Installation and Setup

 

Then try sending a print screen again or type: DIR > PRN and press Enter at the MS-DOS

-

prompt to print a listing of the current directory.

 

(If you needed to change the MS-DOS MODE command to reroute the computer’s output to

 

the correct port, edit the system’s AUTOEXEC.BAT file to include this MODE command

 

automatically.)

 

Serial Connection to an MS-DOS Computer

 

Assuming you installed a 0KB or 32KB serial interface and did not change the DIP

 

switches on the interface card, the interface is set for the following:

 

9600 baud, 8 data bits, no parity.

 

To match this setting in the host computer, change the interface configuration. From the

 

MS-DOS directory, type the following MS-DOS command and press Enter:

 

MODE COMn:N,8,1,P

 

In this command, n represents the port you are sending data through (typically COMl or

 

COM2), N means no parity, 1 is one stop bit, and P specifies unlimited retries for time-out

 

errors. The computer will respond with the message:

 

Resident portion of MODE loaded

 

Infinite retry on serial printer time-out

 

To verify the connection, send a print screen to the printer. (At the MS-DOS prompt, type

 

DIR Enter. Then press Print Screen or Shift+Print Screen.) Or, type: DIR > PRN and press

 

Enter at the MS-DOS prompt to print a listing of the current directory.

 

(If you needed to change the MS-DOS MODE command to reroute the computer’s output to

 

the correct port, edit the system’s AUTOEXEC.BAT file to include this MODE command

 

automatically.)

 

Tips to Increase Printer Life

Although the FX-870/1170 does not require any routine maintenance, there are a few things Epson owners can do to prolong the life of their printer:

•

•

Do not print continuously for long periods of time.

The FX-870/1170 has a 26% duty cycle. This means that it is built to run continuously for 15 minutes out of every hour. Exceeding the duty cycle can cause the printhead to overheat. Although the printhead has a built-in thermistor to protect it, if the printer overheats repeatedly, it can result in printer failure.

Use only ribbons recommended by Epson for this printer, and do not re-ink ribbons.

The ink in the Epson-recommended ribbons for this product is especially formulated with a lubricant that makes the printhead last longer. The ink in cheap ribbons can gum up the printhead. Be-inking a used ribbon can cause the printhead pins to catch on the worn ribbon fabric.

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EpsonFX-870/1170