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Can't print correctly with Epson TM-T88 Printer

I have a serial cable attached and the printer sends only the ??????? character rather than actually sending any print to the Epson printer. I have the code correct, and even tried to test it out on wordpad but still the same results. The test print from the printer itself is ok, but the test print from the PC to the printer again shows the ???? characters. The HEX dump says hex dump, but nothing else shows up. I have an XP os and the correct Driver for this partial cut Printer.
Any suggestions?

hdhondt

Since you are using a serial interface, are you sure the port settings of the printer and of the Windows COM port are identical? In particular, check baud rate and parity. To check the Windows settings, got to Printer Properties > Ports and click on Configure Port.

mindserve

ASKER

Yes, I am sure the port settings on the printer and the com port are identical. It seems to be a driver issue I think.

hdhondt

Try using the Generic/text Only driver (it's in the list of printers that shows up when you run the Add Printer wizard) to see if you can at least print text.

mindserve

ASKER

I did that too, and even downloaded Ithaca's generic for TM88 in the series 80 ....nada but the ??????? error code..
Could this be the I/F card doing this?

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

hdhondt

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mindserve

ASKER

Ok, I think I found the problem. For this printer I will need a Null Modem RS232 DB9 to DB25 Full handshaking serial cable. I do not have the null modem cable but a regular RS232 serial cable. This is what Epson support told me, so I will test it out today. I will give you the points though, since you did respond to the question.
Thanks!

hdhondt

This is weird. If you need a null-modem the printer the printer should never receive a single character, as you're trying to feed the data into the printer's transmit line instead of the receive line. That's why I never suggested it.

Thanks for the points, and hope you get it to work.

mindserve

ASKER

The Epson TM printers all use the null modem serial cables...dunno why, but it works that way...Thanks!
Oh, and I found a null modem adapter and it works fine now!