Star Micronics LC-8521 User manual

LC-8521
USER’S MANUAL
DOT MATRIX PRINTER

CE
Manufacturer's Declaration of Conformity
EC Council Directive 89/336/EEC of 3 May 1989
This product, has been designed and manufactured in accordance with the International Standards EN 50081-1/01.92
and EN 50082-1/01.92, following the provisions of the Electro Magnetic Compatibility Directive of the European
Communities as of May 1989.
EC Council Directive 73/23/EEC and 93/68/EEC of 22 July 1993
This product, has been designed and manufactured in accordance with the International Standards EN 60950, follow-
ing the provisions of the Low Voltage Directive of the European Communities as of July 1993.
The above statement applies only to printers marketed in EU.
Ambient Noise Statement
Machine Noise Information Ordinance 3. GSGV, January 18, 1991: The sound pressure level at the operator position
is equal or less than 70 dB(A) according to ISO 7779.
The above statement applies only to printers marketed in EU.
Trademark acknowledgments
LC-8521, LC24-30, LC24-300, NX-2450, NX-2480, SPC-8K : Star Micronics Co. Ltd.
LQ-850, LQ-860, LQ-1050, LQ-1060 : Seiko Epson Corporation
IBM PC, IBM Proprinter X24E, IBM Proprinter XL24E, IBM Proprinter X24, IBM Proprinter XL24 :
International Business Machines Corporation.
TrueType : Apple Computer Inc.
MS-DOS, Microsoft Windows, Windows 3.1, Windows 95 : Microsoft Corporation
Notice
• All rights reserved. Reproduction of any part of this manual in any form whatsoever, without STAR’s express
permission, is strictly forbidden.
• The contents of this manual are subject to change without notice.
• All efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy of the contents of this manual at the time of printing. How-
ever, should any errors be found, STAR would greatly appreciate being informed of them.
• The above notwithstanding, STAR can assume no responsibility for any errors in this manual.
 Copyright 1997 Star Micronics Co., Ltd.

About this manual
This manual describes how to set up, use, and care for the Star LC-8521 printer.
The following is a list of what you can expect to find in each chapter.
Chapter 1 Choosing a place for your printer, unpacking and setup,
ribbon cassette installation, loading paper, connecting to
your computer
Chapter 2 How to use the control panel
Chapter 3 How to use the printer’s Electronic DIP Switch (EDS)
Mode to set up the printer to match the needs of your
system and software
Chapter 4 How to set up for printing with Microsoft Windows 3.1,
how to prepare for printing, how to print a document
Chapter 5 How to set up for printing with Microsoft Windows 95,
how to prepare for printing, how to print a document
Chapter 6 How to set up for printing with MS-DOS
Chapter 7 Selecting the best type of paper, adjusting for paper
thickness, manual sheet feeding, clearing paper jams
Chapter 8 Optional accessories that are available for your printer
Appendix A Troubleshooting
Appendix B Specifications
Appendix C Interface pin outs
Appendix D Character sets
Appendix E Printer control codes
Appendix F Glossary
Appendix G Control panel operation guide

Contents
Chapter 1: Printer Setup ... 1
Choosing a place for the printer ... 1
Unpacking the printer ... 2
General guide ... 3
Removing the protective materials ... 4
Installing the platen knob ... 5
Opening the front cover ... 5
Installing the ribbon cassette ... 6
Removing the ribbon cassette ... 7
Connecting to a power outlet and turning power on and off ... 9
Loading fanfold paper ... 10
Printing on fanfold paper ... 14
Parking fanfold paper ... 15
Unparking fanfold paper ... 15
Using the tear-off function ... 15
Connecting to your computer with a parallel cable ... 16
Connecting to your computer with a serial cable ... 18
Chapter 2: Control Panel Operations ... 20
Switching between on-line and off-line ... 20
Selecting a font ... 21
Entering the Font Lock Mode ... 21
Setting the character pitch ... 22
Entering the Pitch Lock Mode ... 22
Line feed ... 23
Paper eject (cut-sheet paper) ... 23
Form feed (fanfold paper) ... 23
Parking fanfold paper ... 23
Micro feed ... 23
Setting the top of form position ... 24
Tear-off function (fanfold paper) ... 24
Selecting the Quiet Print Mode ... 24
Changing the auto load position ... 25

Saving a macro ... 26
Clearing the printer’s buffer ... 26
Initializing the printer ... 27
Entering the Multi-part Mode ... 27
Chapter 3: Using the EDS Mode ... 28
About EDS Mode settings ... 28
Entering the EDS Mode ... 28
Selecting a bank ... 29
Selecting a switch ... 30
Changing a switch setting ... 30
Printing the current switch settings ... 30
Exiting the EDS Modes ... 30
EDS Modes Settings ... 30
EDS-1 Settings ... 31
Chapter 4: Using the Printer withWindows 3.1 ... 42
Setting up for printing with Microsoft Windows 3.1 ... 42
Getting ready to print ... 44
Printing a document ... 45
Installing TrueType fonts ... 46
Selecting fonts in Windows applications ... 47
Chapter 5: Using the printer withWindows 95 ... 48
Setting up the printer in Windows 95 ... 48
Preparing to print ... 51
Printing a document ... 53
Installing TrueType fonts ... 54
Chapter 6: Using the Printer with MS-DOS ... 56
Setting up for printing with MS-DOS ... 56

Chapter 7: Paper Handling ... 57
Selecting paper types ... 57
Adjusting for paper thickness ... 58
Automatic fanfold feeding ... 59
Manual sheet feeding ... 60
Clearing paper jams ... 62
Chapter 8: Optional Accessory ... 63
Serial-to-Parallel Converter (SPC-8K) ... 63
Connecting the Interface Converter ... 64
Setting the converter’s DIP switches ... 65
Push Tractor Unit (CT-15HA) ... 67
Removing the push tractor unit from the back of the printer ... 68
Installing the push tractor unit ... 69
Appendix A: Troubleshooting ... 70
Short test ... 70
Long test ... 70
Hexadecimal dump ... 71
Adjusting the dot alignment ... 71
Troubleshooting guide ... 73
Checking system software settings in Windows ... 79
Checking system software settings in MS-DOS ... 80
Appendix B: Specifications ... 81
Appendix C: Interface Pin Outs ... 83
Appendix D: Character Sets ... 84
Appendix E: Printer Control Codes ... 96

Appendix F: Glossary ... 102
Appendix G: Control Panel Operation Guide ... 103

1
Chapter 1: Printer Setup
This chapter contains important information on setting up your printer. Be sure
to read this chapter carefully before using the printer for the first time. In this
chapter you will learn about:
❏
Choosing a place for the printer
❏
Unpacking and setting up the printer
❏
Installing the ribbon cassette
❏
Loading paper
❏
Connecting to your computer
Choosing a place for the printer
Before actually unpacking the printer, you should take a few minutes to think
about where you plan to use it. Remember the following points when doing this.
✓
Choose a firm, level surface where the printer will not be exposed to
vibration.
✓
The power outlet you plan to connect to for power should be nearby and
unobstructed.
✓
Make sure that the printer is close enough to your computer for you to
connect the two with your printer cable.
✓
Allow six inches (15 centimeters) of free space on either side of the printer.
If you are going to use fanfold paper, make sure that there is adequate space
for paper behind the printer.
✓
Make sure that the printer is not exposed to direct sunlight.
✓
Make sure that the printer is well away from heaters.
✓
Make sure that the surrounding area is clean, dry, and free of dust.
✓
Make sure that the printer is connected to a reliable power outlet. It should
not be on the same electric circuit as copiers, refrigerators, or other
appliances that cause power spikes.
✓
Use a power outlet that matches the power rating noted on the label affixed
to the bottom of your printer.
✓
Make sure that the room where you are using the printer is not too humid.

2 Printer Setup
Unpacking the printer
Check to make sure that the carton contains each of the items shown in the
following illustration.
If anything is missing, contact the store where you bought the printer and ask
them to supply the missing part. Note that it is a good idea to keep the original
box and all the packing materials just in case you need to pack the printer up
again and send it somewhere at a later date.
A serial-to-parallel interface converter (SPC-8K) and a push tractor unit (CT-
15HA) are also available as an option. Consult your dealer for details.
Important!
There are several versions of this printer designed for different voltages. It is
not possible to change the voltage of a printer. If the voltage shown on the label
on the bottom of your printer does not match the voltage for your area, contact
your dealer immediately.
Printer
User,s manual
Platen knob Ribbon cassette
3.5" Floppy disk

General guide 3
General guide
The following illustrations show the major components of your printer.
Front cover
Adjustment lever
Paper guide
Release lever
Power switch
Document table
Control panel Platen knob
Parallel Interface 
connector
Serial Interface 
connector

4 Printer Setup
Removing the protective materials
Two packing materials are inserted into the printer to protect components
during shipping. Before using the printer, be sure to remove all packing
materials from inside the front cover and the document table as shown in the
illustration.
Document table
Cardboard
Front cover

Installing the platen knob 5
Installing the platen knob
The platen knob is packed into a recess in the packaging material.
❏
Install the knob on the shaft located inside the large hole on the right side of
the printer. Make sure that the flat side of the shaft is aligned with the
corresponding flat surface inside the knob’s spindle. Press the knob
carefully but firmly into place as far as it will go.
Opening the front cover
❏
Hook your fingers under the two small tabs on either side of the front cover
and pull forward and up to swing the front cover open.
Front cover

6 Printer Setup
Installing the ribbon cassette
❏
Make sure that the printer is unplugged from its power outlet.
❏
Open the front cover of the printer.
❏
By hand, move the cartridge holder to the center position of the paper guide
where there is a cutout to allow easy installation and removal of the ribbon
cassette.
Important!
Never try to move the print head while the printer is plugged into a power
outlet. Doing so can damage the printer. If you have just used the printer, let
the print head cool for a few minutes before you touch it.
❏ Remove the ribbon cassette from its package.
❏ Rotate the knob on the ribbon cassette clockwise to take up any slack in the
ribbon.
❏ Carefully place the cassette onto the cartridge holder making sure that the
spindle of the holder fits into the socket on the bottom of the cassette.
Cartridge holder

Removing the ribbon cassette 7
❏
Press down gently but firmly on the cassette until it snaps securely into
place.
❏
Rotate the knob on the cassette again to take up any slack.
❏
Close the front cover of the printer.
Important!
Printing that is poor quality or too light is almost always due to a ribbon that is
simply worn out or “used up.” If you experience problems with print quality,
check the condition of the ribbon. If the black part looks gray and well-worn,
replace the ribbon with a new one.
Removing the ribbon cassette
Use the following procedure to remove the ribbon cassette from the printer
when you want to replace it with a new one.
❏
Make sure that the printer is unplugged from its power outlet.
❏
Open the front cover of the printer.
❏
By hand, move the cartridge holder to the center position of the paper guide
where there is a cutout to allow easy installation and removal of the ribbon
cassette.

8 Printer Setup
Important!
Never try to move the print head while the printer is plugged into a power
outlet. Doing so can damage the printer. If you have just used the printer, let
the print head cool for a few minutes before you touch it.
❏
Using your thumb and forefinger to squeeze the two tabs on the ribbon
cassette towards the center, carefully remove the cassette from the holder.
❏
Use the procedure under “Installing the ribbon cassette” on page 6 to install
a new cassette.

Connecting to a power outlet and turning power on and off 9
Connecting to a power outlet and turning power on and off
❏
Lift up the back of the printer and insert two books or other similar objects
underneath it to keep the printer raised and connect the power cord.
❏
Plug the power cord of the printer into a standard power outlet whose
voltage matches the power rating noted on the label affixed to the bottom of
your printer.
Caution!
If the voltage marked on the bottom of your printer does not match the voltage
from the outlet you are using, do not plug in the power cord. Contact your
dealer for assistance.
❏ Set the switch on the front of the printer to ON to turn power on, and to
OFF to turn power off.
ON
IOFF
O

10 Printer Setup
Caution!
Whenever you turn off the power, wait at least five seconds before turning it
back on; otherwise you may damage the printer.
We recommend that you unplug the printer from the power outlet whenever you
do not plan to use it for long periods. Because of the this, you should locate the
printer so that the power outlet it is plugged into is nearby and easy to access.
At this point you may want to perform a test of the printer to make sure it is
working properly. See page 70 for details on how to perform tests.
Loading fanfold paper
This section tells you how to load fanfold paper. Note that you can also use cut-
sheet paper and multi-part form paper. For details on using other types of paper,
see “Paper Handling” on page 57 of this manual.
❏
Position the stack of paper in front of or behind the printer.
See page 68 for details on setting up the printer for feeding either from the
back or the front of the printer.
❏
The following figures show the correct paths for fanfold paper.
Front feed
Rear feed

Loading fanfold paper 11
Important!
To protect against paper jams, make sure that the fanfold paper is stacked in a
position that is lower than the printer.
To decrease paper jams, be sure that the perforations cannot catch on anything
in the paper path.
❏Unplug the printer from its AC power supply.
❏Pull the release lever on the Front of the printer to the fanfold position.
❏Set the adjustment lever to the value that matches the thickness of the paper
you are using. The setting for normal paper is 1. Set the lever to a larger
value for thicker paper, or to a smaller value for thinner paper. See the table
on page 59 for details.
Adjustment 
lever
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0

12 Printer Setup
❏Unlock the tractor on the left (when viewing the printer from behind) by
pulling its blue lever up, and adjust the position of the left tractor.
Note that there is a guide inside the printer in front of the left tractor. The ▲
mark of the guide indicates where the left margin of the printing will be.
❏Once the left tractor is aligned the way you want it, push the blue lever
back down to lock it in place.
❏Now move the tractor on the right to the approximate position of the right
side of the paper you are using. Pull its blue lever up to unlock it, and push
the lever back down to lock it into place. Also move the center paper
support so that it is approximately halfway between the two tractors.
❏Open the covers of both tractors and align the paper so that the pins on the
tractors are inserted into the holes of the paper.
❏Close the tractor covers.At this point you can make final adjustments to the
paper position by releasing the blue levers and moving the tractors. The
paper should lie flat with no buckling or bulging (tractors too close) or no
stretching or elongation of the holes (tractors too far apart). After making
these adjustments, be sure that you re-lock the tractors by pushing the blue
levers back into their original positions.
Sheet guide Pin tractorPin tractor