Using the Data Dump Mode

The data dump mode is a special feature that makes it easy for experienced users to identify the cause of communication problems between the printer and application programs. The data dump mode gives a printout of the codes reaching the printer.

To use the data dump mode, follow these steps:

1. Make sure that the printer is loaded with either single-sheet or continuous paper.

3-24 Using the Printer

Using the Data Dump Mode

2. If the printer is on, switch it off, then hold down the FORM FEED and LINE FEED buttons at the same time you turn on the printer.

3. Run any program that causes the printer to print (either an application program or one in any programming language).

Your printer prints out all the codes sent to the printer, as shown below. (In order to print the last line, you will have to take the printer off line.)

On the left side of the printout all the codes are printed in hexadecimal format. On the right side of the printout all printable characters are printed, and others, such as control codes, are represented by dots.

Using the Printer 3-25

Using the Data Dump Mode

4. To turn off the data dump mode after you have taken the printer off line, turn off the printer.

By comparing the characters printed in the text field on the right side of the data dump printout (see step 3) with the printout of hex codes, you can check which codes are being sent to the printer.

To interpret the data dump printout, examine the first three hex codes on the second line of the printout sample (20 20 54). Each hex code 20 represents a space; hex code 54 represents the letter T.

Check the second line of the text field on the right side of the printout and you will find the letter T preceded by two spaces.

The chart below interprets the first eight codes.

Hex codes

1B 40

1B 52 00

1B 74 01

Command

ESC

ESC R 0

ESC t 1

Function

Initialize printer

Select USA character set

Select Epson Extended Graphics set

3-26 Using the Printer

Chapter 4

Software and Graphics

Enhancing Your Printing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Character Spacing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Character Size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

4-2

4-2

4-3

Special Effects and Emphasis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-4

Selecting Typestyles With Master Select . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-6

Graphics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

4-9

The Print Head. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

4-10

The Graphics Command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

4-13

Column Reservation Numbers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-14

A Simple Graphics Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-14

Designing Your Own Graphics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-15

User-defined Characters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

4-20

Designing Your Characters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-20

Defining Your Characters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-22

Sending Information to Your Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-24

Printing User-defined Characters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-27

Copying ROM Characters to RAM. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-28

Letter Quality Characters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Mixing Print Styles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

4-29

4-30

Software and Graphics 4-1