ITEM: AQ9389L

Epson DFX 8000 printer not printing long "jobs" completely

Question:
problem printing/ Not printing the "jobs" completely

Response:

ENV: AIX 3.2.5
     Epson DFX 8000 printer - serial attached to 128 port RAN via 8 wire
     Alternate RJ45 running at 19.2 kbs

ACT: Same print file sometimes prints all the way through, sometimes it
does not.  Sometimes will print 35 pages then stop.  Other times it will
print 50 pages then stop.  printing by using cat command.  Tried cable
swap, tried XON/XOFF pacing, tried DTR pacing, tried switching printer
from Epson DFX 8000 to IBM 4226 and the IBM 4226 printer works fine with
same cable.  The system is heavily loaded with 510 processes and 70 
users.  Said the printer worked fine for a month then problems started
to occur.

Went through every archived item mentioning the Epson DFX 8000 printer.
It appears that pacing problems are common for this printer. 

ACT:  Customer had tried various tests with XON/XOFF, switches
on the printer, sticky bit settings in smit, different serial cables, 
etc.  He was able to print a job to completion, but half a page was 
missing every once in awhile throughout the document.
Suggested that he reduce the baud rate to verify that there is in fact
a flow control problem with the printer.
Also suggested he check with Epson about the external interface, which
he had not done, yet.

Epson America Support at 800-922-8911.

Response:

ACT: Epson support suggested checking for audible tones which are
used as error indicators.  Epson support said that 2 sets of 3 beeps
indicate a carriage error which is a common problem that is usually a 
result of the cover shaking open when printing at high speeds (in 
super draft mode).  The DFX 8000 can print at 1066 cps when in super
draft mode (DFX 5000 at 500 cps).  Also mentioned that Epson support
told me it was critical that the printer be on a stable surface.  
Otherwise the high speed printing would be more likely to cause cover
errors.  Cleaning the printer was also highly recommended.

Response:

ACT: Customer has tried numerous scenarios, but continues to
have long jobs stop printing before job end in inconsistent locations.
1. He placed printer on floor to make more stable.
2. His DFX 5000 seems to work ok when he "hard links" lp4 to tty20 and
prints jobs up to 30 or so pages.  He has not tried longer jobs on the
DFX 8000 with this setup, but will.
3. He stood by printer when long jobs were printing and did hear 2 sets
of 3 beeps which according to Epson support is a common carriage error
problem usually caused by the cover shaking loose (and subsequently 
losing jobs).
4. Ran in higher resolution mode which slows printer down.
5. Slowed baud rate from 19.2 to 9600.
6. Took printer to local Epson repair center.  They printed 35 page job
and said it was fine.

Customer stated that he ran an 80 page job, it printed to completion.
Then he started another 80 page job and it stopped after several pages.

NEXT: Customer said he would try hooking it up as a parallel printer.

Response:

ACT: Customer said parallel port did not help.  Will try a "heavily 
shielded" serial cable.  They printed 1000 page document from PC
with it ok.  Wanted to know if AIX driver was available.  Said no.

Response:

ACT: Customer said problem was solved by substituting serial cable for a
heavily shielded cable.  With new cable, printer has been working 
without problems for about 3 weeks.

NEXT: Closing with customer approval.

Response:

Closing with Customer Approval



Support Line: Epson DFX 8000 printer not printing long "jobs" completely ITEM: AQ9389L

Dated: January 1996 Category: N/A

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