Compaq IJ200
(260-2376) Troubleshooting Faxback Doc. # 49370
Ink Low message appears
Your print cartridge is running out of ink. You need to purchase a new
print cartridge.
Out of Memory message appears
Before sending a file to print, close all other open files in the
application you are using. The printer prints a blank page when too many
files are open in the same application.
Follow the instructions under "How to increase print speed" in Faxback
Doc. # 49378. These instructions reduce the amount of memory needed to
print.
Consider purchasing more memory for your personal computer.
In Microsoft Windows 3.1 or 3.11, consider increasing the virtual memory
to a larger value.
Out of Paper message appears
You may have the wrong paper source chosen in the printer software. For
example, you may already have paper loaded in the sheet feeder but the
manual feeder is chosen as the paper source in the printer software. To
change the paper source, see "How to choose the manual/specialty or
automatic/normal feeder" in Faxback Doc. # 49375.
If an Out of Paper message appears and you have the correct paper source
chosen in your printer software and application, follow the steps below to
continue printing:
1 Load paper. For help, see "How to load paper into the sheet
feeder" in Faxback Doc. # 49375.
2 Resend your print job.
Paper Jam message appears
1 Pull firmly on the paper to remove it. If you cannot reach the
paper because it is too far into the printer, open the printer
front cover and pull the paper out from the front of the printer.
2 Close the printer front cover.
3 Resend your print job. Start with the page on which the paper jam
occurred.
Printhead Failure message appears
Any of these problems can cause the Printhead Failure message to appear:
* The print cartridge carrier contacts are dirty
* The print nozzles on the print cartridge are dirty
* There is a problem with the color print cartridge
* There is a problem with the black print cartridge
To begin troubleshooting the problem, clean the print cartridge carrier
contacts and wipe the print cartridge print nozzles of the print
cartridge.
1 Remove the print cartridge from the printer. For help, see "How to
install or change print cartridges" in Faxback Doc. # 49379.
2 Clean the print cartridge carrier contacts. For help, see "How to
clean the print cartridge carrier contacts" in Faxback
Doc. # 49379.
3 Wipe the print nozzles of the cartridge. For help, see "How to wipe
the print nozzles" in Faxback Doc. # 49379.
4 Reinstall the print cartridge in the printer.
5 Print a test page. (From the printer's Control Program, click the
Cartridges tab, then click Print Test Page.)
6 Did the message reappear?
YES
There may be a problem with the print cartridge. Click here to
continue the troubleshooting.
NO
You have solved the problem.
DOS print file takes too long to print
If you are attempting to print a DOS file by sending it to the port to
which the printer is connected, use the DOS Copy command. Avoid using the
DOS Print command. The DOS Print command causes printing delays.
Here is an example of the correct DOS Copy command.
copy filename lptn /b
In the command example:
"copy" is the DOS copy command.
"filename" is the name of the print file.
"lptn" is the port where your printer is connected. For example, lpt1
or lpt2.
"/b" instructs the computer to send the data in binary form.
DOS print job does not print
Check the following items: Make sure Disable Compaq IJ200 DOS Printing is
not chosen:
1 From the printer's Control Program, click the Options tab.
2 Make sure Disable Compaq IJ200 DOS Printing (Enable DOS Printing
to other Printers) is not chosen.
If you are using Microsoft Windows 95, make sure Spool MS-DOS print jobs
is chosen:
1 Open the Printer Driver Properties folder. (In the Microsoft
Windows Printer folder, right-click the printer icon for your
Compaq IJ200 printer. In the sidebar menu, click Properties, then
choose the Details tab.)
2 Click the Port Settings button.
3 Make sure Spool MS-DOS print jobs is chosen.
4 Click OK.
If you send a second DOS print job before the first DOS print job has
finished processing, neither job will print. Normally, a job is finished
processing when the first page of the job prints.
Make sure your Compaq IJ200 printer is set as your default printer driver.
Paper Status light is blinking and an error message appears
If the Paper Status light is blinking and an error message appears on your
monitor:
Make sure the printer has paper.
Make sure there is not a paper jam.
Make sure paper is loaded correctly in the sheet feeder. Do not push
the paper down into the printer.
If the printer has paper and there is no paper jam, try the following:
1 Unplug the printer power cord from the electrical outlet.
2 Remove any paper fragments or objects from the printer.
3 Plug the printer power cord into an electrical outlet.
4 If the light continues to blink, the printer needs service.
If your printer needs service, refer to Contacting Compaq for more
information.
Old document prints with different fonts
When you print a document formatted for a different printer, Microsoft
Windows may substitute different fonts. Line breaks and page breaks may
change also. Use the software application that created the document to fix
these problems, then save your changes for the next time you print.
Try the following if the printer is plugged in, but nothing prints (there
is no action from the printer):
Make sure the printer has paper.
Make sure the paper is not pushed down into the printer.
Make sure the printer parallel cable is completely plugged into the
printer.
Make sure your Compaq IJ200 printer is chosen as the default printer
or you have chosen the correct printer from your application.
Check the printer status. To do this:
Microsoft Windows 3.1
1 Open the Spool Manager.
2 Click the Queue menu and make sure no check mark appears next to
the Hold option.
Microsoft Windows 95
1 From the Printers folder, double-click the printer icon for your
Compaq IJ200 printer.
2 Click the Printer menu and make sure no checkmark appears next to
the Pause Printing option.
Print a printer test page. See "How to print a test page" in Faxback Doc.
# 49374. If the test page prints, the printer is functioning properly.
Check your application.
If you are trying to print from a DOS-based application, the problem could
be with your DOS settings. Check your DOS printer port settings, driver,
and your application settings.
Printer pauses frequently during a print job
If your printer pauses frequently (every two or three lines) during a
print job, and the printed pages have alternating bands of light and dark
print, choose Enable Buffer Mode from the Options tab.
1 From the printer's Control Program, click the Options tab.
2 Choose the Enable Buffer Mode option.
Printer prints very slowly
Try the following if your printer is printing slowly:
See "How to increase print speed" in Faxback Doc. # 49378.
Consider purchasing more memory for your personal computer.
Check the document you are printing. Graphics usually take more time
to print than text.
In Microsoft Windows 3.1 or 3.11, consider increasing the virtual memory
to a larger value.
Printer seems to be printing but no characters appear
If the printer seems to be printing but no characters appear on the paper,
make sure:
* The print cartridge is properly installed in the printer. See "How
to install or change print cartridges" in Faxback Doc. # 49319.
* The tape was removed from the print cartridge before it was
installed.
Test page does not print
Try the following if the test page does not print. Make sure:
* The parallel cable is properly connected to the computer and
printer. For help, refer to the printer's setup sheet.
* Paper is loaded in the printer correctly. For help, see "How to
load paper, envelopes, and other print media" in Faxback
Doc. # 49375.
* The print cartridge is installed correctly. For help, see "How to
install or change print cartridges" in Faxback Doc. # 49319.
If these suggestions do not solve the problem, your printer may need
service. Refer to Contacting Compaq for more information.
Transparencies or glossy papers stick together
If transparencies or glossy film stick together after they exit the
printer:
* Use a transparency or glossy paper designed for an ink jet printer.
* Remove each transparency or glossy paper as it exits from the
printer.
* Try manual feeding. For help see How to load specialty media in the
sheet feeder.
Paper fails to feed
If paper doesn't move through the automatic feeder:
* Make sure the paper is loaded properly into the printer.
* Remove any obstructions inside the printer.
* Make sure the Paper Load Lever is closed when you are printing
regular (letter or A4) sized paper.
Paper jam
1 Pull firmly on the paper to remove it. If you cannot reach the
paper because it is too far into the printer, open the printer
front cover and pull the paper out from the front of the printer.
2 Close the printer front cover.
3 Resend your print job. Start with the page on which the paper jam
occurred.
Paper skews or buckles
If paper skews or buckles while moving through the printer, make sure:
* There is not too much paper in the automatic feeder. Depending on
the thickness of your paper, the automatic feeder can hold up to 30
sheets of paper.
* The paper guides do not cause the paper to bow in the automatic
feeder.
* You are using the correct type of paper. See Paper types.
* The paper is not forced down into the printer.
* The paper guide is against the side of the paper.
* The envelope guides are not in the envelope position.
* The printer is on a flat, level surface.
Paper sticks together
If paper sticks together when moving through the automatic feeder, try the
following:
* Make sure there is not too much paper in the automatic feeder.
Depending on the thickness of your paper, the automatic feeder can
hold up to 30 sheets of paper.
* Make sure the paper load door is completely closed.
* Make sure you are using the correct type of paper. See Paper types.
* Remove paper from the automatic feeder and flex or fan the paper.
* When loading paper, do not force the paper down into the printer.
* Humid conditions may cause some paper to stick together.
Poor print quality at margins
Like other printers, your printer cannot print in the extreme left, right,
or bottom edges of a page. To avoid poor print quality at the edges of the
page, we recommend your documents have these minimum margin settings:
Left and Right Margins
Left and right margin settings must be at least 0.25 in. (6.35 mm) each
for all paper sizes except A4. For A4 size paper, left and right margin
settings must be at least 0.133 in. (3.37 mm) each.
Top and Bottom Margins
The top margin must be set to at least 0.14 in. (3.39 mm). The bottom
margin setting for all paper sizes must be 0.5 in. (12.7 mm). For best
printing results, use at least .63 in. (16 mm).
Poor print quality at left, right, or bottom edge of envelope
Like other printers, your printer cannot print in the extreme left, right,
or bottom edges of an envelope. To avoid poor print quality at the edges
of the envelope, we recommend you use these minimum margin settings:
Left and Right Margins
Left and right margin settings must be at least 0.25 in. (6.35 mm) each
for all envelope sizes.
Top and Bottom Margins
The top margin must be set to at least 0.14 in. (3.39 mm) The bottom
margin setting for all envelope sizes must be 0.5 in. (12.7 mm).
Characters with white lines
Try the following suggestions to correct this problem:
* The print cartridge may be out of ink or low on ink. If the Ink Low
message appears, install a new print cartridge. To view the ink
level, check the print cartridge image shown on the Cartridges tab
or the Status tab of the Control Program.
* Remove and reinstall the print cartridge. See "How to install or
change print cartridges" in Faxback Doc. # 49379.
* Clean the print cartridge nozzles. See "How to clean the print
nozzles" in Faxback Doc. # 49379.
* If printing on transparencies, try changing the fill pattern in
your application software.
General print quality problems
Try the following suggestions to correct this problem:
* The print cartridge may be out of ink or low on ink. If the Ink Low
message has appeared, install a new print cartridge. See How to
install or change print cartridges. To view the ink level, check
the ink level graphic shown on the Cartridges tab or the Status tab
of the Control Program.
* Change the print quality to something other than Fast Draft. See
"How to choose print quality" in Faxback Doc. # 49378.
* Clean the print cartridge nozzles. See "How to clean the print
nozzles" in Faxback Doc. # 49379.
* Make sure the print cartridge is installed correctly. See "How to
install or change print cartridges" in Faxback Doc. # 49379.
* Make sure you are using the correct type of paper. See "Paper
types" in Faxback Doc. # 79375 for more information.
Improperly formed or misaligned characters
Clean the print cartridge nozzles.
Characters not aligned correctly at left margin
Try the following suggestions to correct this problem:
* Make sure you do not have hard-coded spaces at the left margin.
* Clean the print cartridge nozzles. See "How to clean the print
nozzles" in Faxback Doc. # 49379.
* Align the print cartridge. See How to align the print cartridge.
* Make sure you are using Normal or High print quality, not Draft.
Print is too dark or smudged
Try the following suggestions to correct this problem:
* Make sure the paper type setting in the printer software matches
the paper type loaded in the printer. See "How to choose a paper
type" in Faxback Doc. # 49379.
* Make sure the paper is straight and unwrinkled.
* Let the ink dry before handling the paper.
* Change the print quality to Fast Draft. See "How to choose print
quality" in Faxback Doc. # 49378.
* Clean the print cartridge nozzles. See "How to clean the print
nozzles" in Faxback Doc. # 49379.
Print smears on the page
Print smearing may occur in two ways:
Print is smeared as the printer prints the page.
A page prints without smearing, but is smeared by the next page
exiting the printer.
Try the following suggestions to prevent print smearing.
Print is smeared as the printer prints the page
* Change to a higher or lower print quality setting. See "How to
choose print quality" in Faxback Doc. # 49378.
* Disable your Microsoft Windows screen saver. See your Microsoft
Windows documentation.
Ink is smeared by the next page exiting the printer
* The ink may still be damp when a page finishes printing. Remove the
pages as they exit the printer and allow them to dry before
stacking.
Solid black areas on transparencies contain white streaks
Try using a different fill pattern in your application software.
Unexpected or missing characters
Make sure you have your Compaq IJ200 printer driver chosen as the default
printer.
Vertical straight lines are not smooth
Try the following suggestions to improve print quality of vertical straight
lines in tables, borders, and graphs:
* Clean the print cartridge nozzles. See "How to clean the print
nozzles" in Faxback Doc. # 49379.
* Test the printhead alignment. See "How to align print cartridges"
in Faxback Doc. # 49379.
* Change the print quality to something other than Fast Draft.
(RCB/tc 08/25/98)
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