Some of the most commonly asked questions about the IntelliBar printers are listed below. If you have a question that is not addressed below, please email us for technical assistance at Technical Support. You will also find this information helpful when troubleshooting a particular problem.
General
Printer Capabilities
How-To
Troubleshooting
Q. What number do I call for IntelliBar Support?
A. The following number should be used for IntelliBar technical support: For technical questions, problems and service calls, dial (877) 212-0888 ext 213 or (978) 212-7200 ext 213.
NOTE: When calling in a problem, it is very important that you fill out all the required information on the fax form provided below.
Q. How do I fix a media jam?
A. There are a number of reasons why this could be happening.
- The printer is not measuring the label length or gap correctly.
- Sensitivity of label sensor needs adjustment.
- If the "MEASURE LABEL, FIXED" parameter is set from the control panel and the value is 6 inch (for example), a media jam occurs if you load labels of another size.
- If "MEASURE LABEL, AUTOMATIC" is set from the control panel with 6 inch labels loaded (for example), a media jam will occur if you load labels of another size. You must do another auto measure; i.e., turn printer off and then on.
- Label sticking or slipping due to improper label installation, low print head pressure or build up of label residue, dirt, or foreign material under the print head or on the platen roller.
Mechanical failure:
- Bad driver
- Bad label sensor
- Loose timing belt
- Wrong media or a change in label media length may be in use; change to label type that matches sensitivity setting of label sensor (see next question.)
Q. When I change my label stock from a smaller to a larger length OR change label stock (i.e., from paper to synthetic), I get a media jam. Why?
A. When you change lengths or widths of label stock you must do the following two things. Make sure the label present sensor is over the label. Reinitialize the printer as follows so the sensor will automatically adjust for label length.
- Take the printer off line by pressing the Online button
- Hold down the Cancel button for five seconds until the LCD display reads "OFFLINE RESETTING." After initialization completes, place the printer online by pressing the Online button.
Q. What Windows driver do I use for the IntelliBar printer?
A. INTELLITECH's Windows driver disk includes the drivers for all IntelliBar models and allows you to address certain functions of the printer through software. If you do not have the drivers disk or you are not using Windows, you can use the HPLJ IIP driver for the Model 44 and the HPLJ III for the Model 48 and Model 412. Software drivers/font can also be downloaded from our website at
Software Downloads
Q. My ribbon is moving and wrinkling.
- Reload the ribbon. Ensure that the supply ribbon spool is firmly seated to the ribbon supply spindle. Check that the ribbon film is tracking squarely through the printhead with no creases or wrinkles.
- Reduce the print density using the control panel menu or software.
- Excessive print density causes the ribbon to stick to the label facestock during printing, adversely affecting ribbon tracking.
- Adjust ribbon tension plate.
- Adjust print head balance.
Q. Can I connect an IntelliBar printer to an AS/400?
A. Yes, by using IntelliBar AS or AS Net or ax Series printers. The IntelliBar AS Series provides an AFP/IPDS logical controller and twinax or coax communication port, in addition to RS232 and Centronics interfaces. The IntelliBar AS Net Series also provides for AFP/IPDS-Ethernet ready printers. For non-IPDS systems, the IntelliBar ax Series comes standard with twinax/coax communication ports. All IntelliBar printers mentioned connect directly to an AS/400 computer system without the use of any external protocol converters or print servers.
For more information on connecting to an AS/400, check out: www.label400.com. or contact IntelliTech at (877) 212-0888 or (978) 212-7200.
Q. Can I connect my IntelliBar to a 10Base-T network?
A. Yes, the IntelliBar AS Net Series provides for 10Base-T Ethernet connectivity directly to an AS/400 computer system. Check out www.label400.com.
Q. Can I use the IntelliBar with a Macintosh?
A. Yes. There are several applications that will provide you with the necessary connectivity and label design and print. For connectivity, we recommend using PowerPrint products . For label design, we recommend the following bar code product. For more information on how to connect to a Macintosh, be sure to check out www.maclabel.com.
Q. How do I increase the speed of my IntelliBar printer?
A. To increase the printer's data processing speed, a pair of SIMMs can be added to the main board. The printer will achieve fastest throughput with a minimum of 2 megabytes of RAM. This combination of application packages requires you to add more memory to your IntelliBar. IntelliTech recommends increasing your memory to a minimum of 2 MB.
Q. Where do I buy memory for my IntelliBar?
A. You can purchase memory by faxing in a purchase order directly to IntelliTech International at (978) 562-5678, Attention: Customer Service. You can use 8- or 9-bit, 30-pin, 60-nanosecond (ns) SIMMs (with Rev. 16) and 70-nonsecond (ns) SIMMs (with Rev. 17) with tin connectors. These are industry-standard memory packages that are widely available from PC vendors. NOTE: SIMMs must be installed in pairs of the same value. These SIMMs can be found in most PC stores that sell Macintosh computers. CAUTION: Illegal combinations of SIMMs (SIMM stick size not listed for Model type) will cause failures or error messages. Maximum SIMM size is 4 MB.
Q. How do I print multiple copies of the same label?
A. You can print multiple copies of the same label by utilizing the PCL command for multiple copies. A typical PCL driver may not always send a copy command to the printer when multiple copies are requested. In this case, multiple copies can be selected through the printer's Menu mode.
Q. My printout is shifting the data sideways. Why?
A. Turn Page Protect on (found in the Configuration menu ) and add additional memory.
Q. What is an error 7?
A. There are certain circumstances where the imaging of data and the printing cycle become unsynchronized. This situation only occurs when Page Protect is OFF. The error can be cleared by turning the printer off and then on again. Turning Page Protect ON from the Configuration menu and adding additional memory should solve the problem.
Q. Why is my display blank and/or why do the Power and Alert lights flash when I power on my printer?
A. Check the revision level of your U1 chip on the main board. If it is below revision 2.10, you need to upgrade. A free upgrade chip will be sent out to you as soon as you call the technical support line at (877) 212-0888 ext 213 or (978) 212-7200 ext 213 and give the required information.
Q. Does the IntelliBar have internal bar code generation capability?
A. The IntelliBar Models 48, 412, and 88 have internal bar code generation capability. Bar codes and fonts are created by ESC codes that are provided in this guide's appendices. IntelliTech can provide you with a chip set and ESC codes for your printer if you do not have the current firmware. IntelliTech recommends that you be familiar with PCL programming before attempting to access the printer's commands. Call (877) 212-0888 ext 213 or (978) 212-7200 ext 213 to request a firmware update.
Q. I am using the HPLJ drivers and cannot get close to the edge of the label.
A. All HP LaserJet drivers have a default top and bottom, left and right edge margin of approximately 1/4-inch. This default margin is a result of mechanical considerations for the LaserJet printers. The IntelliBar has a 2 mm (.078 in.) top and bottom margin and can print closer to the edge of the label by using the IntelliTech Windows drivers. When using a standard LaserJet driver, the first print position will be 2 mm plus 1/4" from the top edge of the label. In order to override the default Laserjet 1/4" margin, the driver must be modified. Customers using the IntelliBar Windows driver can print within 2 mm of the Position function top edge. By using the Print in the Adjustments Menu, the first print line can be further adjusted by plus or minus 3 mm.
Q. When I set the printer for page rotation, it doesn't work right.
A. The software overrides the printer's control panel settings. The printer control panel commands will only work for host based machines, not for application driven print jobs.
Q. Where can I purchase supplies for my IntelliBar printer?
A. You may purchase supplies in a number of ways: 1) directly from IntelliTech by calling (877) 212-0888 ext 213 or (978) 212-7200 ext 213 or 2) through the dealer where you purchased your IntelliTech IntelliBar printer from.
Q. Where do I buy spare parts such as print heads?
A. You can purchase spare parts by faxing in a purchase order directly to IntelliTech International at (978) 562-5678, Attention: Sales Order Administration. In addition, your dealer will be able to provide you with the necessary parts. Call IntelliTech at (877) 212-0888 ext 213 or (978) 212-7200 if you need further assistance.
Q. What is a WLAN?
A wireless local area network (WLAN) is a radio frequency data communications technology using the 802.11b standard that is implemented as an extension to, or as an alternative for, a wired LAN within a building or campus.
Q. What is IEEE 802.11b?
IEEE 802.11b is a technical specification issued by the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) that defines the operation of 2.4 GHz, 11 Mbps, Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum Wireless Local Area Networks.
Q. What is the difference between Bluetooth and 802.11b?
Bluetooth is a 1 Mbps technology designed for low cost and low power to connect personal devices such as cell phones, PDA's notebooks and other personal devices. 802.11b is a full LAN connectivity solution, designed to provide full network services at Ethernet data rates. 802.11b and Bluetooth both operate in the 2.4 GHz frequency range using different types of spread spectrum technology.
Q. What devices will cause interference?
Products operate in the 2.4 GHz unlicensed ISM (Industrial, Scientific, Medical) band. Other products that operate in this frequency range, such as microwave ovens and 2.4 GHz cordless phones, could cause interference.
Q. What is WECA?
The Wireless Ethernet Compatibility Alliance (WECA) was established in 1999 to to certify interoperability of Wi-FiTM (IEEE 802.11) products and to promote Wi-FiTM as the global wireless LAN standard across all market segments.
Q. Can a network be completely wireless, or are they only additions to wired networks?
In earlier implementations of WLAN's, they would be an add-on to an existing wired network. With users seeing the advantages of wireless networks, and the costs coming down, completely wireless installations are becoming commonplace. You would need at least one network connection if you need broadband Internet services.
Q. Why would I want to connect my printer to a wireless LAN?
Connecting to a wireless LAN allows multiple users to share the printer, and it offers flexibility and reduced cost of ownership. Installing the printer in places where wires can't reach is now possible. It also allows easy temporary set-up and relocation because there is no cabling. This results in savings from not having to rewire your building every time you want to move the printer or install a new one.
Q. What about security?
The wireless print server supports the industry standard 40-bit Wireless Encryption Protocol (WEP) in addition to TCP/IP address-based access control, allowing you to restrict access based on the IP address of the device attempting communication with the printer.
Q. Does it work in Ad-Hoc and Infrastructure mode?
Yes, it works in both Ad-Hoc (peer to peer wireless networking) and Infrastructure (wireless network using an Access Point) networks.
Q. How can I manage the wireless print server?
. The wireless print server is easy to manage from PC's and Macintosh computers. Because of its compatibility with Hewlett-Packard's JetAdmin® and XCD's XAdmin® Windows-based utilities, the IntelliBar Net 11 802.11b wireless print server is among the easiest print servers to configure and monitor. In addition, you can manage it using a standard Internet web browser with HP's Web JetAdmin and XCD's WebXAdmin capabilities. A remote console accessible via TELNET, NetWare, DEC NCP/NCL, or the serial port is available for more sophisticated diagnostics and configuration. The IntelliBar Net 11 802.11b wireless print server is also compatible with the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) for compatibility with most popular network management systems.
Q. How many users can the wireless print server support?
It can support up to 63 simultaneous connections, so if you have access points, it's virtually limitless
Q. What is the range of wireless networks and the print server?
The range that the print server can be from an access point or Ad-Hoc client is approximately 300 feet (91 m) in a standard office environment. However, the range can vary depending on obstacles and radio interference. With multiple access points deployed throughout the building providing overlapping coverage, you can have unlimited range.
Q. Why does the printer feed four labels on initialization?
A. If the Label Measure mode is set to Automatic (found in the Label Menu), the printer advances a preset number of labels in order to accurately measure the length of the label and gap. This function sets the label length so that the controller can format data for the label. If the same length label will always be used, the Label Measure mode can be set to Fixed. This will eliminate the automatic advancing of labels at power on. If the label length changes while in the Fixed mode, a Media Jam will occur and either Automatic or Operator Panel will have to be selected from the menu in order to enter the new label length.
Q. My label seems to be missing data, like it has been clipped off.
A. HP PCL printers perform pixel-level clipping. When printing characters or graphics, if any portion of the character cell or graphic is outside the printable area, only that portion outside the printable area is clipped. The fix is to make sure you are within the printable area of your application.
Q. My label stock gets pulled backwards into the printer. Why?
A. In non-peel-off or tear-off mode, this can occur if the label stock has been changed without a re-measure of the new stock. To create a re-measure of the label stock, you must turn the power off, load the new label stock, and then turn the power back on. The printer, if set for automatic mode, will do an automatic measure of the stock. If tear-off or peel-off mode is used, check the Label Present Sensor adjustment (VR5).
Q. My Model 412 feeds the label and then retracts it approximately 1/4". Why?
A. Due to the speed at which the Model 412 prints, it cannot stop within the normal label gap range, so it must stop and then retract the label stock to the first print position of the next label. If you are using a larger label gap, you may not experience this occurrence.
When calling in a problem or requesting service, please fill out all the required information on the following Service Request Form or fax the printed form to (978) 562-5678 (attn: Technical Support) and a technical support person will call you back immediately.
Service Request Form
