Star Micronics XB24-10 User manual

MULTI-FONT+SLQ
X624-10
MULTI-FONT+SLQ
X624-15
USERS MANUAL
NOT INTENDED FOR SALE

Self Declaration
Radio interference regarding this equipment has been eliminated according to Vfg 1046/1984 an-
nounced by the DBP.
DBP has been informed of the introduction of this special equipment and has been granted the right to
_ _
examine the whole series.
It is the user’s responsibility to see that his own assembled system is in accordance with the technical
regulations under Vfg 1046/1984.
To conform to FIZ-regulations it is necessary to make all connections to the printer with shielded cable.
The equipllent may only be opened by qualified service representatives.
The above statement applies only IOprinrers marketed in Wesf Germany.
Trademark Acknowledgements
XB24-10, XB24-15, NB-15, NB24-10, NB-24-15: Star Micro&s Co.. Ltd.
IBM PC, PC-AT, PC-XT, Proprinter X2UXL24, Proprinter II, PC-DOS: International Business
Machines Corp.
Microsoft BASIC, MS-DOS: Microsoft Corporation
Pinwriter p6/p7: NEC Co ration
LQ-850, LQ-1000, LQ-lOKLQ-1SOO: Seiko Epson Corp.
WordStar: MicroPro International Corporation
NOTICE
l AU rights reserved. Reproduction of any part of this manual in any form whatsoever without
STAR’s express permissiat is forWden.
l ‘Ihe contents of this manual am subject to change without notice.
. AU efforts have been made to ensum the accurac of the contents of this manual at the time of
press. llowever, should any errors be detected, S4 AR would greally appreciate being informed
of them.
. ‘Ihe above notwithstanding, STAR can assume no responsibility for any errors in this manrul.
0 Copyright 1989 Star Micmnics Co., Ltd.

CONGRATULATIONS
Thank you for buying this printer. This printer is provided with the follow-
ing features:
9 High-quality 24-pin print head
l 3 print modes - Draft, Letter Quality and Super Letter Quality
l Many different typefaces built into the printer
. Epson, NEC or IBM Proprinter compatibility including graphics
l Comprehensive paper-handling facilities (cut-sheet or tractor as stan-
dard, with optional Automatic Sheet Feeder)
l Paper-park facility for loading cut-sheet paper without having to
unload fanfold paper
l Memory Switch facility, enabling comprehensive programming from
the front panel
l Optional color facilities
l IC card slot for extra RAM or provision of ROM fonts
ORGANIZATION OF THIS MANUAL
This manual is divided into 9 chapters. Use chapters 1through 3 as a “User
Guide”, giving you information on how to set up and start your printer. The
remaining chapters may be treated as a reference guide for programming
operations, etc. It assumes a degree of knowledge off the operation of
computers (for instance, it assumes you know about hexadecimal numbers).
The chapters am as follows:
Chapter 1 - Introduction
Read this section first, as it explains how to unpack and install your printer.
Chapter 2 - Front panel controls
There are a number of controls on the front panel which perform various
functions related to paper handling, print modes and font selection. This
section shows you how to use the front panel controls.
Chapter 3 - Setting up the Memory Switches
Your printer has a Memory Switch function, which allows you to make
certain system settings from the front panel. This section explains the
operation of these Memory Swithes.

Chapter 4 - Emulations and escape codes
This chapter explains the different emulations provided by your printer, and
the software commands used to drive it. This section is of use if you am
writing or modifying programs to take advantage of the printer’s features.
Chapter 5 - DIP Switches
This section explains how to set the DIP switches to make system settings
on the printer.
Chapter 6 - MS-DOS and your printer
Since the PC or PC-AT family of computers running under MS-DOS is
currently the most popular configuration of microcomputer, we have in-
cluded a few hints and tips to help you use your printer with such systems. --
Since virtually all PCs are sold with aMicrosoft BASIC interpreter, we have
also included some hints, and a sample program in this language to
demonstrate the capabilities of the printer.
Chapter 7 - Troubleshooting and maintenance
This section give achecklist of points to check if your printer is not working
in the expected way. It also includes details of some routine maintenance
operations you can carry out yourself. It is not, however, a complete service
manual. Call a qualified service engineer if you am unsure of your ability to
carry out any maintenance or servicing operations.
Chapter 8 - Specifications
This section gives the specifications of your printer.
Chapter 9 - Character sets
These charts give the different character sets available, and the differences
between national character sets (as set up with the DIP switches).

I
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter 1 INTRODUCTION ......................................................................1
LOCATING THE PRINTER .......................................................... 1
UNPACKING, SE’ITING UP AND CONNECTION .................... 1
Setting up
.............................................................................................................
comlwtioll ........................................................... z
LOADING PAPER ......................................................................... 7
Cut-sheet paper ............................................................................ 7
Fanfold paper (continuous) stationery ......................................... 8
Once the paper has been loaded ................................................ 10
Chapter 2 FRONT PANEL CONTROLS ............................................. 11
CONTROLS AND INDICATORS ............................................... 11
Controls ..................................................................................... 11
Indicators ................................................................................... 11
PITCH SE’I-I’ING
.......................................................................... 12
Pitch Panel Lock ........................................................................ 12
QUALITY SETTING ................................................................... 12
Mode Panel Lock ....................................................................... 13
FONT SETTING .......................................................................... .13
Font Panel Lock ......................................................................... 13
QUIET MODE .............................................................................. 14
PAPER HANDLING .................................................................... 14
Form feed ................................................................................... 14
Paper parking.. ........................................................................... 14
Short tear-off function ............................................................... 15
Micro Feed ................................................................................. 16
BUFFER CLEAR/RESET ............................................................ 16
TEST AND MAINTENANCE SETTINGS ................................. 16
Chapter 3 SETTING UP THE MEMORY SWITCHES .................
.17
M&NJOPTIONS
.........................................................................
19
Command Menu ......................................................................... 19
Font menu .................................................................................. 19
Print Menu ................................................................................. 20
Paper Menu ............................................................................... .20
Forms Menu .............................................................................. .21
Factory settings.. ........................................................................ 22

Chapter 4 EMULATIONS AND ESCAPE CODES u..........................
23
EMULATIONS .............................................................................23
NUMERICAL REPRESENTATION ...........................................23
COMMAND CODES AND ESCAPE SEQUENCES ..................24
Font style and character set control codes .................................26
Font pitch control codes ............................................................30
Special print mode control codes ...............................................33
Line space control codes ............................................................38
Form feed control codes ............................................................
43
Margins and vertical tab setting control codes ..........................
45
Horizontal print position control codes ....................,................48
Downloaded character control codes .........................................53
Graphics .....................................................................................56 -
Miscellaneous codes ..................................................................60
ASCII command sequences .......................................................69
Chapter 5 DIP SWITCHES ......................................................................73
Chapter 6 TROUBLESHOOTING AND MAINTENANCE ...........75
TROUBLESHOOTING ................................................................75
Power supply .............................................................................76
Printing ......................................................................................76
Paper feeding .............................................................................78
EVERYDAY MAINTENANCE ..................................................81
ADJUSTING THE PRINTING GAP ...........................................81
RIBBON REPLACEMENT ......................*...................................a2
REPLACING THE PRINT HEAD ...............................................84
FRONT PANEL DIAGNOSTIC AND
TEST MODES ..............................................................................86
Short test mode ..........................................................................86
Long test mode ..........................................................................87
Text test mode ...........................................................................88 -
Hexadecimal dump mode ..........................................................89
Bidirectional test/adjustment mode ...........................................90
Chapter 7 MS-DOS AND YOUR PRINTER .......................................93
INSTALLING APPLICATION SOFlWARE
WITH YOUR PRINTER ..............................................................
93
GRAPHICS HARD COPY ...........................................................95
SETTING UP THE PRINTER FROM THE DOS PROMPT ......95
PROGRAMMING USING BASIC ..............................................96
Sample program .........................................................................96
How the program works ..........................................................100
Patches necessary to use the BASIC interpreter ......................103

Chapter 8 SPECIFICATIONS ...............................................................105
Chapter 9 CHARACTER SETS .......................
.....................................109
STANDARD CHARACTER SET #1.........................................1lo
Family 1..............................
.........n........................................... 110
Family 2 ...........................
........................................................112
Family 3 ..................................
.................................................114
Family 4 ............................
.......................................................116
STANDARD CHARACTER SET #2 .........................................118
Family 1.................................
..................................................118
Family 2 ..................................
.................................................118
Family 3......................................
.............................................119
Family 4 ............................
.......................................................119
IBM CHARACTER SET #2 .......................................................120
Family 1................................
...................................................120
Family 2 ................................................................................... 122
Family 3 ..............................
.....................................................124
Family 4 ............“...................................................................... 125
IMB CHARACTE:X SET #l ......................................
.................127
ADDITIONAL CHARACTER SET ...........................................128
INTERNATIONAL CHARACTER SETS ................................. 129
INDEX ..........................
...........................................................................131

chapter 1 INTRODUCTION
The following section covers the unpacking and installation of your printer,
together with information on paper loading and handling (both continuous
and cut-sheet paper).
LOCATING THE PRINTER
Before you start unpacking and setting up your printer, make sure that you
have a suitable place on which to locate it. By “a suitable place”, we mean:
l A firm, level surface which is fairly vibration-free
l Away from excessive heat (ie away from direct sunlight and away from
heaters, etc)
.
\.
l Away from excessive humidity
l Away from excessive dust
l A location with sufficient space to locate the printer and any paper to be
fed into it, as well as the printed paper coming out
l If you are using aparallel connection to your computer, make sure that it
is within 2m (6ft) of the printer (an RS-232 connection using the optional
RS-232 interface can be made over longer distances).
4. UNPACKING, SETTING UP AND CONNECTION
Now unpack the contents of the printer shipping container, and make sure
that you have the following:
l The printer itself
9 Paper guide assembly
l The platen knob
l A fabric ribbon
If any of these items are missing, contact your supplier.
. 1

The optional accessories which you may have ordered with your printer are:
l Serial (RS-232) interface board
l Automatic sheet feeder
l Color option kit
See the installation instructions contained with these optional items for
details of how to attach them to your printer.
2

Setting up
Place your printer in the position where it is going to be permanently sited,
and remove all packing material from inside the top cover. This packing
material is intended to prevent damage to the printer in transit. You may like
to keep this packing with the printer carton if you intend transporting the
printer for use at a different location.
laten knob
The platen knob should be removed from the accessory box inside the
shipping carton. Mount the platen knob on the shaft on the right-hand side
of the printer. Turn the knob on the shaft before pushing the knob fully into
position.
NOTE
Before turning the platen knob, always ensure that the power to the printer
is OFF. Turning the platen knob when the power is on can damage the
printer’s gears.
3

Remove the top cover by lifting the front (using the two grips at the side),
and pulling towards you. Now install the ribbon.
1 Use the tensioning knob on the ribbon cartridge to tighten the ribbon if it
is slack (turn clockwise).
2 The ribbon should pass between the print head and the print head shield
(see illustration below).
Print head shield
Ink ribbon
3 Use the grips on the side of the ribbon cartridge to help locate the cartridge
(squeeze them inwards gently), and make sure that the spindles on the
cartridge holder fit into the sockets on the cartridge itself.
Ribbon cartridge
Ribbon tensioning knob
Ribbon holder
4 -

Connection
Connect the printer to your computer, using a standard parallel-type cable.
On a PC or PC/AT-type computer, this means that you use the 25-way D-
type connector atthe computerend, and the Amphenol-type 36-way connec-
tor at the printer end. The pinouts of the printer’s connector are given in
Chapter 8 if you need a cable for connection to another computer.
Plug the printer into a suitable mains outlet. However, DO NOT turn on the
power switch at the back of the printer yet.
nterface cable
5

You may need to set some DIP switches inside the printer before you start
using it. These switches enable you to configure the printer as an Epson or
as an IBM Proprinter printer. The DIP switches also enable you to select a
character set other than the USA character set, if your supplier has not
already set these up for you. The DIP switch cover is located inside the top
cover (see below). Use the end of apaper-clip (or similar) to set the switches.
Details of these switches are given in Chapter 5. If you feel unsure asto your
ability to set these switches, contact your supplier.
DIP switch cover
6

LOADING PAPER
The following sections explain how to load paper - single-sheet (cut-sheet),
without the Automatic Sheet feeder, and also the operations necessary for
loading continuous (fanfold) stationery.
If you are using the Automatic Sheet Feeder, please refer to the instructions
supplied with the Automatic Sheet Feeder unit.
Cut-sheet paper
4
Place the paper guide in position, locating the lugs on the bottom of the
assembly into the slots on the printer body.
Make sure that the release lever is pushed towards the back of the printer
( h position).
Adjust the paper guides to match the size of paper you will be using (re-
membering that printing will start some distance from the left-hand edge
of the carriage). There are markings molded into the back plate of the
assembly to help you if you wish to center the paper. If you are centering
the paper using the markings molded into the paper guide, remember that
printing will start from the left-hand edge, unless you reset the left and
right margins using software commands.
Place the paper between the guides, placing the side on which you want
to print towards the back of the printer. Gently push the paper down in the
guides until you feel it stop.
Adjustable paper guides
7

5 Turn on the power using the switch at the back of the printer. The printer
will beep, indicating that no paper is in position for printing. The orange
PAPER indicator also shows this.
6 Now press the m button. The paper bail will move clear of the paper,
and the paper will be fed and adjusted past the print head to a position
ready for printing. The paper bail will be moved back to grip the paper
against the platen, and the print head will move to the start position.
The actual vertical position of the paper after auto-loading is determined by
the Memory Switch setting (see Chapter 3).
The vertical position of the paper can be finely adjusted by means of the
micro feed function (see Chapter 2).
Fanfold paper (continuous) stationery
If you are going to use fanfold (continuous) paper, then you will need to use
the integral tractor mechanism assembly, situated under the rear cover of the
printer.
1 Remove the top and rear covers of the printer to insert the paper.
Clamp lever
/
8

2 Push the release lever towards the front of the printer (to the m position).
This has the effect of releasing the paper from the platen roller, and
engaging the tractor feed.
3 With the sprocket covers open, thread the paper over the sprockets,
aligning the sprocket holes with the pins on the sprockets.
4 Adjust the spacing of the sprockets by sliding them along the bar, using
the clamp lever at the back of each sprocket to release and lock the
sprocket inposition (when the lever isup, the sprocket may bemoved, and
when it is down, the sprocket is locked).
Release lever Sprocket cover
I
5 Now close the sprocket covers, again making sure that the paper sprocket
holes are aligned with the pins on the sprockets. If they are not aligned
properly, you,will have problems with paper feeding, possibly resulting
in tearing and jamming of the paper.
6 Turn on the printer using the switch at the back of the printer. The printer
will beep (indicating that the paper is not yet fully loaded). This is also
confirmed by the orange PAPER indicator.
9

7 Now press the C
=V~?ETjbutton. The paper bail will move clear of the paper,
and the paper will be fed and adjusted past the print head to a position
ready for printing. The paper bail will be moved back to grip the paper
against the platen, and the print head will move to the start position. As
when loading cut-sheet paper, the Memory Switch setting will determine
the initial position of the paper after auto-feeding, and the micro feed
function may be used to adjust the paper position.
8 Remount the top cover rear cover and the transparent printer cover.
9 Remount the paper guide as shown below:
Once the paper has been loaded
The printer will now be on-line (the ON LINEindicator will be lighted). You
may now want to choose a font, apitch and a print quality. This can be done
from the front panel, but you must put the printer off-line first by pressing
the @%G button. The indicator will go out and the printer will beep to
confirm this.
10

Chapter 2
FRONT PANEL CONTROLS
The following section describes the front panel controls and indicators on
your-printer, together with adescription of the functions performed by them.
CONTROLS AND INDICATORS
The following is a brief guide to the controls and indicators on the front
panel.
The printer is equipped with six buttons: from left to right they are, ~53,
8s and 5-8 (smaller buttons), and ~=vE&, :W.PERand C-iii;: (larger
buttons).
Indicators
The first three buttons have a series of indicators next to them which show
which option has been currently selected using them (font, mode or pitch).
Some of these indicators can be either orange or green, depending upon the
options currently selected.
There is no indicator associated with the C~EKI button (as its operation is
obvious when paper has been inserted), but the C=EC and :. 0~~3
buttons both have indicators embedded in the buttons themselves. The
indicator embedded in the @I@!5 button, however does not indicate paper
feed directly, but indicates (when illuminated) whether Quiet mode has been
selected (see below). The C~YYCbutton also has an embedded indicator.
Pushing the ,: WY-!
---\ button will alternately set the printer on- and off-line
and illuminate or extinguish the indicator.
11

In addition to these indicators, there are two others, POWER and PAPER. The
POWER indicator will illuminate when power is supplied to the printer, and
the PAPER indicator will illuminate when no paper has been inserted.
PITCH SETTING
Usethe CEC button to set the pitch that will be printed. Remember that the
printer must be off-line for you to do this. Successive presses of this button
will illuminate (and select) the following options in this order:
1 Pitch 1Indicator(s) I
10 characters per inch
12 characters per inch
15 characters per inch
17 characters per inch
20 characters per inch
Proportional
Proportional condensed
loCP1
12CPI
15cPI
loCP1, COND
12CP1, COND
PROP
PROP, COND
Holding down this button will cycle continuously between these options.
Pitch Panel Lock
If the EC button is pressed when the printer is turned on, the pitch will
be “locked”, and no pitch changes can be made from software. It is still
possible, however, to put the printer off-line and change the pitch using the
TPIGSbutton.
QUALITY SETTING
The printer is capable of 3 print quality modes: Super Letter Quality (SLQ),
Letter Quality and Draft. Successive presses of the ‘YOOE:button will
alternate between these three settings(the SLQ mode is indicated by the top
indicator showing orange). Remember that the printer must be off-line for
you to do this. Holding down this button will cycle continuously between
these three options. However, not every typeface can be printed in every
mode (see the table below for details of what fonts are available in each
mode), and so the FONT indicator may change as you change the mode.
12