Posted by pan/nd on 12/21/06 10:47pm
Msg #167312

Printer problems

Well, it finally happened. After printing flawlessly since August of 2003 and over 300,000 copies..my HP-1200 finally died.

No, the fuser didn't quit...the beast succumed to --of all things--a paper jam. The mother of all jams.

I'll see if it can be repaired --the printer not the jam.

But not to worry. I had a brand new..never out of the box..HP-1300..for a replacement.

The computer took the software disc and installed the printer flawlessly...or so I thought.

It prints...but nowhere near it's speed.

It'll print maybe 5 or 6 pages like gangbusters...then it slows to a page maybe every 10 seconds. I've seemingly tried everything..but nothing works. This is on PDF files.

I've tried:

1. breaking the package up into smaller parts....does no good

2. making sure it's printing at 600 dpi.........does no good

3. tried the "economy print" function that saves toner...nope

4. It has more memory than the 1200 which worked fine..but to no avail

5. have adobe 6.0 installed ...worked fine with the 1200 but seemingly not with this

Anybody have any ideas?

I've got docs to print tomorrow...and I don't have all day (actually I do have most of the day..hence this post).

Reply by Susan Fischer on 12/21/06 10:59pm
Msg #167314

Hi, Pan,

Although this won't completely fix, it may speed up a bit:

Use the 'print directly to printer' option instead of the (probably) default 'spool...for fastest print' or close. That helped so that it didn't take 18 seconds per page.

If your printer is Post Script capable, try downloading the PS driver for your model. The PS is what Adobe is looking for, apparently. It may be on your installation disc, or you can get it on the HP site.

HP telephone support opens at 5 am PDT. 800.474.6836

Best of luck, and Happiest of Holidays,
Susie

Best of luck.

Reply by Paul A. Newburgh on 12/21/06 11:11pm
Msg #167317

Unless I'm completely blind....the 1300 printer window or affiliated windows does not offer "print directly to printer."

Also..the PS driver is already downloaded and installed.

So, I'm back to square one

Reply by Susan Fischer on 12/21/06 11:18pm
Msg #167318

When I just went through this with the 2430, the "printer" you 'choose" in your print screen should say something like HP1300 PS. In other words, Just because the driver is installed on your system, it's not necessarily being used by the printer. I got there by installing a new printer, getting the PS driver for the 'new' printer, and it worked. Tech guy said that the printer won't know the driver the application requires, I have to pick. What driver is attached? PCL5e? PCL6? If it is PS, then, maybe look at the version of Adobe reader?

Reply by Susan Fischer on 12/21/06 11:41pm
Msg #167321

Sorry I couldn't help n/m

Reply by PAW on 12/22/06 7:43am
Msg #167349

Been there. Done that. Did the following:

First, completely uninstall, delete and remove Adobe Reader 6.0. Reboot.

Install Adobe Reader 8.0. (http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html)

Install the 1300 as a 'new' printer with the PCL5e driver. After installation, set the "hp LaserJet 1300 PCL 5e" printer as the default. Set the printing preferences to 600 dpi and DO NOT set the Economode option.

When printing from Adobe Reader, set "Print as image" using the "Advanced" tab. Docs will spool and then print. This is the way it is suppose to work.

Good luck and happy printing.

Works for me.

Reply by Lee/AR on 12/22/06 8:39am
Msg #167357

I have the 1200 and

Do as PAW says, but I have just the "HP Laser PCL" (no #) driver installed... and if you go to the advanced settings, you can set the DPI to 300. Prints about twice as fast & no noticeable difference in print quality.

Reply by PAW on 12/22/06 8:55am
Msg #167359

Re: I have the 1200 and

That's because the HP LJ1200 didn't have a PCL6 driver when it was manufactured. PCL5e was the only PCL driver, so no need for adding a #. I think the PCL6 driver was released around the middle of 2002 or 2003.

Reply by pan/nd on 12/22/06 9:00am
Msg #167361

Re: I have the 1200 and

Question for you, PAW,

Do I uninstall the new printer and reinstall it after installing adobe 8 first...per your comments?

Reply by PAW on 12/22/06 9:15am
Msg #167363

No ...

No need to uninstall a printer when installing the Adobe Reader.

Reply by Lee/AR on 12/22/06 9:08am
Msg #167362

PAW...a question

OK.. I don't have the PCL5e driver installed. With that driver can you go as low as 300 DPI? Is it the 'same' driver--they just added a # when the PCL 6 came out? You can only go as low as 600 DPI with the PCL6 driver, BUT with the PCL (no #) driver, if you go to "Properties" and then to "Advanced" and Click on Print Quality a drop down menu appears and you can choose the 300 DPI....which just about doubles the print speed with no noticeable quality difference.

Reply by PAW on 12/22/06 9:17am
Msg #167364

Re: PAW...a question

Yes, the 5e driver support 300 dpi. The PCL6 has a minimum of 600 dpi. The PCL6 also has a higher resolution capability (FastRes 2400) than the PCL5e (FastRes 1200).

Reply by pan/nd on 12/22/06 9:55am
Msg #167367

Re: PAW...a question

Thanks so much for your help PAW.

I'll try to squeak by on Adobe 6 for today and (hopefully not) tomorrow. I don't trust myself on installations. At least now I can print albeit slowly...and I've got plenty of time.

But after this rush is over...LOOK OUT.

Have a blessed christmas and hopefully no snow. We'd like snow here..but it looks like it "ain't gonna happen for Xmas."