Printer set-up guide

Just received your new or refurbished printer? Here's a step by step guide for setting it up.

Assembly Remove the printer from the packaging and shipping protection. Ensure that you have all of the accessories and components you need to set-up the unit. Generally this will include a power supply, a data communication cable, and a roll of paper (thermal or one/two-copy receipt). You will also need an ink ribbon if you are using an impact type printer.
Power Supply All Epson printers that Beagle Hardware sells require a 24 Volt power supply (Epson models PS-150, PS-170, PS-180, DA-36E24, M235A). Please make sure you are not using an older 33V power supply that has the same pin pattern but won't work with any of our printers. Check for correct power supply here.	Power Supply Plug
Printer Cable Unless you've ordered a printer kit, the printer cable is not included with new or refurbished printers. With the exception of serial interfaces, all printers use standard (parallel, USB or Ethernet) printer cables available from an electronics store. Serial printers most commonly use a null modem type cable but may require a custom serial adapter. Consult your POS vendor for more information. Check for correct printer cable here. Instructions on how to set up interfaces are here.	Serial Cable Serial Adapter
Ribbons After the power supply is connected to the printer and the data cable is connected to the computer or terminal, insert the ribbon by opening the case. Thermal printers (including the 88 series) do not use ribbons.	Nylon Ribbon
Paper Install the correct type of paper into the printer. Paper must be of the correct type (thermal or bond) and the correct width. To check if you have the right paper installed, check here. Slip printers tike the TM-U295 do not use rolled paper.	Paper Roll

Configuring your Printer First of all is this printer replacing an existing printer? If it is then go to Replacing a Printer, otherwise go to Installing a Printer.
Replacing a Printer
Replacing the printer is easy, just set it up like the old one, plug it in and go! Replacing an existing printer involves setting your new printer up the same way as the printer it is replacing. Steps to replace a printer: Confirm the printer is the same model and has the same type of connection as the one it is replacing. Check for correct printer cable here. Identify interfaces here. If either model or interface is different, go to Installing a Printer section Set the configuration switches on the new as the same as the old Install the paper and/or ribbon Install the power cord and the data cord connectors Check printer operation Problems? Start troubleshooting
Installing a Printer
Installing a new printer involves setting up the new printer and the computer or device it is attaching to. Steps to install a printer: Install driver software on the computer Connect the printer to the computer using the right cable Configure the printer on the computer Test - confirm that the printer prints from the computer
Configuration Switches Printers have DIP switches to set communications parameters and certain specific functions on the printer. These switches are generally located on the bottom of the unit, and may be behind a small removable metal cover held on by a single screw. If you are replacing a printer or have another in the same environment, it is best to match the settings on that unit to ensure the new printer is able to communicate correctly. For a listing of specific DIP Switch settings by model, please visit our main support page. There is a multitude of Point-of-Sale software and configuration settings. For questions regarding the configuration of a software installation or the function of other POS hardware components, you should contact the manufacturer or your POS system directly. If you are changing a printer in an existing POS set-up the best approach is to make sure the DIP settings on the old and new printers match exactly (if they are the same model and series).	DIP Switches
Turn Power on
Turn on the printer. Please note that, unlike some previous Epson models, all models that Beagle Hardware sells (except the TM-290 type I) have power switches on the unit. If the unit is hooked up correctly and ready to test, there will be no error lights showing. Check for correct ribbon type here.The lights should light solid and not flash. If lights are flashing check to see if the printer is setup correctly (ie. paper is installed, ribbon installed, etc).	On/Off switch

Printer Self-Test
Run the self-test on the printer; turn printer off and power back on while holding down the Feed button. This test will print the settings of the unit and a series of test characters. If this self-test prints correctly, the problem is external to the printer. For instructions for specific printers, check here.	Self-test
Driver Installation
If you are installing the printer to work with a POS system under Windows and need to have the printer appear in the printer folder in Windows, see here.
Troubleshooting
If you are having trouble getting the unit to print correctly, there are a number of different things you can try to isolate or solve the problem: Reboot the computer/terminal and cycle the power on the printer. This step ensures that all of the software and settings are loaded correctly. If the printer prints out garbage characters, check the configuration switch settings on the printer. Run the printer self-test to see if the printer is working and verify the settings output in the test. If you have another printer of the same model, swap that unit in and try to print. This will determine if the communications cable and computer/terminal are functioning correctly. If the problem is with that specific printer unit then check the settings by running the printer self-test. If you have a data cable of the same type (null-modem serial, parallel, USB, Ethernet), swap out the cable and attempt to print again. Data cables can fail rarely, and this step will determine if the cable is the issue. If you are connecting to a Windows PC, you can go into the Control Panel / System / Hardware / Device Manager / Ports and determine if the port is functioning and the port number matches with the setup of your software. Try our TM series troubleshooter for more detailed troubleshooting. If you have exhausted the options above and are still unable to print correctly, you can reach Beagle Hardware support at: 800-253-6407 [email protected]