The extra line feed character is usually no problem, unless you want to send ASCII code 13 on its own as part of a graphics statement or a character definition. To do this, use the OPEN statement to assign a file number to the printer (LPTl:) and use the PRINT# statement in place of LPRINT. You also need to use a slightly different WIDTH statement. To prepare the printer in this way, use a line like this:

100 OPEN "LPTl: AS #l : WIDTH #l, 255

A third problem exists with IBM PC BASIC release 2.0. This version cannot send ASCII code 26 (IA hex) either with LPRINT or with PRINT #. Try to avoid including this code in your programs.

Maintaining Your Printer

Always keep the printer in a clean and safe place. Keep it away from dust, grease, moisture and any source of heat, including direct sunlight. A safe temperature range is 40°F to 95°F (5°C to 35°C).

If the outer case is dirty, clean it with a soft, clean cloth dampened with mild detergent dissolved in water. Keep the printer or tractor cover in place to prevent any water from getting inside the printer. Do not use a hard brush or cloth, and never use alcohol or a thinner to clean the printer because it could damage the print head and the case.

Do not spray the inside of the printer with oil: unsuitable oils can damage the mechanism. If lubrication is needed, contact your Epson dealer.

The print head

Be particularly careful with the print head. Never move it when the printer is turned on. When the printer is printing, the print head becomes hot. If you need to change the ribbon or load continuous paper, turn the printer off and wait for a few minutes while the print head cools down.

The print head should last for about 100 million characters (assuming an average of 14 dots per character). When it fails, one or more of the pins may fire erratically or stop firing completely, making the printout patchy. If this happens suddenly or long before the expected lifetime is over, the problem is almost certainly connected with another component of the printer.

Problem Solving and Maintenance

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