HP 710F, 710E, 708D, 708E, 706C, 706D, 708C, 706A Problem Prints Garbage Symptom Missing Characters

PROBLEM: PRINTS GARBAGE

SYMPTOM: MISSING CHARACTERS

CAUSE: Incorrect printer cable type.

SOLUTION: See Appendix A for correct pinouts between Print Master and printer. Check handshaking. A way to check is to force an error condition at the printer (i.e. remove paper tray from laser printer or turn off-line with power still applied). Send print job to printer. If printer LED goes off, you can conclude no handshaking was done. If your printer is connected in serial, check printer's configuration and match handshaking (i.e., you must use CTS/DTR or XON/XOFF for both Print Master and printer). Also check pin 20 (DTR) on serial ports or pin 11 on parallel ports for continuity by using an ohm meter to check resistance from end to end.

CAUSE: Parallel cable length.

SOLUTION: Parallel cable should not exceed 15 feet. Use shorter length or higher-quality cable.

CAUSE: Configuration problem.

SOLUTION: Check baud rate, word size, stop bits and parity on serial ports. Verify that these parameters match those of your equipment.

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