Q: Do I need to use a Font Cartridge, SIMM, DIMM, or other font device to print checks?
A: You may or may not need a font device to print checks, depending on the software you are using for check printing. If your software tells you to use pre-printed check stock (which is already encoded with the magnetic numbers) you do not need the special font. There are also some applications programs that include the font in the software which is downloaded to the printer as needed. However, for security reasons, many programs require a font cartridge, SIMM or DIMM to be present in the printer in order to print checks. In some cases, the cartridge/SIMM/DIMM contains a signature or logo to be printed on the document.
Q: How do I know what type of font device to get for my HP printer?
A: Most Hewlett Packard printers through the LaserJet 4+ use one or more font cartridges (these have a rectangular slot about 3.5 x 1 inches) while newer models like the LaserJet 5 and 6 family support SIMM fonts (and don't have a slot). Some models support both cartridge and SIMMs. Some models, like the LaserJet 4L, 5L and 6L, do not support either cartridge or SIMM. LaserJet 2100, 4000, 4050, 5000, 8000 and 8100 models use a DIMM instead of a SIMM or cartridge. The Secure Font System font device can be used with all models of LaserJet printers that have a parallel port. If you have an HP printer and are unsure what type of font product it uses, refer to our Compatibility Table.
Q: How do I install a Font Cartridge in my printer?
A: To install a font cartridge in the printer, follow your printer's specific instructions. The following general procedures apply:
We recommend you power off the printer before inserting the cartridge (see #3 below), then power on.
Alternatively, you may do the following steps without turning off the printer:
1. Take the printer off-line by pressing the [ON-LINE] key located on the printer control panel. (The ON-LINE indicator light should be off.)
2. Make sure the FORM FEED indicator is off. If it is on, after the printer has stopped receiving data, press the [FORM FEED] key to print the remaining data.
3. Insert the cartridge into the printer’s font cartridge slot and push until the cartridge is firmly seated. You should hear and feel the cartridge snap into place. In printers that have more than one slot the cartridge may be installed in any slot.
NOTE: microMICR makes different format font cartridges, and the label may be on top or the bottom. On some printers, the cartridge may be appear to install correctly, but actually be inverted. If the cartridge seems not to work, follow the procedure below for removing it, then turn it over and reinstall.
4. Return the printer ON-LINE by pressing the [ON-LINE] key. (The indicator light should be on.) Test the cartridge.
Q: How do I install a Font SIMM in my printer?
A: The microMICR SIMM (Single Inline Memory Module) Font Device installs in any of the following Hewlett Packard LaserJet printer models and their variants: LaserJet 3Si, 4Si, 4, 4plus, 4V, 4P, 5, 5P, 5Si, and 6P. Note that the SIMM is not compatible with LaserJet models 4L, 5L and 6L, nor with the newer models that use DIMM memory.
Install the Font SIMM Board in any of the SIMM slots located inside the LaserJet printer in the same manner as a memory SIMM board. For installation instructions, refer to the section on memory SIMM Board Installation found in the User’s Manual for your specific printer model. The following general procedures apply:
CAUTION: Static electricity can damage SIMMs. When handling SIMMs, either wear an anti-static wrist strap or frequently touch the surface of the SIMM's anti-static package, then touch bare metal on the printer.
1. Turn the printer off. Unplug the power cord and disconnect any cables.
2. Open the SIMM access door. The board may be installed in any available SIMM slot. We recommend that any permanent memory SIMMs be installed in the rightmost or lowest slots and the Font SIMM be installed in the next vacant slot.
3. When you remove the SIMM from the anti-static package, hold it by the side and back edges only, with the metal teeth facing the slot, positioning notch down (or right). The notch prevents the SIMM from being installed backwards.
4. In printer models where the SIMM slots are vertical, as in the LaserJet 4 and 4plus, position the SIMM with the metal teeth facing the slot so that the notch on one end of the board is on the bottom. The components will be on the right side of the board.
5. In printer models where the SIMM slots are horizontal, such as the LaserJet 4P, position the SIMM with the teeth facing the slot and the notch on the left side. The components will be on the bottom of the board. Note: in some printer models (like the 4P), the SIMM will only fit in the middle or top slot due to its size. It may be necessary to relocate an existing SIMM.
6. Hold the board at a 30 degree angle and firmly push it with your thumbs into the slot. Push the board into the back of the slot to evenly seat it.
7. Rotate the board straight toward a 90 degree angle until the clips on the edges of the slot snap into place (you will feel and hear a "click").
8. Close the SIMM access door.
9. Re-attach any interface cables and the power cord, then turn the printer on and test the SIMM.
NOTE: Always power off the printer whenever installing or removing the Font SIMM.
Q: How do I install a Font DIMM in my printer?
A: Follow the instructions provided in your printer’s documentation for installing DIMM memory options. They will describe where to locate and how to access the DIMM slots for your model. The following steps apply to the LaserJet 4000. Directions for other models may differ.
CAUTION: Static electricity can damage DIMMs. When handling DIMMs, either wear an anti-static wrist strap or frequently touch the surface of the DIMM's anti-static package, then touch bare metal on the printer.
1. Turn the printer off. Unplug the power cord and disconnect any cables.
2. Grasp the cover and pull it firmly toward the rear of the printer until it stops.
3. Remove the cover from the printer.
4. Loosen the captive screw holding the DIMM access door with a Phillips #2 screwdriver. Open the door.
5. Remove the DIMM from the anti-static package. Hold the DIMM with fingers against the side edges and thumbs against the back edge. Align the notches on the DIMM with the DIMM slot (check that the locks on each side of the DIMM slot are open, or outward).
6. Press the DIMM straight into the slot (press firmly). Make sure the locks on each side of the DIMM snap inward into place (to remove a DIMM, the locks must be released).
7. Close the DIMM access door and tighten the screw.
8. Set the bottom of the cover onto the printer. Make sure the bottom tabs on the cover fit into the corresponding slots in the printer. Rotate the cover up towards the printer.
9. Slide the cover toward the front of the printer until it clicks into place. Re-attach any interface cables and the power cord, then turn the printer on and test the DIMM.
Always power off the printer whenever installing or removing the Font DIMM.
Q: How do I install the ValuePort Font Device?
A: To Install the ValuePort:
1. Power off the printer.
2. Connect the ValuePort into the printer’s Centronics parallel port. If your computer or network is connected to that port, remove the cable and plug it into the connector on the back of the ValuePort (with the clips). If your printer has the new style mini-parallel port, you will need an adapter for the ValuePort.
3. When you power on the printer the ValuePort will automatically download its resources.
Note: If the printer is reset, the ValuePort resources are deleted. You may re-load these by pressing the black button on the Versa-Port while the printer is on.
Always power off the printer whenever installing or removing the ValuePort.
Q: How do I install the ValuePort in a LJ 2100 or 2200 Printer?
A: Some LaserJet printer models (like the 2100 and 2200) have recessed or hidden access to the parallel port which hinders attachment of the cable to the ValuePort. To solve this problem you need to use a parallel cable extender. Part # FXC-120 is a 12 inch cable extender which can be ordered from microMICR Corporation.
Q: How do I install the Secure Font System Font Device?
A: To Install the Secure Font System (Base Unit):
1. Power off the printer.
2. Plug the 9 volt DC power adapter into a standard 120 volt AC outlet and plug the other end into the auxiliary power jack on the base unit. The LED should start flashing amber.
3. Find the parallel port on your printer. If it is the standard (large) Centronics parallel port, use the supplied IEEE-1284 compliant standard cable to connect the base unit to the printer. If your printer has the new style mini-parallel port, use the supplied IEEE-1284 compliant mini-parallel cable to connect the base unit to the printer.
4. If your computer is connected to the printer's parallel port, remove that cable from the printer and plug it into the connector on the base unit (with the clips). If your printer has the new style mini-parallel port, you can use the supplied standard cable to connect the computer to the base unit.
5. Power on the printer. After a few seconds the LED on the base unit will change to steady green.
Note: If the printer is reset, the Secure Font System resources are deleted. You may re-load these by pressing the black button on the Base Unit two times while the printer is on.
Always power off the printer whenever installing or removing the SFS Base Unit.
Q: How do I install the Secure Card?
A: To Install the Secure Card, simply insert it into the slot in the Base Unit. The Secure Font System Base Unit should already be installed as described above and the printer should be on. The Secure Card only fits one way into the slot, and when fully inserted, should extend outside by about 5/8 inch (1.2 cm). It may take several seconds for the fonts, signatures, logos to load into the printer.
1. Power off the printer.
2. Plug the 9 volt DC power adapter into a standard 120 volt AC outlet and plug the other end into the auxiliary power jack on the base unit. The LED should start flashing amber.
3. Find the parallel port on your printer. If it is the standard (large) Centronics parallel port, use the supplied IEEE-1284 compliant standard cable to connect the base unit to the printer. If your printer has the new style mini-parallel port, use the supplied IEEE-1284 compliant mini-parallel cable to connect the base unit to the printer.
4. If your computer is connected to the printer's parallel port, remove that cable from the printer and plug it into the connector on the base unit (with the clips). If your printer has the new style mini-parallel port, you can use the supplied standard cable to connect the computer to the base unit.
5. Power on the printer. After a few seconds the LED on the base unit will change to steady green.
Note: If the printer is reset, the Secure Font System resources are deleted. You may re-load these by pressing the black button on the Base Unit two times while the printer is on.
Q: How do I know if the Font Device is working?
A: After installing the Font Device you should test that it is properly installed by printing a Font List. Some LaserJet printers call this a PCL Font List or a PCL Typeface List. The procedure for doing this varies with the printer model, and is usually done using the buttons on the printer panel. Refer to your printer’s documentation for specific instructions.
The Font List will display samples of all the typefaces available to the printer in a format that varies with the printer model. Only a few representative characters from each typeface are printed. It is a multi-page printout listing each of the fonts within categories. The order of the categories is normally the same in all printers but the descriptive headings for them may be worded differently and will be limited to the types of font devices compatible with the specific model.
The order is PCL Permanent Soft Fonts, Cartridge Fonts, ROM SIMM M#, ROM DIMM Slot #, and lastly, Internal Fonts, which are the fonts "built-in" to the printer.
If the Device Fonts are not printed, turn off the printer and follow the instruction to remove and reinstall the Font Device. Then turn on the printer and try the test again.
Plug in the printer and switch it on. The READY message should appear on the display. Follow the instructions in the printer User’s Manual to print a FONT TEST or PCL TYPEFACE LIST, depending on the particular model. The printout will list samples of all cartridge and SIMM fonts under the appropriate heading. For example, the LaserJet III Font list will identify either LEFT or RIGHT FONT CARTRIDGE. The LaserJet 4 will list all CARTRIDGE FONTS and ROM SIMMs by slot number. These lists will also print all the printer's internal fonts and may run several pages.
You can also try running your application software to print checks.
Q: Will my Font Device ever wear out?
A: Each microMICR Font Device is tested for quality control purposes before shipping and the test sheet is enclosed in the box. The test sheet also contains information about each font such as the PCL escape sequence used to select it.
It is unlikely that the font device would ever wear out during normal use. However, since it is an electronic component, it is sensitive to electrical and physical damage.
SIMMs and DIMMs are exposed electronic circuit boards which are sensitive to electrostatic discharge and must be handled carefully to avoid damaging the components. Always wear a grounded anti-static wrist strap or frequently touch bare grounded metal before handling the device.
After installation, SIMMs and DIMMs are intended to remain in the printer, but if it becomes necessary to remove the device, handle it carefully and replace it in the anti-static Mylar bag.
When installing or removing microMICR Font Devices, other than font cartridges, the printer must be powered off.
Should the microMICR Font Device ever fail due normal use, contact microMICR customer service for instructions on how to obtain a replacement.