Epson LX-300+

Product Controls:

Printer's Self-Test - The built-in self test function demonstrates that the printer is working properly. You can run the test with either continuous paper or single sheets; this describes the easier way, with single sheets.

• Make sure the printer is turned off and the paper-release lever is pushed back to the single-sheet position. Raise the paper guide upright.
• While holding down the LF/FF button, turn on the printer. The PAUSE light flashes.
• Slide the left edge guide until it locks in place at the guide mark. Next, adjust the right edge guide to match the width of your paper.
• Slide a sheet of paper down firmly between the edge guides until it meets resistance. The printer loads the sheet automatically.
• Press the PAUSE button. The printer begins printing the self test.
• To stop printing temporarily, press the PAUSE button.
• To end the self test, make sure the printer is not printing. Press LF/FF to eject the sheet; then turn off the printer.

Hex Dump Mode - To print a hex dump, turn off the printer. Next, hold down the Load/Eject and LF/FF buttons while you turn on the printer. Then send data from your computer. The printer prints all the codes it receives in hexadecimal format.

Default Setting Mode - Tear Off + Power-On

Standby - Load/Eject, hold until continuous paper feeds backward to the Standby position.

Microfeed - When you hold down the Pause button for three seconds, the printer enters the micro adjust mode. In this mode, you can press the LF/FF and Load/Eject buttons to adjust the top-of-form or tear-off position.

What is the EPSON Status Monitor 3 utility?

The EPSON Status Monitor 3 utility is for Windows versions 95, 98, 2000, and NT 4.0 (or later). The Status Monitor displays information about the printer's status and lets you know if there is a problem with a print job.

What is the EPSON Remote! utility?

The EPSON Remote! utility is a DOS-based printer setup utility that lets you change printer default settings from your monitor screen.

Are there any differences on the control panel from the LX-300?

The LX-300+ includes a Load/Eject button, which loads or ejects a single sheet. It also loads continuous paper from the standby position or feeds it backward to the standby position; it replaces the Paper Park feature on the LX-300. The FONT button is now referred to as the Tear Off button. It still lets you select one of the printer's built-in fonts through the Micro Adjust mode, plus it advances continuous paper to the tear-off position or feeds continuous paper backward to the top-of-form position. The control panel also features a Paper Out light to let you know when the printer has run out of paper or paper is not loaded correctly. Additionally, because the LX-300+ has six built-in fonts (instead of four on the LX-300) the Tear Off lights now indicate which of the built-in fonts is currently selected.

Can I print on checks that are 3-inches in length?

Yes, you can print on special sized papers. If you are using Windows, you will need to setup the printer options for a User Defined Page Size in the Control Panel. If you are using an MS-DOS application, you will either need to send an ESC code or the application would have to be capable of sending a User Defined Page Size code to the printer. The command must come from the application program you are sending the print job from.

Why does my printer print garbage from MS-DOS and Windows?

When a printer prints garbage, it usually indicates a faulty cable or a loose connection. Power OFF your printer and computer. Disconnect and reconnect the cable on the printer and computer. Once the cable has been reconnected, power the printer and computer back ON. Try printing from MS-DOS. If you are still getting garbage, change the cable. We recommend getting a fully shielded cable, preferably 6 feet or less in length. If you are still experiencing problems after changing your cable, you may have a computer or printer port issue. If you take the cable and printer to another computer and it works fine, have your computer's port checked by an authorized dealer. If it still gives you garbage from another computer, have the printer taken in to be serviced.

What driver should I use if the LX-300+ is not listed?

For color printing: LX-300, JX-80, EX-800.

For monochrome printing: LX-810, LX-850, LX-800, LX-80/86, FX-850, FX-86e/800.

My printer prints fine from MS-DOS. Why am I getting garbage only in Windows?

A: If you have already reconnected the cable on the computer and the printer, changed to another cable, and are positive you are using a fully-shielded parallel cable, chances are that you are having a conflict in Windows. The Print Manager or the printer driver usually causes the conflict in Windows. Save your work, then exit Windows (this will clear the Print Manager of any pending print jobs). Go back into Windows and verify the printer driver that has been selected is correct. To verify the driver in Windows 3.x, go to the Control Panel and choose Printers. For Windows 95 or 98, click on Start, go to Settings, choose Printers. Make sure that the driver you have selected as your default printer is compatible. Try printing again. If you are still getting garbage, disable the Windows Print Manager. In Windows 3.x, go to the Control Panel, choose Printers, and remove the "x" from the box in front of Use Print Manager, then click Close. For Windows 95 or 98, click Start, go to Settings, choose Printers, point to the default printer then right click once on your mouse. Select Properties, go to the Details tab, click on the Spool Settings button, and choose the option "Print directly to the printer." Click OK to exit the Properties window, click OK again to save the new setting, exit the Printers window, then restart Windows 95 or 98. Try printing again. If this does not resolve your problem, take the cable and printer to another computer to determine if the problem is hardware related. If the printer prints fine from another computer, have your computer's port tested.

Why does my printer print slower in Windows than with DOS?

Since Windows is a graphic environment, the drivers are set to print unidirectional for better print quality.

My printer is fine until I try to print anything from Windows 95 or 98. When I try printing, the printer goes offline.

Try running a self-test to ensure that the printer is operating properly. If the self-test prints fine, while connected to the computer, you may be having a communication problem between the printer and Windows 95 or 98. Take the printer into an EPSON Authorized Service Center to have a technician examine the printer.

Why won't the printer print serially from my PC?

If you are using a straight through modem cable, change the cable to a null modem cable (pins 2 and 3 are reversed). If you are already using a null modem cable, ensure that the Default Settings for the serial port on the printer match the settings on your computer. There is always the possibility of a loose connection or a bad cable. Disconnect and reconnect the cable on the PC and the printer and try printing again. Use the Printer Setting mode to change the baud rate or parity bit if necessary. If you are still experiencing difficulty, try a different cable or take the printer to another computer to see if the computer's port is malfunctioning.

Will this printer emulate an IBM Proprinter?

This printer emulates the IBM Proprinter using the commands below. For detailed information, see the IBM 2380 Plus reference manual.

General operation: NUL, DC3, ESC j, BEL, CAN, DC1, ESC Q, ESC [ K, ESC U, ESC [ F

Paper feeding: FF, LF, ESC 5, ESC A, ESC 0, ESC 1, ESC 2, ESC 3, CR, ESC ]

Page format: ESC C, ESC C0, ESC X, ESC N, ESC O, ESC 4

Print position motion: ESC d, ESC R, ESC D, HT, ESC B, VT, ESC J

Font selection: DC2, ESC P, ESC :, ESC E, ESC F, ESC I, ESC [d, ESC [I

Font enhancement: DC4, SO, ESC SO, ESC W, ESC [ @, SI, ESC SI, ESC G, ESC H, ESC T, ESC S, ESC -, ESC _

Spacing: BS, SP

Character handling: ESC 6, ESC 7, ESC [ T, ESC ^, ESC \

Bit image: ESC K, ESC L, ESC Y, ESC Z

Barcode: ESC [f, ESC [p

Download: ESC = (only Draft mode)

Can I connect this to an Apple Macintosh computer?

You may be able to connect the parallel port of the printer to an Apple Macintosh using a "Grappler" or "PowerPrint" interface. Grappler is manufactured by Orange Micro, Inc. PowerPrint is manufactured by GDT Softworks, Inc.

I'm printing serial, my baud rate is at 9600, and intermittently the printer will lose data. What can I do to correct this?

If you are using XON/XOFF protocol, the XOFF signal may not reach the printer in time to delay data transmission which would result in an overflow and loss of data. If you can use a DTR setting, change XON/XOFF to DTR. If you must use XON/XOFF, try decreasing the baud rate.

What is the recommended duty cycle for the printer?

The specification recommended is 25 percent. Epson America's definition of a 25 percent duty cycle stands for the printer printing (not idle) for two hours per day based on an eight hour day at 22 days per month.

Why does the printer stop or pause in the middle of a large print job?

The printer has a built-in sensor that monitors the temperature of the print head. When the print head begins to get too hot, the printer may pause or slow down the speed of the print head unit to ensure that the print head does not overheat. If the print head begins to overheat, the thermistor will stop the print head completely until it has cooled down. Once the print head has sufficiently cooled down, the printer will resume the print job. Another reason for the printer to pause or stop can be that the printer is waiting for more data or is in the middle of processing data already received.

What are the most commonly used escape codes?

Some commonly used escape codes include (in decimal values) - Reset (27, 64); Set page length in lines (27, 67, n - where n is a number from 1 to 127); Carriage return (13); Line feed (10); Form feed (12); Select 1/8-inch line spacing (27, 48); 10 cpi (27, 80); 12 cpi (27, 77); Select bold font (27, 69); Cancel bold font (27, 70); Select italic font (27, 52); Cancel italic font (27, 53); Turn underline on/off (27, 45, n - where n equals 49=ON or 48=OFF); Select condensed print (15); Cancel condensed print (18). For more escape codes, please refer to the Command Summary of your User's Manual.

What is paper parking?

Paper parking allows the use of a single sheet or a cut-sheet feeder without having to remove the continuous forms. This feature is selected via the printer's control panel buttons.

What is short form tear-off for?

The short form tear-off feature automatically feeds the perforation of continuous paper to the tear-off position of the top cover when printing is complete. When printing, the paper feeds back to the top-of-form loading position.

When printing a multiple page document on single sheets, the first page prints correctly, but the pages after start printing too low.

The difference in print position is usually caused by the page length setting in the software application program. Most applications have a default page length of 66 lines per page when using 11" continuous paper. When using single sheets, the printer automatically provides a small top and bottom margin. Since the top and bottom margins are non-printable areas, the maximum number of lines per page is reduced from 66 to 61 lines per page. Many applications have an option to change the number of lines per page. You should change the number of lines per page to 61. If the program offers a selection for "cut-sheet feeder," change the paper type to cut-sheet feeder.

The printer is not starting at the right position on the paper. How can I change the top-of-form?

Never use the knob to adjust the top-of-form position; this may damage the printer or cause it to lose the top-of-form position. If your printing appears too high or low on the page, you can use the micro adjust feature to adjust the top-of-form position.

Why is the printer beeping three times and the Paper Out light is on?

This indicates that the printer is out of paper. Make sure the paper release lever is in the correct position, then install the paper and try printing.

The printer beeps five times and the PAUSE light stays on.

An error has occurred. Turn off the printer and turn it on again. If the PAUSE light stays on, check for a paper jam or ribbon jam. If there is no jam, contact your dealer or a qualified service person. (If an error occurs when you switch between single sheets and continuous paper, make sure the paper-release lever is in the correct position.)

Do I use dip switches to change the settings on my printer?

No, the LX-300+ has built-in default settings that can be changed by using the front panel buttons. To enter the default setting mode, hold down the FONT button and power-on the printer. For more information on how to change the default settings, please see your User's Manual.

Can I use the same serial interface board that I used on another EPSON printer with the LX-300+?

No, the LX-300+ does not have an optional slot to install an optional interface. The LX-300+ has a built-in RS-232D serial interface.

Can I connect this printer to IBM mainframe (IBM 3270) and IBM minicomputer (AS/400 or System 3X) environments?

No, this printer does not have the optional slot necessary to connect to mainframe and minicomputer systems.

Can the LX-300+ print text characters in a landscape orientation?

Microsoft Windows, using TrueType fonts, allows the printer to print in a landscape orientation. The printer does not include landscape characters as part of its built-in character set so it requires the use of a software application when printing from MS-DOS. This is not available from EPSON.

When printing from MS-DOS applications, I'm getting italic characters instead of lines.

To print lines instead of characters, the printer needs to be in graphics mode. Select a graphics character table (PC437). To switch to PC437, enter your Default Settings mode and select character table PC437.

I was printing labels and one of the labels peeled off. Now my paper won't feed. Can I remove the platen to get the label out?

No, you cannot remove the platen from the printer. If you press the LF/FF button and the label does not appear on the platen for you to remove, you will need to take the printer in to be serviced. When printing labels, it is recommended that you only print with a pull tractor. Labels have a tendency to curl and peel off underneath the platen when being fed through the rear push tractor.

What is micro-adjust used for?

The micro-adjust feature allows you to make fine top-of-form adjustments and short form tear-off position adjustments. The printer remembers adjustments made to continuous paper, even after the printer is turned off. When you hold down the Pause button for three seconds, the printer enters the micro adjust mode. In this mode, you can press the LF/FF and Load/Eject buttons to adjust the top-of-form or tear-off position.

Can I use the platen knob to load and adjust paper?

No, the platen knob is not to be used to load or adjust paper. The knob should only be used to clear paper jams after the printer has been turned off. Use the Load/Eject button to load or remove paper and the Microfeed feature to adjust the top-of-form position of the paper.