Plotter displays: TRANS ERROR = P or TRANS ERROR = F error message.
Plotter displays: TRANS ERROR = P or TRANS ERROR = F error message.
A. Host Data Parity/Host Data Framing error causes:
1. The computer and plotter require matching setup values for baud
rate, data bits, parity, stop bits, and handshake. If there is a
mismatch between the two, then an error will occur.
a. Data bits can be set for a value of 7 or 8.
b. Stop bits can be set for a value of 1 or 2.
c. Parity can be set for a value of odd, even, or none.
B. Obtain/modify configuration settings in the software application.
1. If sending files to the plotter from a network, the network is
in control of these values.
2. If using true Windows-based application programs, the Windows
driver set-up (in Control Panel Printers) is in control of these
values.
a. AutoCAD 12/13 for Windows have their own drivers and bypass
the Windows Control Panel Printers configuration.
Consequently, the configuration settings are in AutoCAD
12/13 for Windows and may be accessed via the AutoCAD
command: CONFIG.
3. If a background spooler is being used to send the plots, then the
spooler is in control of these values.
4. If a DOS based software program is being used without networks or
a spooler, then the software program is in control of these
values.
C. Once the configuration setting are known, configure the plotter to
match what the software is using. Perform the following:
1. Press the key marked SETUP to access the plotter's set-up menu.
2. Press the key marked 7 (numeral 7) for I/O communications.
3. Press the key marked ENTER. Note: Always press the ENTER key
after keying in a numeric value. Otherwise the plotter will not
accept and store the new value.
4. The plotter displays:
Host Setup Number:
Press NEXT for MENU.
5. To access menu 0 of 8: Press the key marked NEXT/SIZE, press
ENTER, the plotter displays:
Par: 0 = no (none), 1 = 0 (odd), 2 = E (even)
Bits/Char: 7/8
Use the key pad to enter the correct parity and bits/char. For
example, if the software application requires no parity and 8 data
bits, perform the following:
a. Press 0. Press ENTER.
b. Press 8. Press ENTER.
c. Press the key marked NEXT/SIZE to go to the next menu.
Press ENTER
6. Menu 1 of 8. The plotter displays:
Stop Bits: 1/2
Clock: 0 = Int. 1 = Ext.
In most applications, the stop bits is 1.
a. Enter the appropriate stop bit value and press ENTER.
b. Enter 0 for Clock. Press ENTER.
c. Press NEXT/SIZE to go to the next menu. Press ENTER.
7. Menu 2 of 8: The plotter displays:
0 = Serial, 1 = IEEE488
IEEE Address:
a. Set Serial = 0, press ENTER.
b. Set IEEE488 = 00, press ENTER.
c. Press NEXT/SIZE to go to the next menu. Press ENTER.
8. Menu 3 of 8: The plotter displays:
Host Baud Rate:
Mode: 1 = 960, 0 = PCI
a. Set to the appropriate baud rate value. Note: A baud rate
above 4800 will not cause the plotter to produce the plots
any faster. Press ENTER.
b. Set the Mode value. Press ENTER.
c. Press NEXT/SIZE to go to the next menu. Press ENTER
9. Most of the settings affecting this error type were set in the
previous setup steps. For completeness, the remainder of the
setup instructions are included below. If the settings are known,
then confirm the following plotter settings.
a. Menu 4 of 8: The plotter displays:
Term Muting: Y/N ?
Cksum Enable: Y/N ?
i. Term Muting should always be set for no. Press the
key marked CLEAR (says no on top).
ii. Cksum is a value that must be set to match what the
software application requires.
iii. Press NEXT/SIZE to go to the next menu. Press ENTER.
b. Menu 5 of 8: The plotter displays:
Isochronous: Y/N?
End of Mess Chr: Y/N?
i. Set Isochronous to NO.
ii. Set the End of Message Character to match what the
software application requires. Press ENTER.
iii. Press NEXT/SIZE to go to the next menu. Press ENTER
c. Menu 6 of 8: The plotter displays:
Direct Control: Y/N ?
XON/XOFF: Y/N ?
This menu is also referred to as the handshaking menu.
This value must be set to match what the software
application requires. Direct Control handshaking is also
referred to as: hardware, hardwire, CTS, or DTR/RTS.
Whenever the software allows a selection, hardware
handshaking is the best choice. Regardless of the setting
used, ensure that dip switches 2, 4, and 5 on the back of
the plotter are set to ON = 1. Turn all other dip
switches OFF = 0.
i. To configure for hardware handshake on the plotter,
press the ENTER key to set Direct control to equal
YES.
ii. To configure for XON/XOFF handshake on the plotter,
press the CLEAR/NO key to bring the cursor down to
the bottom line and press the ENTER key to say YES to
XON/XOFF.
Note: Older 104X Series plotters needed upgraded ROM
packs to properly use XON/XOFF handshake. Use
Hardware handshaking whenever possible. If the
software does not support hardware handshake, then
confirm that the ROM pack is the correct revision.
iii. To configure for ACK/NAK handshake on the plotter,
press the CLEAR/NO key twice.
iv. Press NEXT/SIZE to go to the next menu. Press ENTER
d. Menu 7 of 8: Plotter displays:
Term Baud Rate:
Dplx: 1 = half, 0 = full
i. Set term baud Rate to 9600. Press ENTER.
ii. Set Dplx to 0 = full. Press ENTER.
iii. Press NEXT/SIZE to go to the next menu. Press ENTER.
e. Menu 8 of 8: Plotter displays:
Sync Codes: 1/2
Sync Code Value:
Sync Codes refers to the number of sync codes and has a
value of either 1 or 2. Sync Code Value refers to the sync
character that precedes each PCI vector block. If the
software application uses a sync char = 2 and the number
of sync chars = 1, then perform the following:
i. Press 1 for Sync Codes. Press ENTER.
ii. Press 02 for Sync Code Value. Press ENTER.
10. To save the settings, press the yellow key marked SAVE/TEST. The
plotter will display:
User Number:
The 104X has four User Numbers to save unique software set-ups.
Valid choices are: 1, 2, 3, or 4. Press the numeric key (1, 2,
3, or 4) and press the ENTER key to save to that user number.
11. Press AUTO to plot.
D. If still having problems, note the following:
1. If the plotter is connected to a switch box, a network, or buffer
box, then for testing purposes, remove them and directly connect
the plotter to the computer and then try plotting again with a
new media sheet loaded in the plotter.
2. This plotter uses a straight-through 25-pin to 25-pin serial
cable (CalComp part #11772-0102, 10 ft. serial cable, or part
#11772-0250, 25 ft. serial cable).
a. The serial port on a PC is either a 9-pin or 25-pin male
port (pins sticking out). Connecting a 9-to-25-pin adapter
(available at a local computer supply store) is acceptable,
either at the computer-end or at the plotter-end.
b. The serial cable must be no longer than 50 feet.
3. If the application allows a choice for handshake, select Hardware
handshake (sometimes called CTS, hardwire, direct control, or
DTR/RTS). Match the value on the plotter which is listed as
DIRECT CONTROL, as described in the above example.
4. Try a slower baud rate. Again, sending data above 4800 baud will
not produce plots any faster.
5. It is possible that the port on their computer is not working.
Additionally, a PC with an internal fax/modem installed might be
sending/receiving data concurrently via a TSR program.
a. Try connecting to a different port.
b. Try connecting to a different computer.
c. Try using a different serial cable.