HP Laserjet 4L

[Michael J Davis]

... just stopped working. Switch on goes through the motions (ie. lights
and whirring) but nothing happens when we try to print.

Is there anything that can be done economically?

(I have 2 unused toner cartridges!!)

Mike

[The reply-to address is valid for 30 days from this posting]
--
Michael J Davis
<><
Some newsgroup contributors appear to have confused
the meaning of "discussion" with "digression".
<><

 

[thoss]

.. just stopped working. Switch on goes through the motions (ie. lights
and whirring) but nothing happens when we try to print.

Is there anything that can be done economically?

(I have 2 unused toner cartridges!!)

Hi Mike

Can it do test prints?

 

[Michael J Davis]

Hi Mike

Can it do test prints?

Hi, Tom (I didn't recognise you at first)!

Not from the computer. Was there one from the push button control?

Mike

[The reply-to address is valid for 30 days from this posting]
--
Michael J Davis
<><
Some newsgroup contributors appear to have confused
the meaning of "discussion" with "digression".
<><

 

[thoss]

Not from the computer. Was there one from the push button control?

I don't have a 4L. On my 4M Plus there is Menu/test menu/Self Test
which prints out a test page. I'm sure the 4L has something similar.
That should enable you to determine whether your problem is with the
printer or elsewhere.

 

[Tony]

I don't have a 4L. On my 4M Plus there is Menu/test menu/Self Test
which prints out a test page. I'm sure the 4L has something similar.
That should enable you to determine whether your problem is with the
printer or elsewhere.

The 4L test page is executed by pressing the button for 2 seconds.
Tony

 

[Chris]

Hi,

Does it come up with any error messages?

Hi Mike

Can it do test prints?

Hi, Tom (I didn't recognise you at first)!

Not from the computer. Was there one from the push button control?

Mike

[The reply-to address is valid for 30 days from this posting]
--
Michael J Davis
<><
Some newsgroup contributors appear to have confused
the meaning of "discussion" with "digression".
<><

 

[Michael J Davis]

Hi,

Does it come up with any error messages?

Chris,

Sorry to take too long, I had to get it out to check this.

1. Plugged it in. Inserted paper. Pressed button once briefly. Paper
ejected with test pattern.

2. Tried again, all lights came on.

3. Unplugged for two minutes. Replugged. Green light on. Pressed
button. All lights came on.

Could get it to stop all lights coming on.

Mike

[The reply-to address is valid for 30 days from this posting]
--
Michael J Davis
<><
Some newsgroup contributors appear to have confused
the meaning of "discussion" with "digression".
<><

 

[Allodoxaphobia]

Sorry to take too long, I had to get it out to check this.

1. Plugged it in. Inserted paper. Pressed button once briefly. Paper
ejected with test pattern.

2. Tried again, all lights came on.

3. Unplugged for two minutes. Replugged. Green light on. Pressed
button. All lights came on.

Could get it to stop all lights coming on.

From the HP LJ 4L "User Manual":

ALL LIGHTS ARE ON

If all the lights are on steadily, there is a hardware error.

Disconnect the power for 10 seconds then reconnect the printer to the
power source. If all 4 lights go on steadily again, try disconnecting
the power for 15 minutes. If the error still does not clear when you
reconnect the power, your printer needs service.

See Chapter 9, "Service and Support," for instructions about locating
your nearest authorized HP service dealer.

Of course, "... locating your nearest authorized HP service dealer "
will do you a fat lot of good.... :-/

Jonesy

 

[Tony]

Hi,

Does it come up with any error messages?

Chris,

Sorry to take too long, I had to get it out to check this.

1. Plugged it in. Inserted paper. Pressed button once briefly. Paper
ejected with test pattern.

2. Tried again, all lights came on.

3. Unplugged for two minutes. Replugged. Green light on. Pressed
button. All lights came on.

Could get it to stop all lights coming on.

Mike

[The reply-to address is valid for 30 days from this posting]
--
Michael J Davis
<><
Some newsgroup contributors appear to have confused
the meaning of "discussion" with "digression".
<><

When all the lights are on, press the front panel button and keep it pressed,
note which lights are on and post that information here, I will try to
interpret the light pattern for you.
Tony

 

[Michael J Davis]

From the HP LJ 4L "User Manual":

ALL LIGHTS ARE ON

If all the lights are on steadily, there is a hardware error.

Disconnect the power for 10 seconds then reconnect the printer to the
power source. If all 4 lights go on steadily again, try disconnecting
the power for 15 minutes. If the error still does not clear when you
reconnect the power, your printer needs service.

See Chapter 9, "Service and Support," for instructions about locating
your nearest authorized HP service dealer.

Of course, "... locating your nearest authorized HP service dealer "
will do you a fat lot of good.... :-/

Hi Jonesy.

Yes, (I do have a manual) all light do come on after it has attempted
and/or failed to produce a test print.

I posted here because of your final paragraph. ... and cost!

Shall I just dump it?

Mike

[The reply-to address is valid for 30 days from this posting]
--
Michael J Davis
<><
Some newsgroup contributors appear to have confused
the meaning of "discussion" with "digression".
<><

 

[Allodoxaphobia]

Yes, (I do have a manual) all light do come on after it has attempted
and/or failed to produce a test print.

I posted here because of your final paragraph. ... and cost!

Shall I just dump it?

That may be your only option -- if you have no electronics background.
The fix could be as simple as re-seating all the board-to-board cable
connectors. Or, it could be something as straight-forward as a power
supply problem. Or, it could be something as nasty as an intermittent,
proprietary 48-pin chip.

Only you know what your time is worth, and how you deal with
frustration.

It would be nice to have a 2nd 4L to swap parts with...

You could poke around on eBay. But, I just spent 3-4 minutes over there
and only came up with toner cartridges, mechanical parts, and several
"main boards" -- no whole units.

I bought my 4L several years ago for $15 at a second-hand store. I got
it to augment my HP LJ III that's been going strong since July 27, 1990.
(I paid $1,872,50 for the LJ III and the cancelled check is taped to the
top cover.)

GL,
Jonesy

 

[Tony]

Hi Jonesy.

Yes, (I do have a manual) all light do come on after it has attempted
and/or failed to produce a test print.

I posted here because of your final paragraph. ... and cost!

Shall I just dump it?

Mike

You could, or you could interrogate the seconday error codes as posted
previously.

"When all the lights are on, press the front panel button and keep it pressed,
note which lights are on and post that information here, I will try to
interpret the light pattern for you".

There are many secondary error codes, far too many to post here, but these
codes usually point to a failed unit in the printer and if you are lucky it
could be a simple fix. At least you would then have more complete informatioon.
Tony