Chesapeake OEM

Printer Tips by Model and Topic

 

Hewlett-Packard LaserJet 5si, 8000
13 PAPER JAM
# 1: Check Paper Mechanisms

Check paper feed rollers, are they worn? If so, replace. Check paper cassette and paper size selection. Remove cassette, check back of tray, are there 4 plastic sensor levers? Any broken? If yes, replace.

# 2: Check Inside Of Printer

Open printer, remove toner cartridge, lift green handle towards the inside of printer, next find #3 and lift up. Remove any paper you find stuck inside printer.

# 3: Check Fuser Assembly

Turn power off, open back access door, and release blue locking clips (one on each side). Carefully lift fuser up and slide out. Make sure the sensor flag is not broken. If sensor flag is broken, check the paper sensor inside printer for cracks. If paper sensor is cracked, replace.

# 4: Check The 2000 Optional Sheet Assembly TOP

Hewlett-Packard LaserJet 5si, 8000
50 SERVICE ERROR
Fuser requires replacement. It is best to have the complete assembly replaced if you receive a 50, 50.1, 50.2, 50.3, 50.4 service message. TOP

Hewlett-Packard LaserJet 5si, 8000
79 SERVICE ERROR
This error message indicates a problem with the main circuit board (formatter board).

# 1: Check Cables

First, turn power off. Next, check cable connection at the computer and printer ends. Turn power on; if problem reoccurs check simms.

# 2: Check Simms

Remove memory, and/or language simms. Turn printer on; if problem reoccurs check network cards.

# 3: Check Network Cards

Remove any network cards and turn printer on. If the problem reoccurs, try running parallel if on a network. If that does not alleviate problem, have a certified technician check formatter board.

# 4: Check Formatter Board (performed by certified technician)

If none of the previous suggestions eliminate the problem, the formatter board must be replaced. Print a test page before you replace formatter board, so you can reenter the page count on the new board. Unscrew thumb screws that hold the formatter board. Remove formatter and replace. TOP

Hewlett-Packard LaserJet 4si
IRREGULAR PRINT
Any irregularities such as white streaking on one side can be eliminated by removing the toner cartridge from your printer and rocking it gently 5 or 6 times to evenly distribute toner.

Another option is to replace the toner cartridge. TOP

Hewlett-Packard LaserJet 4si
LIGHT PRINT
Use the green lever, located inside of the printer on bottom left side, to increase print density by following the diagram included with your toner cartridge.

Another option is to replace the toner cartridge. TOP

Hewlett-Packard LaserJet 4, 4M, 4+
IRREGULAR PRINT
Toner may be either low or not evenly distributed when vertical white streaks appear. Remove toner cartridge from your printer and rock it gently to evenly distribute toner, repeating 5 or 6 times, or try a different toner cartridge.

Another option is to replace the toner cartridge. TOP

Hewlett-Packard LaserJet 4, 4M, 4+
LIGHT PRINT
Take printer off-line and press "menu" key until "config menu" appears on printer display. Press the "item" key 5 times until "density" appears. The default setting is 3, however, print can be darkened by pressing "+/-" key and then "enter" to save desired setting. The darkest setting is 5 and the lightest setting is 1.

Another option is to replace the toner cartridge. TOP

Hewlett-Packard LaserJet II, IID, III, IIID
50 SERVICE ERROR
One of the most common failures of Canon engine-based laser printers (i.e. Hewlett-Packard LaserJet II, IID, III, IIID) is the code 50 service error message. While this message may only appear during printer warm-up, it often indicates either fuser or AC Power module failure.

These particular failures are very common in the spring months, given the numerous electrical storms during that time of year. While 50 service error problems require only minor repairs, they present an unnecessary expense. Fortunately, these problems can be avoided if the following preventative steps are taken:

# 1: Use Surge Protectors

Electrical surges sent to the fuser or power module of your printer are the primary cause of their failure. These failures can easily be prevented by surge protectors.
While surge protectors are recommended by everyone, an alarming number of people neglect this simple and inexpensive insurance policy. Electrical storms during spring and summer increase your chance of being zapped. Be sure all of your computer equipment, is properly protected by approved surge protection equipment. This $20 investment could save thousands.

# 2: Obtain Regular Professional Maintenance

Anyone can clean a laser printer, but printers need more than just cleaning. Like your automobile, just washing it won't keep it running. In fact, chances are, without regular professional maintenance you will eventually end up stranded.

Effective printer maintenance consists of the removal and cleaning of each individual part, including your fuser and power module, by a trained professional. Thorough cleaning of all printer parts removes dust and dirt build-up. Build-up of this type acts like corrosion on your car battery. Just as neglecting to provide professional maintenance to your car can bring it to a grinding halt, neglecting your printer can cause it to stall with the infamous 50 service error.

# 3: Replace Your Ozone Filter Regularly

Laser printers using corona wire technology will always contain an ozone filter for ozone and dust ventilation. Replacing your ozone filter at least once a year will not only significantly reduce interior dust and build-up of residual toner, but will help create proper air flow in your printer.

# 4: Have Cooling Fans Checked

To ensure proper air flow in your printer, cooling fans must also be working properly. These fans not only control the internal temperature of your printer, but also create air flow through your equipment that disposes of harmful build-up. Reliable service technicians generally check cooling fans during routine printer maintenance. TOP

Hewlett-Packard LaserJet II, IID, III, IIID
BACKGROUND SHADING
Anyone with a Canon SX engine-based laser printer (i.e. Hewlett-Packard LaserJet II, IID, III, IIID) eventually encounters annoying and unpredictable background shading on envelopes, labels and other heavy paper stock. Unfortunately, replacing imaging components does not help.

The cause of the problem is static electricity. Laser printers of this style work by using an electrostatic imaging process. Low humidity and high static in printer environments greatly inhibits the ability of equipment to work properly. The primary wire of your printer creates a charge through the paper path to pull the toner image from your cartridge photodrum to the surface of your page. When operating in a high static environment or low humidity, the charge sent from this wire gets scattered and spreads slightly causing a fine, background shade of toner that ruins the appearance of your documents. While you may want to acquire an office humidifier as a permanent solution to the problem, in the meantime, here is a list of helpful hints to curb the appearance of this annoying problem.

# 1: Clean Transfer Corona Wire

The transfer corona is located horizontally under the diagonal guide wires in the middle of the printer interior. Clean this wire thoroughly with Q-tips and alcohol.

# 2: Clean Anti-Static Teeth

The anti-static teeth are located on the transfer wire assembly on the top back portion of the assembly. Use the brush side of the green tool found inside your printer to remove debris from the small teeth tucked into the tie unit.

# 3: Adjust Printer Density to 3

The green printer density dial is located just under the top cover in top left corner of your printer. It is labeled with numbers 1-9. 1 is the darkest setting, 9 is the lightest. Adjusting the dial to a lower number will increase the voltage and discharge a more concentrated charge to compensate for paper thickness.

An adjustment in RET (Resolution Enhancement Technology) setting may also be needed. The RET setting can be adjusted through the control panel on your printer. Take the printer off-line and hold down the "menu" key until "configuration" appears on printer display. Then press the "menu" key again and hold down until "RET" appears. When "RET" appears, press the "" key to change the setting to "light," "medium," or "dark." The factory default is "medium." Try a darker setting and hit the "enter" key to save the change.

# 4: Ground Printer Unit

You may use static or grounding pads obtained at your local computer supply store to ground equipment. Doing so will help compensate for environmental factors like low humidity due to heating systems or cold weather. TOP

Hewlett-Packard LaserJet II, IID, III, IIID
LIGHT or UNEVEN PRINT
Open your printer and locate green dial on left side of printer. Numerical dial can be turned to a lower number to increase print density. You can also try removing your printer's toner cartridge and rocking it side-to-side and shaking gently, parallel with the floor, to evenly distribute toner.

Another option is to replace the toner cartridge. TOP

Hewlett-Packard LaserJet II, IID, III, IIID
REPEATING SPOTS
Clean corona wire inside the toner cartridge using the green cleaning tool found inside your printer. Detailed instructions with diagrams are included with your toner cartridge.

Another option is to replace the toner cartridge. TOP

Hewlett-Packard LaserJet II, IID, III, IIID
STREAKING
Clean corona wire inside the toner cartridge using the green cleaning tool found inside your printer. Detailed instructions with diagrams are included with your toner cartridge.

Another option is to replace the toner cartridge. TOP

Hewlett-Packard LaserJet IIP, IIP+, IIIP
LIGHT PRINT
Try rocking your printer's toner cartridge and adjusting print intensity. To adjust print density use the green lever located inside of the printer just above the area where the toner cartridge sits. Move lever to the right to increase print darkness.

Another option is to replace the toner cartridge. TOP

Hewlett-Packard LaserJet IIP, IIP+, IIIP
REPETITIVE LINES or DOTS
Print 5 copies of a document to determine if line or dot appears consistently on each page. TOP

Hewlett-Packard LaserJet IIISi
IRREGULAR PRINT
Any irregularities such as white streaking on one side can be eliminated by removing the toner cartridge from your printer and rocking it gently 5 or 6 times to evenly distribute toner.

Another option is to replace the toner cartridge. TOP

Hewlett-Packard LaserJet IIISi
LIGHT PRINT
Use the green lever, located inside of the printer on bottom left side, to increase print density by following the diagram included with your toner cartridge.

Another option is to replace the toner cartridge. TOP

Hewlett-Packard LaserJet IIISi
WHITE STREAKING
Persistent white streaks that stripe your printed documents are not only annoying, they mar your professional appearance. This type of streaking can be caused by one of several problems. The following checklist covers all the possible causes and will help you diagnose which one is affecting your printer:

# 1: Faulty Fuser Assembly

To check for a faulty fuser assembly do the following. Open the clam shell cover of the printer. In the back of the printer is the fuser assembly unit. The green part of this unit on the back portion of the fuser will open. Remember the fuser runs at an extremely high temperature. Be sure you are touching felted portions of the unit only to avoid burns. Gently push the green rear portion of the fuser unit back. Turn the printer around and look through the back. Are there visible streaks or rips in the upper fuser roller? Are there any visible bubbles in the upper fixing roller?

If any of these symptoms are present you will need to replace the fuser unit of the printer. Before you replace the unit take a page count off the printer. Your SI model printers have required "user maintenance kits" at every 200,000 page interval. If your page count is close to one of these intervals you may choose to order an entire maintenance kit since a fuser is included in the kit. Both replacement fusers and user maintenance kits are available.

# 2: Cartridge Failure

To check for cartridge failure do the following. Send a page of print to the printer. While the page is going through the printer, open the printer in the middle of the print cycle while the paper is in the printing section of the printer. Carefully remove the toner cartridge from the printer and set it on a table upside down with the thinner portion of the cartridge away from you. In the middle of the bottom of the cartridge is a shutter that will pull back in your direction.

Carefully move the shutter back and look at the image placed on the photo drum. Be careful not to touch the drum, oils in your skin will ruin it. If the print is not placed properly on the drum you most likely have a bad cartridge. Before you change the cartridge be sure that it is the problem by eliminating the possibility of beam interruption. Or if your resources provide it, trade cartridges with another SI printer and see if the problem follows the suspect cartridge. In the case of cartridge failure, replace the toner cartridge.

# 3: Beam Interruption

To check for beam interruption do the following. Remove the toner cartridge from the machine. If printing labels, check to see if any labels came loose in the printer. If so, remove the loose area of the label. Test the cartridge again.

If the problem persists, remove the cartridge and open the printer at a 45 degree angle. Look at the top cover on the inside and you will see a purplish mirror. Are there any foreign objects: screws, paper clips, paper scraps, etc. lodged in the area?

If so, gently remove the obstruction or arrange for a technician to remove it for you. Be careful not to nick or scratch the mirror, this could make your problem far more serious. Send a page of print to the printer to determine if you have solved the problem.

NOTE: If none of the above measures solves your problem, try replacing the toner cartridge. TOP

Hewlett-Packard LaserJet IIISi
ECHOED IMAGES
Echoed images can ruin the appearance of your printed documents. Echoed images can be caused by one of several problems. The following checklist covers all the possible causes and will help you diagnose which one is affecting your printer:

# 1: Printer Density Setting

The solution to your problem may be as simple as changing your printer's density setting. To change the setting, open the cover of the printer. Inside the printer towards its center is a black metal plate just behind the transfer roller. On the left side is a sliding green knob with an upside down arrow.

If the knob is set too high, the printer may be printing too dark. This may be preventing the printer from transferring the full amount of toner off the drum, resulting in an echoed image. Lower the setting and send a page of print to the printer to determine if you have solved the problem. If lowering the printer density setting has no effect or if print quality at this setting is unsatisfactory, trade cartridges with another SI series printer and see if the problem follows the suspect cartridge. If so, replace the toner cartridge.

# 2: Faulty Fuser Assembly

To check for a faulty fuser assembly do the following. Open the clam shell cover of the printer. In the back of the printer is the fuser assembly unit. The green part of this unit on the back portion of the fuser will open.

Remember the fuser runs at an extremely high temperature. Be sure you are touching felted portions of the unit only to avoid burns. Gently push the green rear portion of the fuser unit back. Turn the printer around and look through the back. Are there visible streaks or rips in the upper fuser roller? Are there any visible bubbles in the upper fixing roller? If any of these symptoms are present you will need to replace the fuser unit of the printer. Before you replace the unit take a page count off the printer. Your SI model printers have required "user maintenance kits" at every 200,000 page interval. If your page count is close to one of these intervals you may choose to order an entire maintenance kit since a fuser is included in the kit. Both replacement fusers and user maintenance kits are available.

# 3: Paper Stock

Laser paper of certain stocks, even high-end quality paper stocks, carry a fine coat of wax. Paper with this coating often cannot handle the extreme heat of the fuser assembly in spite of their "Laser Paper" label.

Paper stock for use in your SI printer needs to withstand 310 degrees for one tenth of a second or it will leave troublesome build-up on your fuser. Try a different paper stock and print a test document of about 20 pages. The problem may dissipate. TOP

Hewlett-Packard LaserJet IIISi
BLOTCHES
Blotchy pages are generally caused by faulty toner cartridges dropping excessive toner. This is easily checked by simply opening the printer and looking for loose deposits of toner on the printer interior.

Our technicians our happy to assist in the removal and cleaning of toner from any of your equipment at our normal low service rates.

Bubble type blotches can also be caused by a defective cartridge. You can test for this problem by trading cartridges with another and seeing if the problem follows the suspect cartridge. TOP

Lexmark 4039, 4049
PAPER JAMS in FUSER AREA

Pull printer. s fuser lever forward and hold. Remove paper from fuser area. TOP

Lexmark 4039, 4049
PAPER JAMS in PAPER ENTRY AREA

Remove paper tray. If you have the Duplex Option, do not remove the duplex unit. Pull the paper out toward the front of the printer. Remove any bits of paper that may remain. TOP