July 1998 TC9830SM Rev. B 7/98 Confidential 19
CHAPTER 4 DIAGNOSTICS
If you have any problems using SENDFILE, refer to the Sendfile Manual on your Service CD-ROM.
The following diagnostics are resident in the
9820/9830/9835 printer’s firmware ROM:
• Power-Up Self-Test
• Test Label
• Service Diagnostics (Level 1)
Data Dump Mode
Diagnostics Test Mode
Off-line Diagnostics Tests
Loopback Test (Level 2)
Parallel Port Test (Level 3)
POWER-UP SELF-TEST
When the printer is turned on, a test sequence is
initiated. The diagnostics routine initializes the
Control Board Assembly and evaluates the Printhead.
The test sequence is:
• Non-Volatile RAM Byte Test
• Version String Mismatch
• Printhead Dot Resistance
A failure in any of the test sequences results in the
display of an error code on the 3 digit Control Panel
Display.
An error during the printhead dot test indicates that
bar code scan quality may be compromised.
However, such a failure may not be evident in text
printing.
NV RAM ByteTest
The Non-Volatile RAM test checks the first two bytes
of NVRAM. If the test passes, the next test begins. If
the test fails, error #909 appears on the display.
Version String Mismatch
The version string test compares the software version
in ROM to the version in RAM. If the versions match,
the current software is in RAM and the software clears
storage RAM. Then the software clears the working
storage routine. If the versions in ROM and RAM do
not match, error #911 appears on the LCD.
System Restart Condition
The three conditions that cause a system
restart are:
• Different versions of software installed.
• Clearing memory with the “Reset NVRAM”
function in service diagnostics.
• Memory corrupt due to a hardware/software
error.
If the restart flag was set during these diagnostic tests,
the software re-allocates all available memory as
blocks of working storage. Then the routine performs
an integrity check on the working storage to verify that
it is accessible.
When the version string mismatch test passes, the
firmware begins the printhead dot resistance test.

Printhead Dot Resistance

The printhead resistance routine is a hardware test of
all 832 individual dots for correct resistance value. If
the test passes, the printer switches to online ready
mode. If the test detects any dots that are open or
have high resistance (>852 Ohms), error #765
appears on the LCD. Failure does not halt printer
operations.
TEST LABEL (LEVEL 1)
Test Label can be performed in Normal or Diagnostics
Test mode. When the printer finishes printing the two
test labels, it returns to the ready state.
MATERIALS REQUIRED:
Installed supply stock, at least 1” wide X 2” long.
1. If the printer is in Normal Mode, press Feed +
Pause at the same time. If the printer is in
Diagnostics Test mode, press Feed.
Two test labels print (See Figure 4-3). If the test
fails, an error appears on the LCD. Press Clear
to reset the printer.
2. Examine the test labels for smearing, image
washout, print uniformity, contrast, missing dots,
or out of specification readings.