Dell 720 -Banding?

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Ginchy

I just got a brand new Dell 720 printer which I believe is a Lexmark Z601.

I already own a Lexmark Z11 from 5 years ago.

The new one didnt have drivers for win98se so I installed it on my xp pro
machine instead. The quality compared to my Z11 is horrific. Terrible
banding. I am using it on BEST quality setting and also set for GLOSS paper.

Sure;y it should be better than this? The old Z11 produces rich vibrant
colours and a smooth but dense BLACK whereas this one looks like its printed
on matt or ordinary paper when actually its gloss. I done 2 cd labels on one
sheet each printed on the 2 different printers and the Z11 just blows it
away in EVERY aspect except speed of course.

This new machine is supposed to be 4 times the res of the Z11 and yet I see
no difference in detail.

Anyone know how to get rid of the banding. I got this once on the Z11 but it
was cured by turning off the buffer but there doesnt seem to be an option to
do this on the 720?

Any help appreciated.
 
Ginchy said:
I just got a brand new Dell 720 printer which I believe is a Lexmark
Z601.
Click to expand...

Did you? My commiserations.

I already own a Lexmark Z11 from 5 years ago.
Click to expand...

And you wanted another? What are you - some kind of masochist?
The new one didnt have drivers for win98se so I installed it on my xp
pro machine instead. The quality compared to my Z11 is horrific.
Terrible banding. I am using it on BEST quality setting and also set
for GLOSS paper.
Click to expand...

Well you get what you pay for. That printer retails for around £25 over
here - indeed Dell gives it away with its Dimension systems. The tanks are
£25 black and £35 colour - yep you could purchase two printers for less than
the price of a set of tanks.
Sure;y it should be better than this? The old Z11 produces rich
vibrant colours and a smooth but dense BLACK whereas this one looks
like its printed on matt or ordinary paper when actually its gloss. I
done 2 cd labels on one sheet each printed on the 2 different
printers and the Z11 just blows it away in EVERY aspect except speed
of course.
Click to expand...

Well of course it does - though it's still a Lexmark, it's marginally better
than a Dell
This new machine is supposed to be 4 times the res of the Z11 and yet
I see no difference in detail.

Anyone know how to get rid of the banding. I got this once on the Z11
but it was cured by turning off the buffer but there doesnt seem to
be an option to do this on the 720?
Click to expand...

Yep. Go and spend £100 on a decent printer and stop wasting time - and
money - on junk.
 
got the printers for £9.99 each and sold 4 for £25 each

kept the fifth for myself

the ink carts are trial and are free

the carts are £24.99 delivered from dell for colour

I can buy lexmark 601`s for it as well as my mate has shown me how to break
off the tab on the cart holder.

I havent spent a penny so far!

Now piss off
 
Miss Perspicacia Tick, always the helpful one...

============
I'm assuming this is a new printer and not running out of ink, by chance.

It is true that Lexmark printers are not great with quality control and
their drivers can be difficult at the best of times. In the inkjet
arena I would say they most represent the model that the money is in the
ink. Their printers tend to be less rugged and my experience is they
are often free with a minimal purchase.

Having said that, the situation you are experiencing is not normal. I
suspect the ink cartridge is bad or at least clogging.

It is possible that the cartridge is not seated well or the it is not
making proper contact with the printer electronics (you might wish to
try removing the cartridge wiping down the printhead with warm water on
a lintfree towel and making sure the electrical contacts on the printer
and the cartridges look clean, and if not gently wipe them down with a
clean paper towel) .

Resintall and try again, do a cleaning cycle if that's an option, and a
head alignment if that is available to you. If it doesn't improve,
chances are a new cartridge or set of cartridges will resolve it, and
Dell should supply them under warranty, I would think.

Obviously, if a new cartridge set still doesn't resolve the problem,
there is a likelihood the printer itself has bad contacts or
electronics, and needs replacement.

Art
 
thanks art....it seems to be getting better with each print and no sign on
the black prints so I reckon you are spot on that the colour cart is dodgy
but as its a trial cart I doubt they would entertain a replacement!

I will try a new colour cart and if its the same then I will shout at them
:o)

Cheers!
 
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