User manual

45
DIAGNOSTIC MODE SUPPLEMENT
The printer can be put in diagnostic mode thru either hardware or software. The control panel can be used to
select “diagnostic mode”. To put the printer in diagnostic mode thru software, send the <DM> command.
Diagnostic mode is used when there appears to be a problem communicating with the printer. When the printer
is in this mode, it stores all the data sent to it but does not process it as ticket data. Instead, it prints each data
value between 0 and FFH as a unique character. The full chart is shown below. Characters 0-0FH (0C and 0D
excluded) are marked with an underline and characters 10H-1FH are marked with a small character. For
example, an stx (02) character would be a 2 with an underline and an ESC (1B) character would look like B with
a dot below it. The 0C value is a print command and is shown as a Pc character. The 0D is a return character
and is shown as a return arrow. Most other characters are printed as is with the exception of some special
values (like the german characters). If a value is greater than 127 then it will be shown as an inverted character
(white on black background).
The printer will print a diagnostic ticket only after receiving a full ticket's worth of characters. If not enough data
is sent to fill a ticket, the printer will not print a ticket. In this case, you simply push the test button and the ticket
will contain the diagnostic data plus the words *** diagnostic mode ***. Whenever you think you have sent data
to the printer and it does not print a ticket, push the test button to see if any data has been transmitted. If no
data appears on the ticket, it indicates that no data was transmitted to the printer. At this point, we recommend
verifying the cable connections between the printer and the host computer. Also, verify that the print driver
software has been written properly.
Remember to put the printer back in non-diagnostic mode after testing.
DIAGNOSTIC TICKET SHOWING CHARACTERS 0 - 255