The extra line feed character is usually no problem, unless you want
to send ASCII code 13 on its own as part of a graphics statement or a
character definition. To do this, use the OPEN statement to assign a
file number to the printer (LPT1:) and use the PRINT# statement in
place of LPRINT. You also need to use a slightly different WIDTH
statement. To prepare the printer in this way, use a line like this:
100 OPEN "LPT1: AS #1 : WIDTH #1, 255
A third problem exists with IBM PC BASIC release 2.0. This version
cannot send ASCII code 26 (1A hex) either with LPRINT or with
PRINT #. Try to avoid including this code in your programs.
Maintaining Your Printer
Always keep the printer in a clean and safe place. Keep it away from
dust, grease, moisture and any source of heat, including direct sunlight.
A safe temperature range is 40°F to 95°F (5” C to 35° C).
If the outer case is dirty, clean it with a soft, clean cloth dampened
with mild detergent dissolved in water. Keep the printer or tractor
cover in place to prevent any water from getting inside the printer. Do
not use a hard brush or cloth, and never use alcohol or a thinner to
clean the printer because it could damage the print head and the case.
Do not spray the inside of the printer with oil: unsuitable oils can
damage the mechanism. If lubrication is needed, contact your Epson
dealer.
The print head
Be particularly careful with the print head. Never move it when the
printer is turned on. When the printer is printing, the print head
becomes hot. If you need to change the ribbon or load continuous
paper, turn the printer off and wait for a few minutes while the print
head cools down.
The print head should last for about 100 million characters
(assuming an average of 14 dots per character). When it fails, one or
more of the pins may fire erratically or stop firing completely, making
the printout patchy. If this happens suddenly or long before the
expected lifetime is over, the problem is almost certainly connected
with another component of the printer.
Problem Solving and Maintenance
C-5