IT Unicode Sdn. Bhd.

FAQ of TTP-243

1. Why is it the TTP-243 printer printed one label and the error LED light came on?

A. Please calibrate the gap sensor. The strength of the gap sensor may be different since the labels in use may be made of different material. Accordingly, please calibrate the gap sensor first whenever you use a new kind of label.
  Please follow the steps below to calibrate the gap sensor:
  (1) Turn off the printer power.
  (2) Install a new roll of label media.
  (3) Hold down the PAUSE while turning on the printer power.
  (4) Do not release the PAUSE key until the printer feeds labels.
  (5) Do not turn off the printer power until the two LED lights came on when the execution of auto gap sensor calibration function is complete.
  (6) Print labels to test.
B. Please check that ribbon paper core is installed on the ribbon rewind spindle.


2. We have a problem with TTP-243 printer status request. We sent ESC!? to the printer and set debug on, but there was not any response from the printer.

The ESC control code means ASCII 27, not the literal ESC string.


3. We have 2 label files stored in the printer. Whenever I turn on the printer and set the variables for printing, the first file cannot be printed at the right position, but as the second always can.

It is not expected that, upon activation of printer power, the first label will be printed at the right position. So that the first label can be printed at the right position, you must either feed one label and let the label stop at the next print position or align the top edge of the first label with the thermal print head.


4. Is it possible to reset the error message (red LED) by a remote command? Or is it only possible to reset by pushing the button?

Yes, there is a command to reset the printer, which is not documented on the user’s manual.
<ESC>!R
Note: The <ESC> stands for the ASCII 27 character.


5. How can I disable the back feed function of the printer when it prints labels?

The SET STRIPER OFF command is used to disable the back feed function when only one copy of label is to be printed.


6. We installed the Memory Expansion + Clock, but the printer only detected the additional memory. And if we try to use the Clock, the printer lapses into error status and prints RTC Error. What is wrong with the printer?

Please reset the printer to initialize the RTC chip.


7. I am using Windows 95 Driver V3.12 and I can’t find where to select Black Mark Sensor. Is the selection available on other version of Driver?

The Windows 95 Driver does not support this feature until after version 3.20.


8. Can you give us an example in Basic instructions on how to download a .PCX format logo to the printer? (Please give the instructions step by step.)

Mono (black and white) .PCX file format is known to CLEVER. Please shift to MS-DOS mode and follow the steps below to download .PCX file. Let's suppose the name of the mono .pcx file is C.PCX and the file size is 1663, then
C:\>MODE COM2 96,N,8,1
C:\>COPY CON COM2
DOWNLOAD “MARK.PCX”,1663,^Z
C:\>COPY C.PCX/B COM2
C:\>
The .PCX file will remain in printer memory and go by the name of “MARK.PCX”.
You can use the command below to print it on labels:
PUTPCX 100,100,“MARK.PCX”


9. Why does the downloaded .PCX file get lost when I turn off the power of TTP-243?

TTP-243 is equipped with FLASH memory. Additional command is needed to copy the files to the FLASH memory. Refer to the following instructions:
C:\>COPY CON LPT1
MOVE
^Z
C:\>


10. Why can’t TTP-243, TTP-243M print anything when connected to the printer server box?

We checked the main PCB and found that the problem arose from the pin 10 ACK signal. Pin 10 and Pin 11 are connected in TTP-243M PCB.
To solve this problem, please complete the following modifications:
(1) Remove the Centronics connector on the PCB.
(2) Locate Pin 10 and Pin 11 lines on the PCB. Cut the line that connects Pin 10 and Pin 11.
(3) Re-solder the Centronics connector.
(4) Locate the U22 IC Pin 6, serialize a 100 ohm resistor and then connect it to Pin 10 of Centronics connector. We will change the layout of the PCB so that the printer works when connected to the printer server box.


11. How can I download True Type Fonts to the printer memory?

Please follow the steps below to generate VF1 font:
1. Generate VF1 font.
(1) Execute FG.exe.
(2) Select Font, Choose Font.
(3) Select Arial, 16-point size and press OK.
(4) Select Generate menu.
(5) From the Save file dialog box, select the file type of "VF1.”
(6) Enter filename and press OK to generate VF1 Font.
2. Download the true type fonts.
If the generated font file is named ARIAL.VF1 and the file size is 1056 bytes, please follow the steps below to download font file to printer:
(1) Copy font header to printer memory.
       C:\>MODE COM2 96,N,8,1
       C:\>COPY CON COM2
       DOWNLOAD “ARIAL.VF1”,1056,^Z
(2) Copy the font file to printer.
C:\>COPY ARIAL.VF1 /B COM2
       C:\>
3. If the printer model is TTP-243, please send additional commands to printer to move the downloaded file from DRAM to FLASH memory to save it permanently.
       C:\>COPY CON LPT1
       MOVE
       ^Z
       C:\>


12. How can I write data to the flash memory module?

The file headers to use with flash memory and memory module are different. To save files in flash memory, the DOWNLOAD “FILENAME”, FILESIZE header is needed so as firmware may know the filename and the file size. But for memory module, the header of each file is 15 bytes. The first 12 bytes are for the filename and the remaining 3 bytes are used to point to the beginning of the next file. If the length of the filename is less than 12 bytes, please fill in 00 (hexdecimial) for the rest of the characters. The 3 bytes of address are arranged from high byte to low byte. The file below serves as an example.

EXAMPLE
Install the memory module on printer. Issue the command below in DOS environment.
C:\>COPY CON LPT1
REDRAW 1,5580,^Z

C:\>COPY EXAMPLE/B LPT1
The first LED will light on and off alternately while data is being written to the memory module.
Note: In editing the header of each file, it is all-important that the 3 bytes of address point to the next file correctly. If it doesn't, the printer will not boot successfully when turned on with memory module installed.

 

 

For others supports, Please e-mail to  support@unicode.com.my