SLOW TICKET THROUGHPUT  / DELAYS BETWEEN TICKETS   (USB and Ethernet)

These interfaces are very sensitive to timing issues that may be exacerbated by failing to follow the recommended printer communication protocols.   Specifically, the excessive use of the printer’s flash commands will result in significantly reduced ticket throughput and potential network problems (Ethernet only).  We strongly recommend restricting the use of flash commands to periodic initialization routines.  Under no circumstances should flash commands be used on every ticket.  (Most lower case commands with the exception of <p>, <q>, <n> and <t> are flash commands.)

PARALLEL PORT PROBLEMS

An increasing number of new computers running Microsoft Windows are factory configured in a manner which causes problems with the parallel port.  These problems include total loss of communications, printing blank tickets, garbled data, over-printing of tickets and printer jams.  Many of these same problems have been reported to Microsoft by users of other manufacturers’ printers and are documented on Microsoft's web site. 

Microsoft's solution for these problems is to change the low-level parallel port driver from ECP mode to standard parallel mode. Although this process varies somewhat among the different version of Windows the process is very similar. 

Below are the instructions for converting ECP printer ports to a standard printer port in Windows 2000 & Windows XP.

Windows 2000 

1.  In Control Panel, double-click the System icon.

2.  Select the hardware tab and click on Device Manager.

3.  In Device Manager, double-click the Ports (COM & LPT) branch to expand it, double-click on ECP Printer Port to show the properties box.

4.  In the property box, click on the Driver Tab and then Update Driver.

5.  In the Driver Wizard click Next, click on Display List of Known Drivers, click Next.

6.  Click on Show all Hardware.

7.  In the Manufacturers box click on Standard Port Types, in the Models box click on Printer Port and then click Next.

8.  When the Update Driver Warning dialog box appears, click Yes.

9.  Click on Next and then Finish to complete the installation.

 

Windows XP

1.  In Control Panel, double-click the System icon.

2.  Select the hardware tab and click on Device Manager.

3.  In Device Manager, double-click the Ports (COM & LPT) branch to expand it, double-click on ECP Printer Port to show the properties box.

4.  In the property box, click on the Driver Tab and then Update Driver.

5.  In the Driver Wizard click on “No, not at this time” and Next.

6.  Click on “Install from a list or specific location” and Next

7.  Click on “Don’t search. I will choose the driver to install” and Next

8.  If On, Click off “Show compatible hardware” and view list.

9.  In the Manufacturers box click on Standard Port Types, in the Models box click on Printer Port and then click Next.

10. When the Update Driver Warning dialog box appears, click Yes.

11. Click on Finish to complete the installation.

NOTE: If the ECP port is redetected after you restart your computer or if you continue to have similar problems, you may also need to change port-related settings in your computer CMOS (BIOS) configuration. Use the computer’s BIOS setup utility to disable the ECP port and select standard parallel or AT compatible. After you change the port settings in the CMOS memory, repeat the appropriate steps described above. For information about how to change your CMOS settings, view your computer documentation or contact the manufacturer of your computer.
 

For additional troubleshooting information customers can refer to Microsoft’s product support web site and search for the following article “Troubleshooting Printing Problems in Windows 95/98/Millennium Edition” article number Q128345.

Revised 11.16.06