Any Photocopier / Laser Printer Techs About?

[Jonny M]

I have an issue with a Samsung ML4500 (Lexmark E210) "laser" printer (it's an LED beam printer rather than laser), which is printing very feintly.

I'm assuming the drum is fine as its integrated with the toner cartridge and has been recently changed, and it was printing feint before the toner was changed. The only thing I can think of is an issue with the actual LED unit itself, but I've jammed a pen in the safety switch so the whole thing comes to life with the cover open, and everything appears fine. They aren't particularly bright, but they aren't dim either, and all of them are on.

What could the issue be here? Is it simply a case of cleaning it out, or is it time to chuck it?

[nichomach]

Sorry to be dumb, but you don't have the quality set to "draft" or something do you? Had to ask. If not, you might need a new fuser unit, but about the only place I could find that lists the part is HERE.

That said, [URL=http://www.cpc.co.uk/[/URL] do a lot of Samsung fusers, so they might be able to order one for you, and it might be cheaper. Part number is JC9601760A.

[Jonny M]

Nah, toner save is off, and image enhancement is set to "Dark" (choice of light, normal, dark).

What would the fuser do in the grand scheme of things? Could it be that the toner is transferring the page properly but not staying there?

And that fuser cost £40 more than the printer did Cheers for looking but it appears to be new printer time. I'll see if eBay can provide a network Laserjet on the cheap.

[nichomach]

The fuser does pretty much what it says; it fuses the toner to the paper. £129'd net you an HP 4050N on fleabay, which is quick, network ready, and should be good value; we've got a 4000 in service at work which is rock solid.

[Steve]

4000 series HPs are great. They become a PITA when they start to break down, but they work for a LONG time before that.

[nichomach]

Plus side is that servicing kits (rollers etc.) are pretty easy to get ( try http://www.bitsnpcs.co.uk ) and maintenance isn't hard.

[Steve]

Sadly I don't own one - I'm talking about my college's contingent of 4000 series. Of course, the IT department take their time about getting things fixed, so I end up patching things together (roughing up the rubber rollers so that the paper actually feeds... etc.)

[Tumble]

if it's printing faintly then it'll either be the LED array, or the transfer roller or the bias voltage on the toner cartridge. It won't be the fuser unless the print is rubbing off the paper. Check the LED array first - give it a clean with some windolene or something. If that doesn't work, find the transfer roller (foam/rubber roller that sits directly underneath the drum when the cartridge is in situ) pop it out if you can and give it a clean - dry duster if it's a foam roller (and not too roughly) or a bit of meths if it's a rubber one. Try to avoid touching the actual roller with your bare fingers, as the oils in your skin can affect print quality... if THAT doesn't work, check on the toner cartridge, and where it sits in the printer - there'll be various contacts. Give them a clean with a bit of meths or something, and check they're not bent or anything. The bias voltages control the way the toner is attracted to the drum - if they're not right you get all sorts of problems. Also, see if there's a charge wire above the drum - it charges the drum up and the laser/LED array "writes" onto the drum by discharging it to earth. if there is one, give it a clean with a small brush and a bit of a blow. If none of that works, try another toner cartridge if possible, or buy another printer