OKIDATA 120 User manual

lRBlE OF CONTENTS
YOUR NEW PRINTER ............................ ...... ........... 1
Setting
up....................... ... . ......... .. ............... ... 2
Loading the ribbon cartridge
................................... 4
Loading paper. . ................. ... ... .... . .................... 7
Self-test. ...................... ............
... .................. 10
Connecting to your Commodore
........... . ................. 12
Printer controls ...... ............ . ............................. 14
WORKING WITH
THE OKIDATA 120 ...... .. .. ..... ... ........ 16
Printing with software packages .. ............................ 16
PROGRAMMING ON YOUR OWN .................. . ...... ... 19
Using control codes
........................................... 21
Characters in commands ................................. ..... 22
Sample program ............................................... 24
PROGRAMMING
FEATURES ....... . ....... . ....... . ............ 26
Printing style
................................. ........ .......... 26
Character size
......................................... . .... 26
Double-width characters ..... . ....... . ..................... 26
Underlining
................................................. 27
Super-/subscript .............. . ..... ... ..................... 27
Enhanced/emphasized
....... . ....... . ...................... 27
Character sets ................................ . ........ . ..... 28
Reverse print. ............................................... 29
Forms control. ................................................. 30
Carriage return
............................................. 30
Line spacing
........ . ................................ . ...... 30
Form length ................................. . ........ . ,..... 31
Skip over perforation .............. .. ....................... 31
Override paper-out sensor ....... ....................... ... 32
Print start position ... ... .................................... 32
Graphics .................................. .. ... ....... . ........ 34
Printing graphics
................................. ... ....... 34
Mapping your image ....................................... 35
Writing the program ..... . .................................. 36
Repeating graphics ..................... . ........ . .......... 37
Miscellaneous
..................... . ......................... .. 38
Function cut code
..................... .. ................... 38
Cancel function
............... . ................ . ......... .. 38
Secondary address ..... . ... . ... ..... ...................... .. 39
APPENDIX A: INTERNAL SWITCH SETTINGS ............... .. A-1
APPENDIX B: INTERFACE SPECiFiCATIONS .... .............. B-1
APPENDIX C: COMMODORE ASCII TABLE .................. . C-1
APPENDIX D: PROGRAMMER'S GUiDE ....................... D-1
SPECIFICATIONS
FCC STATEMENT

YOUR NEW PRINTER
The OKIDATA 120 connects to your Commodore personal
computer to provide quality, high-performance printing. Its
small size and light weight make the printer an ideal desk-
top companion for your Commodore.
When you unpack the printer and accessories, (save the
box for later storage or shipping) check to make sure you
have everything:
• OKIDATA 120 printer
• Ribbon cartridge
• Platen knob
• A spare fuse
• Printer cable
• Power cord
• Sprocket paper
• This handbook, of course
If anything's missing, confact your dealer right away.
Now follow the illustrated steps on the next few pages to
set up your printer and get it running.

- Setting Up _________________ ..::...Jo
1) NOT YET!
2) Lift off access cover.
2

3) Remove the cardboard retainer. (Save it in case you
have to ship your printer.)
4) Install the platen knob.
LINE UP THE NOTCH IN THE
PLATEN KNOB WITH THE PIN ON
THE SHAFT AND PUSH IN.
3

_ Where to put your printer _______________ _
,
•
• in a well-ventilated place away from direct sunlight
or heat-generating equipment.
• on a slotted stand
if you're feeding paper from the
bottom.
DON'T put diskettes on top of the printer-the printhead's permanent
magnet may zap your data!
_ load the ribbon cartridge ______________ ..:-:.
4
1) Center the printhead.
MAKE SURE THE PAPER BAIL IS
AGAINST THE PLATEN (THE BLACK
2) Insert the flat end of the cartridge into the carriage
with the blue knob faCing up.
~ i

3) Lower the front of the cartridge over the printhead.
RIBBON SHIELD (DO NOT REMOVE)
4) Press the cartridge until it snaps into place.
, Be careful not to snag th e clear ribbon shield.
•
5) To replace the cartridge, just lift up.
,
• Use genuine
OKIDATA ribbon cartridges or other OKIDATA-approved
brands only. Other brands may damage the printheadl
5

6) Switch OFF.
SWITCH OFF
INSERT POWER CORD.
7) Now plug it in. You must use a grounded outlet!
6

~ _, ~ __ loading paper ________________ _
The OKIDATA 120 can print on standard single sheet paper
or, using the built-in pin feed mechanism, you can print on
computer paper.
You can
use multi-part paper as well (up to 4-parts). Just
set the printhead gap lever for the kind of paper you're
using:
PRINTHEAD GAP LEVER 5~i~~~~ ;;;~~i~~
1'""1" ___ lnserting computer paper --------------
The feed pins on the OKIDATA 120 adjust to handle
sprocketed computer paper between 9
112 and 10 inches
wide. (Actual paper
width without borders is 8 112 to 9
inches.)
1) Remove the access cover.
ALWAYS KEEP PAPER LEVER
FORWARD FOR SPROCKET PAPER.
7

8
2) The left and right pin feed units slide to adjust for
various paper sizes. MAKE
SURE THESE ARE PROP-
ERL Y ADJUSTED FOR YOUR PAPER SIZE. Insert
the paper
as far as you can into the slots provided
by the black paper guides. The pins should
fit into
the sprocket holes and move the paper along the
platen.
TAB FORWARD.
3) Use the platen knob to advance paper to first print-
ing line. Again, make sure the pins move the paper
properly.
REAR fEED:
PAPER GOES IN THE GUIDES.
PRINTER MUST
BE ON
A SLOTTED STAND.

4)
Push the paper bail against the platen and replace
the access cover.
lHE
"
....
"ER
lEVER
ST
....
YS
OPEN.
,b.CCESS COVER
1_'
''"'--------
\nserting
sing\e
sheets
--------------------------------
1)
~ou
load single sheets
01
paper like
yoU
load paper
into a typewriter.
ClOSE
THE "
....
"ER lEVER.
(OPEN
ONLY
TO
STRAIGHTEN "
....
"ER.)
SliDE
THE
"IN
w
....
y
IF
NECESS
....
RY.
9

2) Push the paper bail against the platen and replace
the access cover before printing.
_ Double-check the paper controls -- __________ _
, SINGLE·SHEET PAPER (FRICTION·FEED)
l ·PART
01 2·PART PAPER
~
HEAD·GAP ADJUSTMENT LEVER
-~
_ Self-test _____________________ ..,. ,
10
This built-in test lets you check out the printer before"you
connect
it to your computer. It's a good idea to run this test
any time you
want to make sure the printer is working
properly.
1) Make sure the printer is ready to run, with the rib-
bon cartridge in place and the paper loaded.

2) Press the LlNEFEED button and, while holding it
down, turn on the printer.
HOLD THE lINEFEED BUTTON. TURN
ON HERE.
3) When you release the LlNEFEED button, here's
what
you'll see:
.!0123Q5G7S9:; (=)?@ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOP[
10123456789:; (=»)@nSCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQF
0123456789:; \=}?@PBCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRE
123456709 : ; (~»)@nBCnEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSl
(~:~;/I~:;G7E!":i: ; (;:) ~i(ilnBCDFFbHI Jf<Lt'ir-KlPC!f6TL CI-ARACTER
:34:'::'6113':3: ; (.::::>~iIi1(H:3CDEFGH I JI<Utll\IClPC nSTU\! D15PlAY
456789:; (=)?@ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVW
56189:; (=)?@ABCDEFGHIJKLMNClPQRSTUVWX
6789:; (=\?@ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXY
789:; (=}?@nBCDE~GHIJKLMNGPQRSTUVWXYZ
89:= (=)?@AB C DEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSrUVWXYll
4) To stop the test, turn your printer OFF or press the
SELECT button.
"MEtEED FOR>IFEEO ,Of SE' rSELECT-, ALARM POWER
PRESS SELECT BUTTON TO STOP
TEST.
11

- Connecting the OKIDATA 120 to your Commodore _____ ......
12
... is easy . We' ve designed the OKIDATA 120 so you don't
have to do anything more than plug it into your VIC-20,
Commodore 64, SX-64, +
14, C-16 or C-128.
, Be sure all equipment is turned OFF before connecting.
•
If you have peripherals (like a disk drive, cassette recorder,
or another printer) advance to
Step 3. Otherwise follow
only steps 1 and 2.
1) Plug one end of the cable into the I/O socket on the
back
of your printer. (The plug and socket are
keyed, so it will fit only one way. You shouldn't
have to force it.)
®- I/OSOCKET
2) Plug the other end of the cable into the serial socket _____ :,
of the computer.
OKIDATA 120
COMMODORE
OKIDATA 120 DIRECT CONNECTION:
OKIDATA 120 TO COMMODORE

3) If you have other peripherals (like a disk drive, data
cassette
or second printer), pi ug the printer cable
into one socket on the back
of the peripheral. The
peripheral's cable runs from the other socket to the
serial socket
of the computer.
'
The
OKIDATA 120 has only one 110 socket, so the printer has to be the
last item in the peripher
al chain.
•
COMMODORE
SAMPLE MULTIPLE CONNECTION:
OKIDATA 120 TO DISK DRIVE TO C-64
:.- ___ Now you're set to go! ______________ _
The OKI DATA 120 is preset at the factory for normal oper-
ation
with Commodore computers. For special applica-
tions, you can take advantage
of some extra OKIDATA
features by resetting a few switches inside the printer. You
can select:
• special characters for foreign languages.
• page lengths other than
11 inches.
• high resolution
bit image graphics.
• alternate device number (if you have
two printers).
• cancel automatic line feed.
The appendix
will explain these features.
13

-=
-=
lhe
printe
r
(ontro\s
....
-------------------------------------
NoW
that yoo've set up your printer, leI's take a closer look
at lights, buttons and levers on the
OKlO
1\'
1\
120.
l\N.EfEED
FORMf"EEO
TOF
SE1
,SELECT-,
ALARM
POWER
I I
llGI·ns
POWER
liOn:
Lights
when the power
is
switched on.
I\lARr-\
lIGl'll:
Light; when the printer runs out
01
paper
or
it
tne
paper iams.
SElEClllGl'll:
Light; when the printer
is
selected (ready
to print).
0«
when the printer
is
deselected (not ready
to
print).
SElECl \llJ'fT
ON
: Select;
or
deselects the printer. When
the printer
is
selected, the seL light comes on and the
printer
is
ready to receive data Irorn the computer. When
the printer is deselected, it won't print
(unleSS
you're run'
ning a seH.test), but
yOU
can peno
rrn
some
01
the pnnter
tunctions described
be\ow.
10f
(lOP
01
fo,rn) SEl
\10'11
0
1'1:
set;
the Iirst printing
line
01
each page.
'0
set'
Of,
deselect the pnnter and
then press the
,Of
button.
You
can
alsO
select line print
(page
26)
with this button. lust hold the
,Of
button down
while you're switching on the printer.
14

FORM FEED: Advances paper to the top of the next page.
Press th is button wh i Ie the printer is deselected.
LINE
FEED: Advances the paper one line. Press this button
while the printer
is deselected. You can also use this button
to perform a self-test.
Hold this button down while switch-
ing on the printer.
ADJUSTABLE PIN FEED: PULL
TABS
FORWARD AND SLIDE THE
PIN
FEED UNITS TO THE LEFT OR
9.5 TO 10.5 INCHES WIDE.
BACK FOR SINGLE SHEETS
PAPER LEVER: Always move the lever FORWARD (towards
the front
of the printer) when using computer sprocket pa-
per. Always move it BACK when using single sheets, ex-
cept
if you're adjusting the paper.
PRINTHEAD GAP
LEVER: Move the lever towards the front
of the printer when printing on three-or four-part paper.
Move it towards the platen when printing on single
sheets
or two-part paper.
15

WORKING WITH THE OKIDATA 120
Now that you've set up your OKIDATA 120 and connected
it to your Commodore, it's time to start printing.
Generally speaking, there are two ways you can use your
printer:
• With commercial software packages, you can produce
all kinds of information: letters, home budgets, recipe
files...even computerized horoscopes and personality
profiles. Your OKIDATA 120 will increase the packages'
usefulness by giving you attractive printed copies of your
work. We'll give you some general information on how
packages handle printers, as well as a few pointers on
getting the most out of the OKIDATA 120 and your
software.
• If you do your own programming, you can easily add a
printout. We'll explain how Commodore's version of
BASIC controls the printer, and show you how you can
program the OKIDATA 120's many special features to
spruce up your printouts.
_ Printing with software packages ____________ _
16
Most likely, you'll do most of your printing using a software
package, like word processing or a spreadsheet program.
There are many other kinds of software as well: recipe fil-
ers, gardening design programs, stamp cataloguers, and
self-help packages. As a rule, most programs like this that
produce information on the screen will let you make a
printed copy. For example, Infocom's adventure games,
like "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy," let you print out
each step of your adventure. Waveform's Musicale 2, part
of a music synthesizer package, can print out a score for
you. Br0derbund's Printshop lets you create banners and
other printer "special effects." Even a few graphic drawing
packages can print a black and white copy of your
doodles.
The first and most important step:
STUDY THE INSTRUCTIONS THAT CAME WITH YOUR
SOFTWARE!

These manuals should tell you how to print. The informa-
tion may be hard to find, but it will be there.
'
When you're reading the instrutions you may
see references to TRUE
ASCII and COMMODORE (or PET) ASCII. Follow the directions for COM-
MODORE ASCII!
•
Here's why:
ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Inter-
change) is a system for numerical coding of characters so
that computers and peripherals can communicate with
each other. Almost all personal computers use it...but
Commodore doesn't. Commodore computers use a differ-
ent coding system, usually called PET ASCII or Commodore
ASCII. Some software packages have different setup proce-
dures, depending on whether you have a Commodore
printer or another model that uses the ASCII standard. The
OKIDATA 120 is designed to use Commodore ASCII. So
follow any instructions for Commodore printers or Commo-
dore ASCII. If you don't, you may end up with upper and
lower case letters mixed up with a strange assortment of
graphic symbols.
Some packages are simple. For example, in some Infocom
text adventure games, all you have to do is enter SCRIPT at
any point in the game, and you'll get a printout of each
following move and the game's response. (Enter UNSCRIPT
to cancel.) Because the game assumes you have a Commo-
dore or Commodore-compatible printer, which the OKI-
DATA 120 is, you don't have to make choices.
With some packages, you do have to make choices. Often
the software will have some kind of installation procedure,
which sets it up for the particular printer you have. Usu-
ally, you'll have to pick from a "menu" (list) of printer
types. Look for:
OKIDATA 120
or
COMMODORE MPS PRINTER (Such as 801, 802, 1525)
or
COMMODORE ASCII CHARACTER SET (See explanation
above)
or
OKIMATE 10
17