Frequently Asked Questions

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This problem has to do with differences in Windows NT's service packages.

Locate the folder c:\Winnt\system32\spool\drivers\w32x86 and copy below files: to the folder  c:\Winnt\system32\spool\drivers\w32x86\2.
Mppdd.dll, Mppddui.dll, Mppddum.dll, Rasdd.dll, Rasddui.dll, Rasddui.hlp, 
Replace all existing files.

See Microsoft support for how to handle this... Go to: http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q179

If another printer is installed and set to Com1 as well, Windows NT will not allow this. Check the properties for all other printers installed to make sure that the port is not occupied.

No, only with NT 4.

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Triggered printing (dormant print): !p<n>

This command does not start a print cycle, but allows up to <n> labels to be printed by pressing the print button or activating the external print start signal. If <n> is non-zero, the number of labels that can be printed is limited to <n>. If <n> is omitted, the number of labels that can be printed is not limited. If <n> is 0, no labels will be printed. This can be used for cancelling a print process.

Triggered printing (dormant print) II: !q<n>

This command is identical to !p, except that all texts are pre-rasterised. This is especially useful when the printer needs to respond very quickly to an external print start signal.

The counters are updated after each label printed. If the time or date is printed, it is updated for each label. If <n> is omitted or is not a positive number it defaults to 1, except for !p where it defaults to an infinite number of labels.

Copies of the last label can be printed by pressing the print button, until the !R or !C command is received. Such copies are identical to the last label printed, i. e. the date/time and up-down counters are not updated.

Direct:
Full two-way communication, supports only the ports in "Markpoint Printer Settings" No spooler handling.

Windows:
No two-way but supports all windows ports, the network and spooler handling.

Windows NT and Windows 95 do not handle custom sizes in the same way, in Windows NT the application itself must support the custom size function. Custom sizes are supported by all Markpoint Windows NT drivers, but to use a custom size the application must also implement this. Almost all Microsoft applications implements the custom size (also referred as user defined size), please see Notepad, Wordpad, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and more.

\Winnt\System32\Spooler\W32x86\mppdd.drv
\Winnt\System32\Spooler\W32x86\2\mppdd.drv
\Winnt\System32\Spooler\W32x86\mppddum.drv
\Winnt\System32\Spooler\W32x86\2\mppddum.drv

115 mm

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Wrong character set is used. Use StartPoint to select another character set or send the command !Y35 <n> where <n> is a number according to different character set.

1 = PC 850 (default)
2 = Swedish/Finnish
3 = German
4 = UK
5 = French
6 = Norwegian/Danish
7 = Spanish
8 = Italic
9 = Icelandic
10 = DEC multinational
11 = HP Roman-8

This is because the positioning of the print head is not the same. Add the command !Y68 <n> at the beginning of the file, where <n> is the number mm the print image must be moved. The value is set in 1/10 mm and can be negative or positive.

A special parameter has to be set (!Y9 0)
Connect the printer to COM1 and copy the text file.

Custom size is only available in Windows NT if the application supports it.

This is not possible.

By chancing the value for parameter !Y67 <n>. where <n> can be set to <n> = 1 disables the print button, = 2 deactivates the trigger signal, = 3 deactivates both.

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!C
!P

The baud rate for the keyboard is incorrect. Press <Ctrl> <Enter> or if that doesn't help try to press <Alt> <Shift> and <del> You should reach a parameter menu by pressing one of these combinations. Change the baud rate to 9600 and use the same key combination to store the settings.

This function was created in a special application for the Swedish post. It is not possible to link records to a specific layout in Viewpoint but since the function exists it is possible to edit the data file in notepad and then download the file with a terminal (Flashpoint or Windows hyper terminal). I have included 2 files. The first one explains the commands that has to be added to the data file and the second one is just a small example. Call us for further questions or information. 
PS. \r means <enter>

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The Y2000 document has been updated. Only one section on page 1 is affected.

Old text: Printing of year values
The current versions of the thermal printers and the MCP can print four-digit year values in the range 1990 - 2089. The internal two-digit year representation is converted to four digits based on the year. Year values in the range 00 - 89 are displayed as 2000 - 2089 while values in the range 90 - 99 are displayed as 1990 - 1999. The LCP prints only two-digit years. It is possible to simulate four-digit year printing on the LCP by inserting "19" or "20" in the data string, but the LCP cannot make the selection automatically.

New text: Printing of year values.

No, but a "print screen" can be made and then pasted into another program for example MS-paint or Word and then printed out.

What Labelpoint version do I need to print an EAN128?

The code was implemented in L-1.95 but there has been some bugs with the code. In 3.40 everything works ok.

Fixed bug in version 3.40

In all previous versions: Labelpoint could not handle Function code 1 (FNC1) correctly in some Code128 and EAN128 codes.

In all previous versions: escape characters (??) was not filtered in the human readable text for EAN128 fields.

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The Markpoint printer should work fine with the Intel NetportExpress Pro and the Pro/100 Print server, although we have not tested our products with these specific models of print servers. LPR, FTP or the SMB-NBF protocols which the Intel Print Servers uses, are not full two-way protocols so there are limitations in print status detection. For full two-way communication with full print status checking a product like the CoBox must be used. The ComAPI does not support the LPR, FTP or the SMB-NBF protocols. But these protocols are included in Windows, except for the LPR protocol which only comes with Windows NT.

To copy the settings from one printer to another, connect the first one to Startpoint and select save as... from the file menu. Then connect the other printer and load the file. Don't forget to send the new settings.

NOTE: The below comments (within brackets) should not be included in your document.

&&??%%P ( enter Extended emulation mode)
%P (configuration lead-in sequence)
=207,31 ( Printer driver = IBM Graphics)
=1,000 ( Form length = 000 lines) 
=5,5 ( system language = German)
=34,1 ( Stop bits = 1)
=207,10 (initialise settings)
=207,12 ( save settings permanently)
% ( Configuration trailer sequence)
&&???000 ( resume normal emulation mode)

The first line is to enter the extended emulation.
%P tells the AX-7 Cobra + that configuration commands are to follow.
= indicates a command line. Each command line has a function or parameter number.
207 is a function number, followed by a comma sign and a value.
1 is parameter number, followed by a comma sign and a value. 5 and 34 are also parameters.
% indicates the end of the configuration commands.
The last line is to exit the Extended Emulation mode.

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The latest version is 3.32 and handles four digits to set the year in the printer. Since four digits was introduced in 3.30 all earlier version will give an error message if the date is set to f. ex 00.

Code 128 comprises 103 characters and three distinct character sets. All characters in the ASCII table can be encoded by switching between character sets A and B with the aid of special characters, while character set C is used to encode numerical data with double density. The switching is done automatically depending on the information that is sent to the barcode. If only digits is sent to the code, character set C will be used.

On the first line add !L M "<n>" where n is the name the macro. On the last there must be a command that ends the macro file and that is !L . Also add an empty line after the !L command. 

See the Labelpoint manual for more information.

Do we have a command for the MP4000 to print batches?

Yes, the MP4000 repeat mode. !Y123 1 The printed Label will be repeated until cancelled.

Is it possible to run Viewpoint for Windows under NT 4.0?

Yes.

No, the maximum value is 51 mm

How does the pin configuration look like for the parallel cable?

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Straight cable
Pin 1 to pin 1; 2-2; 3-3 and so on.

I have made a data file in Viewpoint for DOS and when I try to open it in Viewpoint for Windows I get an error message. The data file is 88Kb large.

In Viewpoint for Windows there is a limit of 50 Kb for the size of the data file. Divide the old data file into two smaller files.

This example prints the serial no. !F T N 100 100 L 1 1 6 "Serial no: %!62X%!63X"
Labelpoint version 2.54 or later is needed.

Alternative 1, Viewpoint
Export to an lbl-file and edit the file in a text editor

Alternative 2, Windows driver
Use a paint program and print to file. Then edit the file in a text editor.

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Make a test printout.
1. Switch off the printer
2. Hold the print button pressed while switching on the printer.
3. Release the print button when the parameter has been printed.
4. Switch the printer off and on again to set it in normal print mode again.

Send !V38153 to unlock the parameter. Then !V70 (n) ,where n is a value between -5 to 20, and finally !Z to make the settings permanent.

The paper guide on the paper roll shaft must be tight to the paper roll and the guidance (plastic clip) on the back of the right cover be in line with the paper.

This might be caused by:
- Paper does not follow paper guidance.
- The label is to small for layout.
- Dispense feed value is incorrectly set.

This might be caused by:
- The print roller needs to be cleaned.
- Old print roller.
- Tooth belt not tight enough.
- Tooth belt do not go around the drive wheel correctly.

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This might be caused by:
- Make sure that it is thermal paper.
- That you print on the thermal layer side. 
- Cable to print head not properly connected to print head.
- Print head not in right position.
- Wrong print head settings.

This might be caused by:
- Connection board failure.
- Cable to the print head damaged.
- CPU failure.

- Printout brighter on one side. 
In order to get an even pressure on the print roller the print head needs to be adjusted.

- Brighter or white "fields" on printout. 
The surface of the print roller is uneven. The print roller could be damaged from sharp tools, stuck label parts or the print roller is worn out and need to be replaced.  There could also be damages, dust, residue or stuck label parts on the print head.

Printer type wrong (steps per mm). MP104 MK2 set up as a MP104 MK1 printer.

Printer type wrong (steps per mm). MP104 MK2 set up as a MP104 MK1 printer.

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An extra CR/LF in the variable data string.

- Various cable problems
The cable could be to long, damaged or not properly connected. See Reference Guide for cable specification. 

- Communication failure
Make sure that the communication set-up is correct, e.g. xon/xoff etc.

- Character set
Make sure that the right character set is selected (default CP-850 or for windows dec multinational).

The parameter "feed" before stop is set higher than the length of the label.

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- Photocell is not properly adjusted. Use the Labelpoint command !V44 to adjust the photocell or go to Adjustments in Startpoint.
- Dust and residue on the photocell could cause decreased sensitivity.
- Paper does not pass through the photocell.
- Make sure that there is paper in the paper track and/or that the photocell well adjusted physically.

Via the hyper terminal you can enter the bios of the MP104 Compact by using the commando !A.

One of the items you can change is the print resolution.  Do NOT ever change this.  If you do so, the print head will be damaged irrevocably.

The print head holder for the MP2000 contains 2 holes with screw thread.  What do they serve for?

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These 2 holes serve for the mounting of options:

- When it concerns a MP2000 TT (= with ink foil), the foil guiding shaft will be mounted here.

This guiding shaft prohibited that the foil rubs against the print head and easily breaks.

- When the printer is used as stand-alone, (i.e. not in combination with an applicator), you could install a cutter.

Do NOT ever use these holes to adjust the print head in whatever way!

The print head can get damaged beyond repair, just like the print head holder.