Epson TM950 - B/W Dot-matrix Printer User manual

TMTM--U950U950
Troubleshooting Guide.Troubleshooting Guide.
Please use the following flowcharts to help you to diagnose what is wrong
with your printer.
When the flowcharts call for a product to be returned to PC-PoS, please
contact PC-PoS before the unit is sent back.
Some of the following flowcharts discuss changing the Dip switch settings
so that they are appropriate for the intended application. If you are not fully
conversant with doing this then either contact your local dealer or contact
the PC-PoS technical support department nearest to you.
These flowcharts are intended as a basic fault-finding guide only and we do
not encourage any repair to the internal mechanisms or electronic
components by non-PC-PoS technical staff as this will render the warranty
invalid. If you have any questions regarding this matter then please contact
PC-PoS.

The Basic Guide.
Start
Is the POWER
LED lit?
Power On
Go to
part 1.
No
Is the
PAPER OUT
LED lit? (*)
Yes
No
Is the ERROR
LED lit?
Yes
Go to part
4.
Yes
Is the ERROR
LED flashing?
Go to part 4. (See
also at the end of
this guide)
Yes
No
No
Execute the self-test
(See part 4for details on how to do this).
Is the self-test
normal?
Is the printout
normal?
Terminal sends print data
Go to
part 7.
END
No
No
Yes
Yes
Is the paper roll
not loaded or
near roll end?
Load roll paper.
OK?
END
Yes
No
No
Yes
Go to
part 6.
Go to part 2.
Is Paper Semi-
Auto Loading
Correctly?
Go to part
5.
Yes
No
Is the SLIP LED
lit or Flashing?
Go to part
3.
Yes
No

Part 1.
Power LED does not light.
Start
Is the power supply
cable connected
properly?
Connect power supply cable properly. To
make certain this is done, remove the
connector completely and re-insert.
OK?
Is the Power supply
OK? I.E has it been
tested on another
device?
Connect supply to another known
working printer and test it.
PSU
OK?
Check Fuse in mains plug and check for damage to
cable or connector. Re-test the Power Supply on
another unit before proceeding. If you had to
change the fuse and start the main flow-chart again.
PSU
OK?
Return unit to PC-PoS.
Beyond Local Repair.
END
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
No
No

Part 2.
Paper Out LED is lit.
No
Yes
Start
Turn the printer off for 30
seconds and then turn back
on again.
OK?
END
Yes
No
Is the cover
closed correctly?
Close the cover correctly. The best way to do
this is to open the cover and then closing it
again fully making certain to feed the paper
properly.
OK?
END
Yes
No
Return unit to PC-PoS.
Beyond Local Repair.
END

Part 3.
SLIP LED lit or flashing.
No
Yes
Start
Turn the printer off for 30
seconds and then turn back
on again.
OK?
END
Yes
No
Is the cover
closed correctly?
Close the cover correctly.
The best way to do this is to open the cover
and then closing it again fully.
OK?
END
Yes
No
Return unit to PC-PoS.
Beyond Local Repair.
END

Part 4.
Error LED is Lit or Flashing.
Start
Are the connectors to
the printer hooked up
correctly?
Hook up connectors correctly.
The easiest way to do this is to remove
the connectors, while the power is off,
and re-connect them.
OK?
END
Yes
No
Is the paper type
selected correctly by
DIP switch?
Turn the printer power off and change the DIP switch
settings to the proper setting for the type of paper
being used. (See the end of this document for the
appropriate settings)
OK?
END
Yes
No
Has the printer
recovered from
the error?
Reset the printer by switching it
off for at least 30 seconds.
Wait for the print head
temperature to drop if excessive.
Return unit to PC-PoS.
Beyond Local Repair.
END
No
No
Yes
Yes

Part 5.
Paper is not Auto-Loading
Correctly.
No
Yes
Start
Is paper jammed
in the paper inlet
path or anywhere
in the printer?
Remove the paper jam. The best way to do
this is to take out ALL paper rolls from the
printer and then clean the inside to make
certain that all debris is removed. Re-load
paper when finished and re-test.
OK?
END
Yes
No
Return unit to PC-PoS.
Beyond Local Repair.
END

Part 6.
Self-test is not normal.
The Self-Test.
To initiate the self-test for the RECEIPT part of the printer, follow these instructions:
1. Make certain there is either a paper roll or a label roll inserted and loaded into the
printer before starting.
2. Turn off the printer using the power button.
3. Turn the printer on while keeping the RECEIPT FEED button depressed. The
self-test should now start and the information printed will give the status of the
printer.
4. When the test print is complete, the following will be on the last line of print,
“Self-test printing, Please press RECEIPT FEED button.” The RECEIPT OUT/
JOURNAL OUT LED’s flash to indicate the standby condition.
5. Press the RECEIPT FEED button to continue the self-test or switch the printer off
and then back on again to resume normal printing.
To initiate the self-test for the SLIP part of the printer, follow these instructions:
1. Turn off the printer using the power button.
2. Turn the printer on while keeping the JOURNAL/ SLIP FEED button depressed.
The SLIP LED should now be flashing. Insert a piece of paper into the slip
printing area then printing will commence and the information printed will give
the status of the printer.
3. When printing is complete, the SLIP LED will be flashing. To continue the self-
test, insert more paper in the slip part of the printer or switch off and back on
again to resume normal printing.

Part 6 cont.
Self-test is not normal.
Start
Does the printer
operate at all?
Is the cover
closed properly?
Close cover properly.
OK?
END
Yes
No
Return unit to PC-PoS.
Beyond Local Repair.
Printing is carried out, but
print quality is deficient or
paper feeding is not normal.
Is the Ink Ribbon
installed correctly?
Does it have enough
ink?
OK?
END
Yes
Install print ribbon correctly or
change print ribbon for a new one.
Return unit to PC-PoS.
Beyond Local Repair.
No
No
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
No

Part 7A (Serial Version)
Data from host is not printed normally.
Start
Set SW7 of DIP switch bank 1 to OFF.
Send data from host to printer.
Is “?” printed?
Are RS-232 interface
parameters set to
identical values at host
printer? Make settings identical
OK?
END
Yes
No
Does interface
cable match
specifications?
Replace with a proper
cable
OK?
END
Yes
No
Is the interface
cable damaged or
broken?
Replace interface
cable.
OK?
END
Yes
No
Return unit to PC-PoS.
Beyond Local Repair.
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
No
No

Part 7B (Parallel Version)
Data from host is not printed normally.
Start
Does interface
cable match
specifications?
Replace with a proper
cable
OK?
END
Yes
No
Is the interface
cable damaged or
broken?
Replace interface
cable.
OK?
END
Yes
No
Return unit to PC-PoS.
Beyond Local Repair.
Yes
Yes
No
No

DIP Switch Settings for
the TM-U950
For the Serial interface model.
TM-U950 DIP switch 1
SW-1Function ON OFF
1Word Length 7 bits 8 bits
2Parity check Enabled Disabled
3Parity selection Even Odd
4
5Transmission speed selection.
See the table below.
6Connection of Customer Display Connected Not Connected
7Data reception error Ignored Prints ‘?’
8Handshaking XON/ XOFF DTR/ DSR
Transmission Speed (BPS) SW 1-4SW 1-5
1200 ON ON
2400 OFF ON
4800 ON OFF
9600 OFF OFF
TM-U950 switch 2
SW-2Function ON OFF
1Automatic CR Always Yes Always No
2Receive buffer capacity 32 bytes 2048 bytes
3Font Selection (Default setting) 9 x 9 7 x 9
4Carriage Speed (paper roll initial
setting) Low Speed High Speed
5Handshaking Operation (Busy
Condition) Receive Buffer Full Off-line or Receive buffer Full
6For Internal Use Only. Fixed -
7I/F Pin 6 reset signal Enabled Disabled
8I/F Pin 25 reset signal Enabled Disabled
Note: Do not change the DIP switch settings while the
printer power is on. You may damage the printer.

DIP Switch Settings for
the TM-950
For the Parallel interface model.
TM-U950P DIP switch 1
SW-1Function ON OFF
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Reserved
TM-U950P DIP switch 2
SW-2Function ON OFF
1Auto Line Feed Always Enabled Always Disabled
2Receive Buffer 32 bytes 2048 bytes
3Font Selection (Default) 9 x 9 7 x 9
4Carriage Speed (paper roll initial
setting) Low Speed High Speed
5Handshaking Operation (Busy
Condition) Receive Buffer Full Off-line or Receive buffer Full
6Internal Use Fixed
7Undefined -
8Internal Use Fixed
Note: Do not change the DIP switch settings while the
printer power is on. You may damage the printer.

ERROR LED Patterns for
the TMthe TM--U950U950
Error Error Description Error LED Blinking Pattern Go to
part…
1) Head High Temperature
Error. Print head temperature is too high or abnormal. Main
2) Auto Cutter Error Auto Cutter does not operate
correctly
Main
3) Home Position
Detection Error.
Home position could not be
detected properly due to
paper jam in carriage or
other problem.
4
4) Carriage Detection
Error.
Carriage motor has gone out
of step due to paper jam in
carriage or other problem.
4
5) Slip Paper Ejection
Error.
Slip or validation paper is
not ejected properly after
being advanced
3
6) Memory or Gate Array
Read/ Write Error. Read/ write check has failed. Main
7) High Voltage Error. Power supply voltage is too
high. 1
8) Low Voltage Error. Power supply voltage is too
low. 1
9) CPU execution error. CPU is trying to execute an
invalid address. Main