Archive for April, 2011

There are a plethora of benefits to having a wireless printer in the office, such as the HP OfficeJet Pro 8600.  This convenient technology has revolutionized the way businesses operate from within and has positively impacted the cost and rate of production.  Here are the top 6 reasons it is a good investment for any office to get a wireless printer:

6- Location
Printers that require a wired connection are limited in placement options and as a result, the office must be laid out around the printer.  Wireless printers have no such limitations and can be put in the most opportune and convenient spot in the office.  They also have the flexibility to be relocated to anywhere in the office if space is at a premium.

5- Security

The option of password-enabled access and encrypting the network is a necessity in many businesses in order to prevent it from being hacked or confidential documents from being leaked.  Wireless printers generally offer the same type of security features as their wired counterparts.

4- Mobile Printing

Wireless printers will work with a multitude of different mobile devices.  So, if the meeting is running over and the weekly status report needs to be printed, it can be done from any smartphone or tablet within the network.

3- Saving Money

It is clearly less expensive to have a single printer shared by everyone rather than a printer on every desk, but why is a wireless network more cost-effective than a wired network?  Cables and connections are expensive and wireless printers reduce the need for them.  Additional network jacks will not be needed either, which can be expensive to install for wired networks.

2- No Clutter

Wires are not only unattractive and space-consuming; they can also be a safety hazard.  If each computer has to be hard-wired to the printer or network, there may be cables running along the walls and the floors.  Clutter in the office can hinder production and be unsettling for the employees that spend 40 hours a week surrounded by wires.  A wireless printer removes the need for this excess, requiring only the power cord.  The rest of the connection process is done through a signal that cannot be seen or felt, but expands across the office.

1- Print from anywhere

Rather than communicating with a hub PC like wired printers do, wireless printers can communicate with each computer that is connected to the network, making it very easy to print from anywhere in the office. Is your office more than one story?  No problem, a wireless signal can penetrate walls and ceilings.  The range of Wi-Fi is constantly growing as this young technology grows, so even if you are sitting in the back corner behind the water cooler, your computer should be able to connect easily with the wireless printer.

Well, there you have it, the top 6 benefits of wireless printing in the workplace.  Wireless printers are the best option for an office, hands down.  What are you waiting for?

The Playstation 3 (PS3) is one of the most popular gaming systems on the market.  Equipped with many components similar to a computer, the PS3 can serve many of the same purposes, including searching the internet, social networking and browsing photos.  The days of joysticks and Nintendo at home have become worldwide gaming with headsets and wireless controllers.  Players can play against gamers from other countries and can even compete for millions of dollars.

What many people do not realize, though, is that you can even print from a PS3 if you have a compatible printer.  Here is a list of the compatible Epson and Canon printers.  Any HP printer made after 2007, when the PS3 was released, should also be compatible.  Be sure your console has the most updated software, which can be downloaded here.

A PS3 can be connected to a printer via USB cable or a local network, however, many HP printers will not recognize a USB connection, only a shared network.  Using the video game controller, navigate to Settings (on main menu) and then Printer Settings.  Select Printer Selection and the system will automatically scan for any compatible printers, such as the Canon PIXMA MX882.  If for some reason your printer is not detected and it is on the compatible list, unplug both machines and try again. Select the printer to configure it for printing.

Print a screenshot of your touchdown celebration!

There are a few different things you can print from a Playstation 3.  You can print any webpage that you come across when searching the internet.  You can also print pictures from your console, as the PS3 allows you to transfer photos from your computer to the PS3 hard drive.

Printing Images

1. Go to the Photo section, marked by an icon of a camera.
2. Select the image you want to print and press the triangle button
3. Press the triangle button to adjust print settings (i.e. number of copies)
4. Select Print

Replacing toner cartridges and imaging drums are standard procedures when it comes to maintaining a laser printer.  Most models from varying manufacturers have similar configurations; however, the internal setup of the HP LaserJet 2840 is slightly different, as the cartridges and drum can only be accessed by lifting the scanner (as shown in image, release button is circled).

Replacing the Cartridge

Rather than offering standard slots, the cartridges are held on a carousel and users must use the button on the control panel to rotate to the color that is being replaced.

• Rotate carousel until the color you wish to replace is selected.
• Open the top of the unit by pulling the white release lever on the top panel.
• The cartridge will be revealed and you simply pinch the two blue buttons to remove and install cartridges.

Replacing the Drum

It is not as easy to determine when the drum needs to be replaced, but a message will appear on the LCD display of the 2840 when the time comes.  Unfortunately, finding the drum has proved to be a bit challenging for users.

Where art thou, drum?

• Pull that same white release lever (used to replace cartridges) to open the top panel.  You should be able to locate the drum by spotting the handle.
• Rotate the drum so the handle is facing the top of the unit.
• Pull the handle and lift the drum out of the printer.
• Remove any packing materials, including shipping screws and orange protective plate from the new drum.
• Use alignment arrows to insert properly.

Once you have changed the cartridges and drum for the HP 2840 one time, the process should be quick and painless. It is just that first replacement that seems to stump many people.

*BONUS TIP*

Want to rotate the carousel without having to have the top cover closed or even having the machine turned on?

Check out this video for a nice trick of the trade:

Color depth and bit depth are two terms that are very frequently confused. While the two terms are somewhat interchangeable, bit depth is usually used in reference to printers, scanners, and other hardware devices, while color depth generally refers to monitors and other display devices. Either term refers to the number of colors used to create an image. The larger the number, the more colors, and the smoother and more accurate the image will appear.

Whichever term is used, matching or exceeding the color depth of your computer monitor to that of your printer or scanner will allow you to view images more accurately, so that your prints will look the same as what you see on your screen. For example, if you choose a 24-bit color depth when scanning an image, you want to ensure that your monitor is set for 24-bit mode or higher so that you can see the full color spectrum of the image. When sending an image to a printer, if your color depth is set too low, the printed image may look very different than the image that was on the screen. Follow the steps below to change your computer’s color depth setting.

Changing the Color Depth

1. Right-click anywhere on the desktop and choose Screen Resolution in the menu that pops up.
2. In the window that opens, click Advanced Settings.
3. Click the Monitor tab, then choose the highest setting available in the Colors dropdown box. In most cases, this will be 24-bit or 32-bit.

There are various types of scanners out there, and the one that is right for you should be based on your intended use.  Not all types of scanners are made for the same uses and they each offer different strong points.  Some specialize in quality while others are more speed-oriented.  Some are small enough to travel with while others come as a part of a multifunction office unit.  Use the information below to determine what kind of scanner would best suit the needs of your home or office.

Flatbed

Flatbed scanners are one of the most common types.  It will take up a small table or one side of a standard desk, but it provides flexibility in the size of material that can be scanned.  Because the glass scanning surface is flat and the cover opens all the way, there is almost no limit to the thickness of the material being scanned.  Pages from textbooks, articles from magazines, even DVDs and CDs can be laid on the surface and scanned into digital versions.  Flatbed scanners are the best option for users who want great scanning quality and flexibility, and don’t mind taking up a little extra space.

Sheet-fed

For a workgroup that is scanning simple documents for digital records, a sheet-fed scanner is probably your best bet.  This type of scanner is more compact and often focused on speed more than quality.  At the end of the work day, your boss may require that all order forms be scanned into a file.  If you generate hundreds of orders a day, you will want a scanner that can rapidly scan these documents.  Because it is only serving as a back-up copy, the quality does not need to be stellar, just legible.  Sheet-fed scanners are the best option for high-volume scanning demands that do not require the highest resolutions.

Portable

Portable scanners can vary in size – from fitting in your pants pocket to the size of a laptop bag.  These devices are ideal for users on the move or anyone who needs to be able to scan on the spot, like a delivery driver.  Or, as Wikipedia points out, portable scanners are perfect for students and spies.  Don’t expect excellent quality or impressive speed.  The appealing factor of this type of scanner is its mobility.  Portable scanners are ideal for traveling business people.

Photo

Though flatbed scanners can process pictures with high quality, photo scanners come with specialty software that allows film negatives and slides to be digitized.  Additionally, these types of scanners often have automatic enhancement features or included software that can reinvigorate old pictures.  Photo scanners will provide the best possible quality of images, but are mainly geared toward photographers or photo enthusiasts.

MFP

Multipurpose and all-in-one machines, such as the HP LaserJet M1522nf, generally have a scanner – either flatbed or sheet-fed.  When a device is designed to handle a number of tasks, typically with the emphasis on printing or copying, it is not often equipped for high-volume scanning.  Multi-function units are a perfect option in an office because they save time and space by combining various pieces of equipment, but if your work environment requires frequent, excessive scanning, you may be better off purchasing a dedicated scanner.  All-in-one machines are best suited for office use.

Scanning is a digital revolution that has provided homes and offices with organized filing systems, allowed them to digitize and recycle paper documents, and even provided the ability to revamp old photos. All have strengths and weaknesses, so you should find the type that fits your specific needs and budget.

Though fax machines are slowly becoming obsolete as the world continues to go digital, many offices still rely on this form of communication for sending important documents.  Like any piece of equipment, errors will arise and trying to decrypt these codes is often more baffling than the errors themselves!

Before troubleshooting the issue, be sure all of the cords are plugged in, other devices are not using the phone line, and the machine is ready to receive faxes by having paper loaded and HP toner installed.

Most errors will occur while receiving faxes.  If you do get an error when attempting to send a fax, generally it means there is a block or disconnect in the phone line.  Confirm that the wiring is securely plugged in and a dial tone is present.  If not, contact the phone company.

Here are a few of the most common errors when using an HP fax machine.  Be sure to run a fax test after attempting to fix the issue:

200: The session has timed out.  Resend the fax.

252: Telephone line conditions are too poor for a fax to be received.  First, make sure the phone lines are plugged in and a dial tone can be heard. Wait a little while and reattempt later, perhaps there was a glitch in the connection. You can also reconfigure the machine to a lower speed.

227: Your machine is not able to receive a fax due to modulation or speed. You can fix this by re-configuring your settings and receiving the fax at a lower speed.

312: The receiving machine did not answer the call, typically because the number was dialed incorrectly or the machine is not prepared (i.e. no paper or paper jam).  Contact the person you are sending the fax to and ask them to enable the receiving machine, or just try again later.

232: A communication error between the machines sending and receiving the fax occurs. You also may experience this if the power on the machine has been turned off or interrupted. In order to fix this, try to receive the fax again. If your problem continues, disable the ECM (error correction mode), which detects errors based on noise from the phone line.

221: A user has pressed the “Cancel” or “Stop” button, terminating the incoming message.  Contact the sender and ask them to send the fax again.

Though these are some of the most common errors, there are many, many more.  Visit the HP site for a full list of error codes, their possible causes, and potential solutions.  If the error persists, contact HP customer service for more detailed troubleshooting techniques.

When you run the automatic internal cleaning system in your Canon printer, accumulated dust particles and dried ink will be swept from the printhead to prevent clogging and an eventual reduction in print quality.  That dirt and excess ink that is cleaned must go somewhere, however.  This is the purpose of the waste ink absorber.

The waste ink absorber consists of two foam pads within a rubber frame, the foam absorbs the mess and prevents the loose particles from falling to the floor of the machine.  Eventually, though, the waste absorber gets full and needs to be emptied and cleaned.  You will know when this time comes as an error message will be triggered and the printer will not print. This error is either displayed as “Waste Ink Tank Full” or “The Ink Absorber is Full” in the software or on the control panel, or a sequence of flashes from the printer’s indicator lights will indicate this error when you consult the manual.

Many Canon ink printers, namely photo printers, have a simple process for cleaning the ink waste absorber.  Here is a quick list of the steps you need to take:

1. Lift the plastic lid to reveal the internal components of the machine.
2. Be sure to wait a few seconds while the ink carriage automatically slides out of the way.
3. Locate the black rubber frame that holds the dual absorber pads and pull it until you feel it detach from the machine.
4. Once it detaches, pull the assembly slightly to the left and then lift it out.  At this point, unplug the power supply.
5. Remove the two pads from the frame and place all three parts into a container of warm, soapy water.  Let them sit for a while until the dried ink has loosened, then gently scrub each piece.
6. Let the pads and frame sit on a paper towel or newspaper until each is COMPLETELY dry.
7. Place the pads back into the slots in the frame and reinstall the frame into its spot on the right side of the printer. Once you are finished, you will need to reset the error message.

Next, reset the error message:

1. Power down and unplug the printer, then hold the power button down as you plug the power supply back in.
2. Release the button and wait a few seconds.
3. Hit the power button once more to reset the code.

For other Canon printers, opening the lid of the machine requires tools for removing the plastic casing, springs and multiple screws.  Consult your manual or Canon directly to find out which category your model fits into.

This process is too involved to explain in simple text, as it involves a disassembly of almost the entire machine. Below is a video tutorial for printer owners that have to dismantle the machine to access the ink waste absorber pads. If this process seems too complex, it may be best to take your printer to a service center rather than attempt it yourself.

The Canon Pixma MX700 has quite a few things that make it different from other models on the market. One of these things that sets it apart is its small bulb, or lamp, placed inside that helps the machine scan and copy documents. Just  like any lamp or light in your house or workplace, that little light inside your MX700 will eventually burn out and need replaced.  When this light burns out, the unit will no longer be able to copy or scan.

Don’t be too concerned, though. Unlike many machines that are not user-serviceable, the bulb inside the MX700 is easy enough to replace. You will only need two items to perform the replacement — a pair of gloves and a new replacement bulb, which you can find online or in some specialty stores near you. You may also want to have a lint-free cloth handy to clean the inside of the scanning surface while you have it open.

The first thing you need to do is unplug the USB cable between your printer and your computer. Then, make sure the printer is powered off and disconnect the power cord from its power outlet, extension cord or surge protector. Once the printer has cooled down completely to room temperature, move the unit to a sturdy surface with good lighting so you can work on it.

Put on the rubber gloves to avoid getting oils from your hands on the glass surface or the bulbs, then open the panel on the top of the machine’s scanner, which should provide access to the glass flatbed scanning surface.

Press the unlock button on the left side of the scanner to release the glass scanning surface and allow it to open upward. Inside the left side of the printer, you should be able to see a small bulb. Firmly pull the bulb out of its socket. Slide the replacement bulb into that vacant space, and make sure you press down until it snaps into place. While you have the glass surface open, you may wish to use the lint-free cloth to carefully wipe away any dust or dirt on the underside of the glass. This is also a good time to perform some of the steps for Ensuring Longevity and Quality From Your Printer.

Put the machine back together, plug it in, and test the copy and scan functionality. You should find that the bulb lights up during scanning and that the normal functions are restored. If you are still experiencing problems, the problem may be something other than a burned out bulb, and you should contact the manufacturer or take the device to a repair shop.

If you’ve been using OEM cartridges in your inkjet or laser printer and have recently replaced those with remanufactured or compatible products, you may be receiving an error message telling you that the new ink or toner you’ve inserted is not compatible with your machine. The message may say the cartridge is not recognized or that you have inserted an incorrect cartridge.  Don’t panic!!  This just means your printer is having trouble reading the chip on the new cartridge as the printer memory is only familiar with OEM.  Generally, doing a cold start will clear the issue right up.

Before you attempt the cold start, take the cartridge out and confirm that the shipping seal that prevents the cartridge from leaking in transit has been removed.  If it is still intact, pull the strip out and reinstall the cartridge.  If the machine still does not recognize the cartridge, now follow these simple steps to perform a cold start, which is basically resetting the printer memory.

1. Remove the unrecognized cartridge(s). Make sure to put the cartridge(s) somewhere cool and remember that the cartridge(s) could leak once the seal has been pulled, so be sure to spread some newspapers or old towels on the floor to avoid a big mess.
2. Turn your printer off.
3. Unplug the printer from the wall. Be sure to leave the printer unplugged for at least 10 minutes.  This is very important.
4. After patiently waiting for 10 minutes or more, plug the machine back in, reinsert the cartridge(s) and turn the unit back on.

By shutting down and dislodging the power source, you are allowing the printer’s memory to completely reset.  Occasionally, the machine will initially reject the remanufactured cartridge(s) because the printing memory identifies only the OEM configuration.

Once you have performed a cold start, if the unit still refuses to accept the cartridge(s), please go to the Returns & Warranty page of inktechnologies.com to fill out the return request form.  Someone will contact you with your return information, typically within a few business hours of the request submission.

Even the best printers can experience problems from time to time. If you find yourself constantly having to clear paper jams, deal with misfeeds, or you find that there are streaks on your printed pages, it may be a good time to try cleaning the rollers. The roller mechanism includes one or more wheels that grab the paper and feed it through to be printed. If the rollers get coated with oils or other substances, they may not grip as well, causing misfeeds and paper jams. They can also become coated with dirt or other substances, and transfer it to the page, causing streaks. It is a good idea to clean the rollers at least a few times a year to prevent these issues.

How to Clean the Printer Rollers

1. Power down the printer completely, then unplug it from the wall. Disconnect all cables as well.
2. Remove the ink or toner cartridges to ensure that they are out of the way during cleaning.
3. Remove the input paper tray and the paper contained within it. This should give you access to the rollers, which are generally made of rubber-like materials and located near the input tray.
4. Dampen a lint-free cloth slightly, and gently rub the surface of the roller to clean off any residue.
5. Turn the roller with your fingers to access more of the surface, and repeat the process until you have cleaned the entire surface, then move on to the next roller.
6. If the surface of a roller contains grease or other substances that are resistant to water, you can use a small amount of rubbing alcohol. Use this as a last resort, however, as it can sometimes dry out the roller material.

Here is an example of a model with a lower input tray. Note that it is generally not necessary to remove the rollers in order to clean them, however.

Once you are finished cleaning the rollers, you can reassemble the machine, plug it back in, and test its operation. You should now notice a reduction in paper jams, misfeeds, and other issues. By taking the time to clean your rollers a few times a year, you can even prevent many of these problems before they happen.