Unit 5: Troubleshooting
SATO M5900RVe Operator Manual PN 9001125A Page 5-5
TROUBLESHOOTING PROCEDURES
The procedures below provide in depth instructions on symptom analysis of specific
components. If it is suspected that the problem lies within one of these components, refer to the
relative instructions.
RS232 SERIAL INTERFACE
• Ensure the serial cable is thoroughly connected to the PC and the printer.
• Ensure the serial cable is not defective.
• Ensure that a Null Modem Cable with correct Pin-out specifications is being used.
• Ensure the specified RS232 Interface Module is installed.
• Ensure the data stream is correct; all letters of command codes are in upper case and without
spaces. Carriage Returns are also not acceptable in line fields.
• Ensure the Baud rate, Parity, Data Bits, and Stop Bits are consistent with that of computer.
Print a Configuration Test Label to determine the RS232 settings.
• Ensure the printer is receiving from the computer using a Receive Buffer Hex Dump. The
printer will print (only once) a hexadecimal dump of everything it has received from the host
computer. Each hexadecimal character represents a character the printer received. Analyze
and troubleshoot the data stream.
While checking the hex dump printout, look for OD
H OAH (carriage return and line feed) char-
acters throughout. The command string should be continuous. CR or LF characters are not
allowed between the start command (<ESC>A) and the stop command (<ESC>Z). If Basic is
being used, it may be adding these characters automatically as the line wraps. Adding a
width statement to your program can help suppress these extra OD
H OAH characters by
expanding the line length up to 255 characters.
If not programming in BASIC, check to see if the equivalent statement in the language exists
to suppress extra carriage returns and line feeds from data being sent to the printer. The data
stream must be one complete line going to the printer.
CAUTION: NEVER CONNECT OR DISCONNECT INTERFACE CABLES
(OR USE A SWITCH BOX) WITH POWER APPLIED TO EITHER THE
PRINTER OR THE HOST. THIS MAY CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE
INTERFACE CIRCUITRY AND IS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY.
NOTE: A small label may produce a large amount of data when printed in
Hex Dump.
