HP LaserJet 4M -- Yipes! Black stripes!

[James Sweet]

Thanks for the confirmation of my intuitive analysis.

It's a simple fix -- but who knows what it will cost?

That's what I would have suspected, except that you said images appear
normally, definitely requires some further investigation.

 

[Fred McKenzie]

I can buy a service manual on the Web for $7, so I won't be upset if you say
"Get the manual, ya lazy bum."

William-

There appears to be a downloadable manual a third of the way down the
page at
<http://www.eserviceinfo.com/service_manual/datasheets_h_2200.html>

It isn't clear whether you have to download three parts, or if all three
entries are the same.

Fred

 

[me]

Thanks for the advice. (I've cleaned the corona wire several times.)

I know you can't "hold my hand", but I need just a bit of advice -- is
it fairly easy to rip 'er apart? The cabinet "hangs" on the guts; its
not easy to see where you should start dismembering.

I can buy a service manual on the Web for $7, so I won't be upset if
you say "Get the manual, ya lazy bum."

check alt.binaries.e-book.technical...

 

[William Sommerwerck]

There appears to be a downloadable manual a third of the way down the

page at
<http://www.eserviceinfo.com/service_manual/datasheets_h_2200.html>

Another nice one. Thanks.

 

[William Sommerwerck]

That's one I've never run into. Do the images look perfect? What if you
print out a page that is just an image, rather than something that sends
truetype fonts or postscript? If bitmaps print perfectly then the problem is
likely something on the main processing board.

I agree. Really strange.

This is one of those cases where it's more important to get the thing
working, than -- as much as I would like to -- fully diagnose the problem.

 

[William Sommerwerck]

http://wiki.freegeek.org/index.php/Repair_of_Laserjet_Printers

Hey, that's neat. Thanks. Hopefully, I won't have to ask for a handhold.

 

[jakdedert]

You want my 2 cents worth?
It's convenient how HP was able to print an exact fault that would
point to a component that's not intended for the basic user to correct
and local supplier to have..

This only tells me that some where along the line the flaw was found
and the instruction manual updated until the end of production of that
version..

Simply solution. Buy a new Laser printer of a different model.

When you consider how many of these things are out there, probably every
thing that 'can' go wrong with them 'has' gone wrong. Why wouldn't
there be symptom/cause info available? Further, the engine in these
printers are very similar to others.

That said, my HP 3200m's (two of them) have a model specific, known,
fault which reared it's ugly head even before I got them. I spent $25
on phone support and they sent me two new BIOS cards Next Day Air for no
additional charge. However, now several years later, one is showing the
same symptoms as before. So far, I can cycle power and clear the '79
Service Error' condition, but I expect when it finally won't go away
I'll look for a new printer/fax/copier/scanner unit.

They've been pretty good to me, considering the investment of around
$125 for two.

jak

 

[jakdedert]

Thanks for the advice. (I've cleaned the corona wire several times.)

I know you can't "hold my hand", but I need just a bit of advice -- is it
fairly easy to rip 'er apart? The cabinet "hangs" on the guts; its not easy
to see where you should start dismembering.

I can buy a service manual on the Web for $7, so I won't be upset if you say
"Get the manual, ya lazy bum."

Likely it's downloadable from HP's site. All the ones I ever needed
were. Actually 'having' the service manual is a joy on this sort of gear.

Otherwise, just start unscrewing things....

jak

 

[Michael A. Terrell]

You want my 2 cents worth?

Yes, if it's ever worth the 2 cents.

It's convenient how HP was able to print an exact fault that would
point to a component that's not intended for the basic user to correct
and local supplier to have..

I see that you're stil as stupid as ever.

This only tells me that some where along the line the flaw was found
and the instruction manual updated until the end of production of that
version..

maybe wher you work works that way. HP doesn't.

Simply solution. Buy a new Laser printer of a different model.

More bad advice from Jamie.

Why don't you create so you'll be right, once in a while?


--
Service to my country? Been there, Done that, and I've got my DD214 to
prove it.
Member of DAV #85.

Michael A. Terrell
Central Florida

 

[Dave22]

I have been maintaining several LJ4s 5s and 6s for our office and the
best place I found for information and parts is.

http://www.printerworks.com/

They mainain individual parts and kits for most of these older HP
printers and have been able to diagnose many problems over the phone.

Parts and kit prices have also been excellent.

Dave22

 

[Jamie]

Yes, if it's ever worth the 2 cents.






I see that you're stil as stupid as ever.






maybe wher you work works that way. HP doesn't.







More bad advice from Jamie.

Why don't you create so you'll be right, once in a while?

I see I must create a filter for here also to cover you, asshole.

For your information. We had one of those units at work and had it
repair a few times for that exact problem. I never knew it was in the
owners manual how ever, since we have a service tech that comes in for
us to handle those things. It's sitting happy in a land fill some where
or maybe recycled into some chinese product by now.





http://webpages.charter.net/jamie_5"

 

[Michael A. Terrell]

I see I must create a filter for here also to cover you, asshole.

For your information. We had one of those units at work and had it
repair a few times for that exact problem. I never knew it was in the
owners manual how ever, since we have a service tech that comes in for
us to handle those things. It's sitting happy in a land fill some where
or maybe recycled into some chinese product by now.

http://webpages.charter.net/jamie_5"

That's right, you illiterate piece of crap. Anyone who disagrees
with you is an 'asshole'.

You still can't read. The error codes were in the SERVICE manual,
and the fact that YOU can't keep an item working doesn't mean that
everyone else is incapable of repairing the same model, for the same
problem. In other words: IF YOU CAN'T GIVE USEFUL ADVICE, SHUT YOUR BIG
MOUTH.


--
Service to my country? Been there, Done that, and I've got my DD214 to
prove it.
Member of DAV #85.

Michael A. Terrell
Central Florida

 

[Andy Cuffe]

My LaserJet 4M has suddenly developed a serious problem -- just as I need it
to get out some important documents.

It's printing black lines across the width of the paper, about 1/8" to 1/4"
wide. They occur randomly (two to three per page) and look as if someone has
run a Magic Marker across the document.

If the lines are horizontal when looking at a portrait page, then it's
probably not the toner cartridge. It could be the laser, or HV
supply, or any number of other things. I would get another laserjet 4
and do some parts swapping. These printers are so cheap and easy to
find that it's not worth spending a lot of time on, or buying a
service manual. The toner cartridge is the most common problem. If
you get another with a bad toner cartridge (vertical lines is the most
common failure), then you can fix it with your good toner cartridge.

If you get a regular 4, you can swap the postscript SIMM into it to
turn it into a 4M. Don't get a 4+ because they are different and
won't work with the 4M's SIMM.
Andy Cuffe

[email protected]

 

[William Sommerwerck]

On Sun, 6 Jan 2008 04:24:08 -0800, "William Sommerwerck"

If the lines are horizontal when looking at a portrait page, then it's
probably not the toner cartridge. It could be the laser, or HV supply,
or any number of other things. I would get another LaserJet 4 and
do some parts swapping. These printers are so cheap and easy to
find that it's not worth spending a lot of time on, or buying a service
manual. The toner cartridge is the most common problem. If you
get another with a bad toner cartridge (vertical lines is the most
common failure), then you can fix it with your good toner cartridge.

Thanks for the info. (The problem is solved. Keep reading.)

The service manual (which I found for free) insists that the problem is with
the printer -- the cartridge is not listed as a possible cause. An expert on
the HP forums is equally adamant that it's the toner cartridge.

I was leaning toward the printer, because I'd misunderstood how this
particular laser engine works. I assumed the points on the drum the laser
discharges print as white. They don't -- they print as black. (The toner is
charged and is repelled by the charged areas on the drum.) This pretty much
eliminates the possibility that the printer engine is at fault -- at least
in terms of intermittent laser drive. The loss of drive would cause white
streaks, not black.

So...

I schlepped the printer to "The Printer Guys" in Everett. Nice folks -- they
popped in a known-good cartridge, and two streak-free test pages popped out.
I then put my cartridge back -- and got a bad page. Barring some weird
coincidence where the printer suddenly "decided" to work for the "alien"
cartridge, I'd found the problem.

I stopped by Staples yesterday afternoon and bought a 98A. It works.

I might add that the existing toner cartridge was several years old, and had
been purchased "reconditioned". Before I return it to HP (there's a
free-shipping label in the box), I might open it up and try to get a better
understanding of what goes on inside.

By the way... The cartridges are now made in China, but HP still charges the
same price as when they were made in Japan. HP is currently selling the
P1006 LaserJet for $100 -- the same price as the 4M cartridge.

 

[Michael Kennedy]

Thanks for the info. (The problem is solved. Keep reading.)

The service manual (which I found for free) insists that the problem is
with
the printer -- the cartridge is not listed as a possible cause. An expert
on
the HP forums is equally adamant that it's the toner cartridge.

I was leaning toward the printer, because I'd misunderstood how this
particular laser engine works. I assumed the points on the drum the laser
discharges print as white. They don't -- they print as black. (The toner
is
charged and is repelled by the charged areas on the drum.) This pretty
much
eliminates the possibility that the printer engine is at fault -- at least
in terms of intermittent laser drive. The loss of drive would cause white
streaks, not black.

So...

I schlepped the printer to "The Printer Guys" in Everett. Nice folks --
they
popped in a known-good cartridge, and two streak-free test pages popped
out.
I then put my cartridge back -- and got a bad page. Barring some weird
coincidence where the printer suddenly "decided" to work for the "alien"
cartridge, I'd found the problem.

I stopped by Staples yesterday afternoon and bought a 98A. It works.

I might add that the existing toner cartridge was several years old, and
had
been purchased "reconditioned". Before I return it to HP (there's a
free-shipping label in the box), I might open it up and try to get a
better
understanding of what goes on inside.

By the way... The cartridges are now made in China, but HP still charges
the
same price as when they were made in Japan. HP is currently selling the
P1006 LaserJet for $100 -- the same price as the 4M cartridge.

Yes that P1006 may only be $100 but like your toner cartridge it is made in
China. Old HP gear seems to be quite reliable hence why your toner cartdige
was made in Japan, but I haven't been too happy with HP over the last few
years. They have changed their mindset from making a quailty product that
will last to a cheap product you can throw away. We studied about HP in
school and in the book they showed a guy standing on the HP 812c telling the
engineers that the customer doesn't want a printer that can support the
weight of a man. They want an inexpensive product. Well my printer happens
to be an 812c so I don't think I will be upgrading anytime soon. I want a
tough printer. The new ones definately are not.

 

[Allodoxaphobia]

By the way... The cartridges are now made in China, but HP still charges the
same price as when they were made in Japan. HP is currently selling the
P1006 LaserJet for $100 -- the same price as the 4M cartridge.

That's no doubt a volume quirk, as much as any other conspiracy view.
Back in the last century, they were selling those toner cartridges like
hot cakes. Now they sell like buggy whips.

Where I have had reasonable success is trawling through stores like
Goodwill, Salvation Army, ARC, etc. to find toner cartridges for my
HP LJ III and HP LJ 4L. They are usually still-sealed packages ("NOS")
and the prices are usually $5-$10.

(And, while you're there you might find an HP LJ printer! That's how I
came by my $15 HP LJ 4L. Wednesday was "Half-Price Electronics Day".)

My take on it is: the HJ LJ printer owner finally tosses the failing
printer or felt deprived by not having a color printer, or , or , and
sent the supplies along to the second-hand store.

Sure beats the $40 --> $150 I see Googling for these toner cartridges.

Jonesy

 

[William Sommerwerck]

That's no doubt a volume quirk, as much as any other conspiracy view.
Back in the last century, they were selling those toner cartridges like
hot cakes. Now they sell like buggy whips.

Debatable. The 98A and 98X are commonly stocked. Staples had two of each.

Where I have had reasonable success is trawling through stores like
Goodwill, Salvation Army, ARC, etc. to find toner cartridges for my
HP LJ III and HP LJ 4L. They are usually still-sealed packages ("NOS")
and the prices are usually $5-$10.

I'll have to start patronizing these stores!

 

[Alan Douglas]

Where I have had reasonable success is trawling through stores like

Goodwill, Salvation Army, ARC, etc. to find toner cartridges for my
HP LJ III and HP LJ 4L. They are usually still-sealed packages ("NOS")
and the prices are usually $5-$10.

I used to have a couple of LJ IIIs, but now run a 4. I have heard a
story, which agreed with my experience, that LJ III toner cartridges
were deliberately designed with rubber wipers that distorted after a
few years, to discourage their refilling by third parties. I know I
opened two still-sealed cartridges for my III and found they produced
vertical streaks.

In any case the LJ III was only 300 dpi while the 4 is 600, so I
would never go back. Combining parts from two machines, for a total
cost of $35, got me a nice reliable printer.

Alan

 

[Heinz Schmitz]

Old HP gear seems to be quite reliable hence why your toner cartdige
was made in Japan, but I haven't been too happy with HP over the last few
years. They have changed their mindset from making a quailty product that
will last to a cheap product you can throw away.

Our purchasing dept then thought to have made
the savings of the year when they acquired a bunch
of HPLJ5s instead of the recommended HP4s.
After a week, it was found out in the offices, that this
printer had trouble with large files.

Regards,
H.

 

[William Sommerwerck]

Our purchasing dept then thought to have made the savings
of the year when they acquired a bunch of HP 5s instead of
the recommended 4s. After a week, it was found out in the
offices that this printer had trouble with large files.

Though that could be an uncorrectable firmware problem, it might also be
that they don't have enough memory. Can you add more?