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Printers

Posted: Mon May 10, 2010 1:02 pm
by thescruff
We have a Dell inspiron computer, with an HP photosmart 4780 wireless printer.

When we do a test page or a word document it prints ok, but any other is blured, any clues other than the skip.

Re: Printers

Posted: Mon May 10, 2010 2:00 pm
by chat_to_rich
You could give the steps here a try: http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/docu ... %3D3794615

Re: Printers

Posted: Mon May 10, 2010 2:14 pm
by dave.m
Follow Rich's link.
When we do a test page or a word document it prints ok, but any other is blured,
What are "any others"?

You could also try it with the usb lead connected. I know that defeats the wireless bit but if it works OK then you are looking at the wireless signal etc. as opposed to a printer setting.

dave

Re: Printers

Posted: Mon May 10, 2010 2:48 pm
by gas4you
Have you tried loading generic drivers instead of the proper ones?

When I had past problems with my HP printer, their tech told ne to do this as a test.

Can't remeber which machine they were for now.

Try their live chat help. I've found it excellent.

Re: Printers

Posted: Mon May 10, 2010 4:07 pm
by thescruff
The printers round a mate house so not done anything yet.

Windows 7 and Safari, by the way.

Anything web or computer has a shadow, yet the test page is ok as was a word doc I printed.

I remember years ago seeing a font with a shadow, could it be something like that. :dunno:

Re: Printers

Posted: Mon May 10, 2010 4:29 pm
by dave.m
When you get the printer back, print one of the blurred pages and scan it and post on here.

dave

Re: Printers

Posted: Mon May 10, 2010 4:34 pm
by thescruff
I'll try this, but it's like imprint shadow fonts.

I can get him to post a scanned copy.

Re: Printers

Posted: Mon May 10, 2010 4:54 pm
by thescruff
This is it Dave. :thumbright:

Re: Printers

Posted: Mon May 10, 2010 4:58 pm
by ultimatehandyman
We had this at work on one of the HP printers.

It did not do it on everything that was printed. The A3 electrical drawings could be printed as normal, but anything printed from MS word etc, was blurry.

We had the problem for weeks, it was so bad that I used to put my documents on a USB pen drive and print off on another computer.


I changed the black print cartridge one day and it seemed to fix the problem.

Re: Printers

Posted: Mon May 10, 2010 4:58 pm
by ultimatehandyman
Just seen your scan and that is exactly like the problem we were having!

Re: Printers

Posted: Mon May 10, 2010 5:00 pm
by thescruff
It's fine if I write a letter in word for example, as is the test pages. ::b

Re: Printers

Posted: Mon May 10, 2010 5:24 pm
by ultimatehandyman
Try taking the black ink cartridge out and put it back in again, failing that try a new ink cartridge.

Or get a decent printer :wink:

I only ever buy epsom's as you can get compatibles for them easily :wink:

Re: Printers

Posted: Mon May 10, 2010 5:34 pm
by dave.m
When you say it prints OK on a test sheet is that an alignment test?

Check that the ink levels are OK and then remove the cartridges and wipe the heads, then replace them.
You can try to align the print cartridges to ensure optimal print quality.
To align print cartridges:
1. Load Letter or A4 plain, white paper in the In tray.
2. Open the printer Toolbox.
3. Click Align the Print Cartridges.
4. Click Align, and then follow the onscreen instructions.

dave

-- Mon May 10, 2010 8:47 pm --

John,
Were you printing that league table on print paper or on card like the card used for some score sheets?

dave

Re: Printers

Posted: Mon May 10, 2010 9:32 pm
by thescruff
Tried all that earlier Dave before I posted, the league table was on plain paper.

I run the print alignment, then you scan it in for optimum performance, and print the test page which was perfect, I also type stuff into word, which was also perfect.

It's only when you try to print web stuff, E.G. the league table, that you get the shadow.

I think he said the scanner was bad as well. :dunno:

Re: Printers

Posted: Mon May 10, 2010 9:56 pm
by dave.m
Can you copy and paste the league table to a word doc and try printing.

Also listen to the printer and see if it sounds different when printing the web page to when it is printing the word document.
Does it double run across the page. If it sounds the same, it could be spraying a little bit of ink out backwards as well as onto the page. The shadow looks more grey than black in the scan.

dave