Chapter 2

Using the FX-286 with

Commercial Software

You’ve now completed setting up your new FX-286 printer and the self test has confirmed that the printer is operating correctly. You’re ready to print your first document.

Although you could use BASIC or another language for your first effort, a word processor will probably make things easier, and also give you a chance to explore the capabilities of the FX-286 printer.

Using the FX-286 with Word Processors

Most word processing programs support the Epson FX printers because of their widespread use and standardized print codes.

To use the FX-286 with most word processing programs, all you have to do is to tell the program that you are using an Epson FX printer. When you do this, the word processing program automatically sends the correct information to the printer. This process is normally part of the setup or installation process.

Many word processors have special utility programs for different printers, called printer drivers. This is usually a short question-and- answer session in which the program asks two or three basic questions. To set up a program for use with the FX-286, give the following answers.

Question

Answer

What computer

The name of your computer

are you using?

 

What printer are

FX-286 (see following para-

you using?

graph for additional explanation)

What type of interface are

Parallel or serial, depending

you using?

on your cable and computer

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