FAQ's for the Series 90 Printers
Where can I order paper and ribbons?
Paper and ribbons can be ordered online through our TransAct Supplies website at www.transactsupplies.com.
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Do you offer a repair service?
Yes, we offer repair of the Series 90 printer at one of our Repair Centers in and outside the United States. Please use our convenient RMA web form, Click Here.
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What communication interface do I have?
The Series 90 printer can be purchased with several different communication interfaces. Please use the below chart to identify which interface your printer has:
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9 pin Serial Interface
Cable Required:
Serial Null Modem Cable, 9 pin female to 9 pin female.
This cable is available for purchase from us.
Item No: 10-2020
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36 pin Centronics Parallel Adapter
Cable Required:
Parallel Cable, 25 pin male to 36 pin Centronics male.
This cable is available for purchase from us.
Item No: 253-9800002
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USB Interface
Cable Required:
USB Cable
This cable is available for purchase from us.
Item No: 98-04322
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25 pin Parallel Interface
Cable Required:
Parallel Cable, 25 pin male to 25 pin male.
This cable is available for purchase from us.
Item No: 253-9800007
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25 pin Serial Interface
Cable Required:
Serial Null Modem Cable, 9 pin female to 25 pin male.
This cable is available for purchase from us.
Item No: 253-9800006
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Caution: The 25 pin Parallel and 25 pin Serial interfaces look exactly the same externally. They both use a 25 pin D-shell connection.
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A closer look will reveal that the electronics on the actual interfaces boards are different. The best way to determine which 25 pin communication interface is present in the printer is to print a configuration listing from the printer. This listing will show either RS232 Serial or P1284 Parallel. See Manual Configuration for how to print out this listing.
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What is the difference between parallel and serial communication?
Parallel and serial communications are two distinct ways of getting data from a PC to our printer. Serial communication transmits data on only 2 wires, one for sending and one for receiving one bit at a time. Parallel communication transmits data across multiple wires simultaneously. This provides a faster means of data transmission than serial. A parallel printer must be connected to a parallel port, commonly labeled as an LPT port on a PC. The LPT port should be set for bi-directional, standard, or SPP. A serial printer must be connected to a serial port, commonly labeled as a COM port on a PC. The COM port settings must match the printer serial settings to communicate properly. Please consult your PC’s literature to learn how to change these setting.
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Why won’t my cash drawer open that is connected to my printer?
The Model 90 printer has an RJ11 cash drawer port for connecting a cash drawer. This port can be hard wired in 3 standard configurations, Ithaca, EPSON, and Star. On the bottom of the printer there is a sticker the will identify which wiring the printer has currently. When purchasing a cash drawer, the correct cash drawer cable for this specified wiring configuration must be ordered. Cash drawer cables are not available from TransAct. Once you have the correct cable, you will still need to send the correct cash drawer command code to the printer to open the drawer. The cash drawer code depends on the Emulation Mode the printer is in. This can be determined by printing a configuration listing. See Manual Configuration for how to print out this listing. The follow are the codes for the common Emulation Modes:
Normal IBM
ASCII DECIMAL HEX
Cash Drawer 1 [ESC] x 1 27 120 1 1B 78 01
Cash Drawer 2 [ESC] x 2 27 120 2 1B 78 02
EPSON
ASCII DECIMAL HEX
Cash Drawer 1 [ESC] p 0 27 112 0 1B 70 00
Cash Drawer 2 [ESC] p 1 27 112 1 1B 70 01
Why won’t my printer cut?
The printer will cut the paper when the printer receives the cut command from the system. This command code depends on the Emulation Mode the printer is in. This can be determined by printing a configuration listing. See Manual Configuration for how to print out this listing. The follow are the codes for the common Emulation Modes:
Normal IBM
ASCII DECIMAL HEX
Cut [ESC] v 27 118 1B 76
EPSON
ASCII DECIMAL HEX
Cut [ESC] i 27 105 1B 69
Why won’t my printer validate forms or checks?
The printer will open and close for validation when the printer receives the commands from the system. This command code depends on the Emulation Mode the printer is in. This can be determined by printing a configuration listing. See Manual Configuration for how to print out this listing. The follow are the codes for the common Emulation Modes:
Open for Validation
Normal IBM
ASCII DECIMAL HEX
Top Validation [ESC] [DC1] 27 17 1B 11
Front Slip Validation [ESC] i 27 105 1B 69
EPOS
ASCII DECIMAL HEX
Front Slip Validation [ESC] c 0 27 99 0 1B 63 00
Close for Validation
Normal IBM
ASCII DECIMAL HEX
Top Validation [ESC] [DC3] 27 19 1B 13
Eject Slip Validation [ESC] k 27 107 1B 6B
EPOS
ASCII DECIMAL HEX
Front Slip Validation [ESC] c 0 27 99 0 1B 63 00
Why am I missing characters in my print or getting strange characters and symbols?
If it is a parallel printer, be sure the parallel port is set for bi-directional, standard, or SPP. If it is a serial printer, be sure the serial port settings match the printer serial settings. You can verify what the printer serial settings are by printing out the configuration settings from the printer. See Manual Configuration for how to print out this listing.
What settings have to be set on my Series 90 Printer when I am using the OPOS driver?
If you are having problems running the OPOS driver and/or are getting a “OPOS_E_NO HARDWARE” Error, make sure the following configuration settings are set on you Series 150 printer when you print out the configuration settings printout from your printer. See Manual Configuration for how to print out this listing.
General Emulation Mode: “Normal IBM”
General M50 Compatibility: “Off”
Interface On/Off-line: “Buffer Full only”
Parallel models:
Interface Parallel Mode: “RS1284”
Fax: 203.949.9048
