Epson Stylus Color 600Q User manual

User’s Guide
Printed on recycled paper with at least 10% post-consumer content.

ink cartridge
clamp
printer cover
edge guides
paper support extension
paper support
control panel
output tray
extensions
cleaning button
paper light
power
button
load/eject
button
black
ink out light color
ink out light
output tray
adjust lever

ii
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 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 OriginalEPSON Products or EPSON
Approved Products by SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION.
Compaq and Presario Registered U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
EPSON and ESC/P are registered trademarks and ESC/P 2 is a trademark of SEIKO EPSON 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.
The ENERGY STAR emblem does not represent EPA endorsement of any product or service.
Copyright © 1997 by Epson America, Inc. CPD 4962
6/97

iii
FCC Compliance Statement
For United States Users
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to
Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful
interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency
energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to
radio or television reception. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular
installation. If this equipment does cause interference to radio and 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 measures.
◗Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
◗Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
◗Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
◗Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
WARNING
The connection of a non-shielded equipment interface cable to this equipment will invalidate the FCC
Certification of this device and may cause interference levels which exceed the limits established by the FCC
for this equipment. It is the responsibility of the user to obtain and use a shielded equipment interface cable
with this device. If this equipment has more than one interface connector, do not leave cables connected to
unused interfaces. Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the manufacturer could void the user’s
authority to operate the equipment.
For Canadian Users
This Class B digital apparatus meets all requirements of the Canadian Interference-Causing Equipment
Regulations.
Cet appareil numérique de la classe B respecte toutes les exigences du Règlement sur le materiel brouilleur du
Canada.

iv

v
Contents
Introduction
Windows System Requirements 2
How To Use Your Manuals 2
Warnings, Cautions, Notes, and Tips 3
Where To Get Help 4
Electronic Support Services 4
ENERGY STAR Compliance 6
Energy-saving Tips 6
Important Safety Instructions 6
1Basic Printing
Printing from Windows 1-1
Setting Printer Options from Windows Applications 1-2
Setting Default Printer Options 1-4
Checking Printer Status 1-6
Printing from DOS 1-7
Choosing Paper and Other Media 1-8
What To Do When the Printer Lights Flash 1-9
Using the Control Panel Buttons 1-10
Using Online Help 1-10
Accessing Online Help from Windows Applications 1-10
Accessing Online Help from Windows 95 1-11
Accessing Online Help from Windows 3.1 1-11

Contents
vi
2Custom Printing
Using Predefined Advanced Settings 2-1
Customizing Print Quality and Special Effects 2-3
Customizing Color Settings 2-6
Saving Custom Settings 2-8
Deleting Custom Settings 2-9
3Printing on Special Media
Using Special Media 3-1
Letterhead, Pre-printed Forms, and Legal-size Paper 3-3
EPSON 360 dpi, High Quality, and Photo Quality
Ink Jet Paper 3-3
EPSON Photo Quality Glossy Paper, Film, and
Transparencies 3-4
Envelopes 3-5
EPSON Photo Quality Ink Jet Cards 3-6
EPSON Iron-On Transfer Paper 3-6
EPSON Photo Quality Self Adhesive Sheets 3-6
Printing Banners and Other Custom Size Projects 3-7
Printing a Banner 3-8
4Managing Print Jobs and
Network Printing
Managing Print Jobs 4-1
Using the Spool Manager 4-2
Using the Status Monitor 4-4
Network Printing 4-5
Setting Up Your Network Path in Windows 95 4-6
Setting Up Your Journal File Directory 4-7

Contents
vii
5Maintenance and
Transportation
Cleaning the Print Heads 5-1
Using the Head Cleaning Utility 5-2
Using the Control Panel 5-3
Examining the Nozzle Check Pattern 5-4
Replacing an Ink Cartridge 5-4
Removing an Empty Ink Cartridge 5-5
Installing the New Cartridge 5-6
Replacing an Outdated Ink Cartridge 5-7
Aligning the Print Heads 5-8
Cleaning the Printer 5-8
Transporting the Printer 5-9
6Troubleshooting
Diagnosing Problems 6-1
Running a Printer Check 6-2
Improving Print Quality 6-3
Printed image has horizontal banding 6-3
Vertical lines are misaligned or vertical banding
appears 6-4
The printed image has incorrect or missing colors 6-4
The printed image is faint or has gaps 6-5
The printed image is blurry or smeared 6-5
Photographic images look grainy or rough 6-6
Color documents print in black and white 6-6
Solving Printing Problems 6-6
All lights are off 6-6
Only the
P
power light is on, but nothing prints 6-7
The
S
paper out light is flashing or on 6-7
A
B
black or
A
color ink out light is flashing or on 6-7

Contents
viii
The
S
paperand
P
power lights are flashing 6-8
All thelights are flashing6-8
The printer has finishedcharging the ink cartridge,
but the
P
power light isstill flashing6-8
The printer software installed with Windows 3.1
doesnotworkcorrectly afteryouupgrade to
Windows 95 6-8
After youinstallyour printing software, you seethe
Windows 95 New Hardware Found window6-9
You seea spoolingerror message(Windows) 6-9
In Windows 95,the StatusMonitor box doesnot
appear with the Despooler 6-9
Printing istoo slow 6-9
Fixing Paper Problems6-10
Paper doesn’t feed6-10
Multiple pages feed atthe same time 6-11
Paper jams inside the printer 6-11
Paper doesn’t eject fully or is wrinkled 6-11
Solving MiscellaneousPrintout Problems6-12
Characters are incorrect or garbled 6-12
The margins are incorrect 6-12
The image is inverted as if viewed in a mirror6-12
The printer prints blankpages 6-12

Contents
ix
ASpecifications
Printing A-1
Paper A-3
Ink Cartridge A-5
Mechanical A-5
Electrical A-6
Environmental A-6
Safety Approvals A-6
Interface A-6
Default Settings A-8
Built-in Fonts and Character Tables A-8
Command List A-9
Glossary
Index

1
/
Introduction
Your EPSON 600Q for Compaq Presario printer is the ideal
output device for business graphics, single-page layout
proofs, digital photography—or any project you create on
your computer. With resolutions up to 1440 by 720 dots per
inch (dpi), you get amazingly realistic photographic images
and vivid graphics in color, superb grayscale images, and
razor-sharp black printing for crisp text and detailed line art.
The EPSON®printer software for Microsoft®Windows®
provides advanced color management, with adjustable levels
of brightness, contrast, saturation, and ink colors. Support for
Windows Image Color Matching (ICM) ensures printouts
that match the colors on your monitor.
You can also perform many printer maintenance procedures
right from your computer, such as cleaning and aligning the
print heads. And EPSON’s extensive online help can guide
you through printer operations in real time.
With a standard parallel port, setting up your printer is fast
and easy. EPSON’s specially formulated ink cartridges and
wide variety of ink jet papers give you the best quality output
and offer the most flexibility for getting the results you want.

Introduction
2
Windows System Requirements
To use your printer and its software with a Compaq Presario
computer, your system should have:
◗At least a 386/25 MHz or faster processor
◗DOS, Windows 3.1x, Windows for Workgroups 3.11, or
Windows 95
◗At least 8MB of RAM (more for Windows 95)
◗At least 20MB of free hard disk space for storing images
(40MB or more is recommended)
◗VGA, Super VGA, or better display adapter and monitor
◗A shielded, twisted-pair parallel cable (6 to 10 feet long)
to connect your computer to the printer; the cable must
havea D-SUB, 25-pin, maleconnector for your computer
and a 36-pin, Centronics®compatible connector for the
printer.
To use the EPSON Answers online guide, you need at least a
486/33 processor and a 2x CD-ROM drive (4x or faster
recommended). You also should have at least 20MB of free
disk space for full program installation or at least 8MB of
free disk space to run EPSON Answers from the CD. For
more details on EPSON Answers, see your Quick Setup
booklet.
How To Use Your Manuals
To set up your printer and install your printer software, see
the Quick Setup booklet. For color printing tips, see the
EPSON Answers online guide. This User’s Guide contains
the following information:
Chapter 1, “Basic Printing,” covers the basics of printing.

Introduction
3
Chapter 2, “Custom Printing,” tells you how to print special
projects with custom settings for print quality and color
management.
Chapter 3, “Printing on Special Media,” gives guidelines for
selecting the right paper or other media for your print job and
instructions for loading it in your printer.
Chapter 4, “Managing Print Jobs and Network Printing,”
explains how to manage print jobs, check printer status, and
set up your system for network printing.
Chapter 5, “Maintenance and Transportation,” gives
instructions for replacing ink cartridges, cleaning and
aligning the print heads, and cleaning and transporting the
printer.
Chapter 6, “Troubleshooting,” provides solutions for any
printing problems you may have.
The Appendix, “Specifications,” provides the technical
details on your printer, ink cartridges, and EPSON media.
A Glossary and an Index are included at the end of the book.
Warnings, Cautions, Notes, and Tips
You’ll find this information throughout your guide:
Warnings must be followed carefully to avoid bodily injury.
Cautions must be observed to avoid damage to your
equipment.
Notes contain important information about your printer.

Introduction
4
Tips contain additional hints for great printing.
Where To Get Help
EPSON provides customer support and service through a
network of authorized EPSON Customer Care Centers. Dial
[phone] for the nearest location or the following
services:
◗FaxAdvice access to EPSON’s technical information
library
◗Literature on current and new products
◗The location of your nearest Authorized EPSON Reseller
or Customer Care Center
◗Technical information on the installation, configuration,
and operation of EPSON products
◗Customer relations
For answers to commonly asked questions about EPSON
products 24 hours a day, seven days a week, call EPSON
Sound Advice at [phone].
You can purchase manuals, accessories, or parts from EPSON
Accessories at [phone] (U.S. sales only).
If you need help using software with an EPSON product, see
the documentation for that program for technical support
information.
Electronic Support Services
You can access helpful tips, specifications, DIP switch or
jumper settings, drivers, frequently asked questions (FAQs),
sample files, application notes, and EPSON product bulletins
24 hours a day, seven days a week, using a modem andone of
the following online services.

Introduction
5
World Wide Web
From the Internet, you can reach EPSON’s Home Page at:
http://www.epson.com
EPSON Download Service
You can call the EPSON Download Service at
[phone]. Set your communications software to 8 data
bits, 1 stop bit, no parity. Modem speed can be up to
28.8 Kbps.
EPSON FaxAdvice Service
You can access EPSON’s technical information library by
calling [phone] and selecting the appropriate phone
option. You must provide a return fax number to use
FaxAdvice.
EPSON Forum on CompuServe
Members of CompuServe®can type GO EPSON at the menu
prompt to reach CompuServe’s Epson America Forum. As an
owner of an EPSON product, you are eligible for a free
introductory CompuServe membership, which entitles you to
an introductory credit and your own user ID and password.
To take advantage of this offer, call [phone] and ask
for representative #529.

Introduction
6
ENERGY STAR Compliance
As an ENERGY STAR Partner, EPSON has determined that
this product meets the ENERGY STAR guidelines for energy
efficiency.
The EPA ENERGY STAR Office Equipment program is a
voluntary partnership with the computer and office
equipment industry to promote the introduction of
energy-efficient personal computers, monitors, printers, fax
machines, and copiers in an effort to reduce air pollution
caused by power generation.
Energy-saving Tips
Here are a few tips you can use to be even more energy-wise:
◗If your monitor isn’t ENERGY STAR compliant, turn it
off when you’re not using it.
◗Turn off your computer, printer, and monitor each day
when you are done using them.
◗Use the print preview option in your software so you can
catch errors before you print something.
◗Send e-mail rather than distributing memos. Not only is
this faster, but you’ll save paper and storage space too.
Important Safety Instructions
Before using your printer, read the following safety
instructions to make sure you use the printer safely and
effectively.
◗Turn off and unplug the printer before cleaning. Clean
with a damp cloth only. Do not spill liquid on the printer.
◗Do not place the printer on an unstable surface or near a
radiator or heating vent.

Introduction
7
◗Do not block or cover the openings in the printer’s
cabinet or insert objects through the slots.
◗Use only the type of power source indicated on the
printer’s label.
◗Connect all equipment to properly grounded power
outlets. Avoid using outlets on the same circuit as
photocopiers or air control systems that regularly switch
on and off.
◗Place the printer near a wall outlet where the plug can be
easily unplugged.
Placez l’imprimante près d’une prise de contacte où la
fiche peut être débranchée facilement.
◗Do not let the power cord become damaged or frayed.
◗If you use an extension cord with the printer, make sure
the total ampere rating of the devices plugged into the
extension cord does not exceed the cord’s ampere rating.
Also, make sure the total of all devices plugged into the
wall outlet does not exceed 15 amperes.
◗Except as specifically explained in this User’s Guide, do
not attempt to service the printer yourself.
◗Unplug the printer and refer servicing to qualified service
personnel under the following conditions:
If the power cord or plug is damaged; if liquid has
entered the printer; if the printer has been dropped or the
cabinet damaged; if the printer does not operate normally
or exhibits a distinct change in performance.

Introduction
8
Even if you are familiar with other types of printers, be sure
to read through the following list of precautions before
operating your ink jet printer:
◗Do not put your hand inside the printer or touch the
cartridge during printing.
◗Under normal circumstances, ink will not come out of the
cartridges. If it does get on your skin, wash it off with
soap and water. If it gets in your eyes, flush them
immediately with water.
◗Keep ink cartridges out of the reach of children.
◗Do not dismantle the ink cartridges or try to refill them.
This could result in damage to the print head.
◗Once you install an ink cartridge, do not open the clamp
or remove the cartridge except to replace it with a new
one. The cartridge may become unusable otherwise.
◗Install the ink cartridge immediately after you remove it
from its package. Leaving the cartridge unpacked for a
long time before use may result in reduced print quality.
◗Do not use an ink cartridge beyond the date printed on
the cartridge carton. For best results, use up the ink
cartridges within six months of installing them.
◗Do not shake an ink cartridge; this can cause leakage.
◗Always turn the printer off using the
P
power button.
When this button is pressed, the
P
power light flashes
briefly then goes out. Do not unplug the printer or turn
off the power to the outlet until the
P
power light is off.
◗Before transporting the printer, make sure the print head
is in the home position and the ink cartridges are in place.

1-1
1
It’s easy to print all your color and black and white
documents with your new EPSON 600Q. First you have to set
up your printer and install the software, following the
instructions in the Quick Setup booklet. Then read this
chapter to find out about the following:
◗Printing from Windows
◗Printing from DOS
◗Choosing paper and other media
◗What to do when the printer lights flash
◗Using the control panel buttons
◗Using online help
Printing from Windows
When you want to print from your Windows application, you
click the print icon or choose Print from the File menu. You
can then choose which pages to print, the number of copies,
and other options. The settings that describe your print job—
whether you want to use color or black ink, for example—are
part of your printer driver software.
The following sections tell you how to set printer options
from Windows applications, how to change the default
printer settings, and how to check your printer’s status.
Basic Printing

Basic Printing
1-2
Setting Printer Options from Windows
Applications
This section describes the preferences you’ll need to set for
your everyday printing. See Chapter 2 “Custom Printing,” for
information about advanced settings for special print jobs.
Follow these steps to check printer settings from your word
processor or other Windows software:
1. Click the print icon or choose Print or Print Setup from the
File menu. You see a Print dialog box.
If you choose Print, you first see a Print dialog box that
contains the settings you change most often, including
the number of copies and the pages you want printed.
2. Be sure your EPSON 600Q printer is selected, and then
click the Printer, Setup, Properties, or Options button. (You
may have to click a combination of these buttons.) You
see a dialog box like the following:
Note:
The settings you select
through your Windows
application apply only until
you exit that application.
Then the driver settings
return to the driver’s default
values or the values selected
through the Windows 95
Printer Properties or
Windows 3.1 Control Panel.
For more information about
printer settings, click the
Help button. In Windows 95,
you can right-click any item
on the screen and then click
What’s This?
Main tab