Oki ML5520 User manual

Preface > 2
P REFACE
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information in this document is complete,
accurate, and up-to-date. The manufacturer assumes no responsibility for the results of
errors beyond its control. The manufacturer also cannot guarantee that changes in software
and equipment made by other manufacturers and referred to in this guide will not affect
the applicability of the information in it. Mention of software products manufactured by
other companies does not necessarily constitute endorsement by the manufacturer.
While all reasonable efforts have been made to make this document as accurate and helpful
as possible, we make no warranty of any kind, expressed or implied, as to the accuracy or
completeness of the information contained herein.
The most up-to-date drivers and manuals are available from:
http://www.okiprintingsolutions.com
Copyright © 2010 Oki Data Corporation. All rights reserved.
OKI is a registered trademark of Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd.
Oki Printing Solutions is a trademark of Oki Data Corporation.
Energy Star is a trademark of the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
Microsoft, MS-DOS and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
Apple, Macintosh, Mac and Mac OS are trademarks of Apple Inc.
Other product names and brand names are registered trademarks or trademarks of their
proprietors.
As an Energy Star Program Participant, the manufacturer has determined that
this product meets the Energy Star guidelines for energy efficiency.
Note: Not comply (when employing Network Interface Card).
This product complies with the requirements of the Council Directives 2004/
108/EC (EMC), 2006/95/EC (LVD) and 2011/65/EU (ROHS) as amended where
applicable on the approximation of the laws of the member states relating to
electromagnetic compatibility, low voltage and restriction of hazardous
substances.
This product complies with EN55022 Class B. However, when fitted with the
optional network interface card, RS-232 C serial interface card or optional cut-
sheet feeder, compliance to EN55022 is class A. In a domestic environment
this configuration may cause radio interference, in which case the user may be
required to take adequate measures.
The following cables were used to evaluate this product to achieve EMC directive 2004/108/
EC compliance and configurations other than this may affect that compliance.
CABLE TYPE LENGTH
(METRE)
CORE SHIELD
Power 1.8 ✘✘
USB 5.0 ✘✔
Serial 1.5 ✘✔
Parallel 5.0 ✘✘
LAN 2.1 ✘✔

Manufacturer > 3
M ANUFACTURER
Oki Data Corporation,
4-11-22 Shibaura, Minato-ku,
Tokyo 108-8551,
Japan
I MPORTER TO THE EU/ AUTHORISED REPRESENTATIVE
Oki Europe Limited
Blays House
Wick Road
Egham
Surrey, TW20 0HJ
United Kingdom
For all sales, support and general enquiries contact your local distributor.
E NVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION

Contents > 4
C ONTENTS
Preface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Manufacturer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Importer to the EU/authorised representative. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Environmental information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Notes, cautions and warnings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
About this guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
On-line usage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Printing pages. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Getting started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Unpacking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Installing the ribbon cartridge. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Ribbon cartridge handling. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Powering on your printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Powering off your printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Computer connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Parallel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
USB. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
Loading paper. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
Printer drivers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Emulations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Printing from the computer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Oki DIPUS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Controlling the printer using DIPUS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Using your printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
Components: Rear feed (continuous forms) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
Components: Top feed (single sheets). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
Loading paper. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
Rear feed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
Top feed (single sheets). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29
Top of form (TOF) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30
Forms tear-off. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31
Setting top of form (TOF). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32
Temporarily changing the top of form . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33
Resetting top of form to the factory default . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33
Forms tear-off feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33
Potential issues with software packages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34
Changing the forms tear-off setting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34
Manual forms tear-off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35
Paper park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35
Changing paper paths . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35
Continuous forms to single sheets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35
Single sheets to continuous forms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36
Printhead gap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38
Print quality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38
Character pitch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39
Printer reset . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40
Changing emulations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40
Menu mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41
Menu mode keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41
Entering and exiting menu mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41

Contents > 5
Resetting the menu to the factory defaults. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41
Printing the menu settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41
Printing all menu settings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42
Changing the menu settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42
Menu settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43
Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54
Replacing the ribbon cartridge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54
Ribbon cartridge handling. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54
Cleaning your printer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56
Printer exterior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56
Cleaning the housing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56
Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58
Clearing paper jams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58
Rear feed jams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58
Rear feed, repeating paper jams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59
Single sheet paper jams. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61
General problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62
Parts and accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64
Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65
Index. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66
Oki contact details. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67

Notes, cautions and warnings > 6
N OTES , CAUTIONS AND WARNINGS
For the protection of your product, and in order to ensure that you benefit from its full
functionality, this model has been designed to operate only with genuine original ribbon
cartridges. Any other ribbon cartridge may not operate at all, even if it is described as
“compatible”, and if it does work, your product's performance and print quality may be
degraded.
Use of non-genuine products may invalidate your warranty.
Specifications subject to change without notice. All trademarks acknowledged.
NOTE
A note provides additional information to supplement the main text.
CAUTION!
A caution provides additional information which, if ignored, may
result in equipment malfunction or damage.
WARNING!
A warning provides additional information which, if ignored, may
result in a risk of personal injury.

Introduction > 7
I NTRODUCTION
Congratulations on purchasing this printer!
This printer series is designed to provide highly reliable letter quality printing and high
resolution graphics for the desktop/office printing environment. It combines state-of-the-
art, 9-pin (ML5520ECO/ML5521ECO) and 24-pin (ML5590ECO/ML5591ECO), serial impact
dot matrix printing technology with advanced materials and superior construction to
provide high performance and versatility in a desktop sized unit. Careful attention to
ergonomics and application needs provides user friendly operation for operators of varying
technical capabilities.
A BOUT THIS GUIDE
This manual is your user’s guide (check the web site, www.okiprintingsolutions.com, for the
most up-to-date version) for your printer and forms part of the overall user support listed
below:
>Installation Safety booklet: provides information as to safe use of the printer.
This is a paper document that is packaged with the printer and should be read before
setting up your printer.
>Set-up guide: to describe how to unpack, connect and turn on your printer.
This is a paper document that is packaged with the printer.
>This User’s Guide: to help you to become familiar with your printer and make the
best use of its many features. Also included are guidelines for troubleshooting and
maintenance to ensure that it performs at its best.
This is an electronic document stored on the manuals CD.
>Network Configuration Guide: to provide detailed technical information for
network administrators to configure the optional accessory network interface.
This is an electronic document stored on the CD that accompanies the network
interface card optional accessory.
>On-line Help: on-line information accessible from the printer driver and utility
software.
O N - LINE USAGE
This guide is intended to be read on screen using an Adobe Acrobat Reader. Use the
navigation and viewing tools provided in Acrobat.
You can access specific information in two ways:
>In the list of bookmarks down the left hand side of your screen, click on the topic of
interest to jump to the required topic. (If the bookmarks are not available, use the
“Contents” on page 4.)
>In the list of bookmarks, click on Index to jump to the Index. (If the bookmarks are
not available, use the “Contents” on page 4.) Find the term of interest in the
alphabetically arranged index and click on the associated page number to jump to
the page containing the term.

Introduction > 8
P RINTING PAGES
The whole manual, individual pages, or sections may be printed. The procedure is:
1. From the toolbar, select File, then Print (or press the Ctrl + P keys).
2. Choose which pages you wish to print:
(a) All pages, (1), for the entire manual.
(b) Current page, (2), for the page at which you are looking.
(c) Pages from and to, (3), for the range of pages you specify by entering their
page numbers.
3. Click on OK.
1
2
3

Getting started > 9
G ETTING STARTED
L OCATION
>Place your printer on a firm, solid surface.
>Allow enough space around the printer to easily access the platen knob and the
various paper feed paths.
>Make sure a suitable grounded power outlet is available nearby.
U NPACKING
>If any items are missing, contact your dealer immediately.
>Keep your packing materials and carton in case you ever need to ship or transport
the printer.
>Interface cable and paper are sold separately.
1. Remove any packing tape, then grasp the tabs (1) at either end of the access cover
and pivot it towards the front of the printer as far as it will go.
2. Remove the printhead shipping restraint.
12
3
1. Printer
2. Ribbon Cartridge
3. Power Cord
1

Getting started > 10
3. Remove the shipping restraint from the pull-up roller assembly (1).
4. Use the tabs (1) to lift and remove the sheet guide, then remove the shipping
restraint.
5. Reinstall the sheet guide: insert the clips on either side of the separator into the
notches marked with a triangle, then press down to secure the separator in place.
1
1
1

Getting started > 11
I NSTALLING THE RIBBON CARTRIDGE
R IBBON CARTRIDGE HANDLING
>Leave unused ribbon cartridges in their packages until needed.
>Careful; the ribbon ink may cause permanent stains.
>Ribbon ink on skin or clothing can usually be removed with soap and water.
Make sure the printer is turned OFF.
1. Open the access cover and center the printhead (1).
2. Unpack the new ribbon cartridge and install it on the printhead.
CAUTION!
Make sure you have the correct replacement ribbon for your
printer. The wrong ribbon will not print when installed in your
printer.
WARNING!
The printhead may be HOT.
CAUTION!
Do not remove the ribbon shield (1) from the ribbon.
1
1

Getting started > 12
3. Turn the take-up knob (1) in the direction of the moulded arrow to take up any
ribbon slack.
4. Close the access cover and turn the printer ON.
P OWERING ON YOUR PRINTER
1. Ensure that your printer power switch is set to OFF.
2. Connect the power cable connector (1) to the A/C input (2) on the printer.
3. Connect the power cable to a 220/240 V A/C power outlet (3a) and switch on the
outlet power (3b).
4. Turn the printer power switch ON.
5. Check that the power indicator on the control panel illuminates.
WARNING!
Operations of this equipment are not warranted when the
equipment is connected to UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply)
and/or inverter. Doing so may result in damage of this equipment.
Do not use an UPS and/or inverter.
WARNING!
Be careful when inserting a three-pronged A/C plug. Before
plugging it in, check the position of the FG terminal. Incorrect
insertion may cause damage not only to the printer main body but
also peripheral devices and electric shock, smoke and ignition.
1

Getting started > 13
P OWERING OFF YOUR PRINTER
1. Turn the printer power switch to OFF.
2. Switch off the outlet power (1a) and then unplug from the power outlet (1b).
3. Unplug the power cable connector (2) from the printer (3).
C OMPUTER CONNECTIONS
Your printer is equipped with two standard data interfaces.
P ARALLEL
>For direct connection to a PC. This port requires a bi-directional (IEEE 1284
compliant parallel cable.
Make sure the printer and computer are both turned OFF.
1. Attach a suitable bi-directional cable to the parallel connector on the back of the
printer. Then attach and secure the cable to your computer.
2. Turn the printer and computer back ON.
CAUTION!
Under no circumstances attempt to use both the parallel and USB
ports simultaneously.
2
1b
1a
3

Getting started > 14
USB
>For connection to a PC running Windows 2000 or above. This port requires a shielded
cable 5m long confirming to USB version 2.0.
Make sure the printer and computer are both turned OFF.
1. Attach a suitable USB cable to the printer. Then attach the cable to your computer.
2. Turn the computer and printer back on.
The following interfaces are available as optional accessories and are described in their
accompanying installation documentation:
>RS-232 C Serial interface
>100BASE-TX/10BASE-T network connection
NOTE
>Refer to the Network Configuration Guide for setting up the network
connection.
>It is not recommended that you use either the Parallel or USB port when
the RS-232 C or Network Interface option is installed in this printer.

Getting started > 15
L OADING PAPER
For instructions on loading paper, see “Loading paper” on page 20.
Testing the printer
>Font Sample Test
>Rolling ASCII Test
>Hexadecimal Dump Mode
Font sample test
The Font Sample Test prints a sample of the fonts standard to the printer.
The top of the printout shows the Printer Model, Emulation, Country Code, Interface, and
Firmware Revision Level.
Make sure paper is loaded.
1. Turn the printer OFF.
2. Press and hold the LF key while turning the printer back ON.
The printer will print a page of font samples and the test ends.
CAUTION!
Wide carriage model: ML5521ECO/ML5591ECO:
If you are using 8.5 inch paper to run the tests, make sure the
paper width selection in the printer menu is set to 8.5 inches.
Otherwise, printing on the platen may damage the printer. See
“Menu mode” on page 41 for more information.

Getting started > 16
Rolling ASCII test
The Rolling ASCII Print Test produces a continuous printout of all 96 ASCII characters in a
rolling pattern in whatever typeface is selected (ML5521ECO default = Utility; ML5591ECO
default = LQ Courier).
The top of the printout shows the Printer Model, Emulation, Country Code, and Firmware
Revision Level.
Make sure continuous forms paper is loaded.
1. Turn the printer OFF.
2. Press and hold the QUIET/TOF key while turning the printer back ON. (If the printer
comes on without starting the Rolling ASCII test print, you did not hold the QUIET/
TOF key long enough.)
The printer prints the rolling ASCII text continuously.
3. Press SEL to end the test.
CAUTION!
Wide carriage Model ML5521ECO/ML5591ECO:
If you are using 8.5 inch paper to run the tests, make sure the
paper width selection in the printer menu is set to 8.5 inches.
Otherwise, printing on the platen may damage the printer. See
“Menu mode” on page 41 for more information.

Getting started > 17
Hexadecimal dump mode
When the printer is placed in the Hexadecimal Dump Mode, all data received, including text
and printer commands, is printed in both hexadecimal and ASCII format.
For example, the following line of BASIC code
LPRINT CHR$ (27);”0”;CHR$ (30);”THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF A HEXADECIMAL DUMP.”
would print like this:
To engage the Hexadecimal Dump Mode:
Make sure paper is loaded.
1. Turn the printer OFF.
2. Hold the SEL and FF/LOAD keys for several seconds while turning on the printer.
To exit the Hexadecimal Dump Mode:
1. Press the SEL key.
or
Turn the printer off, then on again.
NOTE
In the ASCII format, all non-printable characters are represented by a period.

Printer drivers > 18
P RINTER DRIVERS
The driver for your printer is provided on the CD included with the printer. You can either
load the driver or select one of the compatible drivers listed below in your software
application.
1. Insert the CD into your CD-ROM drive.
2. Select your Language.
3. Click I agree to accept the terms of the Software Licence Agreement.
4. When the Menu Installer window appears, click the Install Driver button.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions.
E MULATIONS
The factory default emulation for your printer is:
If you wish to change to other emulations, see “Changing emulations” on page 40.
P RINTING FROM THE COMPUTER
When printing to your printer from, for example, a Windows application on your computer,
make your printing selections from the driver windows that appear on screen. These driver
windows have been designed to be easy to use and intuitive while supplementary on-line
help is available by clicking each window help button.
O KI DIPUS
The OKI DIPUS utility allows you remote access to the printer settings using the available
applications. You can access DIPUS from Start > All Programs > Okidata > OKI DIPUS.
C ONTROLLING THE PRINTER USING DIPUS
There are four utilities available within OKI DIPUS. Each utility provides access to the
printer settings from your computer. Using these utilities you can change the button
settings, menu settings, top of form settings and also view the current status of the printer.
Any changes made can then be uploaded to the printer and it will be saved to the printer
as new settings. These utilities are an alternative to the printer operator panel.
Button setup utility
Using this utility you can activate or deactivate buttons on your printer operator panel. Each
button and its function is described in a message view.
Menu setup utility
Using this utility you can view and change your printers’ Menu settings.
NOTE
If the CD does not AutoPlay, click Start > Run > Browse, then browse to your
CD-ROM drive, double-click Setup.exe and click OK.
MODEL EMULATION (DEFAULT)
ML5520ECO/ML5521ECO IBM PPR
ML5590ECO/ML5591ECO EPSON LQ

Printer drivers > 19
Status monitor
The Status Monitor utility allows you to view your printers’ current status for example, On-
line, On-line (power saving) and so on. In the event of a printer error occurring, a warning
message is also displayed.
TOF setup utility
Using this utility you can now set the first line of print (TOF) for each page. This utility
allows you to treat each print job individually.
For detailed information on each utility and the different settings contained within, refer to
the on-line help, by clicking each window Help button.

Using your printer > 20
U SING YOUR PRINTER
C OMPONENTS : R EAR FEED ( CONTINUOUS FORMS )
The serial number of your printer is on a label fixed to the back of the printer.
C OMPONENTS : T OP FEED ( SINGLE SHEETS )
L OADING PAPER
R EAR FEED
If you have any paper in the paper path, remove it before installing rear feed paper.
NOTE
For single sheet printing, the paper lever must be in the middle position.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
1. Sheet Guide
2. Paper Lever
3. ON-OFF Switch
4. Platen Knob
5. Control Panel
6. Acoustic Cover
7. Access Cover
1
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
1. Paper Guides
2. Sheet Guide
3. Paper Lever
4. ON-OFF Switch
5. Platen Knob
6. Control Panel
7. Acoustic Cover
2
3
1
1. Lock Lever
2. Upper Tractor Cover
3. Pins