CompTIA A_ Certification All-In-One Exam Guide, Seventh Edition - Michael Meyers [393]
If you’ve double-checked your print spool settings and your paper sizes but the dang printer still won’t print, it’s time to fall back on a tried-and-true technique that usually works surprisingly well: Turn the printer off and then back on. CompTIA calls this process power cycling. Also, make sure to check that the printer is actually plugged into your computer. You would be amazed how many printer issues (and just computer issues in general) arise because of a loose or unplugged cord.
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EXAM TIP CompTIA calls the process of turning the printer off and back on power cycling, which has nothing at all to do with Lance Armstrong.
Strange Sizes
A print job that comes out a strange size usually points to a user mistake in setting up the print job. All applications have a Print command and a Page Setup interface. The Page Setup interface enables you to define a number of print options, which vary from application to application. Figure 22-24 shows the Page Setup options for Microsoft Word. Make sure the page is set up properly before you blame the printer for a problem.
If you know the page is set up correctly, recheck the printer drivers. If necessary, uninstall and reinstall the printer drivers. If the problem persists, you may have a serious problem with the printer’s print engine, but that comes up as a likely answer only when you continually get the same strangely sized printouts using a variety of applications.
Figure 22-24 Page Setup options for Microsoft Word
Misaligned or Garbage Prints
Misaligned or garbage printouts invariably point to a corrupted or incorrect driver. Make sure you’re using the right driver (it’s hard to mess this up, but not impossible) and then uninstall and reinstall the printer driver. If the problem persists, you may be asking the printer to do something it cannot do. For example, you may be printing to a PostScript printer with a PCL driver. Check the printer type to verify that you haven’t installed the wrong type of driver for that printer!
Dealing with Consumables
All printers tend to generate a lot of trash in the form of consumables. Impact printers use paper and ribbons, inkjet printers use paper and ink cartridges, and laser printers use paper and toner cartridges. In today’s environmentally sensitive world, many laws regulate the proper disposal of most printer components. Be sure to check with the local sanitation department or disposal services company before throwing away any component. Of course, you should never throw away toner cartridges—certain companies will pay for used cartridges!
When in doubt about what to do with a component, check with the manufacturer for a material safety data sheet (MSDS). These standardized forms provide detailed information about the potential environmental hazards associated with different components and proper disposal methods. For example, surf to www.hp.com/hpinfo/globalcitizenship/environment/productdata/index.html to find the latest MSDS for all Hewlett-Packard products. This isn’t just a printer issue—you can find an MSDS for most PC components. When in doubt about how to get rid of any PC component, check with the manufacturer for an MSDS.
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EXAM TIP MSDS contain important information regarding hazardous materials such as safe use procedures and emergency response instructions. An MSDS is typically posted anywhere a hazardous chemical is used.
Problems Sharing Multiple Printers
If you want to use multiple printers attached to the same parallel port, you have to use a switch box. Laser printers should never be used with mechanical switch boxes. Mechanical switch boxes create power surges that can damage your printer. If you must use a switch box, use a box that switches between printers electronically and has built-in surge protection.
Crashes on Power-up
Both laser printers and PCs require more power during