Compaq IJ1200 Color Inkjet Printer
(260-2385)                   Troubleshooting           Faxback Doc. # 44202

When your printer has a problem, first make sure that:
 * The power supply is plugged into the printer and a properly grounded 
   electrical outlet.

 * The printer is turned On.

 * The printer cable is securely attached to your computer and printer.

 * If you are using a parallel cable, it is an IEEE 1284-compliant parallel 
   cable that supports bidirectional printing.

 * Bidirectional (two-way) communications is enabled in your printer 
   software.
   1 From the printer's Control Program, click the Options tab.
   2 Make sure Disable Printer to PC Communications is not selected.

Printer prints slowly or doesn't print
Your printer and your computer may not be able to communicate properly. The 
following events also indicate two-way communications problems:

 * A message displays on your computer screen indicating your printer 
   cannot establish bidirectional communications with your computer.

 * Print cartridge ink level indicators on the Status or Cartridges tabs of 
   the printer's Control Program are shaded.

 * Error messages (such as Printer Offline) and job progress information do 
   not display on your computer screen.

Before proceeding, verify that:
 * The printer software is installed correctly. 

 * The parallel or USB cable is securely attached to both the printer and 
   the personal computer.

 * The printer is plugged in and turned On.

 * Your printer port is set to an LPTn port if you are using a parallel 
   cable or to a USB port if you are using a USB cable.

 * If you are using Windows 98 or Windows 2000, your printer port is set to 
   an LPTn port for a parallel cable, or to a USB port for a USB cable. To 
   check your printer port and change it if necessary:
   1 From the File menu of your software application, select Print (or 
     Printer) Setup.
   2 Check your printer port in the Where area.
   3 If you need to change your printer port, uninstall and then reinstall   
     the printer software.

 * If you have a switch box or other device (such as a scanner or fax) 
   connected to the computer's parallel port, it supports bidirectional 
   communication. You may need to disconnect your printer from the switch 
   box or other device and connect it directly to your computer.

Printer ejects a blank page after appearing to print.

Make sure:
 * You have removed the sticker and transparent tape on the bottom of the 
   print cartridges. 

 * Your Compaq printer is set as the default printer.  

Printer is plugged in but doesn't print, or you get a Printer Offline 
message

Make sure:
 * The printer is turned On, and the paper is loaded correctly.

 * The parallel or USB cable is completely plugged into the printer.

 * Your Compaq printer is set as the default printer.

 * The printer is not being held or paused. To check the printer status:
   1 From the Printers folder, double-click the Compaq IJ1200 icon.
   2 Click the Printer menu and make sure no check mark appears next to the 
     Pause Printing option.

 * If you have a switch box or other device (such as a scanner or fax) 
   connected to the computer's parallel port, it supports bidirectional 
   communication.  You may need to disconnect your printer from the switch 
   box or other device and connect it directly to your computer.  Print a 
   test page.  If the test page prints, the printer is functioning 
   properly. Check your software application.

Test page does not print
Make sure:
 * Your print cartridges are properly installed. 

 * You are using the correct cable, and it is not damaged. If you are using 
   a parallel cable, make sure it is an IEEE 1284-compliant parallel cable 
   that supports bidirectional printing.

 * Your Compaq printer is set as the default printer.  

Printer prints very slowly
 * Close any open applications not in use.

 * Select Normal (600 x 600 dpi) or Draft (300 x 600 dpi) on the 
   Document/Quality tab of Printer Properties. 

 * Consider purchasing more memory or increasing the virtual memory for 
   your computer.

Note: Photos or documents containing graphics may take longer to print than 
      regular text.

Paper misfeeds or jams
Printer does not feed envelopes
If regular paper feeds without problems, make sure:
 * You are loading the envelopes correctly. 

 * You are using an envelope size supported by your printer, and it is 
   selected in Printer Properties.

 * Your application is designed to print envelopes. Check the user's   
   documentation that came with your application.

Paper misfeeds or multiple sheets feed
Make sure:
 * The paper guide is against the side of the paper and it does not cause 
   the paper to bow in the sheet feeder.

 * You are using a paper recommended for inkjet printers.

 * You do not force the paper down into the printer when you load it.

 * The top edge of the paper extends above the top of the paper support if 
   you are loading letter or A4 size paper.

 * You do not load too much paper in the sheet feeder.  Depending on the 
   thickness of your paper, the sheet feeder can hold up to 100 sheets of 
   paper.

 * The printer is on a flat, level surface. 

Printer has a paper jam
Remove the paper from the sheet feeder. If the paper is lodged too far into 
the printer and can't be removed:
1 Press the Power button to turn the printer Off.
2 Pull firmly on the paper to remove it.
  
  If you cannot reach the paper because it is too far into the printer, 
  raise the front cover and pull the paper out.

3 Close the front cover.

4 Press the Power button to turn the printer On.

5 Resend your document to print.

Document prints with mistakes or poor quality
Vertical straight lines are not smooth

To improve the print quality of vertical straight lines in tables,
borders, and graphs:

 * Select High (1200 x 1200 dpi) or Maximum (2400 x 1200 dpi) Print Quality 
   from the Document/Quality tab of Printer Properties. 

 * Test the cartridge alignment. 

 * Clean the print nozzles. 

Characters are missing or unexpected

 * Make sure your Compaq printer is selected as the default printer.

 * Your printer may have two-way communication problems.

Print is too dark or smudged
Make sure:
 * You let the ink dry before handling the paper.

 * The Paper Type setting in the Printer Properties matches the paper type 
   loaded in the printer.

 * The paper is straight and unwrinkled.

 * The Print Quality setting is appropriate for the paper type. If you are 
printing on regular paper, select the Draft (300 x 600 dpi) Print Quality 
setting from the Document/Quality tab of Printer Properties. 

 * The print nozzles are clean. 

Printed pages have alternating bands of light and dark print (intermittent 
printing)
 * Make sure Enable Buffer Mode is selected on the Options tab of the 
Control Program. 

 * Select High (1200 x 1200 dpi) or Maximum (2400 x 1200 dpi) Print Quality 
   on the Document/Quality tab of Printer Properties. 

 * Your printer may have two-way communications problems. 

Print quality is poor at the left, right, top or bottom edge of page

Your printer cannot print in the extreme left, right, top or bottom edges 
of a page. Use these minimum settings:
 * Left and right margins:
   6.35 mm (0.25 in.) each for all paper sizes except A4
   For A4 size paper - 3.37 mm (0.133 in.) each 

 * Top and bottom margins:
   Top - 1.7 mm (0.067 in.)
   Bottom - 16.51 mm (0.65 in.)
   Colors on the printout are faded or differ from the colors on the screen

 * An ink cartridge may be out of ink or low on ink.  Check the ink level 
   graphic on the Cartridges tab of your printer's Control Program.  

* From the Document/Quality tab of Printer Properties, select Natural Color 
  as the Document Type. 

 * Use a different brand of paper. Every paper brand accepts ink 
   differently and prints with slight color variations.

 * Clean the print nozzles. 

 * If the colors still seem faded, wipe the print nozzles. 

Problems with transparencies or photos
Transparencies or glossy photo papers stick together
 * Remove each page as it exits the printer and allow to dry completely 
   before stacking.

 * Use a transparency or photo paper designed for an inkjet printer.

Transparencies or photos contain white lines
 * From the Printer Properties, select High (1200 x 1200 dpi) or Maximum 
   (2400 x 1200 dpi) Print Quality. 

 * Your print nozzles may need cleaning. 

Error messages and flashing lights
Ink Low message
  The print cartridge is running out of ink. Purchase a new
  print cartridge. 

The Power light is On and the Paper Feed light is blinking

 * If the printer is out of paper:
   1 Load paper.
   2 Press the Paper Feed button.

The Power light blinks twice
The print cartridge carrier has stalled. Check your screen for any error 
messages.
1 Turn the printer Off.
2 Wait a few seconds, and then turn the printer back On.

(RDS 08/14/2000)

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