UPGRADING REPAIRING PCs

Table 7.8 Troubleshooting Printer Problems Continued
Printers 199
Symptom
Printer
Type Cause(s) Solutions
Error light on Laser Memory or Reduce graphics resolution; simprinter
flashes; overflow printer plify a PostScript page; reduce
printer ejects overrun error number of fonts; check printer
partial page memory size is accurately set; run
(might require printer self-test to determine
you to press amount of RAM onboard; add
page-eject
button)
RAM to printer.
Error light blinks; Laser Various causes Look up blink code in printer docno
page ejected umentation and take appropriate
or printed action.
Error codes vary with printer
model; check manufacturer’s Web
site for a list of codes if the user
manual is missing.
LCD panel on Laser Various causes Look up error code or message in
printer displays manual and take appropriate
error code action. Error codes vary with printer
or message model; check manufacturer’s Web
site for a list of codes if the user
manual is missing.
Many less-expensive models use
signal lights (see previous).
Printer Connection Problems
Use Table 7.9 to determine the cause and cure for problems with
your printer connection.
Table 7.9 Troubleshooting Printer Connections
Printer Type
Symptom Or Port Type Cause(s) Solutions
Gibberish Any PDL used for Make sure print job is sent to
printing print job correct printer; check default
doesn’t match printer value; check port used
printer for printer; check switchbox for
proper printer selection; replace
switchbox with LPT2 card or
with USB-parallel cable.
Damaged cable Look for damaged pins or insulation;
use pinouts for each port
type to test cable with a loop
back plug or with a multimeter
with CONT (continuity) function;
retest with known-working cable.
Serial port Incorrect speed, Both serial port on computer
word length, and printer must be set to
parity, and stop
bits
match.