Chapter Overview

1. Chapter Overview • Printer basics • Printer ports • Dot-matrix printers • Ink-jet printers • Laser printers

2. Printer resolution Speed Graphics and printer-language support Paper capacity Duty cycle Printer memory Cost of paper Cost of consumables Printer Basics

3. Common Printer Terms • American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII) • Font • Line print terminal (LPT) port • Laser Jet Printer Control Language (PCL) • PostScript • Resolution enhancement • Printing orientation • Duplexing

4. Printer Ports • Ports can be serial, Small Computer System Interface (SCSI), or parallel, although parallel is the most common. • The parallel port consists of a 25-pin male plug. • Parallel ports have some disadvantages. • The data transfer rate is only 150 KB per second. • The parallel port uses system resources while printing. • Parallel cables have a maximum effective length of 10 feet.

5. Dot-Matrix Printers

6. Maintaining a Dot-Matrix Printer • Change the ribbon. • Keep the printer clean. • Keep the print head clean. • Replace the print head if it fails.

7. Troubleshooting Dot-Matrix Printers

8. Ink-Jet Printers • Spray ink onto paper to form images • Provide good-quality, reasonably fast printing • Produce color as well as black-and-white images • Have replaced dot-matrix and thermal wax printers in the low-end market

9. Maintaining an Ink-Jet Printer • Keep the printer clean. • Replace ink cartridges as needed.

10. Troubleshooting Ink-Jet Printers

11. Laser Printers • Are nonimpact devices that precisely place toner on paper • Range from low-volume, personal use to high-volume, multiuser use • Are similar to office copiers • Are more expensive to purchase, but cheaper to operate • Use toner, which is more permanent than ink

12. Paper transport Logic circuits User interface Toner and toner cartridges Photosensitive drum Laser beam Primary corona Transfer corona Fuser rollers Erase lamp Power supply Drivers and software Laser Printer Components

13. Computer-to-Printer Communication • The operating system sends a request to the printer. • The printer informs the operating system that it is online and ready to accept data. • The PC starts sending data. • The printer informs the computer of any problems it encountered. • After the job is complete, the printer acknowledges the receipt of all data.

14. The Laser Printing Process

15. Laser Printer Resolution • High resolution means better quality printing. • Resolution is measured in dots per inch (dpi). • Horizontal and vertical resolution are generally equal and are expressed as one measurement. • Resolution 600 = 600 dpi 600 dpi • Resolution 1200 = 1200 dpi  1200 dpi   • Draft mode saves toner by printing at lower resolution.

16. Ghost images Black page Black spots or streaks Marks on every page Printing too light Memory overflow error Incomplete characters Melted plastic Creased pages Warped, overprinted, or poorly formed characters Persistent paper jam indication Continued paper jam Troubleshooting Laser Printers

17. Hardware Problems • Print diagnostic and configuration information. • Check for • Status lights • Menu warnings • Error messages • Use the manual to translate problems indicated by the printer display.

18. Chapter Summary • Dot-matrix printers are still used for printing multiple copies at once. • Ink-jet printers provide good quality at an inexpensive price. • Laser printers are more expensive initially but cheaper per page. • Most printer problems can be resolved quickly by checking for incorrect connections, correcting improper use, or fixing paper jams. • Key components of a laser printer are the photosensitive drum, erase lamp, primary corona, laser beam, transfer corona, and fuser rollers.