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Chapter9Printers

(:Title Chapter 9 - Printers

9.0 Printers

9.0.1 Introduction >9.0.1.1 Introduction

The image on this page shows a person feeding a piece of paper into a laser printer.

9.1 Common Printer Features

9.1.1 Characteristics and Capabilities >9.1.1.1 Characteristics and Capabilities of Printers

Image 1 on this page shows three printers, a dot matrix, an ink jet and a large industrial laser printer.

Image 2 on this page shows a CMYK colour wheel. See page notes for full description.

9.1.1 Characteristics and Capabilities >9.1.1.2 Wired Printer Connection Types

The figure on this page shows images of the following six printer connection types. See page notes for full description:

  • Serial
  • Parallel
  • SCSI
  • USB
  • FireWire
  • Ethernet

9.2 Types of Printers

9.2.1 Printer Types >9.2.1.1Inkjet Printers

Image 1 on this page shows an inkjet all in one printer that is able to do printing, scanning, and faxing. See page notes for full description.

Image 2 on this page shows a cut away diagram of an inkjet printer highlighting the following components:

  • Belt
  • Roller
  • Printhead
  • Ink Cartridge

9.2.1 Printer Types >9.2.1.2 Laser Printers

The image on this page shows a desktop laser printer. See page notes for full description.

9.2.1 Printer Types >9.2.1.3 Thermal Printers

The image on this page shows a thermal printer printing an image. See page notes for full description.

9.2.1 Printer Types >9.2.1.4 Impact Printers

The image on this page shows an impact printer also known as a dot matrix printer. See page notes for full description.

9.3 Installing and Configuring Printers

9.3.1 Installing and Updating Device Drivers, Firmware, and RAM >9.3.1.1 Installing a Printer

The image on this page shows the following typical materials that are packaged with an all-in-one printer:

  • Power cable
  • USB cable
  • Installation CD
  • User manual
  • Ink cartridges
  • Photo paper
  • Paper tray

9.3.1 Installing and Updating Device Drivers, Firmware, and RAM >9.3.1.2: Lab - Install a Printer in Windows 7

See IT Essentials 5.0 Labs and Worksheets Accessible Files

9.3.1 Installing and Updating Device Drivers, Firmware, and RAM >9.3.1.3: Install a Printer in Windows Vista

See IT Essentials 5.0 Labs and Worksheets Accessible Files

9.3.1 Installing and Updating Device Drivers, Firmware, and RAM >9.3.1.4: Install a Printer in Windows XP

See IT Essentials 5.0 Labs and Worksheets Accessible Files

9.3.1 Installing and Updating Device Drivers, Firmware, and RAM >9.3.1.5 Types of Print Drivers

The figure on this page shows the following table comparing Adobe Post- Script to Hewlett-Packard's P.C.L. See page notes for full description:

PostScript PCL
Page is rendered by the printer Page is rendered on local workstation
Better quality output Faster print jobs
Handles more complex print jobs Requires less printer memory
Output is identical on different printers Output varies slightly on different printers

9.3.1 Installing and Updating Device Drivers, Firmware, and RAM >9.3.1.6 Updating and Installing The image on this page shows a printer manufacturer’s Driver download web page.

9.3.1 Installing and Updating Device Drivers, Firmware, and RAM >9.3.1.7 Printer Test Page

The image on this page shows the General tab of a printer settings window with the Print Test Page button highlighted.

9.3.2 Configuring Options and Default Settings >9.3.2.1 Common Configuration Settings

The image on this page shows the Microsoft Word 2007 Print Preview window displaying the following printer configuration settings:

  • What pages to print
  • Duplex or One Sided
  • Collated
  • Orientation
  • Paper Size
  • Custom Margins.
  • Number of page per sheet

9.3.2 Configuring Options and Default Settings >9.3.2.2 Global and Individual Document Options

The image on this page shows the global printer configuration settings options. See page notes for full description.

9.3.3 Optimizing Printer Performance >9.3.3.1 Software Optimization

The image on this page shows the printer configuration window highlighting the orientation options.

9.3.3 Optimizing Printer Performance >9.3.3.2 Hardware Optimization

The figure on this page shows the process of removing a RAM add-on card from a printer and adding RAM modules to it and then reinstalling the card back into the printer.

9.4 Sharing Printers

9.4.1 Operating System Settings for Sharing a Printer >9.4.1.1 Configuring Printer Sharing

Image 1 on this page shows the Windows 7 Network and Sharing Centre window. See page notes for full description.

Image 2 on this page shows the Windows XP Printer Tasks dialog box. See page notes for full description.

9.4.1 Operating System Settings for Sharing a Printer >9.4.1.2 Wireless Printer Connections

The image on this page shows a printer that has Wi-Fi enabled and an Android tablet that has Wi-Fi enabled and is displaying the Cisco Network Academy website. The Wi-Fi printer is printing the Cisco Network Academy web page which it has received from the tablet over the Wi-Fi network.

9.4.2 Printer Servers >9.4.2.1 Purposes of Print Servers

The image on this page shows an all in one printer connected to a print server that is connected to a switch.

9.4.2 Printer Servers >9.4.2.2 Hardware, Dedicated, and Computer Shared Print Servers

The image on this page shows the Windows XP Printer Tasks dialog box.

9.4.2 Printer Servers >9.4.2.3: Lab - Share a Printer in Windows 7

See IT Essentials 5.0 Labs and Worksheets Accessible Files

9.4.2 Printer Servers >9.4.2.4: Share a Printer in Windows Vista

See IT Essentials 5.0 Labs and Worksheets Accessible Files

9.4.2 Printer Servers >9.4.2.5: Share a Printer in Windows XP

See IT Essentials 5.0 Labs and Worksheets Accessible Files

9.5 Preventive Maintenance Techniques for Printers

9.5.1 Printer Preventive Maintenance >9.5.1.1 Vendor Guidelines

The image on this page shows a laser printer maintenance kit. This includes the following components:

  • Fuser Assembly
  • Transfer Rollers
  • Separation Pads
  • Pickup Rollers

9.5.1 Printer Preventive Maintenance >9.5.1.2 Replacing Consumables

The image on this page shows a printer monitoring window displaying the estimated ink levels displayed as graphic representations of the installed ink cartridges.

9.5.1 Printer Preventive Maintenance >9.5.1.3 Cleaning Methods

The image on this page shows a printer services window listing printer services such as:

  • Align Ink cartridges
  • Clean Ink cartridges
  • Print diagnostic information
  • Clean printer

9.5.1 Printer Preventive Maintenance >9.5.1.4 Operational Environment

The figure on this page shows a table listing the following Operating Environment Guidelines:

  • Keep paper dry
  • Keep printer in a cool, dust free environment
  • Store toner in a clean, dry environment
  • Clean glass on scanners

9.5.1 Printer Preventive Maintenance >9.5.1.5: Worksheet - Search for Certified Printer technician Jobs

See IT Essentials 5.0 Labs and Worksheets Accessible Files

9.6 Basic Troubleshooting Process for Printers

9.6.1 Applying the Troubleshooting Process to Printers >9.6.1.1 Identify the Problem

The figure on this page shows the following table listing the first step in troubleshooting printer problems:

Step 1: Identify the Problem
Open-Ended Questions.
  • What problems are you experiencing with your printer or scanner?
  • What software or hardware has been changed recently on your computer?
  • What were you doing when the problem was identified?
  • What error messages have you received?
Close-ended Questions
  • Is the printer under warranty?
  • Can you print a test page?
  • Is this a new printer?
  • Is the printer powered on?

9.6.1 Applying the Troubleshooting Process to Printers >9.6.1.2 Establish a Theory of Probable Cause

The figure on this page shows the following table listing the second step in troubleshooting printer problems:

Step 2: Establish a Theory of Probable Cause
Common causes of printer problems.
  • Loose cable connections
  • Paper jams
  • Equipment power
  • Low ink warning
  • Out of paper
  • Errors on equipment display
  • Errors on computer screen

9.6.1 Applying the Troubleshooting Process to Printers >9.6.1.3 Test the Theory to Determine Cause

The figure on this page shows the following table listing the third step in troubleshooting printer problems:

Step 3: Test the Theory to Determine Cause
Common steps to determine cause.
  • Restart the printer or scanner
  • Disconnect and reconnect the cables
  • Restart the computer
  • Check printer for paper jams
  • Reseat paper in paper trays
  • Open and close printer trays
  • Ensure printer doors are closed
  • Install a new ink or tone cartridge

9.6.1 Applying the Troubleshooting Process to Printers >9.6.1.4 Establish a Plan of Action to Resolve the Problem and Implement the Solution

The figure on this page shows the following table listing the fourth step in troubleshooting printer problems:

Step 4: Establish a Plan of Action to Resolve the Problem and Implement the Solution
If no solution is achieved in the previous step, further research is needed to implement the solution.
  • Helpdesk Repair Logs
  • Other Technicians
  • Manufacturer FAQs
  • Technical Websites
  • Newsgroups
  • Computer Manuals
  • Device Manuals
  • Online Forums
  • Internet Search

9.6.1 Applying the Troubleshooting Process to Printers >9.6.1.5 Verify Full System Functionality and Implement Preventive Measures

The figure on this page shows the following table listing the fifth step in troubleshooting printer problems:

Step 5: Verify Full System Functionality and if Applicable Implement Preventative Measures
Verify full functionality
  • Reboot the computer
  • Reboot the printer
  • Print a test page from the printer control panel
  • Print a document from an application
  • Print a document from a application
  • Reprint the customer's problem document

9.6.1 Applying the Troubleshooting Process to Printers >9.6.1.6 Document Findings, Actions, and Outcomes

The figure on this page shows the following table listing the sixth step in troubleshooting printer problems:

Step 6: Document Findings, Actions, and Outcomes
Document your findings, actions, and outcomes.
  • Discuss the solution implemented with the customer
  • Have the customer verify the problem has been solved
  • Provide the customer with all paperwork
  • Document the steps taken to solve the problem in the work order and the technician’s journal
  • Document any components used in the repair
  • Document the time spend to resolve the problem

9.6.2 Common Problems and Solutions for Printers >9.6.2.1 Identify Common Problems and Solutions

The figure on this page shows the following table listing common laptop problems and solutions:

Identify the Problem Probable Cause Possible Solutions
An application document does not print. There is a document error in the print queue Manage the print jobs by cancelling the document from the print queue and print again.
Printer cannot be added or there is a printer spooler error. The printer service is stopped or not working properly. Start the print spooler and if necessary reboot the computer.
Printer jobs are sent to the print queue but are not printed. The printer has been installed on the wrong port. Use printer properties and settings to configure the printer port.
Print queue is functioning properly but the printer does not print.
  • There is a bad cable connection.
  • The printer is in standby.
  • The printer has an error such as out of paper, out of toner, or paper jam
  • Check for bent pins on the printer cable and check the printer cable connections to the printer and computer.
  • Manually resume printer from standby, or power cycle the printer.
  • Check the printer status and correct any errors.
Printer is printing unknown characters or does not print a test page Wrong or outdated printer driver is installed. Uninstall the current printer driver and install the correct print driver.
Printer prints unknown characters or does not print anything.
  • Printer may be plugged into a UPS.
  • Incorrect printer driver installed.
  • Printer cables are loose.
  • No paper in printer.
  • Plug the printer directly into the wall outlet or surge protector.
  • Uninstall incorrect printer driver and install correct printer driver.
  • Secure printer cables.
  • Add paper to the printer.
Paper jams when printing.
  • Printer is dirty.
  • The wrong paper type is being used.
  • Humidity causes the paper to stick together.
  • Clean the printer.
  • Replace paper with the manufacture's recommended paper type.
  • Insert new paper in the paper tray.
The print jobs are faded.
  • Toner cartridge is low.
  • The tone cartridge is defective.
  • The paper is incompatible with the printer.
  • Replace the toner cartridge.
  • Replace the paper
The toner is not fusing to the paper
  • The toner cartridge is empty.
  • Toner cartridge is defective.
  • The paper is incompatible with the printer.
  • Replace the toner cartridge.
  • Replace the paper.
The paper is creased after printing
  • The paper is defective.
  • The paper is loaded incorrectly.
  • Remove the paper from printer, check for defects, and replace.
  • Remove, align, and replace the paper.
The paper is not being fed into the printer
  • The paper is wrinkled.
  • Printer set to print to a different paper size than currently loaded.
  • Remove the wrinkled paper from print tray.
  • Change paper size in print settings.
User receives a "Document failed to print" message
  • A cable is loose or disconnected.
  • A printer is no longer shared.
  • Check and reconnect the parallel, USB, or power cable.
  • Configure the printer for sharing.
User receives an "Access Denied" message when trying to install a printer User does not have administrative or power user privileges. Log out and log in as an administrator or power user.
Printer is printing incorrect coloures
  • Print cartridge is empty.
  • Print cartridge is defective.
  • Incorrect cartridge installed.
  • Print heads needs to be cleaned and calibrated.
  • Replace the printer cartridge.
  • Clean and calibrate the printer using the supplied software.

9.7 Printers

9.7.1 Summary >9.7.1.1 Summary

The image on this page shows a person feeding a piece of paper into a laser printer.

End of Chapter 9: Printers.

Next - Chapter 10: Security.

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Page last modified on March 26, 2015, at 12:57 PM