Panasonic KX P2023 - KX-P 2023 B/W Dot-matrix Printer User manual

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Panasonic
Operating Instructions
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Impact Dot Matrix Printer
KX-P2023
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Quiet
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Before operating th is unit, please read these instructions completely.

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FOR USER IN THE UNITED STATES ONLY
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital
device, pursuant to Part 15 of 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
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and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio
communications. However, there
is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a
particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or
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.
• ·Connectthe equipmentintoan outlet on acircuitdifferentfrom that to which the receiver
is connected.
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radiofTV technician for help.
The user may find the booklet "Something About Interference" available from FCC local
regional offices helpful.
FCCWarning: Toassure continued FCC emission limit compliance, the usermust use
onlythe recommended shield interfacingcable when connectingto ahostcomputer. Also,
any unauthorized changes or modifications to this equipment would void the users
authority
to operate this device.
FOR USERS IN CANADA
L'interference radioelectrique generee parcet appareil numerique de type B ne depasse
pas les limites enoncees
Ie Reglement sur les perturbations radioelectriques, section
appareil numerique, du Ministere des Communications.
This digital apparatus does not exceed the Class B limits for radio noise emissions from
digital apparatus set out in the Radio Interference Regulations of the Canadian Depart-
ment of Communications.
All Rights Reserved. © COPYRIGHT 1992 KYUSHU MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
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WARNING
• The power source voltage of this unit is listed on the nameplate. Plug the printer only
into an outlet with the proper voltage.
• To prevent fire or shock hazard, do not expose this product to rain or any type of
moisture.
• When you operate this equipment, the outlet should be nearthe equipment and should
be easily accessible.
The serial number of the unit may be found on the label on the rear of the unit. For your
convenience, note this number below, and retain this book, along with your proof of
purchase, to serve as a permanent record of your purchase in the event of a theft, or for
future reference.
MODEL NO. KX-P2023 NAME OF DEALER
SERIAL NO. DATE OF PURCHASE
IBM and IBM-PC are registered trademarks of International Business Machines
Corporation.
Proprinter is a trademark of International Business Machines Corporation.
Windows
is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation.
Epson is a registered trademark of Seiko Epson Corporation.
Any details given in these Operating Instructions are subject to change without notice.
3

Table of Contents
4
Introduction
Features
Chap. 1 Before You Start
6
Cautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 7
Operating Environment 7
Precautions 7
Unpacking ............................... 8
Assembling the parts 9
Parts of the Printer ........................ 10
Chap. 2 Setup
Connecting to a Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 12
Ribbon Cassette
.......................... 14
Installing the Ribbon Cassette 14
Removing the Ribbon Cassette 17
Installing Paper ........................... 19
Fanfold Paper (Tractor Push Mode) 19
Single Sheets and Envelopes (Friction Mode) 22
Printer-DriverSelection .................... 24
Installing a Printer-Driver (Windows VeL 3,1) ..... 25
Self Test .................................. 27
Chap. 3 Initial Setup Mode
Using the Setup Disk ...................... 28
Using the Control Panel
.................... 33
Chap. 4 Using the Printer
Selecting a Character Font . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 37
Super Quiet Mode ......................... 38
Feeding Paper
............................ 39
Line Feed/Form Feed (LF/FF) 39
Tear Off (TEAR OFF) 39
Paper Parking (LOAD/PARK) 40
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Chap. 5 Software Commands
" Epson LQ-850 Mode ....................... 43
IBM Proprinter X24E Mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 49
Command Reference Program
(Using the Setup Disk) ..........•.•........•. 54
Chap. 6 Maintenance &Troubleshooting
Periodic Maintenance ...................... 57
Troubleshooting .......................... 58
Appendix
Printer Specifications ...................... 59
Paper Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.. 61
Fanfold Paper 61
Single Sheets 61
Envelopes 61
Printing Area 62
Interfacing ................................ 63
Parallel Interfacing 63
Initialization .............................. 66
Hex Dump. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 67
Character Set Tables. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 68
Proportional Spacing Tables ................ 74
Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 81
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 85
Options and Supplies
...................... 87
5

Introduction
Congratulations on purchasing a Panasonic printer.
This printer is a versatile, high quality 24-pin dot matrix printer which
is designed to meet the needs
of your office.
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This printer has been factory set to operate with most of the popular software packages.
Your application software should control the printer functions. In most cases, there will be no need to
change the initial printer settings.
Features
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Printer Emulation:
Setup Disk:
SuperQuietMode:
Fonts:
Printing Speed:
Paper Handling:
Tear Off:
Paper Parking:
Cut Sheet Feeder Option
(KX-PT12):
Buffer Chip Option
(KX-P44):
Epson LQ-850 and IBM Proprinter X24E
A Printer-Driver for Windows Ver. 3.1, Initial Setup
program and. Command Reference program
Reduces printing noise
3 Draft (Pica, Elite, Micron)
4 LQ (Courier, Bold
PS, Prestige, Script)
Draft -192 characters per second (12 cpi)
LQ -64 characters per second (12 cpi)
Friction and Push Tractor
Advances fanfold paper's perforation to tear position
Allows single sheets/envelopes to be used without
removing/wasting fanfold paper
Provides fast and automatic feeding of single sheets
A 32K chip is available
to expand your unit's memory
capacity from 14K to 46K
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Cautions
Operating Environment
This printer can be installed in any normal office environment.
No special wiring or cooling is required.
• Do not use the printer under the following conditions:
-Extremely high or low temperature
[temperature
rang~: 10-35'C (50-95'F)]
-Extremely high or low humidity
(humidity range:
30-80% RH)
-Areas of poor ventilation
[a minimum of 4" (10 cm) clearance on all sides is necessary to insure proper ventilation]
-Areas of high dust concentration
-Areas with chemical fume concentration
-Areas with extreme vibration or when placed
on an unstable or unlevel surface
-Power Consumption:
(MAX-I 50 W, Stand by-5.66 W, Selftest-35.4 W)
Precautions
The following precautions are recommended to extend the life of the printer.
• Keep all liquids away from the printer.
• Do not place books, paper, or other items on top of the printer.
• Do not operate the printer without paper and a ribbon cassette installed.
• Avoid prolonged use without allowing the printhead time to cool.
• Do not obstruct the movement of the printhead while in operation.
• If the printer is not going to be used for an extended period, unplug the power cord.
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Unpacking
8
Having unpacked the printer, make sure none of the contents shown below are missing ordamaged.
Report damages or shortages to the store from which the unit was purchased.
Printer (KX-P2023)
Platen knob
Setup Disk
~-------- -_ ..
Note:
Ribbon cassette (KX-P145)
Operating manual
• This Setup Disk contains a Printer-Driver
for Windows
Ver. 3.1 (1lW P. 25), an
Initial Setup program (1lW P. 28) and a
Command Reference program
(1lW P.54) .
• To use this Setup Disk you need to have
an IBM-PC or a Compatible computer.
• Itis recommended thatyou save the original carton andpacking materials for propershipping
. and transporting
of the printer. .
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Unpacking
Assembling the parts
o Fold the smoked plastic cover, and remove
the protective paper.
Protective paper
Tab
Smoked plastic cover
@ Return the smoked plastic cover to its original position.
Insert the platen knob into the hole on the right side of the printer and rotate it slowly until it slips
onto the shaft. Push the platen knob onto the platen shaft to secure.
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Parts of the Printer
0
f)
@)
0
0
10
Smoked plastic cover
Control Panel
FONT switch
00 PROGRAM
.0 Courier
O. Prest i,e
•• Bold PS
"0 SCA,..{,pt
Pressing this switch will select the font style.
( II>Y P. 37)
ON LINE switch
This switch opens and closes the com-
munication line with the computer.
TEAR OFF
switch
Pressing this switch will advance or reverse
the paper for tearing off.
(II>Y P.39)
LF/FF switch
Pressing this switch advancesthe paperone
line at a time. Holding this switch advances
the paper to the first print line of the next
page.
(II>Y P. 39)
LOAD/PARK
switch
Pressing this switch will load or park the
paper. (
II>Y P. 40)
Paper guides (II>Y P. 23)
Top cover
Platen knob (II>Y P. 9)
1,6'-'--- Power switch (II>Y P. 13)
0 FONT
indicators
These indicators identify which Font has
been selected.
(II>Y P. 37)
G
ON LINE indicator
This indicator is lit when the printer is in the
ON LINE mode, and is out in the OFF LINE
mode.
0 SUPER QUIET
Indicator
This indicator is lit when the printer is in the
SUPER QUIET mode. (While pressing the
ON LINE switch, press the TEAR OFF
switch.) (II>Y P. 38)
0 POWER/PAPER OUT
indicator
This indicator is lit when the power is on and
paper is installed.
It blinks when paper is not
installed.

Paper Feed Selector
" L} (Friction)
" II} (T ractor)
Single sheets
and envelopes
Fanfold paper
Top cover
Frame ground
terminal ( """ P. 12)
Head Gap Lever
Adjusts the gap between the platen and the
printhead. The lever moves in increments of
0.0028 inch (0.07 mm).
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1
2
, 3
0
G 4
, 5
• 6
?
Position. Used for
1or 2 Thinner sheets
3,4,5 and 6 Thick or multiple
sheets, envelopes
Power switch --_---'
("""P.13)
Parts of the Printer
Paper support ( """ P. 23)
AC power cord
("""P.13)
Centronics paraliellnterface
connector ( """ P. 12)
Tractors
Nameplate
"A'~- Serial No. Label
11

Connecting to a Computer
1a
~~--------~
1---""---.:t==0 (Left Side View)
Connector
1b
Frame ground terminal
Frame ground wire
12
Attach the parallel interface cable
from your computer and secure the
printer clips.
Note:
• If you do not have a parallel interface
cable. you will need to purchase one
from yourlocalcomputerstore ordealer.
Ifthe cable has a frame ground wire,
connect
it to the frame ground ter-
minal.

2
OJ
POWER
o I ON
o OFF
(Leftside)
Cable support
rN;i;~ (Front)
[
(Bottom)
Connecting to a Computer
Plug printer into a grounded 3 prong
AC socket.
When the power is supplied to the printer,
the power indicator
on the control panel will
light.
• To prevent the cable from possibly dis-
connecting from the printer, route the
cablethroughthecable supportwhich is
located on the bottom
of the unit
13

I Ribbon Cassette
Installing the Ribbon Cassette
1
Ribbon exchange area
rlul~ :,"
2
3
14
Turn the power on.
The carriage will automatically move to the
ribbon exchange area.
Note: -
:- .. -.- - -l
I
• The printer allows the ribbon cassette to '
be installed
only In this area. _J
Fold the smoked plastic cover
forward.
Raise the smoked plastic cover.
Caution:
. ~-.J
• The printhead may be hot, use caution
when coveris open.
- ... ~- -.- ._-

4
5
Knob
6
Ribbon Ribbon mask
Printhead nose Platen
Ribbon Cassette
Move the head gap lever to the (+)
position.
Rotate the knob
on the ribbon
cassette to remove any slack.
o Slip the ribbon between the ribbon
mask and the printhead nose.
15
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Ribbon Cassette
7 Replace the smoked plastic cover.
8
16
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.~ .. ' _ _ l
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.. .~ - ~
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8 Press down on rear ofthe cassette
until the wing tab snaps into
place.
Adjustthe head gap lever for thethick-
ness of paper you are using.
Position Use
for
1 or 2 Thinner sheets
3,4,5 and 6 Thick or multiple sheets or
envelopes

Removing the Ribbon Cassette
1
Ribbon exchange area
[]
'''''''
r 0 I ON
o OFF
2
3
Tab
Ribbon Cassette
Turn the power on.
The carriage will automatically move to the
ribbon exchange area.
Note:
• The printer allows the ribbon cassette
to be installed only in this area.
Fold the smoked plastic cover
forward.
Raise the smoked plastic cover.
Caution:
. .
• The printhead may be hot, use caution
when cover is open.
17

Ribbon Cassette
4
5
Wing tab
18
Move the head gap lever to the (+)
position.
Spread the wing tab and
lift up the
cassette.

Installing Paper
Your Panasonic printer offers two paper handling choices:
-Fanfold paper (Tractor push mode)
-Single sheets and envelopes (Friction mode)
Fanfold Paper (Tractor Push Mode)
1
2
3
~.
: _ 2
• - 3
J -4
- 5
Y _ 6
f)
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~
r::l
I;..;j
. Paper feed
selector
Head gap lever
rLJ~ :F
[:JJ ~,
0
0 Turn the power on.
The PAPER OUT indicatorwill flash indicat·
ing that paper is not installed in the printer.
f)
Adjust the head gap lever for the
thickness of paper you are using.
Position
Use for
1 or 2 Thinnersheets
3,4,5 and 6 Thick or multiple sheets
Set the paper feed selector to the
.. IJ "position.
o Fold the smoked plastic cover
forward.
f) Remove the top cover.
19
tJ)
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c
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4 Tractor clamping levers
5
Tractor covers
6
20
Installing Paper
o Unlock the tractors by pulling the
tractor clamping levers forward.
f) Slidethetractors to accommodate
the approximate width of the
paper being used.
In most applications, you will find that the 0
indicator on the tear bar is a useful tool for
predetermining your left most print position.
Open the tractor covers.
o Align the paper sprocket holes
with the tractor pins making sure
the paper is straight.
f) Close the tractor covers.