IBM 4224

  • Thread starter Thread starter Victor
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V

Victor

I have an IBM 4224-01 dot matrix printer running on an AS400 that yesterday
when you send a print job to it the light saying it is receiving data just
blinks and the printer never does even start the print job. I can go through
the test menu and print a test pattern with no problems. The AS400 status
just says the job is printing. Any thoughts?
 
Victor said:
I have an IBM 4224-01 dot matrix printer running on an AS400 that yesterday
when you send a print job to it the light saying it is receiving data just
blinks and the printer never does even start the print job. I can go
through
the test menu and print a test pattern with no problems. The AS400 status
just says the job is printing. Any thoughts?
Click to expand...
Corrupted software ?.
 
I am sure that it is in the printer. I was hoping to find a breakdown of
what the 3 circuit boards in the printer did so I would know which one to
replace. Or maybe find a technical manual. I would say that some of the
printer memory has gone bad... just not sure which chip.
Thanks
Victor
 
Victor said:
I am sure that it is in the printer. I was hoping to find a breakdown of
what the 3 circuit boards in the printer did so I would know which one to
replace. Or maybe find a technical manual. I would say that some of the
printer memory has gone bad... just not sure which chip.
Thanks
Victor
Click to expand...
Service manual here, but where would you get spares ?.
www.lexmark.com/publications/pdfs/optraw810/usCom_pr.pdf

I know it says Lexmark, but it lists your model.
 
Victor said:
I have an IBM 4224-01 dot matrix printer running on an AS400 that yesterday
when you send a print job to it the light saying it is receiving data just
blinks and the printer never does even start the print job. I can go through
the test menu and print a test pattern with no problems. The AS400 status
just says the job is printing. Any thoughts?
Click to expand...

The test pattern is good news, indicating there's nothing wrong with the
mechanism.

So the problem is probably in the communications. How is it connected?
Twinax? Check the connectors and switches near them.
 
Victor said:
I have an IBM 4224-01 dot matrix printer running on an AS400 that
yesterday when you send a print job to it the light saying it is
receiving data just blinks and the printer never does even start the
print job. I can go through the test menu and print a test pattern
with no problems. The AS400 status just says the job is printing. Any
thoughts?
Click to expand...

It sounds to me like the AS/400 no longer has the printer set up with the
correct printer model. For instance, if I try to print on my Okidata but the
AS/400 is set up with an Epson print driver, I get nothing, or I get
garbage.

How is this printer attached? Is it directly connected to the AS/400
(parallel, ethernet, twinax, etc.) or is it connected to a PC running Client
Access (emulation)?
 
I am sure that it is in the printer. I was hoping to find a breakdown of
what the 3 circuit boards in the printer did so I would know which one to
replace. Or maybe find a technical manual. I would say that some of the
printer memory has gone bad... just not sure which chip.
Thanks
Victor
Click to expand...

try sci.electronics.repair.
 
Victor said:
I am sure that it is in the printer. I was hoping to find a breakdown of
what the 3 circuit boards in the printer did so I would know which one to
replace. Or maybe find a technical manual. I would say that some of the
printer memory has gone bad... just not sure which chip.
Click to expand...

The outermost board is the attachment card (Twinax in the case of the
model 1), and it has minimal logic so it is probably not the source of
your problem. The innermost board is the driver card, and since you can
successfully print a test page, I'd say that the driver card is probably
OK. The middle card is the control card, and that's probably your
"problem child". You should be able to find the part number on the card
, also be sure to note whether the card contacts are gold or tin/lead.

The bad news is that you're likely to pay as much (or more) for just the
card as you will for an entire replacement printer on eBay. You might
have to hunt for a while, be sure to check not only for the 4224, but
also for System/36, System/38 and AS/400 complete systems.

If you really want a copy of the MAPs, MIMs, or Parts Catalog for the
4224, be prepared to pay dearly for them -- they were last printed in
1990, and the set was rather expensive even then.

Rick Ekblaw
 
The printer is connected to AS400 via twinax. I have replaced the center
board out of another printer and now when I try to print to this printer
nothing happens (This printer is #2 on the AS/400 system) but when I try to
print to Printer 4 (The board came out of an old printer that used to be our
number 4 but was replaced because it had several mechanical problems but
nothing wrong with the board) I remember changing the address for the
printer but I just cant find my notes on how to do it. How do I change the
network address in the printer?

Thanks
Vic
 
I'm assuming the printer is indicating it is on line and receiving data
from the computer (perhaps there are LEDs that show you this).

Then check the connections. Make sure the cable is solidly connected on
both sides.

Then next as meerkat implies the next thing to check is that the
software driver hasn't been damaged, by removing and reinstalling it.

The one risk with older printers is that even if a driver exists within
or for the OS you are using, some other driver or software can step on
its toes and disable it. Sometimes, you can repair the damage by just
removing and reinstalling the driver. Before removing it, however, make
sure you have access to the driver for reinstallation. It never hurts
to check if the manufacturer has released a bug fix or update on their
website. Or, if you are using an out of box (OS) driver, make sure you
have the original disk for reinstallation of the driver.

If that doesn't fix things, if the printer has dip switches, you may
wish to give each one a slide back and forth (preferably when the
printer is shut off). Sometimes the dip switches get dirty and don't
make proper connection.

Next thing I'd check is if there is socketed memory or firmware and
make sure it is all well seated.

Hopefully, one of those attempts will bring it back to life.


Art
 
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