My HP LaserJet 4LSeries issue

  • Thread starter Thread starter amanda772007
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amanda772007

My HP LaserJet 4LSeries bought in 1995 has been faithfully printing
crisp letter perfectly until recently. Now words are like this:

Should be ":My name is Sandy. I am a student." would print like
"My nam eis Sandy. I am as tudent".

What's happening? What should I do? I do not have the original drive
sotware that comes with the printer. XP has the driver already anyway.
 
My HP LaserJet 4LSeries bought in 1995 has been faithfully printing
crisp letter perfectly until recently. Now words are like this:

Should be ":My name is Sandy. I am a student." would print like
"My nam eis Sandy. I am as tudent".

What's happening? What should I do? I do not have the original drive
sotware that comes with the printer. XP has the driver already anyway.
Click to expand...

For starters:
Check that the cable is fastened well at both ends. Try a different cable.

Google is your friend. Try it. Search this group for old posts on your
printer.

Lou
 
My HP LaserJet 4LSeries bought in 1995 has been faithfully printing
crisp letter perfectly until recently. Now words are like this:

Should be ":My name is Sandy. I am a student." would print like
"My nam eis Sandy. I am as tudent".

What's happening? What should I do? I do not have the original drive
sotware that comes with the printer. XP has the driver already anyway.
Click to expand...

As Lou suggests try replacing the cable.
Questions - does the windows test page print OK?
Does the internal printer test page print OK (briefly press the front pannel
button).
If the internal printer test page is OK and the windows test page is OK the
problem is probably application or XP relates and you need to re-install the
application and consider a XP repair installation.
If the Windows test page is bad but the internal printer test page is OK then a
driver re-install is appropriate.
If neither test page is OK then it is either the PC parallel port, the cable or
the printer formatter (in the latter case a new printer is cheaper than repair
unless you can get a second hand 4L and swap formatters) or you could have a
failed memory module in the printer, does the printer have extra memory (what
does the test page say about the amount of memory in the printer?)?
The only other cause I can think of is a possible PC memory failure, you can
download some free memory tests, google and try one of those.
Please post a follow up.
Tony
 
Tony said:
As Lou suggests try replacing the cable.
Click to expand...
I just did (used a new one) and tested it. It's worse now - I rpinted
omething from notepad - printing with big font.
Questions - does the windows test page print OK?
Click to expand...

How to do this?
Does the internal printer test page print OK (briefly press the front pannel
button).
Click to expand...

It was and it is with the new cable.
If the internal printer test page is OK and the windows test page is OK
Click to expand...

I need to do windows test page before proceeding. Sorry that I got
busy and couldn;t come back earlier.



the
problem is probably application or XP relates and you need to re-install the
application and consider a XP repair installation.
If the Windows test page is bad but the internal printer test page is OK then a
driver re-install is appropriate.
If neither test page is OK then it is either the PC parallel port, the cable or
the printer formatter (in the latter case a new printer is cheaper than repair
unless you can get a second hand 4L and swap formatters) or you could have a
failed memory module in the printer, does the printer have extra memory (what
does the test page say about the amount of memory in the printer?)?
The only other cause I can think of is a possible PC memory failure, you can
download some free memory tests, google and try one of those.
Click to expand...
Please post a follow up.
Click to expand...

Will do.
 
How to do this?
Click to expand...

Go to start menu and click on printers and faxes.
Select printer and right click on it
Select properties
Print test page should be an option on the general tab.
 
Peter said:
Go to start menu and click on printers and faxes.
Select printer and right click on it
Select properties
Print test page should be an option on the general tab.
Click to expand...

Thnaks. I just did it and it's bad.
 
Tony said:
As Lou suggests try replacing the cable. Done.

Questions - does the windows test page print OK?
Click to expand...
I just etsted it. The answer is "No".
Does the internal printer test page print OK (briefly press the front pannel
button).
Yes.

If the internal printer test page is OK and the windows test page is OK the
problem is probably application or XP relates and you need to re-install the
application and consider a XP repair installation.
Click to expand...
If the Windows test page is bad but the internal printer test page is OK then a
driver re-install is appropriate.
Click to expand...

I want to try this now. I don't have the original driver that comes
with the printer and in fact, with XP, I haven't needed to install the
driver for this printer specifically. SO how would I go about it?



The questions below (except the last one) are not pertinent at this
point but will be useful for my knowledge.
If neither test page is OK then it is either the PC parallel port, the cable or
the printer formatter (in the latter case a new printer is cheaper than repair
unless you can get a second hand 4L and swap formatters)
Click to expand...

Wonder which peice is formatters in this 4L.
or you could have a failed memory module in the printer,
does the printer have extra memory (what does the test page say about the amount of memory in the printer?)?
Click to expand...

As far as I know, no extra memory. According to the internal printer
test page result, RAM is 1024K bytes. On the last line of thest page
result, I noticed the following:

Control Errors: 5 I/O

Is that error code referring to what's happening now?
 
I just etsted it. The answer is "No".



I want to try this now. I don't have the original driver that comes
with the printer and in fact, with XP, I haven't needed to install the
driver for this printer specifically. SO how would I go about it?



The questions below (except the last one) are not pertinent at this
point but will be useful for my knowledge.


Wonder which peice is formatters in this 4L.


As far as I know, no extra memory. According to the internal printer
test page result, RAM is 1024K bytes. On the last line of thest page
result, I noticed the following:

Control Errors: 5 I/O

Is that error code referring to what's happening now?
Click to expand...

Amanda
Delighted you have fixed your problem, well done.
The formatter is a circuit board inside the printer, it converts computer speak
to printer speak ( sorry that's technical speak ;-) ).
The control error 5 I/O has nothing to do with your problem and I would just
ignore it, to tell the truth I don't know what it means and I have not
researched it but it is probably a one off communications error or something
similar.
And the RAM (1024K) is standard for your printer.
Tony
 
Tony wrote:
[..]
Amanda
Delighted you have fixed your problem, well done.
The formatter is a circuit board inside the printer, it converts computer speak
to printer speak
Click to expand...
( sorry that's technical speak ;-) ).
Click to expand...
That's okay. I am not that technical illiterate. I just don't know the
hardware thing much.

In an A+ book, it talks about Laser Printer and I learned that with
laser printer, everytime I changed the cartridge, I get most of the
maintenance work done because replacement are incorprated in the
cartridge. BTW, one time, I tried using the generic brand from Office
Depot and it was a waste of money. I think I didn''t get even 50 % of
the usuage. The ink started smearing. So I only buy HP brand.

What do you think about cartrige refill on these laser printer
cartridges? Are these even refillable? If so, of course, it should not
be done unless I know how to do other maintennance work which I don't
even want to bother.
The control error 5 I/O has nothing to do with your problem and I would just
ignore it, to tell the truth I don't know what it means and I have not
researched it but it is probably a one off communications error or something
similar.
And the RAM (1024K) is standard for your printer.
Click to expand...

Do people add additonal memory or the additional memory comes as option
from the manufacturers? What's the best laser printer for home use
these days? And office jet?

In fact, I have an HP office jet 6110 All-in-one that needs cartridge
alignment - I hardly got to use it to fax and make copies but failed to
act on getting a replacement during 1 year manufacturing warranty
period when the alignment problem occured when I replace the
cartriadge. Long story why.

It was within 3 mos after purchase (purchase in June 2004 and got a
really good price with 7110 already out) that when I replaced the
cartridge, the alignment problem occured. It wasn't until almost 12
months that I contacted HP and was guided to resolve the problem. (I
don't have that instruction now though I remember asking her to send me
in email.)

Before I contacted HP, I went to an office depot store and told them
about it how I hardly got to use it - a couple of time to fax and
making just a few copies. The guy told me to contact HP and if it
didn't work to bing it back to the store. He was willing to give me a
replacement. I probably should have just taken it back and get a
replacement if this alignmnet problem was going to occur constantly.
It happened when the warrnty was over. Do you think it is a defect?

Anyway, I will start a new thread on getting this alignment problem
solved. I am not sure whether HP would help since the manufacturing
warranty period is over. I didn't buy extra warranty because a friend
of mine had it and he was very happy with it. It has all the features I
need occasinally.
 
amanda said:
Tony wrote:
[..]
Amanda
Delighted you have fixed your problem, well done.
The formatter is a circuit board inside the printer, it converts computer
speak
to printer speak
Click to expand...
( sorry that's technical speak ;-) ).
Click to expand...
That's okay. I am not that technical illiterate. I just don't know the
hardware thing much.

In an A+ book, it talks about Laser Printer and I learned that with
laser printer, everytime I changed the cartridge, I get most of the
maintenance work done because replacement are incorprated in the
cartridge. BTW, one time, I tried using the generic brand from Office
Depot and it was a waste of money. I think I didn''t get even 50 % of
the usuage. The ink started smearing. So I only buy HP brand.

What do you think about cartrige refill on these laser printer
cartridges? Are these even refillable? If so, of course, it should not
be done unless I know how to do other maintennance work which I don't
even want to bother.
The control error 5 I/O has nothing to do with your problem and I would just
ignore it, to tell the truth I don't know what it means and I have not
researched it but it is probably a one off communications error or something
similar.
And the RAM (1024K) is standard for your printer.
Click to expand...

Do people add additonal memory or the additional memory comes as option
from the manufacturers? What's the best laser printer for home use
these days? And office jet?

In fact, I have an HP office jet 6110 All-in-one that needs cartridge
alignment - I hardly got to use it to fax and make copies but failed to
act on getting a replacement during 1 year manufacturing warranty
period when the alignment problem occured when I replace the
cartriadge. Long story why.

It was within 3 mos after purchase (purchase in June 2004 and got a
really good price with 7110 already out) that when I replaced the
cartridge, the alignment problem occured. It wasn't until almost 12
months that I contacted HP and was guided to resolve the problem. (I
don't have that instruction now though I remember asking her to send me
in email.)

Before I contacted HP, I went to an office depot store and told them
about it how I hardly got to use it - a couple of time to fax and
making just a few copies. The guy told me to contact HP and if it
didn't work to bing it back to the store. He was willing to give me a
replacement. I probably should have just taken it back and get a
replacement if this alignmnet problem was going to occur constantly.
It happened when the warrnty was over. Do you think it is a defect?

Anyway, I will start a new thread on getting this alignment problem
solved. I am not sure whether HP would help since the manufacturing
warranty period is over. I didn't buy extra warranty because a friend
of mine had it and he was very happy with it. It has all the features I
need occasinally.

Tony
Click to expand...
Click to expand...

Laser cartridge refilling is OK for home users but there are some traps, it is
important to empty the waste toner compartment and in most cartridges only one
refill is possible before drum replacement is done. In fact some cartridges
need drum replacement every refill (not your cartridge however). There are
other components that wear in the cartridges.
Professional commercial remanufacturers manage all of these things and they
only buy high quality toner, replacement drums, rollers and blades. Refilling
toner cartridges at home is not for the faint hearted but can save lots of
money if you are prepared to put in the research. Alternatively, remanufactured
cartridges are available and are cheaper than OEM versions - in general they
are every bit as good as OEM.
Tony
 
I just etsted it. The answer is "No".


Yes.
Click to expand...

If the printer's own test page is okay, but the Windows one is not,
the problem is that there is a bad communication between the printer
and the PC.
You've already checked the cable.

So work out if the problem is with the printer end or the PC.

Can you try the printer on another PC?
(The 4L uses a standard PCL5 driver that is included in Windows.)
If that works the problem is your PC

Can you try another (parallel port) printer on your PC?
If that works the problem is the printer; and if the internal port is
bad, it's uneconomic, if possible at all, to fix, considering you can
buy a used 4L for about $30.

If another printer also fails then the problem is your PC.

If it worked before the BIOS settings should be okay, but check them
anyway.

If it looks like your printer port is bad, you can get a PCI parallel
port card for about $20. Disable the original port in BIOS.


*** Free account sponsored by SecureIX.com ***
*** Encrypt your Internet usage with a free VPN account from http://www.SecureIX.com ***
 
Tony wrote:
[..]
Laser cartridge refilling is OK for home users but there are some traps, it is
important to empty the waste toner compartment and in most cartridges only one
refill is possible before drum replacement is done. In fact some cartridges
need drum replacement every refill (not your cartridge however). There are
other components that wear in the cartridges.
Professional commercial remanufacturers manage all of these things and they
only buy high quality toner, replacement drums, rollers and blades. Refilling
toner cartridges at home is not for the faint hearted but can save lots of
money if you are prepared to put in the research. Alternatively, remanufactured
cartridges are available and are cheaper than OEM versions - in general they
are every bit as good as OEM.
Click to expand...

What does OEM refers to? Does the term apply to laser cartridge? If I
have seen that term, I don't remember at this moment.

How does one find remanufactured ones?
 
amanda said:
Tony wrote:
[..]
Laser cartridge refilling is OK for home users but there are some traps, it
is
important to empty the waste toner compartment and in most cartridges only
one
refill is possible before drum replacement is done. In fact some cartridges
need drum replacement every refill (not your cartridge however). There are
other components that wear in the cartridges.
Professional commercial remanufacturers manage all of these things and they
only buy high quality toner, replacement drums, rollers and blades. Refilling
toner cartridges at home is not for the faint hearted but can save lots of
money if you are prepared to put in the research. Alternatively,
remanufactured
cartridges are available and are cheaper than OEM versions - in general they
are every bit as good as OEM.
Click to expand...

What does OEM refers to? Does the term apply to laser cartridge? If I
have seen that term, I don't remember at this moment.

How does one find remanufactured ones?
Tony
Click to expand...
Click to expand...

Amanda
OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer...As a bit of history, in the
days when IBM was just beginning to see competition in the mainframe
marketplace from people who sold equipment to connect to IBM mainframes, IBM
used the term OEM to mean Other Equipment Manufacturers (a tad arrogant I
thought even though I worked for them at that time).
The term applies to laser cartridges as well as inkjets and to many other
things also. In your case it refers to HP who made the printer.
You should google for "Laserjet 4L toner cartridges" and look for a supplier of
compatible cartridges for your printer in your country. Or google for 92274A
which is the HP cartridge part number, you will get hundreds of hits. Stick to
a large supplier who guarantees their product, most laser cartrdige suppliers
will give the same warranty as HP.
Tony
 
amanda said:
Tony wrote:
[..]

Laser cartridge refilling is OK for home users but there are some traps, it is
important to empty the waste toner compartment and in most cartridges only one
refill is possible before drum replacement is done. In fact some cartridges
need drum replacement every refill (not your cartridge however). There are
other components that wear in the cartridges.
Professional commercial remanufacturers manage all of these things and they
only buy high quality toner, replacement drums, rollers and blades. Refilling
toner cartridges at home is not for the faint hearted but can save lots of
money if you are prepared to put in the research. Alternatively, remanufactured
cartridges are available and are cheaper than OEM versions - in general they
are every bit as good as OEM.
Click to expand...


What does OEM refers to? Does the term apply to laser cartridge? If I
have seen that term, I don't remember at this moment.

How does one find remanufactured ones?

Tony
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Original Equipment Manufacture(r) OEM
 
Tony said:
If neither test page is OK then it is either the PC parallel port, the
cable or
the printer formatter (in the latter case a new printer is cheaper than repair
unless you can get a second hand 4L and swap formatters) or you could have a
failed memory module in the printer, does the printer have extra memory (what
does the test page say about the amount of memory in the printer?)?
The only other cause I can think of is a possible PC memory failure, you can
download some free memory tests, google and try one of those.
Please post a follow up.
Click to expand...

I have a system that does this occasionally, generally it is because the
PC is overloaded, and restarting the PC sorts it out. Also I need to
leave the computer alone whilst it is spooling otherwise it will
generate some odd things like this (all being well a new machine should
arrive today!) Are you running many things on the computer at the same
time? Is there sufficient space on the hard disk that deals with the
printer spooler?
 
OEM means "Original Equipment Manufacturer". It refers to the product
that is made by or for the original company that made the hardware you
have purchased.

Art

amanda wrote:
 
Tony said:
amanda said:
Tony wrote:
[..]
[..]

What does OEM refers to? Does the term apply to laser cartridge? If I
have seen that term, I don't remember at this moment.

How does one find remanufactured ones?
Tony
Click to expand...
Click to expand...

Amanda
OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer...As a bit of history, in the
days when IBM was just beginning to see competition in the mainframe
marketplace from people who sold equipment to connect to IBM mainframes, IBM
used the term OEM to mean Other Equipment Manufacturers (a tad arrogant I
thought even though I worked for them at that time).
The term applies to laser cartridges as well as inkjets and to many other
things also. In your case it refers to HP who made the printer.
You should google for "Laserjet 4L toner cartridges" and look for a supplier of
compatible cartridges for your printer in your country. Or google for 92274A
which is the HP cartridge part number, you will get hundreds of hits. Stick to
a large supplier who guarantees their product, most laser cartrdige suppliers
will give the same warranty as HP.
Tony
Click to expand...

Thanks for the history on OEM and the tips on re-manufactured
cartridge. Quite a while back, I accidentally saw Laser Cartridge ad
for a good price but when the time came, I didn't want to take a chance
and didn't try to find it online. I am US btw. Would you know any
reliable vendor?

I googled it just now for HP 92274A and saw price as low as $22.95.
When clicked, saw that it's Generic and was giving 15% off (and hence
this price ) till end of April.There was a review and the it was
positive but I never saw the word
warranty.(http://www.supermediastore.com/newtoncarcom1.html?WT.mc_id=froogletoner)

Another one used the word "remanufactured"; says 100% Guaranteed.
(http://www.omni-sos.com/Itemdesc.asp?campaign=GOOGLE&ic=INK92274AR)
On the site, it uses the term "guarantee" but not warranty.

I did see one that gives 1 yr warranty on the ad (TonerPiate.com) but
when clicked, I don't see the warranty stated.

Would you (or anyone) know any a reliable vendor?
 
TONY DA TIGER IS IN DA BUSINESS DRUMMING UP SUPPORT
Tony wrote:

Tony wrote:
[..]
Click to expand...
[..]

What does OEM refers to? Does the term apply to laser cartridge? If I
have seen that term, I don't remember at this moment.

How does one find remanufactured ones?



Tony
Click to expand...
Amanda
OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer...As a bit of history, in the
days when IBM was just beginning to see competition in the mainframe
marketplace from people who sold equipment to connect to IBM mainframes, IBM
used the term OEM to mean Other Equipment Manufacturers (a tad arrogant I
thought even though I worked for them at that time).
The term applies to laser cartridges as well as inkjets and to many other
things also. In your case it refers to HP who made the printer.
You should google for "Laserjet 4L toner cartridges" and look for a supplier of
compatible cartridges for your printer in your country. Or google for 92274A
which is the HP cartridge part number, you will get hundreds of hits. Stick to
a large supplier who guarantees their product, most laser cartrdige suppliers
will give the same warranty as HP.
Tony
Click to expand...

Thanks for the history on OEM and the tips on re-manufactured
cartridge. Quite a while back, I accidentally saw Laser Cartridge ad
for a good price but when the time came, I didn't want to take a chance
and didn't try to find it online. I am US btw. Would you know any
reliable vendor?

I googled it just now for HP 92274A and saw price as low as $22.95.
When clicked, saw that it's Generic and was giving 15% off (and hence
this price ) till end of April.There was a review and the it was
positive but I never saw the word
warranty.(http://www.supermediastore.com/newtoncarcom1.html?WT.mc_id=froogletoner)

Another one used the word "remanufactured"; says 100% Guaranteed.
(http://www.omni-sos.com/Itemdesc.asp?campaign=GOOGLE&ic=INK92274AR)
On the site, it uses the term "guarantee" but not warranty.

I did see one that gives 1 yr warranty on the ad (TonerPiate.com) but
when clicked, I don't see the warranty stated.

Would you (or anyone) know any a reliable vendor?
Click to expand...
 
amanda said:
Tony said:
amanda said:
Tony wrote:
[..]
[..]

What does OEM refers to? Does the term apply to laser cartridge? If I
have seen that term, I don't remember at this moment.

How does one find remanufactured ones?

Tony
Click to expand...

Amanda
OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer...As a bit of history, in the
days when IBM was just beginning to see competition in the mainframe
marketplace from people who sold equipment to connect to IBM mainframes, IBM
used the term OEM to mean Other Equipment Manufacturers (a tad arrogant I
thought even though I worked for them at that time).
The term applies to laser cartridges as well as inkjets and to many other
things also. In your case it refers to HP who made the printer.
You should google for "Laserjet 4L toner cartridges" and look for a supplier
of
compatible cartridges for your printer in your country. Or google for 92274A
which is the HP cartridge part number, you will get hundreds of hits. Stick
to
a large supplier who guarantees their product, most laser cartrdige suppliers
will give the same warranty as HP.
Tony
Click to expand...

Thanks for the history on OEM and the tips on re-manufactured
cartridge. Quite a while back, I accidentally saw Laser Cartridge ad
for a good price but when the time came, I didn't want to take a chance
and didn't try to find it online. I am US btw. Would you know any
reliable vendor?

I googled it just now for HP 92274A and saw price as low as $22.95.
When clicked, saw that it's Generic and was giving 15% off (and hence
this price ) till end of April.There was a review and the it was
positive but I never saw the word
warranty.(http://www.supermediastore.com/newtoncarcom1.html?WT.mc_id=froogletoner)

Another one used the word "remanufactured"; says 100% Guaranteed.
(http://www.omni-sos.com/Itemdesc.asp?campaign=GOOGLE&ic=INK92274AR)
On the site, it uses the term "guarantee" but not warranty.

I did see one that gives 1 yr warranty on the ad (TonerPiate.com) but
when clicked, I don't see the warranty stated.

Would you (or anyone) know any a reliable vendor?
Click to expand...

Amanda
Under no circumstances would I recommend "generic" toner. Compatible on the
other hand is OK.
I do not know the US market and therefore cannot advise on a good local
supplier, however where I live the words guarantee and warranty are synonymous
and have equal legal standing, whether that is true in the US I cannot say.
Tony
 
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