Posted by PA_Notary_II on 4/20/11 5:22pm
Msg #380683

Tech help needed ASAP...

My Brother 5170 DNLT has started printing so faintly as to not be readable. I have reset the printer, put a new toner cartridge in and everything else I could think of with no improvement. I have 1 closing later tonite and 3 tomorrow. Any savvy techs out there have any suggestions?

Reply by HisHughness on 4/20/11 5:35pm
Msg #380684

***Any savvy techs out there have any suggestions?***

Not savvy.

Not a tech.

I do have a suggestion.

Never buy anything except an HP printer.

Reply by PA_Notary_II on 4/20/11 5:56pm
Msg #380688

I think this is a matter of preference, Hugh. This printer has been my workhorse for 6+ years and does a marvelous job. It could just be at the end of it's usable life, but I thought someone could help me get 3 more closing packages out of it before it retires.

Reply by Stoli on 4/20/11 5:59pm
Msg #380690

When did you last change the drum? n/m

Reply by Moneyman/TX on 4/20/11 6:05pm
Msg #380691

Re: When did you last change the drum?

Might also double check the settings to make sure it is printing at "best", at least for the one tonight so you have more time to work on it for the other signings.

If that doesn't work, you might try to uninstall and re-install to see if that resets the printer.

Reply by PA_Notary_II on 4/20/11 6:09pm
Msg #380693

Re: When did you last change the drum?

Drum was replaced recently and have the print set at 1200 dpi. In addition there are no indicator lights on....toner, drum or paper light.

Reply by Moneyman/TX on 4/20/11 6:14pm
Msg #380694

Re: When did you last change the drum?

You might try to clean out your computer registry before you try to uninstall and reinstall printer. It doesn't always help, but it has a few times for me.

Reply by BrotherOwner on 4/20/11 6:24pm
Msg #380701

Re: When did you last change the drum?

set to 300dpi otherwise you are wasting toner. Print quality at 300 just fine for our work. If print quality is better after corona wire cleaning do it another 30 to 60 times see if it makes a difference. Try old drum if you kept it ith old cartridge.

Reply by BrotherOwner on 4/20/11 6:18pm
Msg #380697

Re: When did you last change the drum?

Good point. Settings under Printing Preferences /Advanced tab settings should be: 300DPI and TONER SAVE: off and USE PRINTER HALFTONE. Otherwise post back and we'll try some others. I'm still suspect of new cartridge if old was working. Delete printer and reinstall couldn't hurt, just a PIA. How old is drum? Any other recent printing issues?

Reply by BrotherOwner on 4/20/11 6:08pm
Msg #380692

Did this just start happening with the old cartridge? OEM or aftermarket new cartridge? Are you SURE new cartridge is new/good? Could it possibly be one you forgot to refill? Try shaking OLD cartridge side to side and reinstall to see if pehaps there is still more toner. Try cleaning corona wire on top of toner cartridge. Blue plastic triangle. Right to left 30 times and rest/home position is on left side with the two triangles touching. I'll check further.

Reply by doofus on 4/20/11 6:16pm
Msg #380695

totally nontech answer, but hopefully helpful.
Always have a backup printer in the closet. They can be inexpensive. I have experienced the anxiety of similar situations. It is relaxing to be able say, forget it, for the moment and print some docs. Then deal with problem in a less harried moment

good luck

Reply by PA_Notary_II on 4/20/11 6:16pm
Msg #380696

OK...cleaned the corona wire moving the blue tab back and forth 30+ times. Now prints but the left side of the paper from the edge to about 2 inches in is faint.

Reply by BrotherOwner on 4/20/11 6:19pm
Msg #380699

How old is drum?

Reply by Moneyman/TX on 4/20/11 6:22pm
Msg #380700

Try cleaning your drum

I recently had issues with mine printing faint on certain sections of the paper. I just used a dry cloth (throwaway) to clean the rolling bar (not techy name but is what it is). It seemed to help. I ended up replacing the new drum with the old one and reset the the printer. No problems since.

Reply by BrotherOwner on 4/20/11 6:28pm
Msg #380702

Re: Try cleaning your drum

I've used a Qtip gently, but you can destroy a drum quickly if you're not gentle or don't know what you're doing. Are either one of these Drums/ Toners OEMs, aftermarket or refill drums? Did this light printing just star all of a sudden or slowly develop?

Reply by BrotherOwner on 4/20/11 6:29pm
Msg #380704

Re: meant refill TONER not drum N/M n/m

Reply by PA_Notary_II on 4/20/11 6:34pm
Msg #380705

Re: Try cleaning your drum

Is it possible that the TC had their equipment set incorrectly on this file? I printed the HUD for a different file and it came out fine??#$** When I go back to the suspect file and print any page, it is so faint it can't be read. What's going on here???

Reply by BrotherOwner on 4/20/11 6:39pm
Msg #380706

Re: YES IT's possible. Try printing a file for

tomorrow or part of an old one

Reply by PA_Notary_II on 4/20/11 6:41pm
Msg #380707

Re: YES IT's possible. Try printing a file for

Everything else I print is fine. Don't know what heck happened, but I'm glad it's not my printer. Darned TC's!!!

Reply by PA_Notary_II on 4/20/11 6:44pm
Msg #380708

P.S. Thanks for all the help. n/m

Reply by BrotherOwner on 4/20/11 6:46pm
Msg #380709

Re: YES IT's possible. Try printing a file for

Glad you're good to go. If you truly do use 1200 dpi try 300 or 600dpi, you'll save toner.

Reply by BrotherOwner on 4/20/11 6:51pm
Msg #380710

Welcome. That's what the board is hopefully......

for. Peace on earth/ Good will for all. I've been getting tired of all the ill will and bickering in some of these threads. Nice to have a PROBLEM to actualyy solve!

Reply by John Schenk on 4/20/11 7:13pm
Msg #380711

GOOD JOB, BO!!!! You da man!!!! n/m