Dell Model 3100N Laser Black Toner Usage?

[rrolsbe]

I purchased this printer about 6 weeks back and have been fairly happy
with my purchase. Last night I decided to check my toner levels via
the web interface. To my surprise the black level toner only showed
80% remaining, while the three color toner levels where as expected at
100%. According to the printer stats I have printed 360 sheets. I
have printed about six 8" x 10" color photo test prints, the remainder
have been standard black only text pages. In fact, since I have the
printer driver defaulted to draft mode, the majority of these black
only text pages where printed in that mode. The black toner cartridge
is rated at 4000 sheets at 5% coverage. Even if the printer is gauging
toner usage by a simple page count, the toner level should be at 90% or
better. Correct?

Any ideas or similar experiences?

Regards
Ron

 

[rrolsbe]

Title should have read 3100CN.

 

[rrolsbe]

I forgot to mention, in my original post, that I do not leave the
printer powered on while not in use. Since this is my home printer,
I only power it on when I need to print a document. I am not aware of
any laser printers that use/waste toner performing some kind of
cleaning cycle. True/False? Also, the printer goes through a
calibration cycle everytime I power the printer on and also fairly
often during print jobs. What exactly does this calibration cycle do?

Regards
Ron

 

[Fred Flintstone]

I purchased this printer about 6 weeks back and have been fairly happy
with my purchase. Last night I decided to check my toner levels via
the web interface. To my surprise the black level toner only showed
80% remaining, while the three color toner levels where as expected at
According to the printer stats I have printed 360 sheets.

Mine shows >400 pages printed and still at 100%.
(I've printed about 10 full-color pics, so far.
Color toners are all staill at 100%)