Star Micronics LC24-10 user manual Using the Printer with DOS and Basic

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Chapter 4 USING THE PRINTER WITH DOS AND BASIC

Although you will probably do most of your printing with the aid of commercial software, at times you will want to employ direct commands or programs of your own. This chapter will give you some ideas. Three subjects are covered:

Hard-copying the screen

Programming the printer with DOS commands

Programming the printer with BASIC

HARD-COPYING THE SCREEN (MS-DOS AND PC-DOS)

If your computer has a PRTSC (or PrtSc) key, there is an easy way to get hard copy of the screen. Press the SHIFTand PRTSC keys. The printer will print the current screen contents. The PRTSC key works both at the system command level and while you are running application software.

Normally the PRTSC key prints only text data, but if your DOS system includes a file named GRAPHICS.COM, you can hard-copy graphics dis- plays by first typing the command:

A>GRAPHICS

You will find that graphics printing takes considerably more time than text printing. See your DOS manual for further information on the GRAPHICS command.

At the DOS command level, there is also a simple way to have the printer print hard copy continuously, instead of one screen at a time. Press the CTRL key, hold it down, then also press the PRTSC key. If your computer does not have a PRTSC key, press the CTRL and P keys. Nothing visible will happen, but you have just switched on the print-screen function. After this, the printer will hard-copy all text displayed, For example, try typing the directory command:

A>DIR

You will obtain a printed directory.

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Contents LC24-10 Self Declaration HOW to USE this Manual Features of the Printer Quad-sized Tableofcontents Commercial Software Index Locating the Printer Check fhe carton contentsUnpacking and Inspection Page Mount the platen knob Setting UPRemove the top cover Removing the top cover Lnstaii the ribbon cartridgeLnsfall the optional IC card Replace the top coverLoading Single Sheets Connect the printer’s power cordConnect the printer to the computer Mount the paper guideMounting the paper guide for single sheets Semiautomatic loadingManual loading Opening the rear cover Loading and Parking Fanfold FormsClamp Lever Figure I-12. Mounting the paper guide tor tantola forms Paper parkingPaper unparking Short se/f testTest Printing Interface test Long self testDIP Switch Settings Adjusting the Printing GAPInternational character set Print style and pitch selection Page Page OFF 1 OFF Switches and Indicators Power indicatorPaper feed switch On Line switchSty/e/Pitch switch Quiet Mode switchPOWER-UP Functions Short test pattern On Line switchLprint CHR$I Next Return Switch combination functions of control panel Switch Combination FunctionsPage Page Memo Printer menu Installing Your SoftwareType styles Printer command optionsAlignment Setting the DIP SwitchesUsing Your Software Lnitializa tion sequenceType style and pitch selection Other printer commandsCan help you to use italic print Memo HARD-COPYING the Screen MS-DOS and PC-DOS Using the Printer with DOS and BasicName of list device PRN Programming the Printer with DOS CommandsNew file Acopy LQELITE.DAT PRN Aprint README.DOC Programming the Printer with BasicLprint Lprint the Spacings are Changed Next ROW How the program works IBM Lprint E$=CHR$oc!iR$60cHR$60 Lprint IQ= CHR$0CHR$60CHR$60 Replacing the Ribbon Cleaning the PrinterReplacing the Print Head Page Replacing the Battery in the RAM Card If the printer doesn’t print TroubleshootingScreen If you have problems with graphicsIf you have problems with download characters If the printed characters don’t match the characters onAppendix Character Sets Dot Matrix SizeOnly1 Option Electrical SpecificationsFnterface Signals Environmental RequirementsPaper Memo Select draft quality characters Font Control CommandsSelect italic characters Select LQ charactersSelect LQ type style Select ornament characterEmphasized Printing Cancel EmphasizedCancel double-strike printing Select Upright CharactersStop overlining Cancel superscript or subscriptStop Underlining Start OverliningSet Character SET CommandsSelect Enable printing of a// character codesEnable printing of a// character codes on next character Select Ash ZeroHigh-density elite pitch Pica pitchElite pitch High-speed elite pitchExpanded printing Cancel condensed printingCancel expanded printing PrintingCaucel one-line expanded printing Return To normal Height Increase character SpacingSelect double or quadruple size Print Double-height CharactersWidth Select CharacterSet line spacing to 7160 or 7172 inch CommandsSelect character type and print pitch Set line spacing to l/8 inchSet line spacing to n/360 inch Set line spacing to l/6 inchSet base unit for line spacing Set line spacing to n/780 or n/276 inchSelect Reverse Feed Select Forward FeedSet top of page at current position Perform one n/180-inch or n/276-inch line feedPerform one nl7804nch reverse line feed Feed paper n linesSet bottom Margin Cancel top and bottom marginsSet page length to n inches Set top marginSet vertical tab stops every n lines Disable paper-out detectorEnable paper-out detector Set vertical tab stopsSet left margin Horizontal Position CommandsSelect Vertical Tab Channel Vertical tab27 88 nl Set left and right marginsFull Justify Left justifyCenter text Right justifyHorizontal tab Set horizontal tab stopsAbsolute horizontal tab in columns Relative horizontal TabRelative horizontal tab in inches Absolute horizontal tab in inchesPrint b-bit double-density graphics Print 8-MSing/e-density Graphics Print 24bit hex-density graphics Select graphics modeCopy standard characters from ROM into RAM Select graphics ModeDownload Character Commands DensitySelect download character set Define Download CharactersDelete last character sent Select ROM characterSet MSB to Accept MSB as isQuiet Print Cancel LastCancel Quiet Print Repeat dataStop printing PrintSet printer off-line Set printer on-lineManual feed PrintingUnidirectional printing One-line unidirectional printingEject paper From ASF Reset printerSet print start position on ASF Memo Normal character Appenciix DownloadCharacter width Super/subscript character Figure C-2. Telephone symbol, super/subscript1120 1600 2440 Else CS$=STRINGQ2,2 Output Diskette AppendixD Standardcharacterset Page IBM Character SET #2 Page IBM Character SET #l Additional Character SET International Character Sets Index DEI 107 Command Summary ESC EfjC O O O ESC ‘I=‘ ESC pCO 111

LC24-10 specifications

The Star Micronics LC24-10 is a robust and high-performance dot matrix printer that caters primarily to the needs of businesses requiring reliable and efficient printing solutions. Known for its durability and versatility, the LC24-10 is ideal for environments such as retail, manufacturing, and warehousing, where multi-part forms and continuous printing are crucial.

One of the standout features of the LC24-10 is its ability to handle various paper types and formats. It can print on single-sheet paper, multi-part forms, and labels, making it a versatile choice for myriad applications. The printer supports both standard and custom paper sizes, ensuring it meets the diverse needs of end-users.

In terms of technology, the LC24-10 utilizes a 24-pin print head which offers high-speed and high-quality printing. This print head technology enables the printer to produce sharp and clear characters, even when printing on thick or multi-part media. The printer can reach print speeds of up to 550 characters per second, significantly improving productivity in fast-paced environments.

The LC24-10 is designed with user-friendliness in mind. It features a simple control panel that allows for easy configuration and status monitoring. Additionally, the printer supports a variety of connectivity options, including parallel, serial, and USB interfaces, making it compatible with a wide range of systems and devices. This flexibility allows businesses to integrate the printer seamlessly into their existing operations.

Durability is another key characteristic of the LC24-10. Its rugged design ensures that it can withstand the rigors of busy working environments, with a mean time between failure (MTBF) rated at over 10,000 hours. This reliability translates to less downtime and lower overall maintenance costs for businesses.

Furthermore, the LC24-10 is equipped with advanced features such as a slip-feed mechanism that allows for easy loading of various media types without jamming. It also boasts multiple character sets and emulations, enabling it to cater to different printing needs without compromising on quality.

In summary, the Star Micronics LC24-10 stands out in the world of dot matrix printers due to its robust design, versatility in handling various media, high-speed performance, and user-friendly features. These characteristics make it an excellent choice for businesses that require heavy-duty printing capabilities.