OKI Microline 420/421 & 490/491 Setup Guide

Getting Started: Checking Contents

Before proceeding with the setup, verify that you have all the necessary components:

• Printer
• Ribbon cartridge
• Power Cable
• CD with drivers and online User Guide
• Setup Guide

Initial Printer Setup

Follow these steps to prepare the printer:

1. Open the printer's access cover by grasping the tabs (labeled 1) and lifting the cover (labeled 2).

   Diagram: An illustration shows the printer with the front cover being opened.

2. Remove the printhead shipping retainer.

   Diagram: An illustration shows a hand removing a plastic retainer from the printhead area.

3. Grasp the tabs (labeled 1) and remove the paper separator.

   Diagram: An illustration shows the removal of a paper separator component from the printer.

4. Remove any protective material from the printer. Replace the paper separator.

5. Remove protective material from the pull-up roller assembly (labeled 2).

   Diagram: An illustration shows the removal of protective material from the roller assembly.

6. With the access cover open, grasp the printhead (labeled 1) and slide it to the center position.

   Diagram: An illustration shows the printhead being moved to the center.

7. Remove the ribbon cartridge from its packaging.

   ? Important: Leave the clear plastic ribbon shield (labeled 2) on the cartridge.

   Diagram: An illustration shows a ribbon cartridge being removed from packaging.

8. Hold the ribbon cartridge with the knob (labeled 1) facing up and the ribbon shield (labeled 2) facing the platen (labeled 3).

   Diagram: An illustration shows the correct orientation of the ribbon cartridge.

9. Fit the grooves on the sides at the back end of the cartridge over the pins on the ribbon plate (labeled 4).

   Diagram: An illustration shows the ribbon cartridge being attached to the printer mechanism.

10. Lower the front of the cartridge over the printhead (labeled 1) until it snaps into place.

    Diagram: An illustration shows the ribbon cartridge being secured onto the printhead.

11. Turn the knob (labeled 2) clockwise to take up any ribbon slack.

    Diagram: An illustration shows the knob being turned to tighten the ribbon.

12. Set the headgap lever (labeled 1) according to the number of sheets you are using (settings 1-4). Use setting 5 for envelopes or extra-thick paper. Adjust the setting for the best print quality.

    Diagram: An illustration shows the headgap lever and its numbered settings.

Connecting the Printer

Connect the printer to your computer using either a Parallel or USB interface.

Diagram: Illustrations show the connection ports for Parallel and USB interfaces.

1. Ensure both the printer and computer are turned OFF.
2. Plug the interface cable into the printer port. Plug the other end into the computer.
3. ? Parallel cable must be shielded, no longer than 6 ft (1.8m), and IEEE 1284-compatible.

Powering On and Initial Checks

1. Plug the power cord into the printer. Plug the other end into a grounded outlet.
2. Turn the printer ON. The POWER light (labeled 1) should illuminate, and the ALARM light (labeled 2) will come on because paper is not loaded.
3. Diagram: An illustration shows the power cord connection and highlights the POWER and ALARM indicator lights on the printer's control panel.

Paper Loading and Handling

1. Move the paper lever (labeled 1) to the "REAR" position.
2. Grasp the paper separator (labeled 2). Lift it slightly, then slide it back.
3. Pivot the paper separator forward and rest it gently against the roller assembly.
4. Diagram: Illustrations show the paper lever adjustment, the paper separator being moved, and its final resting position.
5. From the rear view, locate the tractors. Pull up on the tractor lock levers (labeled 1) to release them.
6. Position the right-hand tractor for the width of the paper. Refer to the paper size reference marks on the printer.
7. Open the tractor covers (labeled 2). This action raises the paper separator.
8. Diagram: Illustrations show releasing the tractors, positioning the right tractor, and opening the tractor covers.
9. Pull the paper and place the first two holes on each side over the tractor pins (labeled 1).
10. ? An equal number of paper holes must be engaged on each tractor to ensure proper paper feed.
11. Diagram: An illustration shows paper being loaded onto the tractor pins.
12. Close the right tractor cover (labeled 1).
13. Push down on the lock lever (labeled 2) to lock the tractor.
14. Diagram: Illustrations show closing the tractor cover and locking the tractor.
15. Position the left tractor so that the paper holes are centered on the pins and the paper is not stretched or too loose, which could cause jams. Close the tractor cover (labeled 1).
16. Push down on the lock lever (labeled 2) to lock the tractor.
17. Diagram: Illustrations show positioning the left tractor and securing it.
18. Replace the paper separator. Ensure the marks (labeled 1) are aligned.
19. Swing the wire paper feed guide (labeled 2) over to rest on the roller assembly.
20. Diagram: Illustrations show replacing the paper separator and positioning the paper feed guide.
21. Push the FF/LOAD button. The paper will feed into the printer, and the ALARM light will go out.
22. ? For instructions on loading single sheet paper, refer to the User's Guide on the CD.
23. Diagram: An illustration of the printer's control panel with the FF/LOAD button highlighted.

Setting the Top of Form (TOF) Position

The factory default setting for the Top of Form (TOF) is one inch down from the top of the page, where printing should begin. The first line prints at the red line on the plastic paper shield (labeled 1).

Your software may print the first line of print above or below the set TOF. You may need to adjust the TOF to meet your software's needs.

Diagram: An illustration shows the plastic paper shield with a red line indicating the TOF mark.

Determine the Forms Tear-Off Setting

The Forms Tear-Off setting determines how TOF is set. Forms Tear-Off automatically moves the paper from the initial printing position to a tear-off position, allowing a printed page to be torn off without wasting paper or needing to adjust the printer. Forms Tear-Off is factory set to OFF.

Setting Top of Form with Forms Tear-Off set OFF

1. Press SEL/MENU to take the printer offline. The SEL light will go out.
2. Press and hold SHIFT, then press LF/MICRO Feed Down or FF/LOAD/Micro Feed Up.

? For steps to set Forms Tear Off ON and adjust TOF, refer to the User's Guide on the CD provided with your printer. See "Using Your Printer, Top of Form (TOF)."

? To avoid TOF mis-alignment, always turn the printer OFF before turning the platen knob.

Installing Printer Software

Parallel Interface

1. Turn the printer ON.
2. Insert the CD into your CD-ROM drive. The CD should AutoPlay. (If AutoPlay is set off, click Start → Run → Browse, navigate to your CD-ROM drive, and double-click Install.exe, then click OK.)
3. Select your printer model.
4. The License Agreement will appear. Click Next.
5. The Menu Installer will appear. Click the Printer Software button.
6. Follow the on-screen instructions.

USB Interface

Windows® 98

? Before you start the install, ensure the USB cable is connected to your printer and PC, and your printer is powered OFF.

1. Turn the printer ON.
2. Insert the CD-ROM provided with your printer.
3. The Add New Hardware Wizard will appear. Click Next.
4. Select "Search for a better driver...". Click Next.
5. Select CD-ROM and specify the location. Click Next.
6. Windows will find the OKI USB Driver. Click Next, then click Finish. (If the OKI Menu Installer displays, click Cancel to close it and continue the installation using the Add Printer Wizard.)
7. The printer will be detected. Click Next.
8. Select "Search for the best driver...". Click Next.
9. Select "Specify a location" and click Browse.
10. Browse to your CD-ROM drive, then navigate to Drivers → [Printer Model] → [Operating System] → [Language]. Click OK.
11. Click Next.
12. Follow the on-screen instructions to finish the installation.

Windows® 2000

? Before you start the install, ensure the USB cable is connected to your printer and PC, and your printer is powered OFF.

1. Turn the printer ON.
2. The Found New Hardware Wizard will appear. Click Next.
3. Insert the CD-ROM provided with your printer. (If the OKI Menu Installer displays, click Cancel to close it and continue the installation using the Add Printer Wizard.)
4. Select "Search for a suitable driver...". Click Next.
5. Select CD-ROM drive and Specify a location. Click Next.
6. Browse to your CD-ROM drive, then navigate to Drivers → [Printer Model] → Win2K → [Language] → oemprint.inf. Click Open, then click OK.
7. Windows will indicate the driver is found for this device. Click Next. (If "Digital Signature Not Found" displays, click Yes.)
8. Click Finish.

Windows® Me

? Before you start the install, ensure the USB cable is connected to your printer and PC, and your printer is powered OFF.

1. Turn the printer ON.
2. Insert the CD-ROM provided with your printer.
3. The Add New Hardware Wizard will appear. Click Next.
4. The OKI USB port driver is installed. Click Finish.
5. The Add New Hardware Wizard will appear again. Click "Automatic Search...". Click Next.
6. Follow the on-screen instructions to finish the installation.

Windows® XP

? Before you start the install, ensure the USB cable is connected to your printer and PC, and your printer is powered OFF.

1. Turn the printer ON.
2. The Found New Hardware Wizard will appear.
3. Insert the CD-ROM provided with your printer.
4. Select "Install the software automatically...". Click Next.
5. Select [Printer Model] / Xp / [Language] / oemprint.inf. Click Next. (If a warning message appears, select Continue Anyway.)
6. Follow the on-screen instruction to finish the installation.

Accessing the On-Line User's Guide

The complete on-line User's Guide is provided on the CD. You can view the User's Guide directly from the CD, or load it onto your hard drive.

To load the User's Guide onto your hard drive:

1. Insert the CD into your CD-ROM drive. The CD will AutoPlay. (If AutoPlay is set off, click Start → Run → Browse, navigate to your CD-ROM drive, and double-click Install.exe, then click OK.)
2. Select your printer model.
3. The Menu Installer will appear. Click the Documentation button.
4. Click the Install User's Guides button.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions.

To open the User's Guide from your hard drive, click Start → Programs → Oki Data → ML User's Guide.

Consult the User's Guide for information on:

• Operating your printer
• Menu selections
• Problem solving
• Maintenance and service

Service and Support

If you need further assistance or have questions, please visit the OKI website:

http://my.okidata.com

In the U.S. and Canada, you can call:

1-800-OKI-Data (1-800-654-3282)

Support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Company Information

OKI is a registered trademark of Oki Electric Industry Company, Ltd.

Microsoft and Windows are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and other countries.

Oki Data Americas, Inc., 2000 Bishops Gate Blvd., Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054-4620

Tel: (856) 235-2600 Fax: (856) 222-5320, www.okidata.com