HP deskjet 940C loading 4X6 photo paper (with tab)

[jeffkmyers]

Hi. Can't figure out how to use my HP deskjet 940C with 4X6 photo
paper (with tab). How do you load the paper? Printer won't print,
says NO PAPER.
Thanks!
Jeff

 

[measekite]

If athe manual does not clearly inform you then call HP Tech Support.
They are very good.

 

[jeffkmyers]

Thank you, that is clearly the most intelligent wayto go. I can't
find my manual, and I haven't called tech support for a computer issue
in years...I've always relied on friends' advice, if I can't figure it
out (or break it) myself!
Usually tech support makes my blood pressure go thru thr roof....

 

[measekite]

You are welcome. Tech Support knows much more than the wannabees here.

 

[Richard Steinfeld]

Hi. Can't figure out how to use my HP deskjet 940C with 4X6 photo
paper (with tab). How do you load the paper? Printer won't print,
says NO PAPER.
Thanks!
Jeff

I downloaded the manual for the 940c from the HP web site.

Richard

 

[Airman Thunderbird]

From the manual, (available online)
defining a custom paper size
1. Open the file you want to print.
2. Follow one of these paths to select your print options, depending on the
software program you are using:
• Click File > Print, then select Properties
–or–
• Click File > Print Setup, then select Properties
–or–
• Click File > Print > Setup, then select Properties.
The printer properties box appears with Setup, Features, and Advanced
tab options.
3. Select the Setup tab, then select User Defined Paper Size in the
Paper Size
option.
The User Defined Paper Size dialog box appears.
4. Select the width and length settings for your custom paper size.
Paper width must be between 77 and 215 mm (3 x 8.5 in). Paper length
must be between 127 and 356 mm (5 x 14 in).
5. Click OK to return to the Setup screen.
6. Click Apply, then click OK to accept the new settings.
7. Click OK to print.
printing guidelines
• If the paper you are using is smaller than 100 x 148 mm (4 x 5.6 in),
do not use the In tray. Use the printer’s single envelope slot to load the
paper or other media one sheet at a time.
• Custom paper sizes cannot be used when you select poster or banner
printing.

 

[Tony]

No need to ask HP, someone else has posted the information from the user manual
and it is available on-line.
The thing that concerns me is that your printer is saying "No Paper", unless I
am mistaken this printer has no paper tray sensor so it does not know if paper
is loaded or not. In that case the "No Paper" message is posted by the printer
because paper failed to reach a sensor in the printer in a specified time. That
means the paper is not being fed correctly. This could be for several reasons.
Paper thickness, worn pick up roller(s) or incorrect loading of the paper in
the tray.
So follow the manual and make sure you have the paper correctly loaded, if
there is a paper thickness lever then set that to thicker rather than thinner
and if that fails you may have a roller problem. They can be cleaned with
Isopropyl Alcohol (although some people debate this, I have found it to work
for a long time) or with just a damp cloth.
Tony

 

[Richard Steinfeld]

Tony wrote:...

you may have a roller problem. They can be cleaned with

Isopropyl Alcohol (although some people debate this, I have found it to work
for a long time) or with just a damp cloth.

I have used isopropyl alcohol (strong: 92% and up) and methyl alcohol
for decades cleaning rubber drive parts in audio equipment. I have had
-zero- problems with these liquids; if anything, regular use has
prolonged the life of the rubber! This has been especially true where
oil could contaminate and attack the rubber.

However, ethanol (ethyl alcohol) has been a disaster, destroying the
same rubber parts. I wonder if people who write manuals just repeat what
they read in other places over and over again without applying any
thought to their plagaurism. This is, of course, especially true of
documentation from the Orient, where people with an imperfect knowledge
of English are put in the position of turning out manuals, and don't
even realize that they're using the wrong words and writing nonesense.

Is there any real reason that anyone knows why isopropyl alcohol should
not be used on HP's rubber rollers?

And by the way, how does one go about getting at the 940C's rollers in
order to clean them? HP has an on-line document for the 900 series that
recommends cleaning the rollers, but gives no information about how to
do it!

Richard

 

[Tony]

Tony wrote:...

you may have a roller problem. They can be cleaned with

I have used isopropyl alcohol (strong: 92% and up) and methyl alcohol
for decades cleaning rubber drive parts in audio equipment. I have had
-zero- problems with these liquids; if anything, regular use has
prolonged the life of the rubber! This has been especially true where
oil could contaminate and attack the rubber.

However, ethanol (ethyl alcohol) has been a disaster, destroying the
same rubber parts. I wonder if people who write manuals just repeat what
they read in other places over and over again without applying any
thought to their plagaurism. This is, of course, especially true of
documentation from the Orient, where people with an imperfect knowledge
of English are put in the position of turning out manuals, and don't
even realize that they're using the wrong words and writing nonesense.

Is there any real reason that anyone knows why isopropyl alcohol should
not be used on HP's rubber rollers?

And by the way, how does one go about getting at the 940C's rollers in
order to clean them? HP has an on-line document for the 900 series that
recommends cleaning the rollers, but gives no information about how to
do it!

Richard

Firstly the question of Isopropyl Alcohol....
I have been using it for years with great success but someone with detailed
knowledge of the roller constituents may have more knowledge than me about what
damage can be done using this substance. For me the question is simple, if the
printer is not feeding paper and you can get a good deal of extra life this way
then why not? The alternative of replacing the rollers is not practicable.
Someone with chemical knowledge may well have more to say about this.
The rollers are not too hard to get at, there are two sets.
The rear set in the turnaround station is easy, just remove the back door (or
duplexer if fitted) and the rollers are in clear view and can be turned gently
by hand.
The front set really needs the cover removed but are partly visible if you open
the top cover, they can be turned using a gear to the left but with some
difficulty (much easier with the cover off).
Removing the cover requires the carriage to be moved away from the service
station (at right) by pulling the power cord when the carriage is away from the
station. Remove two screws under the top cover, there are two clips at the rear
(outside the cover and operated by plastic tabs with the back door removed) and
two at the front but a little difficult to get at without a long screwdriver
you can see the clips at left and right inside the printer....there is a bit of
a knack to this. Then unplug the cable to the control panel with great care.
Tony