Bidirectional Printer Switching Device AUTO CROSS MB Series AUTO CROSS is the helpful intermediate to share INTRODUCTION

Transcription

1 INDEX INTRODUCTION Bidirectional Printer Switching Device AUTO CROSS MB Series AUTO CROSS is the helpful intermediate to share There are 5 models of the AUTO CROSS MB Series. MB215 for 2 PCs connected with 1 printer. Introduction 1 1, 2 or 4 PCs with 1 or 2 printers. MB125 for 1 PC connected with 2 printers. Installation of MB415 2 The main features of AUTO CROSS MB Series Select button for choosing PC or printer MB225 for 2 PCs connect with 2 printers. Usage Procedure of MB415 Installation of MB2125 Usage Procedure of MB2125 Trouble-Shooting After Sales Service Indicator light at the front panel Suitable with parallel interface printers No external power supply required No power surge at all because of using electronic switch This user manual is for the next 2 series: MB415 for 4 PCs connected with 1 printer MB2125 can function in 2 ways: 2 PCs share 1 printer as MB215 1 PC connects with 2 printers as MB125 A set of AUTO CROSS MB consists of the following items: Specification 5 Guarantees the truly bidirectional operation standards of IEEE1284 (Nibble Mode), Bi-Tronics, AUTO CROSS MB Series 1 unit AUTO CROSS Product Lines 6 GDI and Windows Printing System (WPS) Problem Submit Form Bidirectional is a two ways data communication scheme between printer(s) and computer(s). It enables users to get a maximum of information about a printer status i.e. how much toner remains paper tray left, paper empty etc. Including various Cable p/n 25MM18 (Both ends have male 25-pin D-Type connectors) Two cables for the MB2125 Four cables for the MB415 types of printer faults causing printing stop. Old printer models do not have this feature. User's manual AUTU CROSS MB Series are designed to be fully compliant with bi-directional standards and printers. User will get the most useful features from printer. AUTO CROSS : MB SERIES AUTO CROSS : MB SERIES 1

2 INSTALLATION OF MB415 USAGE PROCEDURE OF MB415 INSTALLATION OF MB2125 The users can very easily install step-bystep as shown below: 1 Switch off the computer, printer and other peripherals, which might be connected to the computer. When all computers and printer are connected to AUTO CROSS, switch on the computers and the printer. Wait until they are ready to operate. 1 Choosing the way you want to use between 2 PCs connect with 1 printer. 2 Connect a printer to AUTO CROSS using the printer's standard connection cable. Plug the cable end to the AUTO CROSS 25 pin D-Type printer connector. You can choose the computer by pressing the Select button on the AUTO CROSS unit. You will see that the light changes to indicate another computer is are used (Computer 1, 2, 3 or 4) Which computer's light is lit means the printer will follow that computer. The others cannot print until it has its job. And 1 PC connects with 2 printers. 1 Press the Select button to light the indicator sign of your computer. 2 Apply a print job from the computer you use. 3 Use a cable being delivered with AUTO CROSS to connect AUTO CROSS and the PC. One end has to be plugged to LPT 1 port and the other is connected to computer 1 up to computer 4 port. For test printing after installation print from both computers but after the other, do not forget to select the required computer before applying a print job. AUTO CROSS : MB SERIES 2

3 For choosing the type of working with MB2125 can be done by setting the switches under the AUTO CROSS unit. If you choose 2 PCs with 1 printer, set them to be both off And set them to be on when you choose to work with 1 PC connects with 2 printers. Caution: When you want to change the type of working, you should unplug all cables first, then change the switches and plug it as the new connection. 2 Turn off the computer, printer and other appliances that are connected. 3 Connecting the cables For 2 PCs sharing 1 printer, connect the printer' s cable with the middle port of AUTO CROSS unit. Then take 2 cables (from our product set) for connecting between LPT1 port of 2 PCs and the AUTO CROSS unit. For 1 PC connects with 2 printers, connect the printer1 with the left port of AUTO CROSS unit, the printer2 with the right port and the middle one for the LPT 1 of the PC. USAGE PROCEDURE OF MB PCs connect with 1 printer When 2 computers and 1 printers are completely connected to AUTO CROSS MB2125 unit, switch on the computers and the printer. Wait until they are ready to operate. You can choose the computer by pressing the Select button on the AUTO CROSS unit. You will see that the light is changed to be on any computer (Computer 1 or 2) Which computer's light is lit that means the printer will apply the print job follow that computer. The other cannot print until it is finished. Every time when users want to print, please follow these steps. 1 Press the Select button to light the indicator sign of your computer. 2 Apply a print job from the computer you use. For test printing after installation print from both computers but after the other, do not forget to select the required computer before applying a print job. AUTO CROSS : MB SERIES 3

4 1 PC connects with 2 printers When a computer and 2 printers are completely connected to AUTO CROSS MB2125 unit, switch on the computer and the printers. Wait until they are ready to operate. You can choose the computer by pressing the SELECT button on the AUTO CROSS unit. You will see that the light is changed to be on any printer (Printer 1 or 2). Check the usage procedure by following the next steps: A Press the Select button to choose the printer1. B Apply a print job from the computer to the printer1 by choosing the correct driver i.e. if the printer1 is HPLaserJet6P, they have to correspond to the printer model. C After finished printing, choose the printer2. D Apply a print job to the printer2 via the correct driver. TROUBLE-SHOOTING Using AUTO CROSS with parallel port AUTO CROSS works perfectly with parallel ports in many modes e.g.. Normal, EPP and ECP. Some printer models like HP LaserJet 6P and 6MP cannot operate in ECP and EPP mode. (This is the case with a few PCs only.) If the printer does not function, especially with HP LaserJet 6P and 6MP, it might be that the parallel port type parameter in BIOS is set to be ECP and EPP. Set it back to Standard Mode by using BIOS/CMOS Setup utility or set the jumpers of the parallel port expansion card. How to change BIOS Setup 1 Reboot the computer while it is booting or performing memory check, press Delete or F1 or F2 or ESP or Ctrl-Alt-Esc key (Depending on type and model of computer). 2 In order to select the Printer Port Mode item (Can be found in Chipset Feature Setup or Integrated Peripherals menu). Basically, there are many modes to select, preferably try Standard or Normal or SPP or Compatible or something else except ECP and FPP. Then save the parameter. Caution: Do not modify other parameters otherwise the computer may malfunction. Garbage Printing Solving Printing under Windows 95 sometimes does not work properly. It might happen with the EPSON dot matrix printer. This may be fixed by follow these steps. 1 Right click at My Computer icon, then select Properties, Device Manager, Port (COM & LPT), Driver. Check whether their file version is or not. Then select Change Driver and see Models are on the Printer Port or not. 2 If the Models are not on the Printer Port, select Show all device, Printer Port, OK, OK 3 If the file version is exactly , copy file LPT.VXD version from \DRIVERS\ PRINTER\LPT directory in Windows 95 CD-ROM to replace the old one in C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\ LPT.VXD in hard disk. Some difficulties are due to the mode of operating of Windows 95 and they might influence the functions of AUTO CROSS Difficulties with some computer models If you have difficulties to install and use AUTO CROSS with a specific printer model. They might be due to an unusual printer driver. Do the following steps. A Change from its initial driver to Windows by clicking at Add New Printer under Setting, Printers and then choose an appropriate driver from the list prepared by Windows (do not select have Disk) or B Disable the bi-directional operation. Basically, this can be done by 3 ways. AUTO CROSS : MB SERIES 4

5 1 Re-install a driver and find out which step leads the user to customize an installation and enables to suppress the bi-directional operation. 2 Delete Status Monitor programs from hard disk or re-install driver without Status Monitor feature. 3 Try to find one driver program that has an option to suppress the bi-directional operation. Trouble-Shooting when AUTO CROSS does not execute a command. Solving some AUTO CROSS difficulties by making sure that all cables are tightly connected to the right connectors. Check the operation of the printer itself. Switch off and on. Put in paper. Check if the Online or Ready indicator is lit or not. If Ok, issue a print job using other applications (like Paint). If the printer is functioning well, AUTO CROSS is functioning well too. Switch off and on the computer Try as above again. AFTER SALES SERVICE When some difficulties occurred during using AUTO CROSS with others computer appliances, please give us some details as below: A The version of DOS or Windows B All content in CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT files (Command: config.sys and type autoexec.bat). C Which brand and model of both computer and printer? How many parallel ports they have? D Which application software were you working with when difficulties occurred? What is the version number and which malfunction happened at what step or menu? Did it work before? If a problem is a kind of bad printing, attach a bad printout sample to us. It will help the service technician to solve eventual difficulties. SPECIFICATION Specifications of AUTO CROSS MB Series Product Type Manual Bidirectional Printer Switching Device Switching Type Electronics Selection Type Manually push button with indicator light Input/Output 25 Pin D-Type connector as IBM PC Standard Power Supply No external power supply required Computer IBM PC XT, AT, PS/2, 386, 486, Pentium and others, it compatibles Printer Parallel port printer e.g. EPSON, NEC, CANON, HP, Panasonic and parallel plotter Standard Protocol Bidirectional IEEE1284 (Nibble Mode), BiTronics, GDI and Windows Printing System (WPS) Connect the printer cable directly to the parallel port of the computer (bypass AUTO CROSS) and check if it is working. If the problem still exists, please also check the computer itself or, its software, as they might be the cause of the malfunction. Developed and Manufactured by R&D COMPUTER SYSTEM CO., LTD. of Thailand 48/20 Soi Ratchadaphisek, Ratchadaphisek Rd., Samsennok, Huaykwang, Bangkok Thailand. Tel. (662) Fax (662) Sales Dept. (662) Fax (662) sales@rd-comp.com AUTO CROSS : MB SERIES 5

6 AUTO CROSS PRODUCT LINES (Refer to Question No.7) AUTO CROSS Product Lines TROUBLE-SHOOTING ASSISTANCE FORM FOR AUTO CROSS : MB Series Series Features Models Connection AP SP MB MU DV PPC Automatic Printer Switching Device Semi Automatic Printer Switching Device Manusl Bidirectional Printer Switching Device Manual USB Switching Device VGA Distribution Device Peripheral Port Card AP215 AP315 AP415 SP135 SP225 MB125 MB225 MB215 MB415 MB2125 MU415 MU225 DV125 DV155 PPC100 PPC105 PPC205 2 PCs : 1 Printer 3 PCs : 1 Printer 4 PCs : 1 Printer 1 PC : 3 Printers 2 PCs : 2 Printers 1 PC : 2 Printers 2 PCs : 2 Printers 2 PCs : 1 Printer 4 PCs : 1 Printer 2 PCs : 1 Printer or 1 PC : 2 Printers 4 PCs : 1 USB Device 2 PCs : 2 USB Devices 1 PC : 2 Monitors 1 PC : 5 Monitors 1 ISA Card : 1 Parallel Port 1 PCI Card : 1 Parallel Port 1 PCI Card : 2 Parallel Ports Note : 1 Name... Organization/Company... Address Printer brand and model Printer 1 brand... Model... Printer 2 brand... Model... Phone ( )... Fax ( ) Provide a detail sketch of the cable connection between computer, printer and AUTO CROSS (refer to the diagram on the right) The most convenient contact method is Phone Fax 8 Explain the problem? Did it occur witha computer or printer or both? 2 AUTO CROSS model MB415 MB2125 Serial No. (S/N) With warranty card No warranty card 9 If the problem occured with an application program, state thpe application name... 3 Operating system Version.. DOS version... At what step... Windows version... Others and version What is the current usage status of AUTO CROSS? Unable to use AUTO CROSS since installation. Able to use AUTO CROSS for some time. Can't use it 4 5 For DOS and Windows. Please type data in AUTOEXEC.BAT and CONFIG.YSY attachment Computer brand and model Computer 1 brand... Model... Computer 2 brand... Model... Computer 3 brand... Model... Computer 4 brand... Model... anymore right now. Able to use AUTO CROSS before. After changing some equipments in a system unable to use it anymore. 11 In case of garbage printing problem, please attach the bad printout. Garbage printout attached (Back Side) Model of MB:... Instructions The diagram of computers. AUTO CROSS and printers shown above is for representing a system configuration for all models of AUTO CROSS. If any computer, printer or port of AUTO CROSS that does not exist in your system, please cross it out. Specify which computer and printer installed in this system into a diagram (refer to question number 5 and 6). Specify which port of AUTO CROSS is connected to which computer and printer (see at the back of AUTO CROSS). Save & Easy Draw a line to represent the cable connection from computers to AUTO CROSS and AUTO CROSS to printer. AUTO CROSS : MB SERIES 6