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EK-0LA50-UG-001

August 1982

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Document:	Installing and Using the LA50 Printer
Order Number:	EK-0LA50-UG
Revision:	001
Pages:	42
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OCR Text

EK-OLASO-UG-001

. Installing and. Using
the LASO Printer

mamaama .

EK-0 LASO-UG-001

Installing and Using
the LASO Printer

Prepared by Educational Services
of
Digital Equipment Corporation

1st Edition, August 1982

Copyright© 1982 by Digital Equipment Corporation
All Rights Reserved
The reproduction of this material, in part or whole, is strictly prohibited. For
copy information, contact the Educational Services Department, Digital
Equipment Corporation, Maynard, Massachusetts 01754.
The information in this document is subject to change without notice. Digital
Equipment Corporation assumes no responsibility for any errors that may
appear in this document.

Notice: This equipment generates and uses radio frequency energy. It has
been type tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B computing
device in accordance with the specifications in Subpart J of Part 15 of FCC
Rules, which are designed to provide reasonable protection against radio and
television interference in a residential installation. However, there is no
guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this
equipment does cause interference to radio or television reception, the user is
encouraged to try to correct the interference.

Printed in Japan.

The following are trademarks of Digital Equipment Corporation, Maynard,
Massachusetts.

DEC
DEC US
DIGITAL
Digital Logo
PDP
UNIBUS
VAX
OS/8

DECnet
DECsystem-1 O
DECSYSTEM-20
DECwriter
DIBOL
EduSystem
OMNIBUS

IAS
MASS BUS
PDT
RSTS
RSX
VMS
VT

---------------------------iii
CONTENTS

Introduction
Installing Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Packing Removal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Installing Ribbon Cartridge........................................ 2
Installing Power Cable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Inserting Paper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Inserting Pinfeed Paper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Inserting Single Sheet Paper ..................................... 1O
Self-Test Procedure .................................................... 12
Installing System Cable ................................................ 14
Front Panel Indicators and Switches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Printer Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Maintaining Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Troubleshooting Printer .. .. . . . .. .. . .. . . . .. .. . .. . .. . . .. .. . . .. . .. . . .. . . . . 18
Operator Checklist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Replacing Printhead .............................................. 20
Replacing Fuse ................................................... 24
Printer Configuration ................................................... 26
Configuration Switches ........................................... 26
National Character Set Switches .. . . . . . .. . . .. . . .. .. .. .. . .. . .. . . . . . 28
Graphics Aspect Ratio Switch ..................................... 29
XON/XOFF and Ready/Busy Protocol Switches ................... 29
Right Margin Switch .............................................. 30
Baud Rate Select Switches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Data Format Switches . . .. . .. . . . . . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . .. . .. . . . . . . .. .. . 31
Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Field Service Information . .. . .. .. . . . . .. . . .. . .. .. . . . .. . .. .. . . .. . . . . .. . . .. 34

INTRODUCTION
This document tells you how to install, use, maintain, troubleshoot, and
configure your LA50 printer. Before you continue, make sure you have all the
items shown below. If any items are missing or damaged, immediately contact
your Sales Representative and Delivery Agent.

OPERATOR
MANUAL

INSTALLING PRINTER

Packing Removal
1. Remove access cover.

2. Remove c ar dboard ret a .mer.

Installing Ribbon Cartridge
1. Take up slack in ribbon by turning knob in direction indicated.

2. Position cartridge between clips and push down into place.

3· Repla ce access cover.

Installing Power Cable
1. Make sure power switch is set to off position (0).

2. Plug power cable into rear of printer and electrical outlet.

MA·10,006

INSERTING PAPER
NOTE: The printer uses pinfeed or single sheet paper. Instructions on inserting single sheet paper are on page 10.

Inserting Pinfeed Paper
1. Turn off power.
2. Open paper window.
3. Remove paper cover.
4. Pull bail bar away from platen.
5. Push paper release lever toward back of printer.

MA-10,007

6. Open paper clamps.

7. Position paper on tractor. If paper does not fit properly, use white tractor release levers to reposition tractors.

8. Close paper clamps.

9. Turn platen knob and guide paper behind platen.
10. Advance paper until top of paper is behind bail bar.

PLATEN
,KNOB
BAIL BAR

MA·10,010

11. Push bail ba r against
.
platen.
12. Close paper window.
13. Replace paper cover.

Inserting Single Sheet Paper
1. Turn off power.

2. Open paper window.
3. Pull bail bar away from platen.
4.

Push paper release lever toward back of printer.

PAPER
WINDOW

MA-10,012

5. Push paper through slot in paper cover and guide it to front of platen.
Align paper.

6. Pull paper release lever toward front of printer.
7. Push bail bar against platen.

8. Close paper window.

9. Turn platen knob to reposition paper.

PLATEN
KNOB
SLOT

SELF-TEST PROCEDURE
NOTE: The cover must be on to run self-test.
1. Push and hold down FORM FEED button.
2. Turn the power on.
3. Release FORM FEED button.

You should get the following printout.

ABCDEFGHI JKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ [\.J A_' abcdefgh i j K 1mnopqr·s.tuvwxyz (: )~·

! "tt$X&' <) *+, - ./01
!"tt$X&'<>*+,-./012
CDEFGHI JKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ [\.J A-' abcdefgh i j K 1mnopqrstuvwxyz <: }~· ! "tt$X&' ( > *+, - ./0123
DEFGHI JKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ C\.J ''-' abcdefgh i j K 1mnopqrstuvwxyz <: }~ ! "tt$X&' <) *+, -./01234
EFGHI JKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ [\.J "_' abcdefgh i jK 1mnopqrstuvwxyz (: )~ '" tt$X&' < > *+, - ./012345
FGHI JKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ ['\J "-' abcdefgh i jKl mnopqrstuvwxyz <: )~ '" tt$X&-· () *+, - ./0123456
GHI ~TKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ [\.J "- 'abcdefgh i _i K 1mnopqrs.tuvwxyz <: )~ '" tt$X&' <) *+, - ./01234567
HIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZC\.l"-'abcdefghijKlmnopqrstuvwxyz{:}~ !"tt$X&'()*+ 1 -./012345678
I JKLMNOPQRSTWWXYZ ['\J "_' abtdefgh i j K 1mnopqrstuvwxyz <: }~· '" #$%&·' () *+, - ./0123456789
JKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZC\.l"-'abcdefghijKlmnopqrstuvwxyz{I}~ !"#$%&'<>*+,-./0123456789:
KLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ [\.J "-' abcdef gh i j K 1mnopqrstuvwxyz <: }~ '" tt$X&' <) *+, - ./0123456789:;
LMNOPQRSTUVWXYZC\.l"-'abcdefghijKlmnopqrstuvwxyz<: }~ 1 "#$%&'<>*+,-./0123456789:;<
MNOPQRSTWWXYZ [\.J "-' abcdefgh i j K 1mnopqrstuvwxyz {I}~ ! "#$%&' () *+, - ./0123456789:; <=
NOPQRSTUVWXYZ [\.J "- ·, abcdefgh i j k 1mnopqrstuvwxyz <: }~ '" #$%&' <) *+, - ./0123456789:; <=>
OPQRSTUVWXYZ [\.J "-' abcdefgh i j K 1mnopqrstuvwxyz <I)~· ! "tt$X&' <) *+, - • /0123456789:; <=>?
PQRSTUVWXYZ [\.] "-' abcdefgh i j K 1mnopqrstuvwxyz <: }~ ! "#$X&' <) *+ ,- ./0123456789: ; <=>?Gl
BCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZC\.JA_'abcdefghijKlmnopqrstuvwxyz{:}~

MA·l0,016

After a few lines print out, turn off power to stop printer.

Followup
If printer passes self-test, continue to next instruction. If printer does not
pass self-test, or FAULT light blinks, refer to Troubleshooting section.

INST ALLING SYSTEM CABLE

1. Plug system cable into back of printer, and tighten two retaining
screws by turning them clockwise.
2.

Install other end of cable as described in your system installation manual.

RETAINING
SCREW

MA-10,015

3. Installation is now complete. Please fill out and return the enclosed
installation card.
A Customer Identification Number is located on the rear of the top cover. If
you are capitalizing this equipment, use this number in your records as
identification of the printer, and place your asset tag on the top cover.
Become familiar with the information in the next section before you operate the printer with your system.

FRONT PANEL INDICATORS AND SWITCHES

1111111
READY

D FAUL TD POWERD

READY Indicator
The green READY light indicates the printer's operating state. The light is
on when the printer is ready to print, or is printing. If the light is off, the
printer is not ready and will not start.
FAULT Indicator
The red FAULT light blinks when the printer detects an electronic fault.
The light stays on when the printer is out of paper.
POWER Indicator
The green POWER light is on when you apply power to the printer.
READY Switch
The READY switch controls the printer's operating state. Pressing the
switch puts the printer in either the ready or not ready state. Watch the
READY light to determine the operating state.
LINE FEED Switch
Pressing the LINE FEED switch advances the paper one line.
FORM FEED Switch
Pressing the FORM FEED switch advances the paper one full sheet.

PRINTER CONTROLS

MA-10,018

Paper Bail
The paper bail holds the paper against the platen. Red etch marks on the
bail help you position paper on the platen and locate the horizontal printing position.
Paper Thickness Lever
The paper thickness lever adjusts the printhead position to allow for different printing form thickness. Keep the lever close to the platen for normal printing .. Move the lever away from the platen for thicker sheets and
multicopy forms.
Paper Release Lever
The paper release lever controls paper holding tension. In the forward position, paper is held tightly against the platen. In the backward position,
the paper is free for positioning or removal.
Platen Knob
The platen knob allows manual control of the platen for paper insertion,
and for changing the paper's vertical position.

MAINTAINING PRINTER
The printer does not need preventive maintenance. Clean its surfaces
and platen with a damp cloth only. Do not use cleaners with solvents or
excessive water.

Office Area
To help maintain proper operating temperatures, keep the printer away
from extreme temperature, such as direct sunlight, room heaters, and air
conditioners.
Keep paper clips, coffee, matches, cold drinks, and other small objects
and liquids away from the printer.

Paper
Select the right paper for the job. Always make sure to position paper
squarely and set it tightly around the platen. Also make sure the paper
thickness lever is in correct position. To remove paper from the printer,
use the form feed switch, or turn the platen knob.
Printhead and Ribbon Cartridge
Keep samples of early printouts to help you know when to replace the
printhead and ribbon cartridge. Use only DIGITAL-approved ribbon cartridges in the printer. Other cartridges may not give the same performance and may damage your printer. Store printheads and ribbon cartridges in their containers, in the same environment as the printer. (Refer
to specifications at the back of this document.)

TROUBLESHOOTING THE PRINTER
Operator Checklist
Try to correct the trouble as listed below.
CAUTION:
problem.

Always turn off the printer before you attempt to correct a

If you cannot correct the trouble:
Turn off the printer and contact your dealer or the nearest DIGITAL
service technician.
Trouble

Probable Cause

Corrective Action

Printer does not
start when power
is turned on.

Power cord not
connected, or
broken

Check power cord
connections; check power
cord for damage.

Power source
fault

Check power at power
receptacle.

Fuse open

Make sure fuse is in
place. Replace fuse if
blown. Refer to Fuse
Replacement.

No printout. FAULT
light is on. Pressing
the READY button
causes printer to
print one line.

Printer out of
paper

Reload paper and press
the READY button.

No printout.
FAULT light is on.
READY light is out
and pressing the READY
button does not start
printer.

Access cover open

Close cover and press
the READY button.

Trouble

Probable Cause

Corrective Action

Light print.

Paper thickness
lever set incorrectly

Reset paper thickness
lever to a position
closer to the platen.

Ribbon worn

Replace ribbon cartridge.

Paper thickness
lever set incorrectly

Reset paper thickness
lever to a position closer
to the platen.

Printhead fault

Replace the printhead.
Refer to Printhead
Replacement.

Missing dots in print;
always in same row.

Printhead fault

Replace the printhead.
Refer to Printhead
Replacement.

Paper jams.

Paper path obstructed

Clear paper path.

Paper thickness lever
set incorrectly

Reset paper thickness
lever to a position away
from the platen.

Tractors positioned
incorrectly for paper
width

Release and reposition
the tractors. Avoid
pulling or compressing
paper.

Carriage moves, but
no printout

Pinfeed paper jams.

Replacing Printhead

1. Turn off power.
2. Remove access cover.

3. Remove n"bb on cartridge.

.
4 · Push pr"mthead ret amer
clips away from head.

MA·10,021

6. Plug in replacement head. Make sure it is fully seated.

7. Return printhead retainer clips to their original positions.

8. Replace n"bbon cart n"d ge.

9. Replace acces s cover.

Replacing Fuse
1. Turn off power.

MA-10,005

2. Unplug power cord from power outlet.

3. Turn fuse retainer counterclockwise.

FUSE RETAINER
MA-10,026

4. Remove retainer.
5. Replace fuse with one of equal value.

PRINTER CONFIGURATION
Configuration Switches
The configuration switches are set for printer use with DIGITAL systems in
the United States. (The illustration shows factory settings.) The switches
are under the access cover.
CAUTION:

Turn off power before you reset the switches.

N3d0
8L9St>£<:~

N3d0

NOTE
SW2-7, SW2-8 NOT USED

MA-10,027

You can change the switch positions by sliding the switch tabs with a ball
point pen or equivalent. Never use a lead pencil.

MA-10,028

The following tables show the switch positions for various system configurations.

National Character Set Switches SW1-1 through SW1-4
Switch SW 1-1 through SW 1-4 change the characters for multinational applications.

Nation

Switch Positions
SW1-1
SW1-2

SW1-3

SW1-4

United States
Britain
Finland
France
French Canada
Germany
Italy
Japan
Norway I Denmark
Spain
Sweden

Open
Closed
Open
Closed
Open
Closed
Open
Closed
Open
Closed
Open

Open
Open
Open
Open
Closed
Closed
Closed
Closed
Open
Open
Open

Open (factory setting)
Open
Open
Open
Open
Open
Open
Open
Closed
Closed
Closed

Open
Open
Closed
Closed
Open
Open
Closed
Closed
Open
Open
Closed

CHARACTER SET SWITCHES
SW1-1 THROUGH SW1-4

N3d0

L 9

v £

N3d0
MA·10,029

Graphics Aspect Ratio Switch SW1-5
Switch SW 1-5 changes the horizontal to vertical dot ratio in graphic mode
by changing the number of horizontat dots per inch. The number of vertical
dots are kept constant at 72 dots per inch.

Ratio
2 to 1

2.5 to 1

Horizontal
Dots/Inch

Switch Position

144
180

Open (factory setting)
Closed

PROTOCOL SWITCHES
SW1-6, SW1-7
GRAPHICS SWITCH

/sw1-s

s'T"9'9

N3d0
8

L 9

N3d0

MA-10,030

XON/XOFF and Ready/Busy Protocol Switches SW1-6 and SW1-7
DIGITAL systems use XON I XOFF protocol. Other systems may require
Ready /Busy protocol. Switch SW 1-6 selects the protocol. Switch SW 1-7
selects the ready and busy signal levels.
Protocol

SW 1-6 Position

XON I XOFF
Ready I Busy

Open (factory setting)
Closed

Signal Level

SW 1-7 Position

Busy = High
Ready= Low

Open (factory setting)

Busy = Low
Ready= High

Closed

Right Margin Switch SW1-8
Switch SW 1-8 selects the method of controlling a line of characters that
exceed the eight inch line of print. If set to truncate, the printer prints only
the first eight inches of characters and drops the remaining characters. If
set to wrap, the printer prints the remaining characters on the next line.
Selection

SW1-8 Switch Position

Truncate
Wrap

Open (factory setting)
Closed

RIGHT MARGIN SWITCH SW1-8

L 9

OPEN~~~~~~~~~
N3d0

L 9

N3d0~

BAUD RATE SWITCHES
SW2-1 THROUGH SW2-3
MA-10,031

Baud Rate Select Switches SW2-1, SW2-2, SW2-3
These switches select the speed (bits per second) at which the printer
communicates with the computer.

Baud Rate

Switch Positions
SW2-1
SW2-2

SW2-3

4800
2400
1200
600
300
200
110

Open
Open
Open
Closed
Closed
Closed
Closed

Open (factory setting)
Open
Closed
Open
Closed
Open
Closed

Open
Closed
Closed
Open
Open
Closed
Closed

Data Format Switches SW2·4, SW2-5, SW2·6
These switches select the data format to enable communication with the
computer.
9

L 9

v £ l

N3d0

DATA FORMAT SWITCHES
SW2-4 THROUGH SW2-6
MA-10,032

Data Format

Switch Position
SW2·4 SW2·5

SW2·6

7 bits plus odd parity
7 bits plus even parity
7 bits plus 8th bit mark
7 bits plus 8th bit space
8 bits plus odd parity
8 bits plus even parity
8 bits, no parity

Open
Closed
Open
Closed
Open
Closed
Open

Closed
Closed
Closed
Closed
Open
Open
Open (factory setting)

Closed
Closed
Open
Open
Closed
Closed
Open

SPECIFICATIONS
Weight

8.S Kg (18.7 lb)

Dimensions
Width
Depth
Height

400 mm (16 in)
29S mm (11.8 in)
142 mm (S.6 in)

Environment
Temperature
Relative Humidity

10° C to 40° C
so° F to 104° F
10% to 90%

Power requirements

LASO-RA 100 or 120 Vac, SO or 60 Hz
LASO-RB 220 or 240 Vac, SO or 60 Hz

Power consumption

Less than 180 W

Data interface

Serial RS232-C and RS423 EIA standard

Ribbon

Disposable cartridge
Two million characters life expectancy
(average use)

Paper
Type
Dimensions

Single sheet or sprocket
Single sheets: 3 to 9 inches wide
Sprocket paper: 4.S to 10 inches wide
Sprocket holes: 4 to 9.S inches on center
O.SO
0.01 inch spacing

+I -

Thickness

0.011 inches maximum

Print method

Incremental with bidirectional lookahead

Print density

7 by 9 matrix (normal)
13 by 9 matrix (enhanced)

Print speed

100 CPS (7 by 9 matrix printing)

44 LPM (80 characters per line)
Character features

Enhanced density
Bold
Underlined
Doublewidth

Graphic mode

144 or 180 dots I inch horizontal
72 dots I inch vertical
2: 1 or 2.5: 1 aspect ratio

Characters

94 ASCII
81 Multinational
63 JIS Katakana
27 VT 100 Special Graphics
1 error indicator

Character pitch
Compressed font
Double width

16.5 CPI, 132 characters I line
8.25 CPI, 66 characters I line

Elite pitch
Double width

12 CPI, 96 characters I line
6 CPI, 48 characters I line

Pica pitch
Double width

10 CPI, 80 characters I line
5 CPI, 40 characters/line

Line spacing

12, 8, 6, 4, 3 or 2 lines I inch
Partial line up and down, 1I12 inch

Line feed speed

100 ms I line at 6 lines I inch

FIELD SERVICE INFORMATION
DIGIT AL SERVICES
DIGIT AL provides a wide range of maintenance programs that cover small
systems and terminals. These include on-site, carry-in, and mail-in maintenance services. You can use these programs to select a plan that
meets your service needs, from complete DIGITAL support, to self-maintenance.
ON-SITE SERVICE
DIGIT AL offers fast, low cost, quality maintenance performed at your site
by DIGITAL-trained Service Specialists. Whether you take advantage of
our DECservice or Basic Service Agreements, or choose our Time and
Materials service, you can be sure that your small system or terminal is
getting the best possible maintenance.
CARRY-IN SERVICE
There are several hundred DIGIT AL service centers in major cities worldwide, which offer convenient, fast, and dependable ''return-to" maintenance, at a savings over on-site service.
DECMAILER
If you are capable of self-maintenance, you should use our fast turnaround
module and sub-assembly repair service - DECmailer.
For more information on any of.DIGITAL's Maintenance Services, call the
DIGIT AL Field Service information number in your area during normal business hours
United States

(800) 554-3333

Canada

(800) 267-5251

United Kingdom

(0256) 57122

Belgium

(02) 242-6790

West Germany

(089) 95 91 66 44

Italy

(02) 617-5381 /2

Japan

(03) 989- 7161

Printed in Japan

E1-1668 830210000@

Digital Equipment Corporation • Maynard, MA 01754