HP UX + Epson dot-matrix printer reprint from page 1 after paper jam

[Rita Li]

We used to setup our print queues like this :

Server (HP-UX 11.0), Epson LQ series dot matrix printers connected via Axis 560 print server. Print queue setup : sam -> add remote printer ... From the application, a report is printed using "lp -onb -d -s XXX". When there is any paper jam this would casue some data lost, eg. to print a report of 100 pages, page 10 is printing -> paper jam -> turn off the Epson -> clean up the jam -> turn on the Epson again -> page 28 is printing ...

Lately we replace our old aged Axis with JetDirect 500x print servers, we tried queue setup from sam with 1. "add remote printer..." and 2. "add network-based printer" -> "dumbplot model script for printer with CR". Both setup have the same scenario : same 100 pages report, page 10 is printing -> paper jam -> turn off the Epson -> clean up the jam -> turn on the Epson again -> printing is from page 1 again

Since all our reports are printed on 3-5 ply pre-printed forms (with Company logo etc) that we would prefer to have data lost since we can reprint those missing pages afterward, rather than reprint from page 1 again, which we are losing considerable money for these rather expensive pre-printed forms ...

Any I turn off these seems like a "feature" for JetDirect?

Any help would be greatly appreciated
Rita

[Bill Brayford_2 · Accepted solution]

Rita

The JetDirect is likely dealing with your entire print job as one page. Your printer does not have high end bi-directional comunication. As far as the Jetdirect is concerned it has lost the entire "PAGE JOB".

Work arounds.

Try a dummy print on plain paper and just punch offline wait a minute and go back online see what you get.

If that works fine and print job starts were it left off try not turning off printer to remove jam. Lifting top cover and closing on some signals printer user intervention has been done some just hit online should make printer continue? Hopefully were it left off.

This will only work if Epson is comunicating paper out type of error and jet is recognising it properly.

Let me Know
Bill

[Rita Li]

Bill,

Taking the Epson offline then clean up the jam, putting it online again can resume the printing without any data lost. This is a good workaround for the Epson. Thanks!

But practically we are having some washer like high speed Hitachi 450C dot matrix printer (which takes any kind of Epson LQ series driver at Windows side) that has to turn off the printer for 1. get the buzzer off that would go off whenever any kind of paper jam happens 2. in cleaning the ribbon jam. But we can live with that.

Rita