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particularly if you have a RIP security dongle attached to the same port. If the
port is also in use for a dongle, move the printer to another parallel port. Finally,
try a new bidirectional parallel printer cable.
Poor or erratic image quality
Try to localize the problem. If there are any error or warning messages look at
their causes and try the associated cures. If there are no messages, start by print-
ing any test pages available on the printer itself, perhaps from a test or diagnos-
tic menu. If the problem is not present in any of these tests, there is likely to be
some problem or inappropriate setting in the page setup.
No output
Make sure that you are sending output to a printer that is properly connected,
powered up, supplied with ink and media, and ready to receive data.
Confirm that the printer itself is working by printing a test page, alignment test,
or similar printer-based function.
Output appears clipped
When printing using large paper sizes or high resolutions a VM Error may
occur. Some jobs may suppress the VM Error and print using the default page
size specified in the Page Layout dialog box, so that the output appears clipped.
If this occurs we recommend that you increase the Band size in the Configure
RIP options dialog box to 1024 KB.
1.11.3 Messages for file name templates
This section details possible error messages that may appear in the RIP monitor
window due to the use of incorrect file name templates (see “Output file naming” on
page 23). Suggestions are given to prevent these errors.
Filename too long for target platform
This message appears when the combined file name stem and extension are too
long for the target platform. For example, the combined length of the file name
stem and extension must not exceed 255 characters on a Windows platform or
31 characters on a Macintosh platform. To prevent this error, use truncated tags,
as shown in the example for the
<dos>
tag in “Examples of tag usage” on
page 26.
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File stem too long for target platform
This message appears when the file name stem is too long for the target plat-
form. To prevent this error, restrict the length of the stem by reducing the fixed
text, or by using truncated tags. The example for the
<dos>
tag in “Examples of
tag usage” on page 26 demonstrates truncation.
Extension too long for target platform
This message appears when the file name extension is too long for the target
platform. For example, file names in UNIX are not considered to have a sepa-
rate file name extension. Using the
<dot>
tag in conjunction with the
<unix>
tag would generate this error. To prevent this error, create a template such as
<unix><jobname>.hpf
rather than using the
<dot>
tag.
Full pathname too long for target platform
This message appears when the full path name (combination of the file path and
the file name) is too long for the target platform. For example, in Windows
operating systems the full path name must not exceed 259 characters. To pre-
vent this error, examine the number of characters in the file path of the output
file (for example,
C:\SW53\RIP\FILES\
) and create a template in which the
combined length of the file path and the file name do not exceed the limit for the
platform.
The path was not supplied
This message appears when the file path is not specified in the
Change...
text box
within the Configuration dialog box. To prevent this error, provide a valid file
path.
Unknown tag found in template
This message appears when an unknown tag is found in the template. This is
most likely due to a spelling error.
Tag delimiter not found
This message appears when a tag delimiter, either
<
or
>
, is missing from a tag.
Check that all the tags have both delimiters.
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An extension is required but not found
This message appears when a file extension is expected but is not specified in
the template. For example, if using the
<dot>
tag, a file extension must be
given.
File requested is not writeable
This message appears when trying to write to a file that already exists and that
has read-only access. If you wish to overwrite the file, you must change the file
permissions to provide write access.
Unique requested but not satisfied
This message appears when no further unique numbers are available. For exam-
ple, if using the template
stem<1unique><dot>hpf
, this error would occur
once the file names
stem1.hpf
through
stem9.hpf
had been generated,
because no further unique numbers are available.
1.11.4 Messages for post processing
This section details possible messages that may appear during post processing (see
“Post processing” on page 31).
Running post processing command "command" in folder "folder name"
This is a progress message, confirming the command that is being run, and the
working directory.
Post processing command failed - Cannot change directory to "direc-
tory path"
This error message appears when there is a problem changing to the specified
directory that prevents the completion of the post processing. Check that the
directory exists and that you have permission to access the directory.
Post processing command failed - "status value"
This error message appears when the post processing has been unsuccessful.
The
"status value"
is the error code generated by the command or shell you
are using and can be used by your system administrator to determine the exact
cause of the post processing failure.
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1.11.5 Parallel port performance and reliability
We are aware of several problems with parallel port behavior when working with
built-in parallel ports on PC platforms — where the hardware implementation and
supported modes of operation have changed greatly over the development history of
the PC.
For built-in parallel ports, there are different issues under Windows NT as opposed to
Windows ME, Windows 98 and Windows 2000.
Windows NT
Under Windows NT, the data transfer rate of some parallel ports can be very
poor. In most cases, the data rate achieved by the RIP is now as high as can be
achieved by copying a file to the parallel port, but this rate is often less than you
may expect to achieve. (Windows NT always uses the parallel port in a basic or
compatible mode, regardless of BIOS settings such as those discussed next.)
Windows ME/Windows 98/Windows 2000
Under Windows ME, Windows 98, and Windows 2000, the parallel port driver
can achieve higher data rates, especially when operated in ECP mode. Using
this mode the operating system sometimes crashes or shuts itself down. You can
avoid these problems by reconfiguring the parallel port in the BIOS to select the
most basic configuration. The way to enter and change the BIOS configuration
varies from machine to machine, as does the terminology used for the parallel
port mode.
To avoid crashes, try using options with descriptions such as "bidirectional". Do
not choose any option where the description includes the words ECP or EPP.
1.11.6 Problems with passwords
If you have problems enabling a device or option you should confirm with your sup-
plier the password or password file. They may provide you with a new password or
password file. If this is the case, you may need to provide the serial number of your
RIP. The RIP displays this number in the RIP monitor window when starting up, in the
form:
Serial number: 1234-56
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You must also tell your supplier the platform for which you require the password or
password file. The platform is the combination of operating system and processor
type. For example, you might specify Windows NT, and Intel processor (CPU).
Once you have a valid password or password file, follow the relevant steps:
Password file
Copy the password file into the
Passwords
folder, which is a
subfolder of the
SW
folder. See the RIP Manual for further
details.
Password
Use the
File > Configure RIP
menu option to display the Con-
figure RIP dialog box. Click the
Extras
button in the Config-
ure RIP dialog box to display the Extras dialog box. Select
the entry for the device or option that you wish to add, and
click
Add
to display the Enable Feature dialog box. Enter the
password given to you by your supplier, and click
OK
.
1.11.7 Patterning when not using color management
You may see patterning in flat tint areas of black if you print without using any color
management. To avoid this problem, use the supplied calibration profiles and color
profiles, as listed on page 18. If the media or screening type that you wish to use is not
supported by the supplied profiles, you need to create your own profile. If necessary,
you can use the supplied profiles that are optimized for HDS Super Fine screening
with all of the HDS screen sets.
1.11.8 Sending files to a printer using Windows printer drivers
You can send output to a printer using a networked PC acting as a print server, by cre-
ating an output file in the RIP and then sending this file to a PC print server. This
method allows the use of Windows print spooling and transfers all control of the
printer to the print server.
For the RIP running on a PC, you can enter the name of the print server and printer in
the Configure Device dialog box when sending output to file.
For the RIP running on a Macintosh computer, you can send files by copying the file
to a PC and then dragging it to the printer.
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Note: You cannot send output files to a printer directly connected to a Macintosh com-
puter. This is because Macintosh computers do not send printer files directly to a
printer. Instead, Macintosh computers use an application associated with each file
type.
1.11.8.1 Installing the Windows shared printer
You or your system administrator must install the appropriate Windows printer on the
print server. For example, on Windows NT use
Start > Settings > Printers
and open the
Add Printer
icon. For details, see the description of the NT Print input method in the
RIP Manual.
The important points are:
• Choose the correct printer manufacturer and model. If the printer model is not
listed, you may need to click
Have Disk
and provide a disk or CD-ROM sup-
plied by the printer manufacturer.
• Make the printer shared and choose an appropriate
Share Name
.
• Make a note of the share name of the printer for use in the following RIP pro-
cedure.
1.11.8.2 Using the shared printer from the RIP
Once you have produced a shared printer:
1. In the RIP, edit the page setup you wish to use and open the Configure Device
dialog box.
2. Choose
File
from the
Output Method
menu.
3. Enter the name of the PC acting as the print server in the
File Output: Change...
text box. For example,
\\PCPrintserver
.
4. Enter the share name of the printer in the
File Output: File Template
text box. For
example,
HP2000CP
.
5. Set remaining options in the Configure Device dialog box and Page Setup
dialog box as required and print a file using this page setup.
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The RIP displays a message confirming the creation of an output file in the RIP moni-
tor window. For example:
Job output for "1. Test.ps", filename "\\PCPrintserver\HP2000CP",
finished On Wed Oct 04 11:40:58 2000
This message includes the name of the print server and the share name of the printer.
The RIP does not report the progress of the job; the print server provides this informa-
tion.
1.12 Related documentation
For more details about the printer you are using, see the manufacturer’s documenta-
tion supplied with the printer or the relevant product support section of the manufac-
turer’s web site.
For more information about the RIP, see the RIP Manual.
For more information about HCPS, see the Harlequin Color Production Solutions
User’s Guide.
For more information about Harlequin ColorPro, see the Harlequin ColorPro
™
User’s
Guide.
Documents you may be interested
Documents you may be interested
