How to connect an Epson Parallel Printer
Installing and Setting the
Connect-It Parallel Adapter
Install the Connect-It parallel adapter into the Epson TM series printer
The parallel adapter is held in place by 2 screws.
Attaching the Cable
Use a standard parallel printer cable to connect the printer. One end has a male
DB-25 connector, the other end has a male Centronics plug.
DB25 Female (computer connector)
Centronics (printer connector end)
Centronics (printer cable end)
|
Configuring the Computer
Verify the parallel port you are using by
locating and checking the port in the Device
Manager under the System applet in the Windows Control Panel.
Running the Self Test - Test printer
and show settings
Get the initial settings of the parallel adapter by running the printer's self test.
To do this hold down
the feed button while turning on the printer. The printer will print a list of
initial settings including interface type and buffer capacity. Verify that the
interface is "Parallel"
You can change the interface settings using the
DIP
switches on the bottom of the printer. See the
support page for the model of printer you are using.
Installing the Device Drivers
for Windows
To obtain the latest Device
Drivers from Epson:
-
Download and Install Epson’s
drivers available from
www.epson.com
-
Click on TECHNICAL RESOURCES
-
Select the printer model under the menu
-
Click the download
drivers on the printer page
-
For
detailed installation instructions, click here.
Configuring the Printer in
Windows
First off, the parallel printer adapter may not be plug and play.
This depends on the Epson printer and the version of the interface you
are using.
After installing the printer drivers, the printer should be visible in the printers folder of the Windows Control
Panel.
Checking the Driver
Installation in Windows
If Windows does not recognize the
printer when it is attached and powered up,
you need to make a few changes in the printer settings in Windows to get it to work
with the parallel adapter. Specifically you need to configure the printer port you are
using to connect with the printer.
Open the printer in the Windows Printer Folder. Select the Ports Tab.
Select the parallel port in use (i.e. LPT1).
Finally turn off bidirectional support, if enabled
like above.
Configuration Utilities to Run
on the Computer
Epson Flash Utility
The Epson Flash Utility is normally
installed with the Epson printer drivers. It is used to upload bitmaps to Epson
printers, but has a simple communication test which will check for basic
connectivity between the computer and the printer. Pressing the "Comm. Test"
button on the Setup tab of the utility will give a go/no-go indication of basic
connectivity.
Running the TMNet configuration
utility on the Computer
The TMNet utility is not compatible with the parallel interface.
Testing the Printer
You should now be ready to test the printer by printing some text or by pressing
the "Print Test Page" button in the General Tab of the printer properties.
Troubleshooting
Connectivity Problems, never printed
-
The data cable is incorrect. Typically parallel printers
need to use a parallel cable.
-
The Epson printer driver has not been installed for the
parallel adapter and printer in use. Check the cable is plugged into a
parallel port on the computer side. On the computer side this is typically a
D-shaped connector with 25 holes.
-
The printer or the interface card is defective. Confirm
printer operation with self-test. Confirm interface
card by swapping with another interface card or printer.
Prints Garbage
-
The interface settings are not the same on both the printer
and computer. Run the printer self test to show the
current settings on the printer. Check the computer side to see that
interface is parallel. Settings can be changed on the printer using
the DIP switches.
-
The printer selected in the software is not correct or the
software doesn't support the printer in use.
No longer prints
-
The TM printer is turned off. Turn on the TM printer.
Confirm the connection of the power supply unit or the voltage of the
commercial power.
-
The TM printer is offline. Turn the TM printer online.
-
The ERROR LED of the TM printer is on or flashing.
Remove the error cause.
-
The printing port of the driver on the computer side
is not specified correctly. Confirm the driver setting on the computer side.
-
The printer is not online in Windows. Check the status of
the printer in the Windows Control Panel, the printer should show status as
ready. Tip: try stopping and restarting the Print Spooler from
the Services applet of the Control Panel.
Printing is slow
|
