Brother HL-5240 toner questions

[bill]

Ohoh,
I bought my Brother HL-5240 about a year ago, and I have been
satisfied with it.
The original toner has been getting low (right side had minor smudge
on the right side
about 1 inch wide), so I opened the toner cartridge and added
some HP toner. I think that was a mistake, as the _whole_ page
became very muddy.
So, I took out all the toner and ran about 200 sheets through it to
clean out the toner.
Now, it prints with a single horizontal line 95mm from the top and a
smudge on the right side
about 1 inch wide. These are noticeable, and not acceptable.

I guess HP toner is not compatible with a Brother printer?

Is it possible to determine if I have damaged the drum?
A new drum costs just about the same as a new printer.

Is it possible that a Brother toner refill kit may solve this?
That is, maybe the current horizontal line and smudge is due to low
toner, not some defect in
the toner cartridge or drum? Is that possible?
I see that Frys sells a Meritline refill kit for $30.
In which case, I should probably try to clean out any remaining toner?

thanks for any comments.

 

[Tony]

Ohoh,
I bought my Brother HL-5240 about a year ago, and I have been
satisfied with it.
The original toner has been getting low (right side had minor smudge
on the right side
about 1 inch wide), so I opened the toner cartridge and added
some HP toner. I think that was a mistake, as the _whole_ page
became very muddy.
So, I took out all the toner and ran about 200 sheets through it to
clean out the toner.
Now, it prints with a single horizontal line 95mm from the top and a
smudge on the right side
about 1 inch wide. These are noticeable, and not acceptable.

I guess HP toner is not compatible with a Brother printer?

Is it possible to determine if I have damaged the drum?
A new drum costs just about the same as a new printer.

Is it possible that a Brother toner refill kit may solve this?
That is, maybe the current horizontal line and smudge is due to low
toner, not some defect in
the toner cartridge or drum? Is that possible?
I see that Frys sells a Meritline refill kit for $30.
In which case, I should probably try to clean out any remaining toner?

thanks for any comments.

Firstly Brother and HP toner is, as you have dicovered, incompatible. As a
general rule toner for one printer should never be used in another even if the
same manufacturer made the printer. There are exceptions to this but technical
knowledge is essential to make that assessment.
Secondly I suspect the problem is the drum, drums are a consumable item just
like toner and are expected to wear out and are as you say expensive. You may
have damaged it, it is impossible to know. The only other part of the priunter
that is likely to cause the problem you describe is the fuser and the cost of
one of those would make your eyes water!
Good luck
Tony
MS MVP Printing/Imaging