Frequently Asked Questions:

Here are some common questions asked about Sato Printers:

Label Wizard is running in demo mode. In order to have it run in full production mode you need to purchase full version from your local reseller. If you've already done so you need to make sure that your PC has the Software Sentinel installed on the Parallel Port (LPT1) of the PC that you are printing off of. 

I've purchased Label Wizard, I've installed the Sentinel and I'm only getting one label printing out. Why?

If you're using Windows NT 4.0 you need to make sure of the following:

• You have the latest Service Pack release from Microsoft.
• You've installed the latest Sentinel System Drivers from www.rainbow.com.
• You've got Label Wizard Version 3.2. If you don't you can download an update from this web site.

I'm using Label Wizard and trying the Preview Print feature, but it isn't working. Why?

The Preview Print Option is meant for a sample print out of your format on a Laser printer. Not for a preview on your screen. If this is what you'd like you must select the laser printer under Printer Setup and then select Print Preview from the file menu.

Label Wizard says that it's printing but I'm unable to get a print out of the printer. Why?

Check the following:

• Do you have the SATO Generic Driver loaded?
• If you go into the Printer Setup is the SATO Generic Driver selected?
• Under Label Setup do you have the proper printer model selected?
• Is your printer turned on and online?
• Are all of the printer cables connected?

When I print graphics or TrueType fonts the print seems to be distorted. Why?

Make sure that in the PC Setup (BIOS) that your Parallel Port (LPTx) is set to a Standard Centronics/Parallel Port. If you don't have a selection for Standard make sure that you do NOT have it set to ECP or EPP. Our ports are standard Parallel/Centronics Ports.

I've checked my PC's BIOS, the port is set correct, but I'm still unable to get anything to print or my graphics/TrueType fonts are scrambled. Why?

Check the following:

• Make sure the software you're using is set to the correct printer type.
• If you have any devices, such as a switch box or a software key in-between the printer and the PC, do the following: turn all of your equipment off, disconnect these devices, turn everything back on and then try again.
• Try another Parallel Cable.

I have my cable connected to the printers Centronics port and the PC's LPTx port but the printer isn't printing anything. Why?

Make sure that in the PC Setup (BIOS) that your Parallel Port (LPTx) is set to a Standard Centronics/Parallel Port. If you don't have a selection for Standard make sure that you do NOT have it set to ECP or EPP. Our ports are standard Parallel/Centronics Ports. If you're using a Third Party program you may want to verify from them that the software is set correct before trying the above procedure.

I have my printer connected to my Serial (COMx) port, and the PC thinks that the printer is printing, but nothing is coming out of the printer. Why?

The first thing to check is your cabling. The most common problem is that you are using a Modem cable, which does not cross over the Transmit and Receive pin. Verify that you have a "Null Modem" cable or that your cable has the correct Pin-Outs.

My cable is a Null Modem Cable but I'm still not getting anything out of my printer. Why?

Double-check all of your serial parameters, such as Parity, Stop Bit, Etc. If you're not using a canned software package (Such as Label Wizard) and writing your own code verify that your program has the appropriate serial command parameters (Stx, Etx,) and that it has a quantity command specified. Consult the Trouble-Shooting Section of your printer manual for further hints.

I'm connected Serial and every time I try to print my printer gives a long beep or displays a "Framing Error" and does not print. Why?

The printer and your PC not being set to the same serial Parameters are the most common cause for this to happen. The most common of those parameters to cause this problem is the Baud Rate. Make sure that what the PC and the Printer are set to the same Baud Rate.

I have an M-8400 printer. How do I tell if it is a "/6", a "/8" or an "S" Printer?

The "/6" and "/8" look the same from the outside; they are both tabletop units. The easiest way to tell the 2 apart is by the label that is located inside the printer above the lever that opens and closes the print head. This label will designate a 6 or 8 telling you which style you have. The "S" printer is an OEM unit. It is Black in color and usually placed inside an applicator.

I have a RISC Based printer that displays an EEPROM Error on its display. Why?

This error is caused by a miscommunication between the main board and the EEPROM; this stores all of your printer settings. The most common cause for this error to occur is when you've just upgraded the printers Firmware and/or installed a Real Time Clock. Any time you install either of these, the printer needs to be reset.

What is a RISC Based printer?

RISC is a type of processor. All of our newer printers incorporate this processor. Our line of RISC printers includes the following: M-8485S, M-8480S, M-8459S, M-8490S, M-8460S, M-8400RV, CLxxx, and XLxxx.

My printer is continuously feeding my labels out and then ends in an error, such as "Label Out". Why?

This means that the printer isn't recognizing that you have labels installed. Please refer to our Troubleshooting Section for instructions on Setting up Your Sensor and hints on resolving your problem.

What is Hex?

Hex is just another way of representing a character. Instead of standard ASCII, which are your readable characters (Such as "A", "B", ")", etc.), Hex characters are displayed by a pair of characters that are limited to the characters of 0-9 and A-F.