damage to your equipment.
wWarnings must be followed carefully to avoid bodily injury.
Options
By adding options, such as a cut-sheet feeder or roll paper holder, you
can further expand your printer’s capabilities. See the Reference Guide for
more information.
You can purchase ribbon cartridges, paper, manuals, and accessories
from an Epson®authorized reseller. To find the nearest reseller, call
800-GO-EPSON (800-463-7766). Or you can purchase online at
www.epsonstore.com (U.S. sales) or www.epson.ca (Canadian sales).

6Introduction

Setting Up the Printer 7
Chapter 1
Setting Up the Printer
This chapter describes how to unpack and set up your printer.
Unpacking the Printer
Make sure you have the following items.
Carefully remove all the protective materials from the printer, as shown
below, before you assemble or turn it on. Save all packing and protective
materials in case you need to ship the printer in the future.
Caution:
Check the printer and other items carefully for tape and packing materials; there
may be more than is shown above.
Printer
Paper guideRibbon cartridge
Printer software
Knob
Paper supports USB cable holder

8Setting Up the Printer
Choosing a Place for the Printer
❏Place the printer on a flat, stable surface.
❏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.
❏Place the printer near a wall outlet where you can easily unplug the
power cord. Position the power cord and interface cable so they do
not interfere with paper feeding.
❏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.
❏Use a grounded power outlet; do not use an adapter plug.
Assembling the Printer
1. Make sure the printer is turned off and unplugged.
2. Insert the paper knob.
3. Attach the USB cable holder to the back of the printer as shown
below, then lift it up.

Setting Up the Printer 9
4. Attach the paper guide by aligning the notches on each side with the
tabs on the printer. Then lift up the paper guide and push it into the
printer slightly to lock it in place.
5. Attach the paper supports.
6. To install the ribbon cartridge,
you need to remove the printer
cover. First flip the cover open
all the way and then pull it
straight off the printer.

10 Setting Up the Printer
7. Remove the new ribbon
cartridge from the package
and gently turn the ribbon
tightening knob
counterclockwise to take up
any slack in the ribbon.
8. Use your hand to slide the print head to the middle of the printer,
then insert the ribbon cartridge as shown below and make sure it
clicks into place.
9. Use a pencil point or
similar object to guide
the ribbon between
the print head and the
ribbon guide. Be
careful not to twist or
crease the ribbon.
Then turn the
ribbon-tightening
knob to help feed the
ribbon into place.
Print
head

Setting Up the Printer 11
10. Replace the printer cover and close it.
Connecting the Printer
Attach the power cord and connect the printer to your computer as
follows:
1. Connect the power cord to
the printer and to a
grounded electrical outlet.
2. Connect the printer to your computer using a USB, parallel, or serial
interface cable, as shown on the following page.

12 Setting Up the Printer
Note:
You can connect cables to multiple interfaces simultaneously; the printer
switches automatically to the correct interface when it receives data.
USB
IEEE1284 (Parallel)
Connect firmly and fasten.
Connect firmly.
RS-232C (Serial)
Connect firmly and fasten the screw.
Connect firmly and route the cable through the USB cable holder.

Setting Up the Printer 13
Installing the Printer Software
After you connect the printer to your computer, you need to install the
printer software on the CD-ROM that came with your printer. The
software includes the printer driver and Epson Status Monitor 3, which
displays printer status information and notifies you of printer errors.
Note:
❏Installing the printer software may require administrator privileges. (Ask
your administrator for more information.)
❏If a New Hardware Found screen or any other wizard appears when you
turn on your computer, click Cancel and turn off the printer. You cannot
install the software that way.
Follow these steps to install the software and on-screen Reference Guide:
1. Make sure that Windows is running, and that the printer is
connected to your computer but turned OFF.
2. Insert the printer software CD-ROM into the CD-ROM or DVD
drive. The Installation screen appears:
Note:
If the installation screen does not appear, double-click Setup.exe on the
CD-ROM.
3. Select Install Printer Software and click .
4. Read the License Agreement and click Accept.

14 Setting Up the Printer
5. When the following screen appears, turn on the printer.
6. After the printer software has been installed, you see the Installation
screen again. Select Install Reference Guide and click .
7. To register your printer, select Epson Product Registration and
click . Follow the on-screen instructions.
8. When you’re done, click to exit the installation.
For DOS programs
To control the printer from DOS application programs, you need to select
the printer you’re using from the printer list in your application. If the list
in your application does not include the LX-300+II, choose the first
available printer from the following list:
Viewing the On-screen Reference Guide
To view the Reference Guide on your computer, do either of the following:
❏Double click the LX-300+II Reference Guide icon on your desktop.
❏Click Start > Programs (or All Programs) > EPSON > LX-300+II
Reference Guide > LX-300+II Reference Guide.
LX-300+
LX-300
LX-810/850
LX-800/860
FX-850
FX-860/800
JX-80
EX-800
Any FX printer
Epson printer
Draft printer

Paper Handling 15
Chapter 2
Paper Handling
This chapter covers the basic instructions you need to load and use
continuous paper, single sheets, and special paper such as multipart
forms and labels.
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 20 for
instructions.)
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.

16 Paper Handling
3. Unlock the sprockets on the tractor by pulling the blue lock levers
forward.
4. Slide the left sprocket so the pins are above the 0 mark on the printer
scale (beneath the tractor). The printer starts printing to the right of
the position marked 0.
5. 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.
6. 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.
0 mark

Paper Handling 17
7. 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.
8. Close the covers. Slide the right sprocket to remove any slack in the
paper and lock it in place.
9. 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.
10. Replace the printer cover and close it.
11. Turn on the printer.
12. When using the push tractor, it is a good idea to turn on the Auto
tear off feature in Default Setting mode. See “Changing the Printer’s
Default Settings” on page 36.
13. Press the LF/FF button to feed the paper to the loading position.
When the printer receives data, it begins printing automatically.

18 Paper Handling
14. 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 by using the
Micro Adjust feature. See “Adjusting the top-of-form position” on
page 23.
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 paper automatically feeds back to the loading position the next
time you print.
Removing a printed document from the push tractor
Follow these steps to remove the printed document:
1. Press the Tear Off (Font) button. The paper moves to the tear-off
position and the Tear Off (Font) lights start flashing.
2. Open the printer cover, then 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 26.
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.
Paper
tension unit

Paper Handling 19
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 27 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.

20 Paper Handling
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; then remove the printer cover and the paper
guide.
2. Remove the paper tension unit by gently squeezing the lock tabs
and pulling it out of the printer.
3. Pull the paper release lever forward to the continuous paper
position.
4. 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.