NEC 870 - SuperScript B/W Laser Printer Technical manual

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SUPERSCRIPT™870
Online
User’s Guide
April 1998

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Proprietary Notice and Liability
Disclaimer
The information disclosed in this document,
including all designs and related materials, is the
valuable property of NEC Technologies and/or its
licensors, as appropriate, reserve all patent,
copyright and other proprietary rights to this
document, including all design, manufacturing,
reproduction, use and sales rights thereto, except
to the extent said rights are expressly granted to
others.
The NEC Technologies product(s) discussed in
this document are warranted in accordance with
the terms of the Limited Warranty Statement
accompanying each product. However, actual
performance of each such product is dependent
upon factors such as system configuration,
customer data and operator control. Since
implementation by customers of each product
may vary, the suitability of specific product
configurations and applications must be
determined by the customer and is not warranted
by NEC Technologies.
To allow for design and specification
improvements, the information in this document
is subject to change at any time without notice.
Reproduction of this document or portions thereof
without prior approval of NEC Technologies is
prohibited.
Microsoft, Windows, Windows 3.1x, Windows 95,
Windows 98, PowerPoint, and MS-DOS are
registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
Adobe PrintGear®, the Adobe PrintGear® logo,
and Memory Booster Technology, are trademarks
of Adobe Systems Incorporated.
All other product, service, brand, or trade names
used in this publication are the trademarks or
registered trademarks of their respective
companies or organizations. NEC disclaims any
responsibility for specifying which marks are
owned by which companies or organizations.
HP, PCL, and LaserJet are trademarks of Hewlett-
Packard Company.
Copyright 1998
NEC Technologies, Inc.
1250 N. Arlington Heights Rd.
Itasca, IL 60143
All Rights Reserved.
Copyright 1998
NEC Corporation
7-1 Shiba 5-Chome, Minato-Ku
Tokyo 108-01, Japan
All Rights Reserved.
© NEC Technologies, Inc., 1998.

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870
TableofContents
Chapter1 SettingUpthePrinter
Introduction .................................................................................................................................................................... 10
Selecting a Location for the Printer............................................................................................................................ 11
Printer Dimensions (Front View) ............................................................................................................................... 11
Printer Dimensions ....................................................................................................................................................... 12
Printer Parts .................................................................................................................................................................... 12
Imaging Modules..............................................................................................................................................................................13
Major Parts – Top Cover Open .......................................................................................................................................................14
Printer Operating Environment.................................................................................................................................. 14
Printer Operating Requirements ................................................................................................................................ 14
System Requirements ................................................................................................................................................... 15
Minimum Requirements.............................................................................................................................................. 15
Unpacking the Printer .................................................................................................................................................. 16
Installing the Multi-purpose tray............................................................................................................................... 18
Loading Paper in the Multi-purpose Tray ................................................................................................................ 19
Turning ON the Printer ................................................................................................................................................ 20
Testing the Printer ......................................................................................................................................................... 21
Switching OFF the Printer ........................................................................................................................................... 21
Connecting the Interface Cable .................................................................................................................................. 22
Installing the Face-up Output Tray ............................................................................................................................ 22
Printer Safety.................................................................................................................................................................. 23
Ordering Supplies and Accessories ........................................................................................................................... 24

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Chapter2 UsingtheOperatorPanel
Using the Operator Panel............................................................................................................................................. 26
LED Operation ............................................................................................................................................................... 26
Operator Panel Button .................................................................................................................................................. 31
Default Settings ............................................................................................................................................................. 32
Chapter3 InstallingtheSoftware
SuperScript 870 Software
for Windows............................................................................................................................................................. 34
SuperScript 870 Printer Software and Accessories ................................................................................................. 34
Installing and Uninstalling SuperScript 870 Software .......................................................................................... 34
Installation for DOS Software Only ...............................................................................................................................................35
Installation for Windows 95 and Windows 98 .............................................................................................................................35
Installation for Windows 3.1x .........................................................................................................................................................36
Installation for Windows NT ..........................................................................................................................................................36
Uninstalling SuperScript 870 Software for Windows 95 and Windows 98 ..............................................................................37
Uninstalling the SuperScript 870 Software for Windows 3.1x ...................................................................................................38
Uninstalling the SuperScript 870 Software for Windows NT ....................................................................................................38
SuperScript 870 Windows Printer Driver ................................................................................................................. 38
Accessing the SuperScript 870 Windows Printer Driver ............................................................................................................39
Using the SuperScript 870 Windows
Printer Driver ...............................................................................................................................................................................38
Watermark Options ..........................................................................................................................................................................40
2-Sided Printing ................................................................................................................................................................................41
Booklet Printing ................................................................................................................................................................................45
Paper Source Tab............................................................................................................................................................ 46
Destination Tab.............................................................................................................................................................. 49
Image Control Tab ......................................................................................................................................................... 51
Imaging Mode (Advanced Option) ...............................................................................................................................................52
Halftone Features (Advanced Option) ..........................................................................................................................................53

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Darkness.............................................................................................................................................................................................54
Accessories Tab .............................................................................................................................................................. 54
Advanced Tab ................................................................................................................................................................. 55
Chapter4 WindowsStatusMonitor
Introduction .................................................................................................................................................................... 60
What is Printer Status? ................................................................................................................................................. 60
Loading the Status Monitor......................................................................................................................................... 61
Minimized Views .......................................................................................................................................................... 61
Features of Mini-Window View ................................................................................................................................. 62
Features of the Icon View in Windows 3.1 ....................................................................................................................................63
Sound Alerts ......................................................................................................................................................................................63
The Maximized Status Monitor .................................................................................................................................. 64
Accessing the Maximized Status Monitor.....................................................................................................................................64
General Tab ........................................................................................................................................................................................64
Change Printer Tab ...........................................................................................................................................................................66
Alerts Tab ...........................................................................................................................................................................................67
Preferences Tab..................................................................................................................................................................................69
Chapter5 DOSPrinting
The DOS Printing Utilities .......................................................................................................................................... 72
Printing from DOS Programs...................................................................................................................................... 72
Installing DOS Software Only ................................................................................................................................... 72
DOS Printer Control Panel .......................................................................................................................................... 73
Main Menu ........................................................................................................................................................................................73
Control Printing Menu.....................................................................................................................................................................74
Change Printer Settings Menu........................................................................................................................................................75
Change LaserJet IIP Emulation Settings........................................................................................................................................77
Print Sample Pages Menu ...............................................................................................................................................................78
Change Status Monitor Settings Menu..........................................................................................................................................78

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Change Printer Port Menu ..............................................................................................................................................................79
DOS Status Monitor (TSR).......................................................................................................................................... 79
Starting the Status Monitor .............................................................................................................................................................80
Using the DOS Status Monitor .......................................................................................................................................................81
Chapter6 UsingthePrinter
Using the Multi-purpose Tray..................................................................................................................................... 84
Loading Paper into the Multi-purpose Tray.................................................................................................................................84
Loading Envelopes into the
Multi-purpose Tray .................................................................................................................................................. 84
Using the Manual Feed Tray........................................................................................................................................ 85
Loading Paper and Envelopes into the Manual Feed Tray .................................................................................... 85
Loading Transparencies and
Adhesive Labels ...................................................................................................................................................... 86
Transparencies............................................................................................................................................................... 86
Adhesive Labels ............................................................................................................................................................ 86
Chapter7 PrinterOptions
Printer Options............................................................................................................................................................... 88
The 500-Sheet Cassette.....................................................................................................................................................................88
Loading Paper into the 500-Sheet Cassette...................................................................................................................................89
Memory Expansion Module (SIMM) ........................................................................................................................ 90
Chapter8 MaintainingYourPrinter
Introduction .................................................................................................................................................................... 96
The Imaging Modules .................................................................................................................................................. 96
Redistributing the Toner ..................................................................................................................................................................96
Replacing the Toner Module ...........................................................................................................................................................98
Replacing the Photoconductor Module.........................................................................................................................................99

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Cleaning the Printer .................................................................................................................................................... 100
Cleaning the Inside of the Printer ................................................................................................................................................101
Cleaning the Outside of the Printer .............................................................................................................................................103
Relocating the Printer ................................................................................................................................................. 103
Chapter9 Troubleshooting
Updating your System ................................................................................................................................................ 106
Simple Troubleshooting............................................................................................................................................. 106
Installation Problems.................................................................................................................................................. 106
About Paper Jams ........................................................................................................................................................ 108
Maintaining Print Quality ......................................................................................................................................... 112
Print Quality Problems............................................................................................................................................... 112
Chapter10 GettingServiceandSupport
Service and Support .................................................................................................................................................... 118
Warranty Return Process ............................................................................................................................................ 121
SuperScript 870 Printer Limited
Warranty.................................................................................................................................................................. 122
AppendixA SelectingPrintMedia
Selecting Paper and Media ........................................................................................................................................ 126
Care of Printer Supplies ............................................................................................................................................. 126
Paper Properties ........................................................................................................................................................... 127
Additional Paper for Use in This Printer ....................................................................................................................................127
Paper and Print Media You Should NOT Use in This Printer ............................................................................. 128
Print Areas .......................................................................................................................................................................................128
Preprinted Forms ............................................................................................................................................................................129
Heavy Print Stock ...........................................................................................................................................................................129
Envelopes.........................................................................................................................................................................................129

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Adhesive Labels ..............................................................................................................................................................................130
Transparency Film ..........................................................................................................................................................................131
AppendixB SafetyInformation
Ozone Emission ........................................................................................................................................................... 134
UL Standards for Ozone ..................................................................................................................................................................134
Employer Responsibilities...............................................................................................................................................................134
Recommendations for Minimizing
Ozone Exposure.........................................................................................................................................................................134
Laser Safety................................................................................................................................................................... 135
CDRH Regulations ...........................................................................................................................................................................135
FCC Statement ..................................................................................................................................................................................135
AppendixC Specifications
Technical Specifications ............................................................................................................................................. 138
AppendixDStatusMonitorIcons
Status Monitor Icons ................................................................................................................................................... 141
Index

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SettingUpthePrinter
Overview
This chapter gives you the information you need
when you set up your printer, load paper, and
begin printing. It includes:
• Selecting a location for your printer
• Printer dimensions
• Location of printer parts
• Printer requirements
• Unpacking the printer
• Getting started and printing a test page
• Installing the Face-up output tray
• Printer safety
• Ordering supplies and accessories

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Chapter 1: Setting Up the Printer
Introduction
Congratulations on your purchase of the NEC
SuperScript 870 printer. The SuperScript 870 is
designed to offer the best possible combination
of print quality and performance in a personal
laser printer.
The SuperScript 870 can print 8 pages per
minute at 600 dpi resolution. The SuperScript
870 includes special printing features such as
proof sheets (N-up printing), booklet printing,
manual duplexing, and watermarks. The printer
is designed to print on a wide variety of paper
sizes and stock, including legal size, executive,
A4, envelope, transparencies, labels, and index
card. The standard 2 MB of memory can be
increased to maximize print performance. The
Multi-purpose tray and optional 500-Sheet
cassette combine to hold up to 650 sheets of
letter size paper.
The SuperScript 870 has been designed to
support all major personal computer operating
systems, including: DOS, Windows®3.1x,
Windows®95, Windows®98, and Windows NT®
4.0. Macintosh System 7.x and 8.x are supported
with the optional 10/100 Base-T network
interface card (NIC). The optional NIC also
allows users or workgroups on a TCP/IP, Novell
Netware, or Apple EtherTalk network to share
the printer. PCL 4.5 emulation has been provided
for DOS and Windows NT 4.0 users. For users of
Windows 3.1x, Windows 95/98, or Macintosh
System 7.x and 8.x, Adobe PrintGear has been
provided.
Your computer and the SuperScript 870 printer
communicate bidirectionally to exchange
operating status information such as “printing”,
“paper out”, or “paper jam.” Messages are
reported to you on-screen with the status monitor
utility so that you do not have to check the LED
display on the Operator panel.