[Revised Sep 05]
By far the most common cause of 'not printing' is that the print job requested is not supposed to print under these circumstances (eg, a receipt when there is no charge), or has been turned 'off' by user option.
To turn script labels on/off
From the Dispensing Main Menu, Options, ''RxOne' options' and check that 'Print labels' is ticked (on) or not ticked (suppressed).
To toggle this on/off, cursor down to highlight the line and press <enter>.
To escape with changing anything, <esc>.
- Even with labels suppressed, selecting the 'Label' button will print a label.
Thermal printer advances labels
But no text appears,
Thermal paper used. The labels are probably inserted upside down. Label side up is correct. No text can be seen if a thermal printer prints on the backing paper.
Plain labels used The thermal transfer ribbon has probably run out.
Receipts not printing; Is there any patient charge?
- If the patient charge is zero and you want receipts when this happens, make sure that 'Print zero receipts' is switched 'on'.
- If the patient charge is not zero, receipts will be printed so long as 'Print receipts' is switched 'on'. Check this if receipts are not printing as someone may have turned it off.
Printer not printing. If all the switches are correct, and you are satisfied that their should have been a printed output, work through these in turn until operational
1. Is the printer turned on, with lights lit? This might seem obvious, but it is the most common cause of printers not printing.
2. Check that there is paper in the printer and that the 'out of paper' light is not going.
3. The 'on line' light should be lit.
4. If an external Zip drive is fitted, it plugs into the printer port and the printer 'daisy chains' onto that. Make sure the Zip is turned on and check the Computer-to-Zip and Zip-to-Printer cables.
5. Turn the printer itself (not the whole computer) off and back on. If this fails,
6. Shut down the whole system, turn everything off, then push each end of each cable in and out carefully to re-seat.
7. Restart the system and try again.
8. Is the system running a DOS program that uses a printer? Or has it run one earlier in the day? If so, this is a likely cause of slow printing, delay in printing, incorrect printing or nothing printing. Many DOS programs take control of the printer and are reluctant to let Windows have it back. Fix by running the DOS program in 'DOS mode', not a 'DOS shell under Windows'. This is less convenient, but not as much so as printer problems.
9. Some Windows programs change the 'default' printer in Windows. If one of these programs crashed out it could leave Windows sending the printer to the wrong printer, resulting in no printing. Check and reset the printer setup.
10. Has anything been changed in the printer setup, or new software installed? If so check that it has been setup correctly. In particular, check that two different printers have not been assigned to the same port, E.g. An A4 laser and an A5 laser both assigned to LPT2 which will result in no printing, and Windows produces no error message in this case. Fix by 'capturing' the port to a different port, say LPT4.
'Spool 32' error
Is a rare occurrence on 'RxOne', but if it should ever occur indicates some kind of printer problem. Try shutting down, check printer, cable, paper, restart and it will probably ask if you want the offending print job printed out.
Virus
The 'Opaserv' virus is known to attack printer operations and destroy fonts. Look under 'Opaserv' for diagnostics and cures.
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