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printing the current page and then feeds in and prints a status sheet.
Some buttons on the panel let you perform two functions. Holding one of
those buttons down, rather than quickly pressing it, selects a different
operation. For example, holding down the TEST/PREVIOUS button for
over five seconds makes the Star LaserPrinter 8 print its test pattern.
Parameter settings
From the panel you can also change the parameters that define how your
printer works. Parameter just means “variable”. If you’re familiar with
earlier kinds of printers, you’ll understand that laser printer parameters
control pretty much the same things DIP witches do. (A DIP switch or “dual
in-line package switch’ is a set of small switches that control various printer
functions.)
The printer stores these parameters as easy-to-use program menu items that
you can select from the control panel. These parameters specify:
l character (what character font to print)
l layout (how pages will be formatted)
l paper feed (what paper the printer will use)
l command (which commands the printer will accept)
l interface (how the printer communicates with your computer)
A default is the setting the Star LaserPrinter 8 will use if none is specifically
selected by a program. When you first turn on or later reset your printer these
default settings will take effect,
Your main use for the front panel will likely be to set the default settings you
want for these parameters. However, you will probably find the panel
convenient too when you want to switch between manual and automatic
paper feed.
Four versions of parameters
The Star LaserPrinter 8 actually stores four versions of these parameters:
l its “ultimate default” factory settings,
l the power-on settings in effect when you first turn on the printer,
l your initial settings for one particular session,
l and the current settings that the printer is using now.
These are in priority order. The current settings always override the initial
session settings, which in turn override the power-on settings, which in turn
override the factory settings.
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