Epson ActionLaser

How do I run a SELF-TEST on the ActionLaser?

The ActionLaser provides three (3) built-in SELF-TESTS. To begin any of the built - in SELF - TESTS, the printer must be set to "OFF - LINE." Listed below are the necessary keystrokes to initiate the SELF - TESTS:

1. SELF TEST - Press the "SPECIAL" and "MANUAL" buttons simultaneously.

(Used to print out a test pattern that is helpful when adjusting or checking the print darkness. This test also may be used to provide a basic determination if the printer is functional.)

2. FONT PRINT - Press the "SPECIAL" and "CONTINUE/RESET" buttons simultaneously.

(Used to print out information and print samples of available fonts, including built - in fonts, cartridge fonts and downloaded {soft} fonts.)

3. STATUS PRINT - Press the 'UP" and "DOWN" arrow buttons simultaneously.

(Used to determine the printer's current settings, such as font source and number, symbol set, paper size, data buffer configuration, interface port selection, etc ... )

What printer does the ActionLaser emulate?

The ActionLaser provides full HP LaserJet Series II software emulation (HP PCL Level IV device.)

Are any optional emulations available for the ActionLaser?

Yes, FX Series emulation is available tor the ActionLaser with an optional FX Identity Cartridge. The part number for the cartridge is IBS100.

What printer driver selection should I choose in my software programs when using the ActionLaser?

Below are selections of proper printer drivers, in order of preference:

• HP LaserJet Series II (Best)
• HP LaserJet Plus
• HP LaserJet (Worst)

What is the rated print speed and resolution for the ActionLaser?

The ActionLaser's print speed is up to 6 pages per minute (PPM) when using letter-size paper at up to 300 dots-per-inch (DPI). NOTE: A print speed of up to 6 PPM is achieved by usinq the printer's number of copies feature.

After I have made changes in SelecType, what must I do to activate these changes?

After making the necessary changes in SelecType, press the "SelecType" button to exit SelecType, the LCD will display "OFF -LINE." At this point, press and hold the "CONTINUE/RESET" button for approximately 3 seconds. When the printer displays "RESET' on the LCD display, the button should be released. The SelecType changes you have made is now saved.

NOTE: If there were changes to the INTERFACE. DATA BUFFER, or OVERLOAD BUFFER settings, the printer also must be powered 'OFF" then back 'ON" in order for these changes to become active.

How do I set the ActionLaser back to the factory-default settings using the SelecType buttons on the printer's front panel?

To change the ActionLaser back to the factory -default settings, set the printer to "OFF-LINE," then press the "SelecType" button. The next step is to press and hold the "CONTINUE/RESET" button for approximately 3 seconds. When "INITIALIZE" appears on the LCD display, release the button. The final step is to press and hold the "CONTINUE/RESET" button again for approximately 3 seconds. When "RESET" appears on the display, release the button. The printer now reset to the factory-default settings.

NOTE: If there were changes to the INTERFACE, DATA BUFFER, or OVERLOAD BUFFER settings, the printer also must be powered "OFF" then back "ON" in order for these changes to become active.

Why does the ActionLaser display "DATA IN BUFFER" on the LCD and not print anything when I send data to it?

The ActionLaser is a page printer meaning that it prints a whole page at a time. If the ActionLaser doesn't receive a full page of data or a FORM FEED command from the computer, it will not print.

How do I eject the page from the ActionLaser when "DATA IN BUFFER" appears on the LCD display?

Press the "CONTINUE/RESET" button to eject the page.

Why does the ActionLaser beep and display 'ERROR 20" several times when I attempt to use soft fonts?

An 'ERROR 20" message suggests you have exceeded the printer's available user memory. A solution to this would be to add more user memory to the ActionLaser. The part number for the optional 2MB memory board is IBS401.

How many internal (built-in) fonts does the ActionLaser have and what are they?

The ActionLaser has three (3) portrait fonts and three (3) landscape fonts for a total of six (6) internal fonts. Listed below are the internal fonts.

How many lines can be printed on an 8.5 by 11" page when using 1/6" (default) line spacing?

When printing in portrait 60 lines can be printed on a page, 45 lines for landscape.

Is it possible to select landscape printing on the ActionLaser by using the printer's SelecType feature?

Yes. If you select a landscape font, the ActionLaser automatically defaults to landscape mode. SelecType allows a font to be selected via a font number. Of the ActionLaser's internal fonts, font numbers 12 through 23 are landscape fonts. If you select any of these font numbers via SelecType, the printer defaults to landscape mode.

How is the optional memory board's memory upgraded from 2MB to 4MB?

The optional memory board's memory can be upgraded from 2MB to 4MB by populating the 16 empty sockets on the memory board with memory chips. The chips to use are 1 MB x 1 bit C-MOS DRAM. Listed below are three sources for these chips.

• Toshiba - TC511000AP-10
• OKI - MSM511000-12RS
• Motorola - MCM511000AP-10

Can the ActionLaser print italic characters?

Yes, but italic characters are not part of the ActionLaser's internal fonts. To print italic characters, a font cartridge or soft font that contains italic characters must be used.

What font cartridges have been tested to be compatible with the ActionLaser?

The ActionLaser can be used with all of the Hewlett Packard font cartridges except the Hewlett Packard PostScript font cartridge.

The Dateline Multifont, the 10 Engineering Supercartridge 1, Pacific Data 25-in-1 (103 fonts), and the UDP 65-in-One also will work in the ActionLaser. Other cartridges may work, but have not tested by Epson at this time.

NOTE: Until further notice, it is not recommended to use Computer Peripherals Jetware font cartridges as they may damage the printer.

Won't print full page or "Page Buffer Full"

The "Page Buffer Full" message or incomplete page printing happens most often when printing spreadsheets or large graphic files. This indicates there is not enough RAM memory in the printer to process the whole page. This can be demonstrated by changing the printer resolution in the Print menu to a lower number, for example: 150 dpi instead of 300 dpi. If the complete page prints or most of the page then the problem is due to inadequate memory resources in the printer.

You can either decrease the current print driver's resolution to 150 dpi or lower (this options is found under GRAPHICS) or you can install more memory in the printer.

Stops printing and "Continue" lights

This is normal when trying to print on odd size and small documents within the printer specifications without the AUTO CONTINUE feature turned on. The printer will stall momentarily, and you will have to press the CONTINUE button after each page. It also sometimes occurs if paper misfeeds and more than one sheet is fed at one time. To avoid having to press Continue you can turn the AUTO CONTINUE feature on.

• Enabling the AUTO CONTINUE feature on the printer.
• Press the SELECT TYPE LEVEL 2 button.
• Press the CONTINUE button until you reach AUTO CONTINUE OFF>
• Press the FEED button until AUTO CONTINUE OFF >SET.
• Press the COPY END button until AUTO CONTINUE ON>SET.
• Press the FEED button until AUTO CONTINUE ON>.
• Press the INITIALIZE RESET (you won't see any change, but the printer knows) button, then press ON-LINE.

Poor print quality

If print quality has declined, please read through the troubleshooting section of your printer user's manual as it has important instructions on how to handle and clean the various components and locations of these items.

These are a few important things to check in a laser printer which can affect print quality.

• Print density adjustment may cause print to be too light or dark/dirty background if adjusted too low or too high.
• Printer components may be dirty with spilled toner inside printer.
• Transfer charger wire may be broken or dirty and need cleaning.
• Glass lens on print head may be dirty and require cleaning.
• Cleaning pad may need replacing.
• Toner may be low.
• Imaging cartridge or drum may need replacing.

If, after cleaning or replacing the above items, print quality has not improved, the printer should be inspected or serviced by an Epson authorized servicer.

Windows 95 printing problem

Epson laser printers emulate HP printers, so if the Epson printer model is not listed among the Windows driver choices, you need to use the appropriate HP printer driver. Since you are using Windows 95, you should install the printer's emulation which is the HPLJ2 printer driver (32-bit).

There are three changes that you will need to make.

• Go to the HPLJII properties section, go to the tab called, "GRAPHICS" select the option called, "DITHERING." Under this option select "ERROR DIFFUSION."
• Under the tab called, "FONTS." Go to "TRUE TYPE FONTS." Select on this menu, the option called, "PRINT TRUE TYPE AS GRAPHICS."
• Make sure that the port settings are set to LPT1, NORMAL, STANDARD, bi-directional or SPP only. The printer does not support ECP or EPP. Any changes to your printer port will have to be done in your system's BIOS. Refer to you Windows 95 manual or contact your computer vendor for assistance.

Error Messages

A C0002, C0003 or C9999 error usually occurs if the printer cannot understand an instruction. So the problem could be a corrupted or wrong driver sending wrong instructions, in this case we would recommend reinstalling the correct driver. Do you use any non Windows applications where there is no problem or is the problem consistant to only one application or document in Windows? This would indicated the printer hardware is not the problem. Otherwise there could be something wrong with the printer if it is not understanding a valid instruction. On the EPL-7000 the C9999 error when printing in landscape mode can be solved by using the HPII driver rather than the HPIIP driver.

The C0004 error is a controller error or could also be caused by a failing fusing unit. If you are seeing this error at power up, then you are experiencing a hardware problem with the printer. If this is the case you will need to have the printer serviced at an Epson authorized service center. If the error message appears on the LCD when it is in a process of printing or receiving the data, then what you may be experiencing is a driver corruption, reinstalling the correct driver may help.

The C0008 error message means Privilege Violation. Your software application is sending a message or a code to the printer that it is not understanding. Make sure you have the correct driver installed.