How to select different languages, change the paper length and switch the line feed on / off on DFX 8500 dot matrix printer?

To set these settings you have to change DIP switches.

DIP switch 1

Switch Description ON OFF
1-1 Character table See Tables-A1 and Table A-2
1-2
1-3
1-4
1-5
1-6
1-7 Skip over perforation Active Inactive
1-8 Print direction Uni-d Bi-d

DIP switch 2

Switch Description ON OFF
2-1 Page length for front tractor see Table B
2-2
2-3
2-4
2-5 Page length for rear tractor See Table C
2-6
2-7
2-8

DIP Switch 3

Switch Description ON OFF
3-1 Auto tear off Active Inactive
3-2 Zero slash Active Inactive
3-3 Auto line feed Active Inactive
3-4 Buzzer (beep) Inactive Active
3-5 Auto CR Active Inactive
3-6 IBM character table Table 1 Table 2
3-7 Auto cut mode Active Inactive
3-8 Software IBM 2381 Plus ESC/P

DIP switches for front tractor

Page length for front tractor SW 2-1 SW 2-2 SW 2-3 SW 2-4
11 inches OFF OFF OFF OFF
4 inches OFF OFF ON ON
5.5 inches OFF ON OFF OFF
6 inches OFF ON OFF ON
7 inches OFF ON ON OFF
8 inches OFF ON ON ON
8.5 inches ON OFF OFF OFF
70/6 inches ON OFF OFF ON
12 inches ON OFF ON OFF
14 inches ON OFF ON ON
17 inches ON ON OFF OFF

DIP switches for rear tractor

Page length for rear tractor SW 2-5 SW 2-6 SW 2-7 SW 2-8
11 inches OFF OFF OFF OFF
4 inches OFF OFF ON ON
5.5 inches OFF ON OFF OFF
6 inches OFF ON OFF ON
7 inches OFF ON ON OFF
8 inches OFF ON ON ON
8.5 inches ON OFF OFF OFF
70/6 inches ON OFF OFF ON
12 inches ON OFF ON OFF
14 inches ON OFF ON ON
17 inches ON ON OFF OFF

What is the exact set-up for the DIP switches?

1. Turn off the printer
2. Open the printer’s front cover by lifting the middle of its bottom edge up until it locks in place.

3. The DIP switches are located in a small compartment on the front paper guide, behind the front tractor paper. If paper is loaded on the front tractor, either remove it or lift it up out of the way so you can reach the DIP switches.
4. Open the DIP switch cover

5. Use a pointed instrument, such as the tip of a ballpoint pen, to turn the switch either on or off. A DIP switch is on when it is up, and off when it is down.

6. Close the DIP-switch cover and replace the paper
7. Next, close the front cover
8. Turn on the printer to initialise the new settings. When you change a DIP-switch setting, the new settings take effect only after you turn on or reset the printer.

Article: KB020070 Language: English Product Range: Dot Matrix