Printronix P5000 Series User manual

Setup Guide
®
The Printronix P5000 series with DEC LG Emulation

172292-001, Rev B
Setup Guide
The Printronix P5000 series with DEC LG Emulation
®

Trademark Acknowledgments
Trademark Acknowledgments
ANSI is a registered trademark of American National Standards Institute, Inc.
Code V is a trademark of Quality Micro Systems.
Chatillon is a trademark of John Chatillon & Sons, Inc.
ENERGY STAR®is a registered trademark of the United States
Environmental Protection Agency. As an ENERGY STAR®Partner,
Printronix has determined that this product meets the ENERGY STAR®
guidelines for energy efficiency.
Ethernet is a trademark of Xerox Corporation.
IBM is a registered trademark of International Business Machines
Corporation.
IGP is a registered trademark of Printronix, Inc.
Intelligent Printer Data Stream and IPDS are trademarks of International
Business Machines Corporation.
LinePrinter Plus is a registered trademark of Printronix, Inc.
MS-DOS is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation.
PC-DOS is a trademark of International Business Machines Corporation.
PGL is a registered trademark of Printronix, Inc.
PrintNet is a registered trademark of Printronix, Inc.
Printronix is a registered trademark of Printronix, Inc.
PSA is a trademark of Printronix, Inc.
QMS is a registered trademark of Quality Micro Systems.
RibbonMinder is a trademark of Printronix, Inc.
SureStak is a trademark of Printronix, Inc.
Thermaline is a registered trademark of Printronix, Inc.
Torx is a registered trademark of Camcar/Textron Inc.
Utica is a registered trademark of Cooper Power Tools.
Printronix, Inc. makes no representations or warranties of any kind regarding
this material, including, but not limited to, implied warranties of
merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. Printronix, Inc. shall not
be held responsible for errors contained herein or any omissions from this
material or for any damages, whether direct, indirect, incidental or
consequential, in connection with the furnishing, distribution, performance or
use of this material. The information in this manual is subject to change
without notice.
This document contains proprietary information protected by copyright. No
part of this document may be reproduced, copied, translated or incorporated
in any other material in any form or by any means, whether manual, graphic,
electronic, mechanical or otherwise, without the prior written consent of
Printronix, Inc.
Use of the term “LG Emulation” is to indicate compatibility with products from
Digital Equipment Corporation. No claim of affiliation with Digital Equipment
Corporation or Compaq Computer Corporation is made.
All rights reserved.
COPYRIGHT © 2000, 2002 PRINTRONIX, INC.

Table of Contents
1 Overview............................................................... 9
About This Guide ................................................................................... 9
Warnings and Special Information .................................................. 9
Printing Conventions in This Guide ................................................. 9
Related Documents......................................................................... 9
The P5000 series with DEC LG Emulation Printer Family................... 10
Printer Emulations ......................................................................... 11
Host Computer Interfaces ............................................................. 11
Graphics Enhancement Option ..................................................... 13
Taking Care of Your Printer........................................................... 13
LinePrinter Plus Features.............................................................. 13
Protocols and Emulations ............................................................. 14
Line Matrix Printing ....................................................................... 15
Printing Speed............................................................................... 16
2 Setting Up the Printer ......................................... 17
Before You Begin................................................................................. 17
Power Requirements..................................................................... 17
Select a Site .................................................................................. 17
Printer Component Locations........................................................ 20
Remove the Shipping Restraints (Cabinet Model)............................... 21
Remove the Cardboard Packing ................................................... 21
Remove the Hammer Bank Protective Foam and Foam Strips .... 22
Remove the Platen Protective Foam............................................. 23
Adjust the Paper Supports ............................................................ 24
Release the Paper Chains ............................................................ 25
Remove the Tags.......................................................................... 26
Attach the Control Panel Overlays ................................................ 27
Remove the Shipping Restraints (Pedestal Model) ............................. 27
Remove the Hammer Bank Protective Foam................................ 28
Remove the Platen Protective Foam............................................. 29
Adjust the Paper Supports ............................................................ 30
Remove Tag.................................................................................. 31
Attach the Output Basket .............................................................. 32
Attach the Control Panel Overlays ................................................ 33
Install Basic Components .................................................................... 34

Table of Contents
Connect the Interface and Power Cables ..................................... 34
Install the Ribbon .......................................................................... 36
Load the Paper.............................................................................. 40
Power On the Printer..................................................................... 44
Set the Top-of-Form ...................................................................... 45
Test the Printer.............................................................................. 48
3 Configuring the Printer........................................ 49
Overview.............................................................................................. 49
Changing and Saving Parameter Settings .................................... 51
Default and Custom Configurations .............................................. 51
Operating Modes........................................................................... 52
The Control Panels ....................................................................... 52
Unlocking and Locking the ENTER Key........................................ 53
Factory Default Configuration Values ........................................... 53
Changing Parameters.......................................................................... 55
Example ........................................................................................ 55
Saving Your New Configuration .................................................... 57
Deleting Your Configuration .......................................................... 59
Protecting Your Configurations ..................................................... 61
Printing the Current Configuration................................................. 61
Loading Configuration Values ....................................................... 63
The Power-Up Configuration......................................................... 65
4 The Configuration Menus ................................... 67
Overview.............................................................................................. 67
Configuration Main Menu .............................................................. 67
CONFIG. CONTROL ........................................................................... 70
Menu ............................................................................................. 70
ACTIVE EMULATION.......................................................................... 72
EMULATION........................................................................................ 73
Digital LG............................................................................................. 74
Submenu....................................................................................... 74
LinePrinter+ ......................................................................................... 78
Proprinter XL Emulation ............................................................... 82
Epson FX Emulation ..................................................................... 84
P-Series Emulation ....................................................................... 86
IGP/PGL Emulation ............................................................................. 89
Submenu....................................................................................... 89
IGP/VGL Emulation ............................................................................. 94
Submenu....................................................................................... 94
MAINT / MISC.................................................................................... 102
Menu ........................................................................................... 102

Table of Contents
HOST INTERFACE ........................................................................... 103
Serial Submenu........................................................................... 104
Parallel Submenu........................................................................ 107
PRINTER CONTROL ........................................................................ 112
DIAGNOSTICS .................................................................................. 114
RIBBONMINDER............................................................................... 117
5 Interfaces.......................................................... 119
Overview............................................................................................ 119
Dataproducts Parallel Interface ......................................................... 120
Dataproducts Parallel Interface Signals ...................................... 120
Dataproducts Parallel Interface Configuration............................. 121
Centronics Parallel Interface.............................................................. 122
Centronics Interface Signals ....................................................... 122
Centronics Parallel Interface Configuration................................. 123
Terminating Resistor Configurations ................................................. 124
Removal and Installation ............................................................. 125
IEEE 1284 Parallel Interface.............................................................. 126
Operating Modes......................................................................... 126
The Negotiation Phase................................................................ 127
Signals ........................................................................................ 127
RS-232 and RS-422 Serial Interfaces ............................................... 130
RS-232 and RS-422 Serial Interface Signals .............................. 131
RS-232 and RS-422 Serial Interface Protocol............................. 131
RS-232 and RS-422 Serial Interface Error Handling................... 131
RS-232 and RS-422 Serial Interface Configuration .................... 132
VMS Operating System ..................................................................... 133
Interface Configuration ................................................................ 133
6 Routine Service and Diagnostics...................... 135
Cleaning Requirements ..................................................................... 135
Exterior Cleaning......................................................................... 135
Interior Cleaning .......................................................................... 135
Diagnosing Problems......................................................................... 138
Printer Self-Tests ........................................................................ 138
Printing a Hex Dump ................................................................... 140
Fault Messages ........................................................................... 142
7 RibbonMinder ................................................... 149
Overview............................................................................................ 149
Using the RibbonMinder .................................................................... 150
Configuration............................................................................... 150
Running a Job ............................................................................. 152

Table of Contents
New Ribbon................................................................................. 152
Ribbon Action.............................................................................. 153
RibbonMinder Fault ..................................................................... 154
Ribbon Size................................................................................. 155
Ribbon Adjust.............................................................................. 156
Fault Action ................................................................................. 156
A Printer Specifications........................................ 157
Ribbon Specifications ........................................................................ 157
Paper Specifications .......................................................................... 157
Printer Dimensions ............................................................................ 158
Environmental Characteristics ........................................................... 158
Electrical Characteristics ................................................................... 159
Interfaces ........................................................................................... 159
Printing Rates .................................................................................... 160
B Standard ASCII Character Set ......................... 161
C Printronix Technical Support ............................ 163
Sources of Support ............................................................................ 163
D Glossary ........................................................... 165

9
1Overview
About This Guide
This Setup Guide is designed so you can quickly find the information you
need to install and configure your Printronix DEC LG Emulation printer.
Warnings and Special Information
Read and comply with all information highlighted under special headings:
WARNING Conditions that could harm you as well as damage the equipment.
CAUTION Conditions that could damage the printer or related equipment.
IMPORTANT Information vital to proper operation of the printer.
NOTE: Information affecting printer operation.
Printing Conventions in This Guide
UPPERCASE print indicates control panel keys.
Example: Press the CLEAR key, then press the ON LINE key.
Quotation marks (“”) indicate messages on the Liquid Crystal Display (LCD).
Example: Press the ON LINE key. “OFFLINE”appears on the LCD.
The + (plus) symbol represents key combinations.
Example: “Press =+ >”means press the =(UP) key and the >(DOWN) key
at the same time.
Related Documents
Following is a list of related documentation:
•The Printronix P5000 series of Line Matrix Printers with DEC LG
Emulation Maintenance Manual
Explains how to maintain and repair the DEC LG Emulation line matrix
printer at the field service level of maintenance. This manual covers
alignments and adjustments, preventive and corrective maintenance,
troubleshooting, and basic principles of operation. The Maintenance
Manual is not provided with the printer, it must be ordered separately.

10
Chapter 1 The P5000 series with DEC LG Emulation
•The Printronix P5000 series of Line Matrix Printers with DEC LG
Operator’s Guide
Describes the keys on the control panel and provides quick reference
information on daily printer operations such as loading paper and
replacing ribbons. This manual is provided with every printer, and is
available in five languages: English, French, German, Italian and
Spanish.
•DEC LG Emulation LinePrinter Plus Programmer’s Reference Manual
Covers the host control codes and character sets for the LinePrinter Plus®
emulations.
•DEC LG Emulation LG Programmer’s Reference Manual
Explains the host control codes and character set for the Digital®LG
emulation.
•DEC LG Emulation IGP/PGL Programmer’s Reference Manual
Provides information used with the optional IGP®/PGL®Printronix®
emulation enhancement feature. The IGP/PGL emulation allows you to
create and store forms; generate logos, bar codes, and expanded
characters; create other graphics, and merge graphics with alphanumeric
data as a document is printed.
•DEC LG Emulation IGP/VGL Programmer’s Reference Manual
Provides information used with the optional Code V™emulation
enhancement feature. The Code V emulation allows you to create and
store forms; generate logos, bar codes, and expanded characters; create
other graphics, and merge graphics with alphanumeric data as a
document is printed.
The P5000 series with DEC LG Emulation Printer Family
The DEC LG Emulation printers are a family of line matrix printers consisting
of 500, 1000, and 1500 line per minute (lpm) models packaged in various
configurations. All of the models offer software versatility and the latest
refinements in line matrix printing technology. The model numbers indicate
printing speed and physical configuration:
Table 1. The DEC LG Emulation
Model Number Print Speed Pedestal Cabinet
P5005 500 lpm
á
P5205 500 lpm
á
P5010 1000 lpm
á
P5210 1000 lpm
á
P5215 1500 lpm
á

Printer Emulations
11
Most line matrix printers have specialized architectures, which enable the
printer to emulate, or behave like, another printer. These specialized
architectures are restricted. Your printer, however, introduces an open
architecture concept that is not available on any other line matrix printer.
Your printer is very easy to use. The message display and lights on the
control panel communicate with you directly and clearly. You can select every
function on your printer at the control panel, or you can send commands from
the host computer.
The printer has a feature called Flash memory, which allows you to download
programs from a diskette to your printer. Flash memory provides “instant”
booting of the printer. The absence of Read Only Memory (ROM) and the
flexibility of Flash memory makes program updates easy and eliminates the
need to swap parts to accommodate program changes.
The print mechanisms are housed in sound-insulation which make your
printer among the quietest impact printers in the world.
Printer Emulations
The following printer emulations (or protocols) are selectable at the control
panel:
•Digital LG
•LinePrinter Plus, which consists of:
IBM®Proprinter®III XL
Epson®FX-1050
Printronix P-Series
•IGP/PGL (optional)
•IGP/VGL (optional)
Each emulation provides a different set of configuration menus, control codes,
and character sets.
Host Computer Interfaces
The following host computer interface choices are available:
•Centronics®parallel interface
•IEEE®1284 parallel interface
•Dataproducts®parallel interface
•RS-232 serial interface
•RS-422 serial interface

12
Chapter 1 The P5000 series with DEC LG Emulation
Figure 1. The DEC LG Emulation Printers
P5205
P5210
P5215
P5005
P5010

Graphics Enhancement Option
13
Graphics Enhancement Option
The IGP/PGL and IGP/VGL emulations allow you to create and store forms,
generate logos, bar codes, expanded characters, and create other graphics.
Alphanumeric and bar code data are added as the form is printed.
These emulations are available as factory-installed or field-installed options.
For more information, contact your authorized service representative.
Taking Care of Your Printer
Your printer will produce high print quality jobs if it is well taken care of.
Periodic cleaning, handling the printer properly, and using the correct paper
and ribbons, will ensure optimum performance. Chapter 6 explains how to
clean the printer, and printer supplies are listed in Appendix A.
Whenever it is necessary to service the printer, remember these important
maintenance concepts:
•Use only the ribbons specified in Appendix A. Use of incorrect ribbons
can lead to ink migration problems, degraded print quality, and expensive
damage to the printer.
•Incorrect closure of the forms thickness lever can lead to smearing,
degraded print quality, paper jams, and damage to the platen and shuttle
assembly. Never close the forms thickness lever too tightly.
•Printing outside the boundaries of the paper will degrade print quality and
cause hammer bank damage. Never print outside of the paper width.
LinePrinter Plus Features
If you have enabled the LinePrinter Plus emulations, your printer will support
the following features:
Output Control
The printers have the following output control features:
•Three modes for printing text:
1) Correspondence (NLQ)
2) Data Processing (DP)
3) Draft (high speed)
•Selectable forms length and width
•Character attribute specification:
1) Selectable pitch: normal, expanded, and compressed
2) Bold (double-strike) printing
3) Emphasized (shadow) printing
4) Automatic underlining and overscoring
5) Superscript and subscript printing
6) Double high and wide printing
•Resident multinational character sets

14
Chapter 1 The P5000 series with DEC LG Emulation
Graphics and Vertical Formatting
Several graphics and vertical formatting features are available:
•Four built-in graphics generators:
1) IBM Proprinter III XL bit-image graphics
2) Epson FX dot graphics mode
3) P-Series Plot
4) LG Sixel Graphics
•Programmable electronic vertical formatting provides rapid vertical paper
movement to specified lines for printing repetitive and continuous forms.
You can choose from the following methods:
1) Vertical tabbing in Proprinter III XL and Epson FX emulation modes
2) Electronic Vertical Format Unit (EVFU) in P-Series emulation mode
3) Centronics Vertical Format Unit (CVFU) in P-Series
4) Dataproducts Vertical Format Unit (DVFU) in P-Series
Built-in Diagnostic Tools
The following diagnostic tools are provided with the printer:
•Comprehensive diagnostic self-tests permanently stored in the printer
•Configuration printout
•Data stream hex code printout
Protocols and Emulations
A protocol is a set of rules governing the exchange of information between the
printer and its host computer. These rules consist of codes that manipulate
and print data and allow for machine-to-machine communication. A printer
and its host computer must use the same protocol. As used in this manual,
protocol and emulation mean the same thing.
Most impact printers use single ASCII character codes to print text, numbers,
and punctuation marks. Some characters, both singularly and in groups of two
or more, are defined as control codes. Control codes instruct the printer to
perform specific functions, such as underlining text, printing subscripts,
setting page margins, etc. The main difference between most printer
protocols is in the characters used to create control codes and the ways in
which these characters are formatted.
When the printer executes the character and control codes of a particular
printer protocol, it is “emulating”that printer. For example, if the printer uses
the Proprinter III XL protocol, it is emulating an IBM Proprinter III XL printer. If
the printer is using the Epson FX printer protocol, it is in Epson FX emulation
mode.

Line Matrix Printing
15
Line Matrix Printing
Your printer creates characters and graphics by a printing technique called
line matrix printing. Line matrix printing consists of printing patterns of ink dots
on paper, an entire line at a time.
Each text character is stored in memory as a pattern of dots on a logical grid
called the dot matrix. (See Figure 2.) The actual ink dots are made by a row of
hammer springs mounted on a shuttle that sweeps rapidly back and forth.
Printer logic divides every printable line into horizontal dot rows. The hammer
springs put dots at the required positions for the entire line by striking a
moving ink ribbon and the paper.
Figure 2. Dot Matrix Character Formation
Unlike serial dot matrix printers, which form complete text characters one at a
time with a moving printhead, a line matrix printer divides each printable line
into horizontal dot rows, then prints a dot row of the entire line with every
lateral sweep of the shuttle. (See Figure 3.)
During each sweep of the shuttle, the hammers print dots at the required
positions in the dot row. At the end of a sweep, the shuttle reverses direction,
the paper advances one dot row, and the hammers print the next row of dots
as the shuttle sweeps in the opposite direction.
Dot Column
Dot Row
Character Row
Character Column
Matrix visible only to
the printer
Ink dots formed by
hammer tips

16
Chapter 1 The P5000 series with DEC LG Emulation
After a line of characters is printed, hammer action stops while the paper
advances to the first dot row of the next printable line. The number of rows
allowed for line separation depends on the line spacing you select.
Figure 3. Line Matrix Printing
Printing Speed
The speed at which text prints is measured in lines per minute (lpm). This
speed is inversely proportional to the number of dot rows required to produce
a character line, regardless of the number of characters in the line. More dot
rows are required to print lowercase characters with descenders;
consequently, those character lines print at a fractionally lower rate.
The printer also prints dot-addressable graphic images. The speed at which
graphics are plotted is measured in inches per minute (ipm). Unidirectional
plotting produces slightly better print quality and takes about twice as long as
bidirectional plotting. You can select either plotting mode from the control
panel.
Printing and plotting rates also vary according to the print mode you select.
Print mode refers to the way you instruct the printer to create characters. If,
for example, you select near letter quality (NLQ) mode, the printer uses more
dot rows to form characters than if you choose high speed (HS) mode.
Character formation and print speed are faster in HS mode because the
printer prints fewer dot rows to form characters. Vertical dot density is a factor
in printing speed.
Dot
Row Start
Paper
Feed
Number of rows is determined by line spacing.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
n
1
2
*
**
This row is used only for lowercase descenders.
This row is used for underlining and lowercase descenders.
*
**
One
Text
Line
Direction of Shuttle Movement
Direction

17
2Setting Up the Printer
Before You Begin
Read this chapter carefully before installing and operating the DEC LG
Emulation printer.
The printer is easy to install, but for your safety, and to protect valuable
equipment, perform all the procedures in this chapter in the order presented.
Power Requirements
IMPORTANT It is recommended that printer power be supplied from a separate AC
circuit protected at 10 amperes for 120 volts or 5 amperes for 230 volts
at 50 or 60 Hertz.
The printer must be connected to a power outlet that supplies 88 to 135 Volts
AC or 178 to 270 Volts AC at 47 to 63 Hz. The printer automatically senses
and adjusts itself to conform to the correct voltage range.
Primary circuit protection is provided by the power switch, which is also a
circuit breaker. Consult an electrician if printer operation affects local
electrical lines. See Appendix A for additional power specifications.
Select a Site
Printer dimensions are shown in Figure 4 and Figure 5. Select a printer site
that meets the following requirements:
•Permits complete opening of the printer cover and doors.
•Allows at least three feet of clearance behind the cabinet printer model.
(This permits air to circulate freely around the printer and provides access
to the paper stacking area.)
•Has a standard power outlet that supplies 100-120 Volts AC or 200-240
Volts AC power, at 47 to 63 Hz. The printer automatically senses and
adjusts itself to conform to the correct voltage range. (For the 100-120
Volt outlet, power may fluctuate between 88 and 135 Volts AC. For the
200-240 Volt outlet, power may fluctuate between 178 and 270 Volts.)
•Is relatively dust-free.
•Has a temperature range of 10°Cto 40°C (50°F to 104°F), and a
relative humidity from 15% to 90% non-condensing.

18
Chapter 2 Before You Begin
•Is located within the maximum allowable cable length to the host
computer. This distance depends on the type of interface you plan to use,
as shown in Table 2:
Figure 4. Cabinet Model Dimensions
Table 2. Interface Connections
Interface Type Maximum Cable Length
Centronics Parallel 5 meters (15 feet)
IEEE 1284 Parallel 10 meters (32 feet)
Dataproducts Parallel 12 meters (40 feet)
Serial RS-232 15 meters (50 feet)
Serial RS-422 1220 meters (4000 feet)
41.0 in.
(104.1 cm)
57.5 in.
(146.1 cm)
27.0 in.
(68.6 cm)
27.0 in.
(68.6 cm)
83.0 in.
(210.8 cm)
29.0 in.
(73.7 cm)
27.0 in.
(68.6 cm)
27.0 in.
(68.6 cm)
Cabinet Rear
Door
Printer Cover

Select a Site
19
Figure 5. Pedestal Model Dimensions
24.6 in.
(62.48 cm.)
30 in.
(76.2 cm.)
10.5 in.
(26.67 cm.)
25 in.
(63.5 cm.)
48.0 in.
(122 cm.)

20
Chapter 2 Before You Begin
Printer Component Locations
Familiarize yourself with the names and locations of the printer components
shown in Figure 6 before continuing with the rest of the installation procedure.
Figure 6. Component Locations
Horizontal
Adjustment Knob
Tractor Lock
Paper Scale
Splined Shaft
Paper Support
Tractor
Hammer Bank Cover
and Ribbon Mask
Ribbon Loading
Path Diagram Forms Thickness
Lever
Vertical Position
Knob