Magicolor 2300DL printing problems (prints from PDF but not from Word?)

[trojan.hussar]

I previously posted a query regarding a Magicolor 2300DL and a false
paper jam issue.

I have since found a workaround but not actually solved the original
problem. It appears that if I print a document to PDF and then print
the PDF it works fine.

If I try to print directly from Word the printer picks up the paper and
draws it a couple of inches into the printer and then reports 'Media
Error - Tray 1', if I open the right printer door and close it the
printer picks it up and carries on printing (after a considerable wait
as it warms up again).

If I try to print multi-page documents the first page goes into the
printer fine and begins to emerge from the top, but the second page is
drawn a couple of inches into the printer and this then generates
'Media Error - Fuser'.

I think it's a timing issue with the paper feed and the engineers
service manual agrees, but Minolta's answer is a blanket "we will
repair it for £175" they've ignored any requests for information on
the variable resistors that control the paper speed and timing.

Not sure I'd ever trust a Konica Minolta printer again, this one has
managed a little under 4,500 pages and has only just managed to use up
the low-capacity toner cartridges it was supplied with and it's out of
warranty and Minolta don't seem to care...

Regards,
TH.

 

[Arthur Entlich]

A few comments.

1) The first error *MAY* be the result of a preference setting in Word
being set incorrectly for that printer or paper media type. That could
include paper size, tray number, landscape versus portrait positioning
of the print versus paper orientation, etc.

2) One reason Konica-Minolta may take the approach they do is that the
printer is basically being given away for free based upon current value
of the consumables that are provided with the printer. I figured out at
current cost of this printer, it could be cheaper to buy several units
and use the consumables up from the second printer in the first one, if
it lasts that long (;-)), and then sell or give away the second printer,
if you use OEM consumables, that is.

Art

 

[trojan.hussar]

A few comments.

1) The first error *MAY* be the result of a preference setting in Word
being set incorrectly for that printer or paper media type. That could
include paper size, tray number, landscape versus portrait positioning
of the print versus paper orientation, etc.

I've tried this and unfortunately it appears to be a faulty printer, it
was working and then suddenly stopped without any perceptible change.
It's also worth noting that the fault occurs when printing from
different versions of Word on different PCs (this printer is
networked).

2) One reason Konica-Minolta may take the approach they do is that the
printer is basically being given away for free based upon current value
of the consumables that are provided with the printer. I figured out at
current cost of this printer, it could be cheaper to buy several units
and use the consumables up from the second printer in the first one, if
it lasts that long (;-)), and then sell or give away the second printer,
if you use OEM consumables, that is.

Unfortunately this arguement rarely holds true when most manufacturers
supply toner cartridges which are virtually empty compared to the
replacements. The cartridges in the 2300DL were only 1500 page
capacity, compared to the replacement (i.e. full) cartridges which are
rated at 4500 pages.

I've refilled the black cartridge myself at a cost of around 25% that
of a new cartridge and the printer had no problems. Unfortunately I now
have a printer which needs new toner (C, M & Y) and I'm not convinced
that I want to spend money on repairing a potentially unreliable
printer.

The £175 repair plus the £90 of toner it needs would however make it
borderline as to whether I should buy a new printer or repair/refill
this one. My eco-friendly half says its a terrible waste of resources
to junk a relatively unused printer (under 4500 pages on a two year old
printer supposedly with a monthly duty cycle of 35000 pages). My
corpulent capitalist half says I should ditch the printer whose
manufacturer has a poor idea of customer service and take my money
elsewhere.

Regards,
TH.

 

[Arthur Entlich]

I feel you pain (or at least your conviction) ;-)

Just to be clear, I was not trying to justify Konica-Minolta's possible
position about this being a toss away printer, I find that business
model unconscionable, but it may be how they think, none the less. I am
indeed aware of the 1500 copies (at 5%) versus the 4500 copies (at 5%)
the replacement cartridges offer. I also looked into the cost of the
transfer belt replacement and other consumables. The whole situation
just upset me regarding the toner costs versus the printer cost, and
decided not to buy it at all.

Who would have thought this miserable business model would go from razor
blades to instant film cameras, to inkjet printers to color laser printers.

Sad, eh?

Art