solution Contentsolution Content

HP Designjet 700 Series Printers - How to Perform a Communications Test on the Plotter

Introduction
Parallel Interface (LPT)
Serial interface (COM)
Serial interface configuration
Copy the data to the plotter

Introduction

The following brief steps can be used for checking communication between the PC and the plotter. It is advisable to write this test to a file and use a copy command to send it to whichever interface the plotter uses. The HP-GL code generates a small triangle. The color depends on the plotter configuration of pen 1.
note:
Most Apple Macintosh systems are unable to use this method, because the HP-GL data cannot be copied directly to the interface.
In order to create the test file, simply enter the following commands. When the complete command set has been entered, press the Return or Enter key. When entering the commands, pay particular attention to correct punctuation, including spaces.

Under DOS

echo IN;SP1;PU0,0;PD1500,0;PA0,1500;PA0,0;PU;SP0;PG; > test.plt

Under UNIX (R)

echo > test.plt "IN;SP1;PU0,0;PD1500,0;PA0,1500;PA0,0;PU;SP0;PG;"
Check the files as follows

Under DOS

type test.plt

Under UNIX

more test.plt
What is shown on the screen must correspond exactly to the commands entered. If not, repeat the Echo command, as shown above.
For the following testing, we recommend that you use the parallel (LPT) interface. This avoids lengthy configuration procedures. However, if you have to use the serial (COM) interface, please refer to the additional instructions below. Please ensure that only one interface is connected at any one time, because not all plotters are able to automatically switch between interfaces. If you are not certain that your device has this capability, switch it off and remove all interfaces, apart from the one which is to be used. Use short standard cables. Avoid using switch-boxes, wherever possible. Switch the device on again.

Parallel Interface (LPT)

Under DOS
In order to output the file, you need to know which parallel port the interfaces are connected to (for example., LPT1, LPT2,...).
Output the file as follows:
copy <filename> <interface name> /b
For example: copy test.plt lpt1 /b
Under UNIX (HP-UX)
Before sending the file to the plotter, you need to know the (device) name of your plotter within the system.
The file is then output with the following command set:
lp -d <plotter name> <filename> -onb
For example: lp -d grc017 test.plt -onb

Serial interface (COM)

If your plotter is connected via the serial interface, it is essential that both the plotter and the CPU are configured. To determine the configuration of the printer/plotter, proceed as follows:

For plotters without a display

Load a plain white DIN-A3/A4 sheet of paper in the plotter and print out the configuration by pressing the Setup key. Check the Baud rate and parity settings in the Serial Interface box.

For plotters with display

Load a plain white DIN-A3/A4 sheet of paper in the plotter and print out the configuration as follows:
  1. Press the Enter button once. Ready or Ready to plot appears in the display.
  2. Keep pressing the Down Arrow button until Utilities appears in the display.
  3. Press the Enter button once. Menu mode = ... or Statistics appears in the display. If Menu mode = short appears in the display, follow step (c) below; under Instructions.
  4. Keep pressing the Down Arrow button until Setup or Config Plot appears in the display.
  5. Press the Enter button once. The Configuration Plot is processed and plotted.
Check the Baud rate and parity settings under RS-232-C setup.

Instructions

  1. If you do not know where you are in the menu, keep pressing the Previous button until Ready to Plot or Ready appears in the display, and then start again at step one (1), under For plotters with display.
  2. An asterisk (*), after a menu item, indicates the current configuration.
  3. Menu mode = short will not enable you to access certain configuration options. In order to change this, press the Enterbutton once. Now press the Down-Arrow button. Menu mode = Full will appear in the display. Press the Enterbutton again to save the new setting. Repeatedly press Previous until Ready to Plot or Ready appears in the display. Start again at step one (1), under For plotters with display.
Ensure that both devices are set to the same handshake method. The available options are Xon/Xoff or Hardwire.
Plotters: If Handshake = Both is shown on the Configuration Plot, the plotter selects the procedure automatically. This also happens if the option is not available.
PC/Systems: DOS uses only Hardwire, Windows can be configured in the system control facilities, and UNIX systems almost always use Xon/Xoff.

Serial interface configuration

Under DOS

mode <interface name>: <baud rate>, <parity>, <data bits>, <stop bits>, <repetition rate>
For example: mode com1:9600,n,8,1,p
Use the previously requested data for configuring the PC. Further details can be found in the DOS help file, if you enter help mode.

Under Windows

HP recommends that you select: exit to DOS (do not use a DOS box), and use the DOS settings. Otherwise, you will need to configure your system settings.

Under UNIX Systems

The device descriptions are defined in the scripts. Please contact your System Administrator.

Copy the data to the plotter

Under DOS
In order to output the file, you need to know the interface to which the plotter is connected (For example: LPT1, LPT2,...).
Enter the previously generated file as follows:
copy <file> <interface name> /b
For example: copy test.plt lpt1 /b
Under UNIX (HP-UX)
If you wish to send the file to the plotter, you need to know the (device) name under which your plotter is registered in the system.
The file is then output with the following command set:
lp -d <plotter name> <filename> -onb
For example: lp -d grc017 test.plt -onb

Additional support options

Try one of our automated tools or diagnostics
Ask a question on our HP Support Community page
Get in touch with one of our support agents

Enter a topic to search our knowledge library

What can we help you with?