Windows Forum

Ask something
Discussion Locked

Printing Problems (Intermittent)

0 helpful
9 replies

by hbb

Closed to new repliesThis discussion is closed. It stays readable, but it takes no new replies.

Desktop OS = Windows XP Pro
Application = Office (word) XP Pro
Printer = HP LJ 4050n (Networked)
Printer RAM = 64Mb
Printer Drivers = Downloaded from HP
Printer has a duplex printing attachment.

When printing sometimes the bottom section of a page or all pages has not printed.

There is no problem when using a Windows 95 / Office 97 combination on this printer.

User description:
I just printed 15 letters in a mail merge , back to back (duplex), and the bottom third of the firstpage didn?t print?on any of them.

I had previously printed 2 batches of letters using the same mail merge file, one of 56 and one of 11, all of which fortunately did print in full.
The problem batch of 15 was printed within minutes of the first 2 batches.

Any help would be appreciated

9 replies

by hbb

That article refers to Inkjet printers and does not address the issues for the HP Laserjet 4050

by ann777

The 4050 is a laser printer.

According to the Service manuals:

"Half the page is blank or loss of detail

The bottom of the page is blank, or part of a graphis image is cut off. This may mean that your page is too complex for the standard printer memory.

1) Set resolution to 300 dpi through your software or printer driver
2) You may need to install additional memory in your printer.
3) Check your printer driver help screens for suggestions specific to your driver's settings."

by todd kimbrell

First off, You bought that printer because it can provide 600+ DPI And Duplex. Memory is not an issue due to the fact you can spool the print job. And 300DPI isnt a solution because you might have graphics you want printed. SO...What I would like to know so I can answer your question is:

1. Do a print preview and review all the pages to be printed and see if there is a discrepancy on any of the preview pages. If there is, then you have a botched API or driver issue. Office XP has some of these issues from time to time

But first check that and tell me what you find on this before we go any further.

Best Regards,

Todd Kimbrell

by hbb

Thanks Todd, you summation is similar to mine with regard to memory and DPI requirements

Further discussions with users reveal the following:
User 1: Upon discovering the printing problem proceded to print again and was successful. There was no change to the PC setup or configuration just hit the print button again and all printed well.
User 2: Upon discovering the printing problem proceded to print again and was UNsuccessful and tried 3 times with no luck. She then closed word and reopened word and was successful. No reboot required

The print preview indicates a normal print with no indication of missing data.
As you can see this is very intermittent.
Any expertise is greatly appreciated

by todd kimbrell

Okay, I would check to see if your system is dropping packets. It would be good to have your workstation patch cable tested for opens or crosswire which will cause data loss intermittently. Or have someone that can test your system for dropped packets. Also XP has an issue where it likes to force browser elections across the network, thus causing packet and data loss.

by hbb

We are in the process of upgrading the network so will close the question and repost if problems persist after the upgrade.
Mant Thanks

This discussion is closed to new replies.