Not communicating; Plotter displays: COMMUNICATION ERROR.
Not communicating; Plotter displays: COMMUNICATION ERROR.
A. If using a switch box or connected to a network or a buffer box, then
disconnect these and directly connect the plotter to the computer in
order to isolate the problem.
B. For serial port connections, this plotter uses a straight-through 25-
pin serial cable (CalComp part #11772-0102, 10 ft. serial cable or part
# 11772-0250, 25 ft. serial cable).
1. 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.
2. The serial cable must be no longer than 50 feet.
3. Ports on the back of computers are sometimes mislabeled. If
outputting to COM1, data may have been going to COM2 instead (or
vice versa).
4. Verify that the settings on the plotter match the software
driver:
a. Baud rate, number of bits, parity, stop bits=1, handshake
(use hardware or CTS if possible).
b. If using 907/PCI protocol, then verify sync char, # sync
chars, checksum, and end of buffer character.
c. For a list of settings for several applications, refer to
the Pacesetter Users Guide, Chapter 3.
d. Configure the plotter by performing the following:
i. Press the MENU button on the plotter until the
plotter displays: MENU - USE ARROW KEYS TO CHANGE.
ii. Press the down arrow key until the plotter displays:
PORT TYPE.
iii. Press the right arrow key until the plotter displays:
RS-232C.
Press the down arrow key until the plotter displays:
BAUD RATE, followed by the value. Value selection is
application-dependent. If a selection choice is
available in the software, choose 9600 here and in
the software application.
iv. Press the down arrow key. The plotter will display: #
OF BITS-PARITY, followed by the value. Value
selection is application-dependent. Use the right
arrow key to select the desired selection.
v. Press the down arrow key. The plotter will display:
HANDSHAKE, followed by the value. Value selection is
application-dependent. Use the right arrow key to
select the desired selection. If a selection choice
is available in the software, choose HARDWARE
handshake here and in the software application.
vi. Press the down arrow key. If the PROTOCOL selected
was PCI, then the plotter will display: SYNC # EOM
CHK, followed by the value. Value selection is
application-dependent. Use the right arrow key to
select the desired selection.
vii. Press the down arrow key until the plotter displays:
SAVE AS USER. Press the left or right arrow key until
the plotter displays 1, 2, or 3.
viii. Press the down arrow key once. When the plotter
displays: INTERNAL PLOT, the plotter is set up.
5. It is possible that the port on the computer is not
working. Additionally, a PC with an internal fax/modem
installed might have that port disabled or 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.
C. For parallel port connections, this plotter uses a standard Centronics
parallel cable (CalComp part #18735-0129, 10 ft. parallel cable). The
cable length maximum is 12 feet, unless it is a good quality double
shielded cable. The 25-foot CalComp twisted-pair, double-shielded cables
are the only longer Centronics parallel cables supported by CalComp
(CalComp part #717960-9, 25 ft. parallel cable).
1. Ports on the back of computers are sometimes mislabeled. If
outputting to LPT1, and an LPT2 port is installed on the
computer, the data may have been going to LPT2 instead (or vice
versa).
2. Verify that the settings on the plotter match the software
driver:
a. If using 907/PCI protocol, then verify sync char, # sync
chars, checksum, and end of buffer character.
b. For a list of settings for several applications, refer to
the Pacesetter Users Guide, Chapter 3.
c. Configure the plotter by performing the following:
i. Press the MENU button on the plotter until the
plotter displays: MENU - USE ARROW KEYS TO CHANGE.
ii. Press the down arrow key until the plotter displays:
PORT TYPE.
iii. Press the right arrow key until the plotter displays:
CENTRONICS.
iv. Press the down arrow key. The plotter will display:
PROTOCOL, followed by the value. Value selection is
application-dependent. Use the right arrow key to
select the desired selection. Select PCI if the
software application has been configured with a
CalComp Pen Plotter driver (such as a 104x, 102x,
2024, 2036, 907/PCI Controller driver).
v. Press the down arrow key. If the PROTOCOL selected
was PCI, then the plotter will display: SYNC # EOM
CHK, followed by the value. Value selection is
application-dependent. Use the right arrow key to
select the desired selection.
vi. Press the down arrow key until the plotter displays:
SAVE AS USER. Press the left or right arrow key until
the plotter displays 1, 2, or 3.
vii. Press the down arrow key once. When the plotter
displays: INTERNAL PLOT, the plotter is set up.
3. It is possible that the port on the computer is not working.
a. Try connecting to a different port, if available.
b. Try connecting to a different computer.
c. Try using a different Centronics parallel cable.