vertical blocks of gray in print out

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pb

I have a DECLaser 5100 that worked well in the past. Lately every print it
generates has multiple vertical gray blocks on the text it prints. There
are also some fuzzy text printed on the gray areas while the main text is
printed black and fine. The fuzzy text seems to be a reprint from the text
3.5 inches above its actual location.

I don't print it often and the text still looks black, so I wonder if it's
a simple matter of changing a new cartridge. If it's not, then I could
waste $80. Please help in identifying the problem.

I've scanned the print and put it here for reference.

http://192.153.34.75/liu/print.jpg

Thanks,


cpliu
 
pb said:
I have a DECLaser 5100 that worked well in the past. Lately every print it
generates has multiple vertical gray blocks on the text it prints. There
are also some fuzzy text printed on the gray areas while the main text is
printed black and fine. The fuzzy text seems to be a reprint from the text
3.5 inches above its actual location.

I don't print it often and the text still looks black, so I wonder if it's
a simple matter of changing a new cartridge. If it's not, then I could
waste $80. Please help in identifying the problem.

I've scanned the print and put it here for reference.

http://192.153.34.75/liu/print.jpg

Thanks,


cpliu
Click to expand...

I believe this printer uses the Canon EX engine (Same as the HP Laserjet 4/5
series and other manufacturers laser printers)
There are two problems here.
Firstly the vertical gray blocks would appear to be a cartridge failure. This
looks almost certainly to be a wiper blade failure in the cartridge, this is
not uncommon in a cartridge that has not been used often and is getting quite
old. It is usually the first thing to fail in an infrequently used cartridge of
this type.
Secondly you are getting ghosting. It is essentail to measure the precise
distance between the original line and the ghost.
If the distance is 94 millimetres (3 11/6") then this is a drum failure in the
cartridge and probably related to the first problem. In this case cartridge
replacement is indicated.
If the distance is 79 millimetres (3 1/8") the second problem is a fuser roller
problem and can only be fixed by replacing or repairing the fuser itself.
Hopefully both problems are in the cartridge and I suspect this is likely, best
thing to do is measure the ghost distance exactly and take it from there.
The distances I have quoted are for an EX engine, it is possible that the fuser
in your printer could have different rollers to the standard engine in which
case the 79mm distance could be different, however the 94mm distance stands for
this cartridge whatever differences there are in different manufacturesr
printers. Hence the need to measure precisely.
Tony
 
Tony, thank you very much for your information. I measured the distance
(between the actual and ghost text), and it's exactly 94mm as you
described. I've not printed even over 1000 pages on the cartridge but
it's over 5 years old. I'll find a new cartridge for it.

Thanks again for your accurate and knowledgeable help.

cpliu
 
I've researched the cartridges a little bit. There are refill kits and
remanufactured toner cartridges available. With the condition of my
cartridges, it's probably not a good idea to refill. How about
remanufactured ones?
I've checked newegg and found Dataproducts 58800 Toner Cartridge
Replaces HP # 92298A - OEM
<http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...&Category=0&minPrice=&maxPrice=&Go.x=0&Go.y=0>
Does it work with DECLaser 5100? It does not mention my model but it
mentions HP LaserJet 4/5 in your reply.

Thanks for the help,

cpliu
 
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