How do I Print 132 Columns on an Okidata Printer?
- 1). Set the computer software or operating system for text-only printing. According to Okidata's parent company, Oki Printing Solutions, you can use the "Generic" text-only print driver in Windows and manually set the printer to the desired font, using controls on the printer itself. You can accomplish this under Windows 7 by clicking "Start," "Devices and Printers," "Add a printer" and "Add a local printer." Set the printer port (pick the recommended port if you aren't sure), select "Next" and choose "Generic" from the print driver list.
- 2). Set the software to accommodate printing 132 columns. In some DOS programs, you may easily set the line width to 132 columns using "Page Setup" or a similar function. Under Windows, you will have to change the paper size to prevent word-wrapping problems.
You can set the printer paper size to standard U.S. fanfold paper and use "Portrait" mode to enable 132-column printing. You can access "Page Setup" via the WordPad menu button in the Windows 7 WordPad application. Set paper size under the "Paper" tab and select "Portrait" under the "Orientation" column. - 3). Insert wide paper in the Okidata printer. The appropriate width will depend upon how many characters per inch (CPI) you plan to print, the available CPI settings, and the width of your Okidata printer. For example, 10 CPI requires at least 13-inch-wide paper for 132-character printing; 12 CPI will print 132 columns on an 11-inch-wide page (not including margins). At some settings, you can put a standard 8.5-by-11-inch page in the printer sideways and use it for wide printing.
- 4). Set the CPI accordingly, using the Okidata printer's front panel and/or the software. The higher the CPI, the more condensed the print and the narrower the page width. Some printers have markings that show how far characters will span across the page at different CPI settings. Software sometimes overrides manual printer settings.
- 5). Print a couple of lines with 132 columns to test the printer and ensure all of the settings work. If this goes well, you can proceed to carry out the intended printing task.
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