Cognitive Solutions A776 Printer Status and Indicators, Startup Diagnostics, Runtime diagnostics

Chapter 2: Printer Status, Ethernet and Indicators  3

Chapter 2: Printer Status and Indicators

The A776/B780 printer performs a number of diagnostics that provide useful information about the operating status of the printer. The following diagnostic tests are available.

•Startup diagnostics, performed during startup cycle.

•Runtime diagnostics, performed during normal printer operation.

•Remote diagnostics, run during normal operation and reported in the print test.

The printer can be configured with the following settings and functions through the configuration menu that is printed on the receipt. To learn more see the section called “Configuring the Printer” in the A776/B780 User Guide, page 26.

Startup Diagnostics

When the printer receives power or performs a hardware reset, it automatically performs the startup diagnostics (also known as level 0 diagnostics) during the startup cycle. The following diagnostics are performed:

•Turn off motors and solenoids

•Perform boot CRC check of the firmware ROM, test external SRAM, test EEPROM, and test main program

CRC

Failure causes Startup Diagnostics to stop; the printer beeps and the light flashes a set number of times, indicating the nature of the failure. The table in the “Indicators” section (page 16) describes the specific tone and light sequences.

•Check if paper is present

•Return the knife to the home position

Failure causes a fault condition. The table in the “Indicators” section (page 16) describes the specific tone and light sequences.

• Check if receipt cover is closed

Failure does not interrupt the startup cycle.

When the startup diagnostics are complete, the printer makes a two-tone beep (low then high frequency), the paper feed button is enabled, and the printer is ready for normal operation.

If the printer has not been turned on before, or a new EEPROM has been installed, the default values for the printer functions will be loaded into the EEPROM during startup diagnostics.

Communication interfaces (except Ethernet) Diagnostic modes

RS-232C settings

Printer emulations/software options Hardware options

Runtime diagnostics

Runtime diagnostics (sometimes called level 2 diagnostics) run during normal printer operation. When the following conditions occur, the printer automatically turns off the appropriate motors and disables printing to prevent damage to the printer:

•Paper out

•Receipt cover open

•Knife unable to home

•Printhead too hot

•Voltages out of range

The light on the operator panel will signal when these conditions occur as well as indicate what state or mode the printer is in.

Remote diagnostics

Remote diagnostics (sometimes called level 3 diagnostics) keeps track of the following tallies and prints them on the receipt during the print test. See the sample test printout on the next page. These tallies can be used to determine the printer’s state of health.

•Model number

•Serial number

•CRC number

•Number of lines printed

•Number of knife cuts

•Number of hours the printer has been on

•Number of flash cycles

•Number of cutter jams

•Number of times the cover is opened

•Maximum temperature reached

(See tallies note on the following page.)

A776-PG00001 C 12/09 A776 (B780) Programming Guide