Printer Recommendations Please

[TheScullster]

Hi all

Looking for a reliable network printer to replace an ailing HP4050 laser.
From the specs for the 4050:

Print speed 16ppm
First page time 15 seconds
Internal network card

Anyone recommend a suitable replacement for this please?
Are HP still in front in the printing game?
The existing device serves approx 10 people in Windows environment.

TIA

Phil

 

[Warren Block]

Looking for a reliable network printer to replace an ailing HP4050 laser.
From the specs for the 4050:

Print speed 16ppm
First page time 15 seconds
Internal network card

Anyone recommend a suitable replacement for this please?

I'd fix it rather than replace it. The 4050 is an easy printer to
repair. What's the page count and what problems is it having?

 

[TheScullster]

I'd fix it rather than replace it. The 4050 is an easy printer to
repair. What's the page count and what problems is it having?

Thanks Warren

I can't get a page count (I don't think)! Isn't that one of the options
that you can print off from the menu selection?
As it refuses to print at all, it's not available.
The problem occurs as soon as the paper is picked up from the input tray.
Paper feeds about halfway into the drive mechanism and seizes up.
Have to pull the paper back down the way it went!
Any pointers on a fix would be appreciated

Got to go now - end of the working day here in the UK!

Phil

 

[Warren Block]

I can't get a page count (I don't think)! Isn't that one of the options
that you can print off from the menu selection?

Yes, it shows on the self-test page.

As it refuses to print at all, it's not available. The problem occurs
as soon as the paper is picked up from the input tray. Paper feeds
about halfway into the drive mechanism and seizes up. Have to pull the
paper back down the way it went! Any pointers on a fix would be
appreciated

If the paper was feeding intermittently, I'd guess rollers. But it
sounds like a dead stop. Does it feed correctly from the fold-down
tray?

Remove the toner and look inside the printer for the green plastic
handle on the right side. Lift that to look under that black metal
strip for torn pieces of paper; don't touch the wide black roller with
your hands. I've found staples from reused paper inside these printers,
too.

If there's nothing there, pull out the paper tray, slide the printer to
the edge of the table, and look up into the tray slot with a flashlight.

 

[Steve Dell]

I've been very satisfied with my Dell CN3100 color, excuse me "colour,"
laser printer.

Steve

 

[TheScullster]

Remove the toner and look inside the printer for the **********green
plastic
handle********* on the right side. Lift that to look under that black
metal
strip for torn pieces of paper; don't touch the wide black roller with
your hands. I've found staples from reused paper inside these printers,
too.

Warren

Thanks and hope you are still following this thread!

Have discovered the point of the blockage but not the cause.
Yes the print does come to a dead stop, but it does this before it reaches
the lift up flap highlighted above.
There is a roller assembly immediately before the lift up flap (in fact the
lift up flap hinges on the spindle of the upper rollers).
The paper feeds through and stops just before these rollers.
I have slackened the 4 securing screws which hold the upper plastic roller
set down and cleaned the lower rollers as best as I can.
There were some small paper remnants evident.
Problem is that there are loads of springs and stuff associated with this
roller assembly and I suspect that removing the wrong screw (or the right
screws in the wrong order) will result in a minor parts explosion.

Do you know what drives that roller set? or how to safely dismantle this
further? it's as though these rollers should be driving, but aren't!
One difficulty is that the toner obscures what's happening at this point
when the machine is operating.

Any pointers gratefully received.

Phil

 

[Warren Block]

Thanks and hope you are still following this thread!

Have discovered the point of the blockage but not the cause.
Yes the print does come to a dead stop, but it does this before it reaches
the lift up flap highlighted above.
There is a roller assembly immediately before the lift up flap (in fact the
lift up flap hinges on the spindle of the upper rollers).
The paper feeds through and stops just before these rollers.
I have slackened the 4 securing screws which hold the upper plastic roller
set down and cleaned the lower rollers as best as I can.
There were some small paper remnants evident.
Problem is that there are loads of springs and stuff associated with this
roller assembly and I suspect that removing the wrong screw (or the right
screws in the wrong order) will result in a minor parts explosion.

There are parts diagrams at

http://www.printerworks.com/Catalogs/4K-Catalog/4K-AssblyContents.html#Parts

If there are drive rollers that aren't being powered, a gear may have
slipped on a shaft or even had teeth broken off. Before going into
that, pull out Tray 2 and check that the roller there still has some
tread; it's not much, but makes a big difference. While the tray is
out, also check the roller that's visible in the top of the tray slot.

Does paper feed correctly through the fold-down Tray 1?

 

[----------Dottie]

Hi all

Looking for a reliable network printer to replace an ailing HP4050 laser.
From the specs for the 4050:

Print speed 16ppm
First page time 15 seconds
Internal network card

Anyone recommend a suitable replacement for this please?
Are HP still in front in the printing game?
The existing device serves approx 10 people in Windows environment.

TIA

Phil

I have a HP5440 Deskjet.I can plug my digital camera with a usb that
fits it, a Pict Bridge it is called.It will print your pics on photo
paper.Really clear.It takes 2 ink cartrages & gets all the colors
perfect.It prints in B&W the same, very clear.
I love it,& use it a lot.

 

[TheScullster]

Before going into
that, pull out Tray 2 and check that the roller there still has some
tread; it's not much, but makes a big difference. While the tray is
out, also check the roller that's visible in the top of the tray slot.

Does paper feed correctly through the fold-down Tray 1?

Warren

Paper transports fine from either tray 2 or the fold down tray until it
reaches the roller arrangement beneath the toner cartridge (just before the
lift up flap you mentioned previously).
There is a coarse plastic comb-like arrangement and the paper feeds fine
beneath this, but seems to stop immediately before the small roller set.
The roller assembly concerned is the top arrangement noted "see diagram 280"
on this page :

http://www.printerworks.com/Catalogs/4K-Catalog/104_4KInternalComp_3.html

At that point the paper comes to a dead stop.
Presumably we are into a slipped gear or similar?

Any advice on dismantling this arrangement and what to look for please?
Or is the drive to this assembly accessible from elsewhere?

Thanks for your help Warren

Phil

 

[Warren Block]

Paper transports fine from either tray 2 or the fold down tray until it
reaches the roller arrangement beneath the toner cartridge (just before the
lift up flap you mentioned previously).
There is a coarse plastic comb-like arrangement and the paper feeds fine
beneath this, but seems to stop immediately before the small roller set.
The roller assembly concerned is the top arrangement noted "see diagram 280"
on this page :

http://www.printerworks.com/Catalogs/4K-Catalog/104_4KInternalComp_3.html

At that point the paper comes to a dead stop.
Presumably we are into a slipped gear or similar?

Any advice on dismantling this arrangement and what to look for please?
Or is the drive to this assembly accessible from elsewhere?

I've changed the subject, hopefully to attract Tony's attention.

In the meantime, taking the top off the printer is slightly annoying but
should expose the driving gears on the right side. A stripped gear
would probably make a noise, so I'd still suspect something else. For
that matter, it could be a blocked sensor. What does the display say
after the paper stops?

 

[Tony]

I've changed the subject, hopefully to attract Tony's attention.

In the meantime, taking the top off the printer is slightly annoying but
should expose the driving gears on the right side. A stripped gear
would probably make a noise, so I'd still suspect something else. For
that matter, it could be a blocked sensor. What does the display say
after the paper stops?

Thanks Warren, I often don't read messages about printer recommendations for a
couple of reasons. Now that I have read the thread I will try to help.

Phil
I understand that the behaviour is identical from both trays and the front edge
of the paper stops in the registration area (immediately under the toner
cartridge) is that right?
If you pull the paper back out of the printer (through the tray) is there any
sign of damage on the top edge of the paper? If there is then it is most
probably a tiny peice of paper stuck in the registration assembly. Do not be
tempted to remove the registration assembly without reading the service manual!
There is one screw that should not be removed and it is one that looks like it
holds the assembly in place, if you remove this screw you will have a tricky
time reinstalling a small spring that will jump out.
You can download the service manual from
http://www.image1products.com/techdocs/HP.htm and the screw in question is
clearly marked in the manual, it also describes how to remove the covers etc.
What is the error message you get, probably something like 13.xx (the xx is
important) and is it the same message from both trays?
Does the top of the paper actually get past the toner cartridge?
If there is no sign of damage to the leading edge of the page and the problem
occurs from both trays I suspect one of the following is the cause.
1. Toner cartridge, it is very rare that the cartridge will cause jams but I
have seen it.
2. There is a small black lever under the registration assembly, make sure that
it is free to pivot down into the body of the printer.
3. I have not seen the printer drive mechanism fail in one of these models
(they are excellent printers) but I guess it is possible, in that case I would
be looking for a worn gear.
4. Before you had this problem were both trays working OK, in other words did
you use both trays? Just exploring the very slim possibility that the rollers
have failed in both trays at the same time.
5. Check that the anti-static bar has not been pushed out of place (under the
registration assembly).
6. You may need to remove the paper feed assembly and check for paper fragments.

Sorry, the above is not in any particular order, just ideas that sprung to mind
as I typed.
The service manual will make most of what I have described clear.
Tony
MS MVP Printing/Imaging

 

[TheScullster]

Phil
I understand that the behaviour is identical from both trays and the front
edge
of the paper stops in the registration area (immediately under the toner
cartridge) is that right?
If you pull the paper back out of the printer (through the tray) is there
any
sign of damage on the top edge of the paper? If there is then it is most
probably a tiny peice of paper stuck in the registration assembly. Do not
be
tempted to remove the registration assembly without reading the service
manual!
There is one screw that should not be removed and it is one that looks
like it
holds the assembly in place, if you remove this screw you will have a
tricky
time reinstalling a small spring that will jump out.
You can download the service manual from
http://www.image1products.com/techdocs/HP.htm and the screw in question is
clearly marked in the manual, it also describes how to remove the covers
etc.
What is the error message you get, probably something like 13.xx (the xx
is
important) and is it the same message from both trays?
Does the top of the paper actually get past the toner cartridge?
If there is no sign of damage to the leading edge of the page and the
problem
occurs from both trays I suspect one of the following is the cause.
1. Toner cartridge, it is very rare that the cartridge will cause jams but
I
have seen it.
2. There is a small black lever under the registration assembly, make sure
that
it is free to pivot down into the body of the printer.
3. I have not seen the printer drive mechanism fail in one of these models
(they are excellent printers) but I guess it is possible, in that case I
would
be looking for a worn gear.
4. Before you had this problem were both trays working OK, in other words
did
you use both trays? Just exploring the very slim possibility that the
rollers
have failed in both trays at the same time.
5. Check that the anti-static bar has not been pushed out of place (under
the
registration assembly).
6. You may need to remove the paper feed assembly and check for paper
fragments.

Tony

Thanks for your input.
Responding to your points.........

The paper stops under the toner cartridge immediately before the rollers in
the registration assembly - it makes it through all the lead up "comb-type"
guides.
There is no damage evident on the leading paper edge when it is drawn
backwards through the paper path.

1 Have tried a known good toner cartridge and no change.
2 Is this lever visible or accessible without removing the registration
assembly? I have had a good look round (without removing the fixed printer
covers) and can't see a lever!
3 No action taken
4 Yes both removable trays and one drop down tray worked fine before
5 Does this require removal of the registration assembly?
6 No action taken yet

Stop press!
Tried printing the configuration via the manual drop down tray and it
worked! (this was certainly causing a jam before just like the other fixed
trays).
So tried printing from the fixed trays and these are now working!

Would appreciate your response to the above questions in any case, as I
suspect this is likely to be a recurring problem until the specific cause is
isolated and fixed.

Thanks again

Phil

 

[Tony]

Tony

Thanks for your input.
Responding to your points.........

The paper stops under the toner cartridge immediately before the rollers in
the registration assembly - it makes it through all the lead up "comb-type"
guides.
There is no damage evident on the leading paper edge when it is drawn
backwards through the paper path.

1 Have tried a known good toner cartridge and no change.
2 Is this lever visible or accessible without removing the registration
assembly? I have had a good look round (without removing the fixed printer
covers) and can't see a lever!
3 No action taken
4 Yes both removable trays and one drop down tray worked fine before
5 Does this require removal of the registration assembly?
6 No action taken yet

Stop press!
Tried printing the configuration via the manual drop down tray and it
worked! (this was certainly causing a jam before just like the other fixed
trays).
So tried printing from the fixed trays and these are now working!

Would appreciate your response to the above questions in any case, as I
suspect this is likely to be a recurring problem until the specific cause is
isolated and fixed.

Thanks again

Phil

Phil
If the printer is working now I really suspect that a scrap of paper was in the
way and that it has now been shifted. Very difficult now to do any diagnosis
but if it happens again please respond to this and we can take it from there.
Tony
MS MVP Printing/Imaging

 

[TheScullster]

If the printer is working now I really suspect that a scrap of paper was
in the
way and that it has now been shifted. Very difficult now to do any
diagnosis
but if it happens again please respond to this and we can take it from
there.
Tony

Many thanks Tony
The service book link is very useful

Phil