Parallel Communications

The printer support parallel communications through the 36 pin Centronics port located on the back panel of the printer. The only requirement for parallel communications is an IEEE1284 compatible cable. There is a printer LCD Display Menu Item " PARALLEL COMM." that should be set to PARALLEL. To avoid data error conditions, the parallel cable should not exceed 10 feet in length and meet IEEE 1284 standards.


	36-pin Connector	Description
	1	nStrobe/HostClk
	2-9	Data Bits 1-8
	10	nACK/PtrClk
	11	Busy/PtrBusy
	12	Perror/ACKDataReq
	13	Select/Xflag
	14	nAutoFd/HostBusy
	15	Not Used
	16 & 17	Ground
	18	+5V @ 1A
	19-30	Ground
	31	ninit
	32	nFault/NDataAvail
	33 & 34	Not Used
	35	+5V through a 4.7 KW Resistor
	36	NSelectIn/1284 active

Xi-Series - The Xi will attempt to negotiate the highest speed it supports (ECP). If it cannot negotiate that speed, it will use drop to the next supportable speed (which will typically be compatibility mode).

Testing parallel communications in DOS

Create a ZPL script in an editor (Wordpad or Notepad or any editor will do)
Here is the ZPL for your file.....
^XA^FO20,20^AG^FDTest^FS^XZ
Save the file..for example "test.txt"
Open a DOS window
Copy the file to the LPT port where the printer is attached
For example:
>copy test.txt lpt1:
If the printer issues a label it is communicating.
If you get an error, you have the wrong cable or are attached to the wrong port or the port is redirected.
If the data light flashes but the printer doesn't issue a label then check these LCD Display menu items

FORMAT PREFIX - This should be <^> 5EH
PROTOCOL - This should be NONE