Screwed up Printer

[macdad-]

hey
i have been using my grandmother's computer and i have been trying to print stuff off. i installed the printer to my grandmother's computer and i worked for a year but now it wont print stuff off, i have checked the LPT cable and it is plug in to my grandmother's computer and is pluged into the printer, i have checked the pwr cable on the prnter and it is pluged in the printer does have pwr and it can print off the built-in testpage but it seems there is a large black mark down the center of the paper when i print off the built-in test page. plz help

the printer's specs:
HP Laserjet 5L
it is a Laser Printer.

[squall_01]

Sounds like maybe it can't find the driver anymore.  Did you try uninstalling and reinstalling the print driver?

[macdad-]

as a matter of fact my grandmother had here computer's HD formated completly and then re-installed Win 2000, but thats not my big worry.
my big worry is that when i printed off the built-in test page(the printer has a test page preprogramed into it) there was a large black mark in the middle which almost looked like the printer wuz buring the paper, could it be that the toner is low or what?

[macdad-]

ok i re-installed the drivers and it still wont print things off. but can u explain to me about the black mark

my big worry is that when i printed off the built-in test page(the printer has a test page preprogramed into it) there was a large black mark in the middle which almost looked like the printer wuz buring the paper, could it be that the toner is low or what?

[squall_01]

Sounds like maybe a bad cartiage, its not the printer its self.  Try putting in a new one.  

[macdad-]

ok. that explains the black mark, i get a new cartrige. but it still wont print things off and i re-installed the driver, as well as getting a new driver for the printer off of HP's website.

[squall_01]

Is it a usb or parallel connector printer?

[macdad-]

parrell

[squall_01]

Remove the cable from the back of the pc and check for any bent pins.  Also, try another cable if you have one.

[macdad-]

no there arent any bent pins but i saw the prices on the cartriges and i'd rather buy a new color printer than spend more money on a toner cartrige but thank you for your help, squall.

[squall_01]

Yes this is true.  Thats why many people do it, but if your able to fix it, there wont be any need to spend any money.  Your welcome. 

[KennyJ]

If the printer is more than 1 year old.
Don't even consider buying a new ink cartridge.
You can get a new Hp or whatever (including ink) that prints great right from the start for $39 or less.  And after that, don't pay twice the money for original equipment ink cartridges.  There are many good knock off inks for half the price.
If it's using a parallel cable then it's many years old. Too old even for your grandmother.  All newer printers can use a USB cable ( that comes with printer).
Printers: some good - some bad, but nowdays, so sad, they are throw away when they give trouble.

[Dias de verano]

I agree with KennyJ. it can be cheaper to junk a printer when the ink runs out, if it all runs out at the same time or nearly so. Although beware, many new printers come with "starter" cartridges which have less ink than regular ones. 

Also I do believe that you aren't helping to save the planet if you just wantonly throw electronic junk away.

I bought a Canon iP4200 about 2 years ago for 60 UK pounds. The official Canon price for all 5 cartridges is around 50 UK pounds. The cartridges have a chip that means the printer will in theory not accept 3rd party carts or home refilled ones. Luckily here in Britain there are shops that can refill the cartridges and reset the chips so the printer doesn't know any different.

I like the look of Kodak printers, which cost a bit more, but the ink is cheaper.

[macdad-]

well to tell you the truth the printer was made in 1995. so the circuits and stuff in the printer are probably dead.