PRINTER FAQ's
1. What type of cable do I need to connect the printer to my computer?
Ans: Printers can be connected in
a number of ways; however the two most common methods of connection are through
a printer cable or through a USB cable. Printer cables generally have a 25-pin male
connector on one end (DB25) and a centronix 36-pin male connector on the other.
The DB25 connects with the parallel port on your system, while the centronix goes
into the printer. Many new printers have a USB plug in addition to the standard
centronix 36-pin connector. With these printers a standard A to B USB cable can
be used instead of a printer cable to achieve faster throughput. Printer can be
connected with RJ45 Cable as a networking printer.
2. What's the difference between bi-directional and IEEE?
Ans: All printer cables these days
are bi-directional. IEEE is an enhancement to bi-directional. IEEE allows simultaneous
reception and sending of signal between the printer and the computer. Some newer
models of printers require IEEE cables. Check out your printer manual to decide
whether IEEE is required. IEEE printer cables are back-compatible and will work
with any bi-directional printers. However, bi-directional cables are not good enough
for printers that require IEEE cables.
3. What should I do with my empty toner cartridge?
Ans: The best thing to do with cartridges
when you are done is to send them to a place that does cartridge remanufacturing.
Often the manufacturer will do this, sometimes with no cost to ship the cartridge
back. It is also good to check your local listings for places that specialize in
this service. These places will often have remanufactured cartridges for sale, and
may even give you a little bit for your empty cartridges. Simple refilling of toner
is not recommended as toner itself is very messy and there are other parts that
should be replaced regularly in the cartridge. Shacking the Empty cartridges up
and down will make the drum filled with some cartridge powder, which in turn will
increase the print pages.
4. How do I set the default printer? (Windows 9x)?
Ans: Go to the Printers menu by going
to: Start -> Settings -> Printers. To set the default printer, right click the icon
for the printer you want as the default. On the menu that comes up select set as
default.
5. I want sharp prints. What should I look for?
Ans: The term you want to look for
is the Resolution. It is given in DPI. HP: "DPI refers to the number of dots of
ink that the printer can lay down in a line one inch long. This measure of text
and image quality provides a standard for comparison: the general perception is
that the higher the number, the sharper the output will be." Other factors like
dot placement, and special printer features may also come into play as well. It
is good to research your potential purchase. Make sure the printer is not in Economode
in printer settings.
6. My printer won't print. What could be causing it?
Ans: A number of things can cause
your printer not to print. Ask the following questions:
Is the printer plugged in?
Is the printer online? Many printers have an On-line
LED/LCD and button. If the printer isn't online it will not print.
Is the Ink cartridge or Toner cartridge full? Some
newer printers will stop working completely if they detect an empty cartridge. Most
will at least give a warning.
Does it have paper? Be sure the paper is installed
correctly, and there is enough for your print job. Most printers can detect when
they are out of paper. When using form-fed paper it is possible to get an out of
paper message if you do not have the paper inserted aligned correctly.
Is there a paper jam? Paper jam will stop a print
job in mid-stride. When you get your printer always read the manual on how to clear
a paper jam. There are many parts that can be damaged inside your printer by being
rough while clearing a paper jam. This is especially true with laser printers.
Is the printers' memory full or corrupted? Try turning
off the printer for a couple of minutes, and turning it back on.
Make printer spooler up and Ready.
Check on the printer jet direct direct card whether
RJ45 cable LED on Card is blinking, if not then hardware problem has occurred.
7. The DeskJet of my printer stopped printing in the middle of a print document;
the amber light is flashing but not printing. What is the cause?
Ans: The Amber light is designated
as the "Ink Error" light. With regards any inkjet printer, the Amber light is indicating
that one of the Ink Cartridges (Tri-Color/Black) is empty, defective, unrecognizable,
or just simply needs to be changed. The procedure is; lift up the front cover, look
at the Black Ink Cartridge, and examine the Ink Level Window on the Cartridge, located
at the center of the Cartridge. If the square window appears to be a solid Green
then that means the cartridge is completely full. If it is Half Green/Half Black
then it is indicating that the cartridge is half way full, and if the square window
is completely Black, then the cartridge is completely empty. Also, remove and examine
the Tri-Color Cartridge. If the Tri-Color Cartridge feels very light or if the Tri
Colors on the bottom of the Cartridge appear to be discolored i.e. All Magenta,
All Cyan, or All Yellow, then the Cartridge should immediately be changed. After
replacing the Black or Tri-Color Cartridge, your printers Green Power Light will
flash and allow you to continue your print job.
8. My printer is printing documents and the documents have a dark shadow in
the background, but the text is clear?
Ans: The Drum unit needs to be changed.
The photoconductor inside the drum unit has wear on it, and as a result, documents
that print have a shadowy background. In the Brother series the product number for
the toner begins with TN and the drum begins with DR.
9. The display is reading "41.3 unexpected paper size". What does it mean?
Ans: "41.3 Unexpected Paper Size"
means that the paper size you are trying to print is not the same as the settings
on the tray. Basically, you are is sending a print document/job to the printer and
the paper size that you selected from your computer was not the same size that is
configured in the printer. To fix this, you must first determine what paper size
you have selected from your Print Screen. Then you must go to your printer and push
the "Menu" button until you see "Printing Menu" displayed in the window. Then push
the "Item" button until you see "Paper = Legal (for example)". If "Paper = Legal"
is displayed in the window and you selected "Letter" from your computer then you
all you need to do is push the "Value" button until you see "Letter" in the display
window and then push the "Select" button to * (Star it) and now the printer will
be configured for "Letter" instead of "Legal".
10. The Color LaserJet of my printer has a paper jam around the exit area. What
do I do?
Ans: Try removing the paper from the
Exit (open the rear door pull the paper softly with your hands pointing at the end
tips of the paper ) and switch on the printer, if the paper jam persists, switch
off the printer open the top cover of the printer, remove the toner cartridge and
see whether any paper is stuck inside the printer, if yes remove the paper softly,
if no then a hardware problem has occurred. Contact "THE MAN".
All-in-One Fax, Scanner, Copier, and Printer make's
a line down the middle of the pages only when making copies. When printing, the
pages come out clear.
The line that is being produced on the copies is
caused by some sort of debris that is normally found in the ADF glass scanner area.
The types of debris known to have been found in the area are: Dried Liquid Paper
(which can be removed with isopropyl alcohol and a lint free cloth), Staples, and
Paper Clips. Removing these items will clear up the copies being produced.
11. My printer has a blank display. The printer powers on, but there is nothing
in the window. What is happening?
Ans: To correct this problem, the
printer may only require a firmware update. The manufacturer often has links to
firmware updates, and it only requires a download utility driver to update the firmware.
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