Archive for March, 2011

Despite the fact that Xerox Phaser 750 series printers have a small LCD screen, there are also a few indicator lights on the front panel that can provide a quick indication of errors even from across the room. Since there are a few different indications relayed by the lights, it is worth understanding what each state means. Listed below are the different indicators your Phaser will give off, what they mean and how to clear them. Continue reading “Xerox Phaser 750 Series Indicator Lights” »

Fax machines are declining in popularity as email and other forms of communication become more popular, but some users still require a solid fax machine for their home or business. If you are in the market for a fax machine, there are a few important things to consider before purchasing. Continue reading “Choosing a Fax Machine” »

If you own an HP LaserJet printer, you know that they are capable of printing very high-quality documents with every print. However, there are things that can affect the output quality of your LaserJet, causing printed documents to look less precise than they should. Perhaps the colors are lighter than desired or printing in the wrong color.  Below are some troubleshooting steps to take when the output quality is not what you expect.

Check the Toner Cartridges

First, remove the toner cartridge from the printer and shake it gently back and forth a few times. Some of your toner could be clumped up due to the temperature or environment. This will cause the clumps to loosen up. Check for signs of damage and the level of toner remaining. If you suspect that your cartridge is empty or may be faulty, replace it with a new one.

Check the Output Settings

Also, you may want to check your LaserJet’s settings. When you click the Print option within any software, you are given the choice between different quality modes. For the highest quality output, you want to make sure you have chosen Best or Maximum for the highest quality output instead of Draft or other options. Also, if your printer is in Toner Save mode this can affect the quality of documents as well. Continue reading “HP LaserJet Quality Issues” »

Are lines showing up on your printouts that shouldn’t be there?

The size, color and number of lines showing up per printed page will vary, though it will create the same level of stress!  Stay calm, though, the solution might be easier than you think.

For inkjet printers, there are really only two components that could be causing these lines.

Printhead

• Run the cleaning utility software provided by the manufacturer then print a test page.
• If lines are still present, you will need to manually clean the printhead then print a test page.

Ink Cartridge

• Once you are sure the printhead is as clean as it can be, check the ink level of the ink cartridges.  If they are low, replace them.
• If the ink cartridges are full, you most likely have a defective cartridge.  Contact your manufacturer.

Laser printers are a bit more complicated as there are a number of components involved in laser technology and any one of them can cause quality issues.

Corona Wire

• Carefully clean the corona wire located inside the imaging drum.  Make sure it is put back into place once it has been cleaned and print a test page.

Fuser

• As the fuser unit is the heated press that bonds the toner to the paper, it can contract a smudge of toner which will affect future prints.
• Wipe the surface of the fuser and print a test page. Continue reading “Lines on Prints” »

Just about every printer owner would like to save money, and the availability of refill kits for toner cartridges might make you consider refilling them yourself instead of purchasing new ones. While the cost-savings might seem appealing, there are a few dangers involved that you should be aware of. Here are a few of the dangers of refilling toner yourself: Continue reading “Dangers of Refilling Toner Yourself” »

If you have ever worked in an office you have likely replaced toner cartridges from time to time, but how much do you really know about the toner cartridge itself? Many people assume that the toner inside the cartridge is liquid, like an ink cartridge, but it actually contains toner powder, which is fused to the page by a very different method than that of an inkjet model.

So what is toner power composed of? The main ingredient of toner is a polymer or plastic that is transferred to the page when it is melted by the fuser, which is the heating element of a laser printer. The type of polymer used will often vary based on the manufacturer. For example, HP toner is made with a styrene acrylate copolymer, while other manufacturers use polyester resin or other materials. Low-quality polymers can be a big factor in toner cartridges that don’t perform as well as others. The polymer generally makes up about 60% of the mass of the toner powder. Continue reading “Composition of Toner Powder” »