Enable State Ribbon Life 100% | Compaq P5000 Series guide

7 RibbonMinder

Overview

RibbonMinder is a user-definable software feature that determines when a ribbon should be changed. It does this by monitoring printer ribbon usage and alerts you when the print quality may fall below a level that you designate. This is especially important if you are printing bar codes to be scanned. This chapter explains how RibbonMinder works and how to configure it to meet your specific print job requirements.

Like the fuel gauge in your car, RibbonMinder indicates how much usable ink remains in the ribbon. The “gauge” for RibbonMinder is the message display on the control panel. The following message is typical for a new ribbon (100% full):

ENABLE STATE

RIBBON LIFE 100%

ON LINE 100% <printer emulation>

As printing continues, the percentage of usable ink in the ribbon decreases (percentage ranges from 100% to -99%):

ON LINE 74% <printer emulation>

ON LINE 8% <printer emulation>

Ribbon ink being consumed

Ribbon life approaching end

When 0% usable ink appears, the printer is typically configured to stop printing and display the following message:

RIBBON INK OUT

CHANGE RIBBON

Continue with the following sections for configuring RibbonMinder options.

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Compaq P5000 Series setup guide Enable State Ribbon Life 100%, Ribbon INK OUT Change Ribbon

Contents

Setup Guide Page Printronix P5000 series with DEC LG Emulation Trademark Acknowledgments Trademark Acknowledgments Table of Contents Table of Contents Configuring the Printer Interfaces Standard Ascii Character Set Related Documents About This GuidePrinting Conventions in This Guide DEC LG Emulation Model Number Print Speed Pedestal Cabinet P5000 series with DEC LG Emulation Printer FamilyP5000 series with DEC LG Emulation Printer Emulations Printer EmulationsHost Computer Interfaces DEC LG Emulation Printers Graphics Enhancement Option LinePrinter Plus FeaturesTaking Care of Your Printer Output Control Graphics and Vertical Formatting Built-in Diagnostic ToolsProtocols and Emulations Line Matrix Printing Line Matrix Printing Printing Speed Select a Site Power RequirementsBefore You Begin Interface Connections Interface Type Maximum Cable Length Before You Begin Select a Site Pedestal Model Dimensions Component Locations Printer Component Locations Remove the Cardboard Packing Remove the Shipping Restraints Cabinet ModelRemove the Cardboard Packing Remove the Shipping Restraints Cabinet Model Remove the Hammer Bank Protective Foam and Foam Strips Remove the Platen Protective Foam Remove the Platen Protective Foam Adjusting Paper Supports Adjust the Paper Supports Release the Paper Chains Release the Paper Chains Remove Tag and Tie Wrap from Fence or Passive Paper Stacker Remove the Tags Attach the Control Panel Overlays Remove the Shipping Restraints Pedestal ModelAttach the Control Panel Overlays Remove the Shipping Restraints Pedestal Model Remove the Hammer Bank Protective Foam Removing Platen Protective Foam Adjust the Paper Supports Remove Tag Remove Tag Attaching the Output Basket Attach the Output Basket Attaching Control Panel Overlays Install Basic Components Install Basic ComponentsConnect the Interface and Power Cables Interface and Power Locations Connect the Interface and Power Cables Ribbon Path Diagram Location Install the Ribbon Forms Thickness Lever Install the Ribbon Ribbon Path Left Ribbon Hub Forms Thickness Lever and Tractor Doors Load the Paper Paper Slot Location Load the Paper Paper Scale Horizontal Adjustment Knob Power Switch Power On the Printer Set the Top-of-Form Set the Top-of-Form Raising the Forms Thickness Lever Lowering the Forms Thickness Lever Test the Printer Printer Test Procedure Step Key Result Overview Configuring the Printer Clear Configuration Menu Overview Changing and Saving Parameter Settings Changing and Saving Parameter SettingsDefault and Custom Configurations Control Panels Operating Modes Unlocking and Locking the Enter Key Factory Default Configuration ValuesUnlocking and Locking the Enter Key Maint / Misc Changing Parameters Parameter Change Example Procedure Step Key ResultExample Example To USE the Current Configuration Without Saving Saving Your New Configuration Saving Your New Configuration Changing Parameters Saving Configurations Step Key Result Deleting Your Configuration Deleting Your Configuration Changing Parameters Deleting Configurations Step Key Result Protecting Your Configurations Protecting Your ConfigurationsPrinting the Current Configuration Press until the desired option displays Loading Configuration Values Loading Configuration Values Displays for about a second Power-Up Configuration Power-Up Configuration Printer has selected Configuration Main Menu Configuration Menus MAINT/MISC DTR Configuration Main Menu Menu Load ConfigCONFIG. Control Print Config Save ConfigDelete Config Power-Up Config Active Emulation Active Emulation Emulation Submenu Digital LG Vert. Forms FontHoriz. Forms Submenu CR Carriage Return AutowrapLF Line Feed Unsolicited Rpt 5 Guard Bars Print Mode OptPlot Mode Opt LinePrinter+ LinePrinter+ Print Char Set Printer ProtocolCPI/LPI Select Font Attributes Bold Print Proportional SpacingItalic Print Slashed Zero Margins FormatPerforation Skip Forms Length Auto LF Proprinter XL EmulationDefine CR Code FF Valid at TOF Define LF CodeCharacter Set Alternate Char Set Ascii USA Epson FX Emulation Epson FX Emulation Printer SelectAlternate Set 80-9F Series Series Emulation Series Emulation Control CodeOverstrike Select Sfcc Sfcc d CommandEvfu Select Alt. Set 80-9F IGP/PGL Emulation Define LF Code Line Feed Define CR Code Carriage ReturnPI Slew Range IGP/PGL Emulation Select Font CR EditSelect LPI Auto Uppercase Power On IGP/PGL Skip Command PrefixExtended Execute Copy UPC Descenders Ignore Character Ignore ModeIGP100 Compatbl Optimized Ratio IGP/VGL Emulation IGP/VGL Emulation Sfcc & Pwrup Power Up Graphics Options Absorb after PY Submenu True Vert 1/10UPC Descenders Rot. Char Size Width Limit IGP/VGL Emulation Dark BarcodeWidth Limit Height Max. Width Allowed Error Handling Ignore Chars Ignore / DB8 SetupIgnore ch#1 Ignore ch#2 PI Control Font SetPrinter PI Host PI Power-Up State Hex Dump ModeDisplay Language Maint / Misc Host Interface Interface Type Serial SubmenuData Protocol Host Interface Word Length Baud RateStop Bits Parity Buffer Size in K Data Terminal ReadyRequest to Send Centronics Interface Parallel SubmenuData Bit Data Polarity Strobe Polarity Prime SignalResponse Polarity Busy on Strobe PI Ignored Dataproducts Submenu Data Request Polarity Bidirectional Submenu Printer Control Unidirectional Slow Paper Slew PMD Paper Motion Detection FaultPower Saver Time Printer Tests Diagnostics System Memory Test WidthPaper Out Dots Print Statistics Ribbon Action New Ribbon Fault Action Ribbon AdjustRibbon Size Ribbonminder Interfaces Dataproducts Parallel Interface Dataproducts Parallel Interface SignalsDataproducts Parallel Interface Dataproducts Parallel Interface Configuration Dataproducts Parallel Interface Configuration Centronics Parallel Interface Centronics Interface SignalsCentronics Parallel Interface Centronics Parallel Interface Configuration Centronics Parallel Interface Configuration Terminating Resistor Configurations Terminating Resistor Configurations Removal and Installation Removal and Installation Nibble Mode Compatibility ModeByte Mode Ieee 1284 Parallel Interface Negotiation Phase Negotiation PhaseSignals Page Signals Type of Mode Pin Source of Data Compatible RS-232 and RS-422 Serial Interfaces RS-232 and RS-422 Serial Interfaces RS-232 and RS-422 Serial Interface Error Handling RS-232 and RS-422 Serial Interface SignalsRS-232 and RS-422 Serial Interface Protocol RS-232 RS-232 only RS-232 and RS-422 Serial Interface ConfigurationRS-232 and RS-422 VMS Operating System Interface ConfigurationInterface Configuration VMS Operating System Interior Cleaning Cleaning RequirementsExterior Cleaning Cleaning Requirements Cleaning the Interior of the Printer Interior Cleaning Diagnosing Problems Diagnosing ProblemsPrinter Self-Tests Sample Print Test All E’s Step Key Result Printer Self-Tests Sample Print Test All E’s Step Key Result Hex Dump Sample Printing a Hex Dump Printing a Hex Dump Step Key Result Fault Messages Requiring Field Service Attention Fault Messages 5V PWR Fail Access Null PTR15V PWR Fail 23.5V PWR Fail Framing Error Firmware ErrorHB not Installd Exhaust FAN FLT Parity Error Intake FAN FaultILL Inst Accss LO DRV. Short Power Supply HOT Power Saver ModePlat INV CMD Plat INV Parm Shutl INV CMD Software ErrorShutl INV Parm Shuttle JAM 148 Ribbon INK OUT Change Ribbon Enable State Ribbon Life 100% Using the RibbonMinder Using the RibbonMinderConfiguration Configuration RibbonMinder Configuration Step Key Result New Ribbon New Ribbon Procedure Step Key ResultRunning a Job Ribbon Action Ribbon Action Configuration Step Key ResultRibbon Action RibbonMinder Fault Ribbon Size Ribbon Size Configuration Step Key ResultRibbon Size Fault Action Ribbon Adjust Paper Specifications Ribbon SpecificationsPaper Labels Environmental Characteristics Printer Dimensions Power Consumption Electrical CharacteristicsOperating Units Power Consumption Mode Interfaces Appendix a Printing Rates Printing Rates Standard Ascii Character Set Appendix B Your Printronix Vendor Sources of SupportYour Application Vendor Internet Appendix C Sources of Support Printronix Technical Support Ascii Glossary Example Bold refers to a heavy or thick character Appendix D EIA/TIA See also point IGP Ieee LED LCDNLQ Nvram Pcba OCR ROM RAM VFU Sfcc OFF 174 Index Coil HOT 177 LO DRV. Short *, 144 IGP/PGL Page Page Ribbon INK OUT, Change Ribbon Page Page Page 172292-001B