Archive for the ‘Printer Setup and Maintenance’ Category

Setting up a printer on a Mac is generally quite a bit easier than setting one up on a PC. In most cases, you won’t even need a driver disc, but if you’ve never done it before, you may not know where to start. The big benefit of Mac OS X printing is that the operating system maintains a database of printers, so it can automatically install or download the right software in most cases. We will look at a few different types of printer connection types, and how to set up each type on a Mac. Continue reading “How to Set Up a Printer on a Mac” »

You’ve ordered new ink cartridges for your printer, brought them home, taken them out of the box, and now…how in the world do you install them? The tricky thing about replacing ink cartridges is that the process is a little different for each model, and from one manufacturer to the next. We will give you some general guidelines to get you started, and some links for more specific information for your printer. Continue reading “How To Install Ink Cartridges” »

I know we all have more fun things to do than maintain the printer. When placed with a decision to clean the printer on a Friday night or go catch a movie no one in their right mind is going to elect to stay late at the office. However, if you have a few minutes between tasks, let me make an argument for the poor neglected printer.
Continue reading “Take the Time to Maintain Your Printer” »

Image: Jacob Davies

The design and durability of printers has advanced over time, with most machines capable of handling high-volume printing and lasting for many years.  Whether you use a laser printer or inkjet printer, there are a few simple maintenance tasks that can be performed to ensure the unit will give the best quality for the longest amount of time.

Continue reading “Ensuring Longevity and Quality From Your Printer” »

Inkjet printers are mainly designed for home use, which means that when problems arise, you don’t have a technical support team at your beck and call. In many cases, you can contact the manufacturer for support, but there are a number of common troubleshooting steps you can try first to see if you can resolve the issue on your own. Most problems fall into a number of common categories, and often a few simple steps can get you back up and running. Here are some troubleshooting steps to try before you contact support for further help:

Continue reading “Troubleshooting Inkjet Printers” »

What is an OPC drum?

OPC standards for Organic Photo Conductor Drum.  The OPC drum is a long piece of metal with a cylinder shape and a delicate outer coat, typically green, blue or red.  These drums can be found in many laser printers, such as the HP LaserJet 1320. They offer an environmentally-friendly alternative to older photoreceptors that were labeled hazardous.

Continue reading “What is an OPC Drum?” »

Every printer comes with a certain amount of built-in RAM, or Random Access Memory.  This memory is generally used to store documents as they are being processed for printing.  Low-volume printers that were designed to handle infrequent printing needs in a home or small office will have a smaller memory that should suffice for the life of the printer.  However, printers that are designed to deliver complex graphics and images while maintaining a quick output rate or high-end office printers that print hundreds of pages each day could eventually require an upgrade. Multifunction and all-in-one devices also use this memory for temporarily storing documents when copying, scanning, or faxing as well, increasing the load. Continue reading “Why Upgrade Printer Memory?” »

Inkjet printers are built to be durable, regardless if you are using a small office printer or a base model personal photo printer.  These machines can last for many years if they are maintained properly.  There are simple steps a user can take to increase the lifespan of a printer and minimize the need for a technician.

Almost every inkjet printer has a software program for cleaning and testing.  If you start to notice a slight decrease in print quality, run the nozzle check from the computer, which can be accessed through the Start Menu in the Properties section of the Printers and Faxes category.  If the check indicates clogging of the inkjet nozzles, run the printer Head Cleaning option located on the same menu.  This should loosen any ink particles that are blocking the nozzles. Continue reading “Prolonging the Life of Your Inkjet Printer” »

Modern households typically have more than one computer, and for all of those computers to access the internet, a home office network is created.  But how can you connect a single printer to that network?  Well, this depends primarily on the type of printer you have and it’s available interfaces.  Each model and manufacturer will be slightly different, so though we will provide general direction, we strongly advise consulting your manual or contacting customer support for more detailed instructions. Continue reading “Connecting Printers to Your Home Office Network” »

Though the Kindle from Amazon was a pioneer in the e-reader industry, many things about this mobile device were limiting.  For instance, the inability to connect your Kindle to a printer via USB cable and print resulted in a number of complaints from teachers, attorneys, medical staff and other professionals who could use excerpts from these downloaded books for educational or legal purposes.

There is a slight loophole in the original Kindle, though, that does actually let you print text, but it can be complicated and time-consuming.  Here are instructions on how to do it: Continue reading “Printing from a Kindle” »