Self-Test Mode allows you to perform a series of tests to show if the printer is functioning correctly. Self-Test Mode also allows you to print a summary of how your Model 9000 is currently configured. Use this printout to compare your printer’s settings to your system’s requirements. Specific attention should be given to emulation and communications settings. For serial printers, the baud rate and other RS-232 interface settings are important. If there is a configuration problem, you should use Configuration Mode to make any changes necessary.
Entering Self-Test, and Configuration mode
To enter self test and or configuration mode, perform the following sequence of operations:
1. Turn the printer OFF. (The power indicator light will be off.)
2. Press and hold the Feed button.
3. While holding the Feed button, Turn the printer on.
4. When the red, error indicator light blinks, release the Feed button.
5. Press and release the FEED button to run the indicated test.
6. Press and hold the FEED button until the green paper LED is illuminated to select the next test.
7. Press and hold the FEED button until the red error LED is l illuminated to exit self test mode.
The Model 9000 has a total of seven Self-Test and or configuration options. Two are designed to be useful when performing on-site print evaluations. One option allows the printers electronic journal to be maintained, one allows the printers configuration to be changed, and two are designed for factory setup by TransAct.
Testing the printer
Use the following two TEST options when verifying basic printer operation.
TEST-Receipt
The receipt test is the primary test option to use when determining if the printer is functioning correctly.
The receipt test is mostly used during the early stages of troubleshooting, to eliminate the possibility that the problem is occurring with the printer. If the printer experiences a failure, and the error indicator light is activated, call TransAct’s Ithaca Facility’s Technical Support Department.
TEST-Head Test
This test performs a test pattern that will print all the head print elements and verify that the drive roll is free from defects. The print head has two heating elements per dot position. A print element is not considered bad unless both elements are missing. If the head test shows that there is an inconsistency in the drive roll it may be debris or a void. If debris is indicated, cleaning the drive roll should correct the problem. If this does not correct the problem, contact TransAct’s Ithaca Facility’s Technical Support Department.
Maintaining the Electronic Journal
The Model 9000 has an electronic journal option. It is possible to configure the printer with a journal station. This selection allows the information saved in the electronic journal to be printed and maintained by the operator.
Operation of this mode will be described later in the manual under Electronic Journal Operation.
It the Electronic Journal is unintentionally initialized, it may be deactivated by this option as well. If the Electronic Journal is password protected, the manual Electronic Journal option will be disabled.
Configuring Options
The configuration option allows the configuration of the printer to be printed and, if necessary, changed. When configuration mode is entered, the current configuration, the Current User store status, and the current totals are printed. If any printer errors have occurred, a hardware and software error log may also be printed. At the end of the print out are instructions on how to use configuration mode. Please read these instructions carefully, as they are not the same as Self-Test. You may exit configuration mode at any time, without affecting the printer configuration, by pressing the power button.
TEST- Configuration
The content of the configurable features will alter based on the hardware installed. There will be at least three groups of options:
1. Emulation
2. Communications
3. General Options
Under emulation the instruction set or emulation of the printer may be changed. Available options will depend on the model of printer, however Ithaca PcOS is always available. Other options may be Epson TM88, TM90, Microline, and Ithaca M50.
Under Communications, the way the printer deals with the communications port can be adjusted. The printer will only show communications options that deal with the communications adapter installed.
Under General Options, all other configurable features of the printer can be adjusted. The default language, paper options, electronic Journal features, and print defaults may be set.
Details of all printer options and features will de discussed later in this manual.
Factory Test
The printer is equipped with several factory test modes. These test options are only used for factory burn-in and testing.
TEST-Burn-in
TEST-Rolling ASCII
Hex-dump Mode
Hex-dump mode is used to diagnose communication problems with the printer. As information is received by the printer, the information is converted to a Hex/ASCII format and printed. No translation is made, which means no commands are interpreted. All information is converted to Hex/ASCII and printed on the receipt tape. If a carriage return is sent to the printer, it is translated to 0D in the hexadecimal field and “.” in the ASCII field.
Entering Hex-dump Mode
To enter hex-dump mode, perform the following sequence of operations:
1. Turn the printer off.
2. Press and hold the Feed button.
3. While holding the Feed button, while turning the printer on.
4. Hold the Feed button until the ERROR LED starts to blink. (Self test mode)
5. Continue to hold the Feed button ultill the ERROR LED starts to blink Slower. (Configuration mode)
6. Continue to hold the Feed button until the ERROR LED slows again.
7. Release the line feed button and the printer will enter Hex-dump mode.
Hex-dump format
The format follows. (Note that the displayed value will be the input 8 bit value and not the Unicode value.)
0054 0068 0069 0073 0020 0069 0073 0020 This is
0061 0020 0074 0065 0073 0074 000D 000A a test..
Several indications of printer and host communication problems can be deduced from hex dump mode. If the printer is printing all 3F “?” symbols, the parity or the number of bits is wrong. If the printer is printing 3F “?” symbols when it should be printing other characters, the communications settings are probably incorrect, such as the parity, baud rate, or bit length setting. If the printer prints incorrect characters, like Hex C1 instead of Hex 41 “A”, it is set for 8-bit data, and the host is set for 7-bit. In most cases, the print problem can be traced to the host and printer being configured differently.