Epson Stylus 300

Product Controls: Epson Stylus 300

Reset - Pause + ALT + Load/Eject

Cleaning Cycle - ALT + Pause

Self-Test - Font + Power Switch

Hex Dump Mode - Load/Eject + Font + Power Switch

Demo Page - ALT + Power Switch

Default Setting - Pause and then ALT for second page

Clear Buffer - ALT + Load/Eject

Install Cartridge - Pause and then press ALT for 5 seconds (until carriage moves to the middle of the printer), install cartridge, press ALT to start cleaning cycle, press ALT to return carriage back to middle position, press pause to place printer online and ready to print.

Which printer should I select from my Windows/DOS applications?

If the Stylus 300 is not a choice in your software, select one of the following: LQ-(570, 570+, 870, 870+, 1070, 1070+) LQ-(500, 510, 850, 950, 1050).

I can print from DOS fine, but I am getting garbage from my Windows applications?

Ensure the correct default printer driver is selected. Disable the print manager and fast printing direct to port in the control panel. Try selecting LPT1.DOS instead of LPT1, reinstall the cable and try printing again. Sometimes the video driver causes a conflict with the printer driver. To determine if this is the cause of the problem, change the video driver to standard VGA and try printing again. If the problem persists change the printer cable, move the printer and cable to a different computer to determine if the problem is hardware or software related.

Why can't I print from one particular windows application, but I can print fine from other windows applications?

Make sure that the correct printer driver and port are selected within the application that is not printing. Try printing again. If the problem persists, select the LQ570 printer as an alternative printer driver and try printing again. If the results are still unsuccessful, open the Windows Write program and try printing again. If you successfully printed from Windows Write, contact the software manufacturer.

I can print from Windows, but I cannot print from any DOS based applications.

Try printing from the DOS prompt "C:\>", by entering "DIR >LPT1". If nothing prints, try printing to the LPT2 or LPT3 port. If successful, check the printer driver selection within the software program. Make sure the LQ or Stylus 300 driver is selected. Make sure the printer is set on the correct LPT port setting (the port should be set to the successful LPT port used from the DOS prompt -LPT1, LPT2, LPT3).

After replacing the ink cartridge, the printer will run through the motions of printing, however there is nothing printed on the paper.

Ensure the proper procedures for installing an ink cartridge was done. Next, perform at least two cleaning cycles (hold down the ALT and the Pause button on the printer panel to initiate a cleaning cycle). Print out the demonstration page (press the ALT button while applying Power). If the problem persists and there is no improvement, take the printer to an Epson Authorized Service Center.

My "Data" and "Paper Out" lights are flashing, how can I clear my printer?

Initiate a ROM reset (press Pause + ALT + Load/Eject while applying power to the printer). Reinstall the ink cartridge with the power off. If the problem persists, take the printer to an Epson Authorized Service Center.

Why am I getting white horizontal lines through my text?

This phenomena is called banding and may be caused by a clogged nozzle. Print the demo page by pressing the ALT button while applying power to the printer. Check to see if white lines appear through your text. If white lines are present, perform two cleaning cycles as described under the front cover of the printer; press the ALT and Pause buttons. Print the default settings mode (press Pause and then ALT for second page) to ensure that the Auto Line Feed setting is set to off. Print the demo page again. If the demo page still shows missing dots, try reinstalling the ink cartridge. If the problem persists, take the printer to an Epson Authorized Service Center.

My output appears faded. How can I improve the quality?

Make sure the economy light is not selected. If the economy light is not on, perform two cleaning cycles. Try printing the demo page to see if printing has improved. If printing has not improved, try using a fresh pack of paper. If this does not eliminate the problem, replace the ink cartridge.

I had a paper jam, now my printer is only printing garbage?

Power the printer and computer off and make sure that all jammed paper has been removed from the printer. Disconnect, the printer cable and then reconnect the printer cable again. Power the computer on first, and then the printer to avoid any potential noise. Print the demo page to see if printing has improved. If the demo page prints correctly, try printing from your software application again.

My printer will not feed paper. What's wrong?

Make sure the "paper out" light is not on. This would indicate the printer is not sensing the loaded sheets of paper. If the "paper out" light is on and the paper is installed correctly, try fanning and reloading the paper. Check to make sure the rear paper guide is attached to the printer. Press the load eject button to load a sheet of paper. If the problem persists take the printer to an Epson Authorized Service Center.

My printer will not power on.

Remove the printer cable and unplug the printer from the power source; surge protector, power strip or outlet. Connect the power cable in a different outlet and power the printer on. If the problem persists, take the printer to an Epson Authorized Service Center.

The printer is not printing but the data light is on.

The data light usually indicates an incomplete print job which has been received by the printer's page buffer. To clear the buffer, power the printer off and remove the printer cable from the printer. Close down the software program and then reconnect the printer cable, turn on the printer and try printing again.

Is there a color upgrade for this printer?

This option is not available for this printer.

Parallel Port Scanners

Sometimes Epson printers have problems working with Parallel port scanners, as the scanner software will conflict with the Epson printer management software. To disable the Epson software,

• Click on Start / Programs / Epson / Spool Manager.
• Highlight your printer in the Spool Manager Program.
• Click on Queue, then Setup.
• Under the General tab, make sure there is a check in the box "Use Print Manager for this Port".
• Click on Ok, then Queue, then click on Exit.
• Click on Start / Settings / Printers.
• Highlight your printer, then click on File and then Properties.
• Click on the Details tab, and then click on Port Settings.
• If there is an X next to "Spool MS-DOS Print Jobs" then click on the X to deselect it.
• If there is an X next to "Check Port State Before Printing" then click on the X to deselect it.
• Click on Ok, then click on Ok again.
• Close any open Windows down, then Reboot the computer.