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Phaser 300X


Connecting the printer

Printer ports

 The printer accepts data through four ports:

  1. LocalTalk
  2. Serial (RS-232)
  3. Parallel
  4. Ethernet The printer accepts data from all the ports at the same time. The printer accepts print jobs on a first-come, first-served basis.

    The SCSI port (5) is for connecting an external hard disk only. You cannot connect a computer to this port or send print data through the SCSI interface. Refer to "Adding a hard disk for font storage" for more information on the SCSI port.

Note: See "Interface cables and Ethernet adapters" about ordering cables and adapters for connecting the printer.

LocalTalk connection

You can make LocalTalk connections between the printer and a single computer or on a LocalTalk network using a daisy-chain or star setup. If your LocalTalk installation is complex, or if you need assistance, contact your network system administrator.

Note:LocalTalk is sometimes referred to as AppleTalk. LocalTalk refers to the physical connection; AppleTalk is the set of protocols.
LocalTalk connectors and cables are available through your dealer. The illustration shows two commonly used types of LocalTalk connectors:

  1. Self-terminating connector.
  2. Connector that requires an external terminator (depending on your network configuration).
Note:Depending on the type of LocalTalk cables you use and your network configuration, you may need to use terminators at certain points in the installation. Refer to the documentation for your LocalTalk connectors and cables for details.

Connecting the printer to a single computer using LocalTalk

 You can use LocalTalk connectors and cables to connect the printer directly to your computer, without connecting it to any other network.

Note:If your network consists of a single Macintosh and printer and the cable you are using is not self-terminating, you need to terminate both ends of the network.
  1. Turn the printer off before making any LocalTalk connections.
  2. Connect the short cable of a LocalTalk connector to the printer's LocalTalk port.
  3. Connect the short cable of a second LocalTalk connector to your computer's LocalTalk port.
  4. Connect a LocalTalk cable between the two LocalTalk connectors you have just attached to your computer and your printer.

    If you have no other connections to make, read ahead to "Turning on the printer."

Ethernet connection

 Ethernet is a communication standard that supports high-speed data transmission - up to 10 times faster than LocalTalk. If you ordered your printer with the network option, you received the Network Utilities diskettes and the Network Utilities for Phaser Color Printers User Manual. For complete information on Ethernet (including setup), refer to that manual.

Parallel connection

High-density parallel connector
 The printer uses a 1284C-compliant high-density parallel connector for connection to parallel devices. A parallel cable adapter, included with the printer, converts a standard 36-pin low-density parallel cable plug to a 36-pin high-density plug. The adapter is used when connecting a standard Centronics parallel cable to the printer's high-density parallel connector. Parallel cables are available from Tektronix; refer to "Interface cables and Ethernet adapters".

  1. Connect a parallel interface cable to your computer and to the printer's parallel port.

    If you have no other connections to make, read ahead to "Turning on the printer."

Note:If your computer is a PC: After you turn on the printer and install software on your PC, you must set up your PC's parallel port to match the settings you have selected for the printer's parallel port. Refer to "Installing software on your computer" for Windows or "Setting up PC ports (DOS)" for DOS.

Serial connection

 9-pin serial connector
The printer uses a 9-pin serial plug on the rear panel for connection to serial devices. Both 9-socket to 9-socket and 9-socket to 25-socket null-modem serial cables are available from Tektronix; refer to "Interface cables and Ethernet adapters".

Note:Use a "null-modem" serial cable. An ordinary serial cable may cause communication problems. You can purchase null-modem cables from Tektronix. Refer to "Interface cables and Ethernet adapters".
  1. Connect a serial interface cable to your computer and to the printer's serial port.
  2. Set the Baud Rate switch, Switch 7, on the rear panel:
Note:If your computer is a PC: After you turn on the printer and install software on your PC, you must set up your PC's serial port to match the settings you have selected for the printer's serial port. Refer to "Installing software on your computer" for Windows or "Setting up PC ports (DOS)" for DOS.

Turning on the printer

Caution:To avoid damaging the printer, make sure that you have removed all packing material before turning on the printer.

Make sure that the voltage select switch is set to match the AC line voltage and that the power switch is in the off position before connecting the power cord.
  1. Plug the power cord into the printer and into a grounded outlet.
    Note:If you are connecting any peripherals such as a SCSI hard disk, plug it in and turn it on before turning on the printer.
  2. Turn on the printer.

Caution:To avoid damaging the printer, do not turn the printer off when the front panel displays any of the following messages: "Busy Cleaning Head," "Printing," or "Utilities," unless you turn the printer on again within 5 minutes.

When you turn on the printer, the POWER and ERROR indicators on the front panel light up. The printer takes about 15 to 20 minutes to warm up and complete a series of self-tests. During the warm-up cycle, the POWER indicator remains on; the ERROR light goes out.

After the self-tests run successfully, the printer prints a startup page. The startup page prints whenever you turn on or reset the printer. If you want to turn off the startup page, you can use a utility file provided on the Phaser 300X CD-ROM and diskettes. Refer to "Turning off the startup page" and the Phaser 300X Drivers and Utilities Printing Reference for details on using the utility file.

Note:You should leave the printer on if you use it frequently (such as during a normal work week with daily use). The printer has an automatic standby mode that keeps the printer ready to use and reduces energy consumption. If the printer will be idle for two days or more (such as over a weekend), turn it off.

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