Printers Unit objectives: Compare and contrast printing technologies Install printers Optimize printing and perform routine maintenance tasks for printers Troubleshoot printer problems

Topic A Topic A: Printing technologies Topic B: Printer installation Topic C: Printer optimization and maintenance Topic D: Printer troubleshooting

Dot-matrix printer Can print multipart forms Slow and noisy compared to other printer types Impact printer –Use mechanical means to press ink onto a page Near letter quality (NLQ)

Dot-matrix printer components 9- or 24-pin print head Pins pushed forward in patterns to strike ink ribbon 9-pin quality not as good as 24-pin Tractor feed and friction feed Horizontal and vertical perforations in paper Banners Preprinted forms require careful alignment Friction feed primarily for envelopes and single-sheet papers

Dot-matrix printer connections Serial Parallel Rare network interface Some have both serial and parallel

Dot-matrix options Font card slots Memory Paper feeders

Other impact printers Daisy wheel Band printer

Activity A-1 Examining the dot-matrix printing process

An inkjet printer Ink dispersion Forces ink through nozzles Nozzles are 50 to 60 microns in diameter Two methods: –Thermal bubble –Piezoelectric bubble

Inkjet process Thermal bubble technology Piezoelectric technology Ink cartridges

Inkjet cartridge print heads Print head part of cartridge New ink cartridge = new print head Makes cartridge more expensive

Inkjet print quality Standards –Laser printer for text –Darkroom photographs for graphics Affected by: –Resolution (dpi) of printer –Quality of paper –Quality of ink if printed page gets wet Dithering, also known as half-tones

Straight-through paper path

Curved paper path

Photo printers Good print quality Quality not quite as good as that of chemically produced prints Use special photo paper Some printers allow you to print CD/DVD labels

Printing onto a CD

Activity A-2 Examining how inkjet printers work

Laser printer Standard of quality for other printer types High-quality, high-volume Black-and-white, and color Dropping in price –Consumables can cost as much as printer

Laser printer components Toner cartridge Laser scanning assembly Power supplies Paper control and transport assembly Transfer corona assembly Fusing assembly Electronic control package

Toner cartridge components Hopper filled with toner EP drum Blade to remove used toner Corona charging assembly

Laser scanner assembly Laser Mirror Lens, or lenses

Power supplies High-voltage power supply (HVPS) Converts standard 120 volt AC to high-voltage electricity used by EP process DC power supply (DCPS) used to power components that dont require high voltages –For example, laser & fuser –+5V and -5V for the printers logic circuitry –+24V for the paper transport motors

Paper control and transport assembly Paper moves through series of rollers Rollers –Some guide paper –Some apply pressure to fuse toner

Transfer corona assembly Primary charge roller charged by HVPS Primary charge roller charges paper to accept toner Static charge eliminator strip drains charge Creates ozone – can cause respiratory illness –Laser printers employ ozone filters

Fusing assembly Composed of rollers and heating lamp Applies heat and pressure to adhere toner to page

Electronic control package Also known as printer control circuitry or main logic assembly Communicates with –Printer memory –Control panel –Computer

Laser printing process continued

Laser printing process, continued 1.Cleaning and erasing 2.Charging or conditioning 3.Writing or exposing 4.Developing 5.Transferring 6.Fusing Note: Some sources place the cleaning and erasing stage at the beginning of the process. Others place it at the end of the process. In either case, it prepares the drum for receiving and printing the next image.

Activity A-3 Examining how laser printers work

Other printer types Solid-ink Dye sublimation Thermal –Thermal wax transfer –Direct thermal –Thermal autochrome

Plotter Creates line images Uses pens Often available in large format for CAD drawings Draws smooth lines and curves

Additional printer types Snapshot printers Large-format printers

Activity A-4 Identifying other printer technologies

Topic B Topic A: Printing technologies Topic B: Printer installation Topic C: Printer optimization and maintenance Topic D: Printer troubleshooting

Main Windows print processes Client – includes GDI Spooler Printer – print language is translated to hardware directions for printing the job

Activity B-1 Examining the Windows printing process

Inkjet printer installation Most local printers connect via USB Windows autodetects and installs drivers Can install additional software from manufacturer

Ink-level monitoring utility

Printer interfaces USB Parallel SCSI Serial Wired or wireless Ethernet network connections

Inkjet communications interfaces Parallel interface USB interface

Configure the connection type SCSI Assign a unique device ID Parallel Specify the correct LPT port –Usually LPT1 Serial Specify the correct COM port –Usually COM2 –COM1 used for modem

Port identified for the printer

Installing an inkjet printer 1.Connect the printer to a computer, using the correct interface 2.Plug the printer in 3.Power it up 4.Windows will probably recognize the new device and install drivers for it 5.If drivers arent installed automatically, do it manually with materials that shipped with the printer

Upgrading a device driver Use Device Manager utility Follow prompts in wizard or use printer installation file Configure options for best performance

Laser printer setup Unpack from packaging Remove all packaging materials and tape Install toner cartridge –Remove tape insert from toner –Rock from side to side Might need to install drum or other components

Printer interfaces Parallel SCSI USB Serial IEEE 1394/FireWire Wired or wireless Ethernet network

Communications interfaces

Installing a printer 1.Connect the printer to the network or a computer, using the correct interface 2.Plug the printer in 3.Power it up 4.Windows will probably recognize the new device and install drivers for it 5.If drivers arent installed automatically, do it manually with the materials that shipped with the printer

Installing a network printer in Windows 7 1.In Windows 7, open Devices and Printers 2.Click Add a printer 3.Click Add a network, wireless or Bluetooth printer 4.Select the desired printer and click Next, or click The printer that I want isnt listed 5.If prompted, click Install driver 6.Enter a name for the printer and click Next 7.If desired, set as the default printer and print a test page 8.Click Finish

Installing a network printer in Vista 1.Open Printers 2.Click Add a printer 3.Click Add a network, wireless or Bluetooth printer 4.Select the desired printer and click Next, or click The printer that I want isnt listed. 5.If the printer isnt listed, you can: –Browse for it –Enter its share name –Enter TCP/IP address –Enter host name 6.If the print drivers are available on the network, Windows will prompt you to install them. Click Install driver. 7.Enter a name for the printer and click Next 8.If desired, set as the default printer and print a test page 9.Click Finish

Activity B-2 Installing a local printer

Topic C Topic A: Printing technologies Topic B: Printer installation Topic C: Printer optimization and maintenance Topic D: Printer troubleshooting

Printer configuration settings example

Printer configuration options Orientation Collation Copies Quality Color Order Switch print trays Spool settings Some configuration can be done through buttons on printer itself

Print queue Queue - waiting to be output on the printer To view - double-click printers icon in the Printers utility Users with Print permissions can, for their own documents: –Pause –Resume –Restart –Cancel Administrator can restart printer spooler service

Separator pages

Printer priorities Give priority to printouts of particular users or groups Configure on the Advanced tab of the printers Properties sheet In Windows Vista and Windows 2000 Professional, secure printer using Security tab of printers Properties sheet

Activity C-1 Optimizing printing

Printer options Dot-matrix printer options and upgrades –Paper park –Input/output trays –Font cartridges –Paper cutter Inkjet printer options and upgrades –Vary by manufacturer –Scanner head –Multifunction devices –Additional paper trays –Alternative media holders –PostScript upgrade kit continued

Printer options, continued Inkjet printer options and upgrades, continued –Batteries –Bluetooth adapter –Network card Laser printer options and upgrades –Page description languages –Input and output trays –Network connection –Internal hard disk –Duplexers Other types of printers options and upgrades

Activity C-2 Installing printer add-ons and upgrades

Printer maintenance Follow manufacturers guidelines Common tools –Cleaning solutions and sprays (isopropyl alcohol, denatured alcohol) –Cleaning equipment (soft cloths, cotton swabs) –Lubricants –Compressed air –Toner vacuums and toner rags or extension magnet brushes –Screwdrivers (to open compartments) –Chip puller

Safety Follow ESD safety precautions Keep dangling jewelry, neckties and long hair away from printer Handle components carefully Dont damage components or self when clearing paper jam Document maintenance steps in log

Dot-matrix printer maintenance Compressed air to blow out paper, dirt, and debris Mild household cleaners on exterior Rubbing alcohol to clean roller Use ESD precautions and remove neckties, watches, and jewelry; pull back and secure hair

Inkjet printer maintenance Change low ink cartridges Use recommended supplies Clean print nozzles and recalibrate printer Adjust ink output calibration for color matching Proper ventilation Remove dust Test page Calibrate ink output for color matching if available Set up with proper ventilation

Laser printer maintenance Scheduled maintenance and unscheduled service calls Routine maintenance –Replace toner cartridges –Clean and lubricate components –Replace components (parts-life counters) –Check and update firmware –Remove accumulated toner –Maintain adequate ventilation –Test page Follow safety precautions handling toner and around high-voltage power supplies

Consumables Keep adequate supply on hand Store in cool, dry locations

Activity C-3 Performing inkjet and laser printer maintenance tasks

Topic D Topic A: Printing technologies Topic B: Printer installation Topic C: Printer optimization and maintenance Topic D: Printer troubleshooting

Printer troubleshooting Application trying to print Printer Operating system and drivers Connection

Testing the application Close down and restart the application If you can print other files from that application, troubleshoot the file that wouldnt print If other files wont print, try printing from another application If you can print from another application, troubleshoot the application thats causing problems If you cant print from any applications, test the printer

Testing the printer Verify that its online and ready Check service error messages –Add media –Add supplies or Add toner –Regular maintenance –Paper jam –Incorrect media HP uses numerical error codes Engine test page

Operating system and drivers Print test page from printers Properties dialog box If test page prints, troubleshoot the application and driver settings If test page doesnt print, check: –Printer status –Driver –Port settings –Accessories and options –Event logs

Connections Network –Verify Internet/intranet access or access to another network server –Test TCP/IP connectivity –Consult with network technician Local –Cable –Different computer continued

Connections, continued Connectivity issues –Loose, broken, damaged, or improperly wired cables –Broken or malfunctioning network devices –Incorrect protocol, network settings, or TCP/IP settings –Bad network cards –Firmware –EMI –Wireless connection problems

Power supply Use multimeter to test J210 Pins: –Pin 1: +5V –Pin 5: -5V –Pin 9: +24V

Dark images

Light or weak images

Repetitive image defects

Ghosting and shadows

Smearing

Banding

Focus

Voided areas

Registration, jitters, skew

Misaligned color registration

Weak color, missing color

Vertical and horizontal lines

Black or blank pages

Transport/feed issues Media jamming Skewing Creasing, wrinkling, folding, and tearing Multiple sheets feeding in at one time (multifeeding); misdirected media (misfeeding) Burning

Transport/feed causes Foreign objects Damaged media Media feed problems Media feed timing Separation Duplex Fusing Media exit and delivery Faulty sensors

Activity D-1 Troubleshooting printer problems

Unit summary Compared and contrasted printing technologies Installed printers Optimized printing and performed routine maintenance tasks for printers Resolved printer problems