Stand-Alone Printer - Help And Support

Selecting the Best Wireless Printer

2011-10-04T05:05:00.000-07:00

Today, a wireless printer had already become a real need more than mere a want, as portability is a must in the hectic lifestyle of many people today. Thus, various competing hardware companies allege that they are selling the best wireless printer ever, yet only a few stay true to their words. Rest assured that this article is not like those profit driven cons that are only after your money; for we are after your optimum satisfaction. Continue reading and you will learn how to choose the best wireless printer, and discover that Brother MFC-640W Color Multi-Function Center is the printer that fits perfectly in the criteria.

Basic Standards for Finding the Best Wireless Printer

Before buying a wireless printer, make sure that it is the best wireless printer so that you will have the bargain due to you. So, ask yourself the following questions first:
- Is it an all-in-one wireless printer?
- don't waste your money buying a stand alone printer when you can buy a multi-functional printer that not only prints but also scans, faxes and photocopies.
- Does it have highly advanced technological features?
- buy a printer that has easy-to-use navigation buttons, which can help you easily access the multiple functions of the all-in-one printer. The best wireless printer should also be wi-fi and Bluetooth ready and should have USB and memory card ports built in it for a trouble-free usage.
- Is it a money and space saver?
- buy an all-in-one wireless printer that is compact so you could take it anywhere you want. And since an all-in-one printer performs multiple functions besides printing you'll save the money that is supposed to be spent on a separate scanning, fax and photocopy machine. Also, buy those printers that help you save on printing supplies.
- Does it produce excellent results fast?
- always check the printing speed of the printer because this will tell you how efficient your printer will be.
- Is it affordable?
- look for a cost-efficient printer. Make sure that the all-in-one wireless printer has all the previous characteristics and is sold for a low cost, or at least for a reasonable amount.

Why is Brother MFC-640W Color Multi-Function Center the Best Wireless Printer?

- As its name suggests, Brother MFC-640W Color Multi-Function Center is an all-in-one printer that prints, scans, faxes and photocopies. Plus it comes with a telephone handset, document feeder and digital voice machine-a real handy printer indeed!
- This printer has built-in ports for memory cards and USB. It prints without the need of plugging it to the computer. It is also ready for the advanced wi-fi and Bluetooth technology.
- Brother MFC-640W Color Multi-Function Center is a take-it-anywhere printer, a very compact printer that has it all. This all-in-one printer also comes with a separate printer ink cartridge for Yellow, Black, Cyan and Magenta. The Black ink cartridges produce more than 1000 pages and only for a low cost. It also last longer than your usual ink cartridge. Clearly, Brother MFC-640W Color Multi-Function Center will really save you some space and money.
- Having an 802.11 b/g and high USB capacity, Brother MFC-640W Color Multi-Function Center can perform at its optimal level.
- And you can have all of these features in Brother MFC-640W Color Multi-Function Center for only $ 110. A cheap bargain, is it not?
The key to the right selection of the best printer is asking right questions regarding the quality and cost of a printer. First, you need to ask if the printer is an all-in-one wireless printer so that you don't have to spend another set of dollars in a scanner, photocopy and fax machine. Secondly, you have to know if the ink cartridge it has is cost-efficient-an ink supply that is cheap and lasts longer than the usual ink. Lastly, make sure that the printer produces the high quality output you're looking for in a small amount of time.

Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5189144

Inkjet Printers Are Rubbish Literally

2011-09-26T05:01:00.001-07:00

Inkjet printers are rubbish, and I defy anyone to say different. In the past three years I have bought and discarded eight different inkjet printers, and they all had two things in common. Firstly, they were expensive to run, and secondly, they stopped working within eighteen months of purchase. The first time it happened, I rang technical support. After negotiating the minefield of "press three", "press five", "press six", and "An operator will be with you in a moment", I eventually spoke to a helpful young man. After an hour of trying to fix the problem online he said: "It's a mystery isn't it, why don't you parcel it up and post it off to me?" I didn't of course, it wasn't worth the carriage costs, or my time. All I wanted was a machine that worked. So I did what everyone else does, I threw it away, and went out and bought a new machine.

Think back fifteen years to the era of the dot matrix printer. Those chunky beasts would run all day long with never a hiccup, all night too if we asked them. Some of those musclely machines would run all year on one 4.95 ribbon, just so long as we carried out a little bit of ribbon refurbishment. Those machines gave the impression they would run until the end of time, providing they received a little TLC every aeon or two.

Then one day, almost overnight, the era of the dot matrix was over. Along came the so called intelligent printer. Intelligent my backside! We were seduced by their almost silence, and promises of sexy colour pictures. The time of the dominatrix was over and they were consigned to the chasm of doom, a slight Freudian slip perhaps, but you get the picture.

A couple of weeks ago I was so fed up with the sight of dead inkjet printers cluttering up my office and home, I loaded them all into the car and headed off for the local rubbish dump. On the way there I had to pass that giant computer retailer, you know the one, they are always located on the edge of town, and advertise almost daily on television. Their ads usually feature grinning customers and smug staff. I was tempted to dump the dead printers on their forecourt, together with a card saying: "Why don't you sell a kit that works?" But I didn't have a suitable pen, nor a piece of card, so I pressed on past their garish plastic signs, to the public dump.

At the tip these days everything is sorted for reclamation purposes. I asked the operative where computer equipment should be left. "Round the other side of the skip mate," he replied smiling, and I grabbed my first armful of dead printers, and set off in that direction. What did I find? Three chunky monitors, the kind of thing that no one wants any more, and two smart looking tower systems, the kind of gals you'd be happy to take home to your mother.

To the right of that, was a heap of inkjet printers. The pile was taller than me, and looked as if a tipper wagon had just arrived and dumped them in a huge mound. And they weren't all ancient jobs either, for sprinkled amongst them were many modern pieces of kit that looked as if that same grinning retailer had sold them within the last few weeks. So you see, inkjet printers really are rubbish, literally so. If you don't believe me, pay a visit to your local rubbish dump, and I'll wager you don't have to search long to find them.

So why do we put up with this? We wouldn't buy a car, and throw it away after a few months because it doesn't work. Nor a compact disc player, or a camcorder, a cooker, a coffee making machine, a camera, or even a kettle. The answer of course is cost. We have come to see them as disposable, throwaway items, like an empty can of shaving cream, or a spent ballpoint pen, and sometimes they last about as long. Surely that can't be right? So why don't we take them back? Probably because we are so concerned that that smart Alec salesman in the grinning retailers will make out we don't know what we are doing. He'll probably say: "I could sort that out in five minutes flat, if only I had the time. You'll have to leave it with me and come back in a week or two". We just couldn't be bothered, we only want a piece of kit that works. It's what we have paid for after all.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/261923

Choosing the Right Color Printer - Some Tips To Save You Money

2011-09-23T05:30:00.000-07:00

Fortunately, choosing a color printer is not something that has to be done every day. There are so many to choose from, that selecting the right model can take a long time. With a few simple tips, and using some of your research skills, you can easily choose the perfect one for your needs.

First, let's take a look at options and what you want the printer to be able to do. Are you interested in faxing? How about scanning? This will determine whether or not you want an all-in-one or a stand-alone printer. Most all-in-one models are able to send and receive faxes, scan documents and photos and make copies. Better all-in-one printers can fax color documents, print photos directly from memory cards, DV camcorders, and digital cameras. They can even automatically enhance the photos you wish to print.

There are even all-in-one machines than can do all of this, without a computer attached. And with the addition of an automatic document feeder, faxing long documents is no longer a time consuming task. Whether you are looking for an all-in-one, or a single purpose model, there are a few things you should check. For any machine that you intend to purchase, do a quick search on the internet and see what other users have to say about that model. If you find a site that sells the printer, many times they will allow comments. This will be one of your best sources of information.

If you will be printing color photos then you will need a multi cartridge machine as these can give more accurate representation of colors.

Ink is the single largest running cost. You pay for the machine one time. You will be buying ink, and paper for the life of the printer. This can add up fast. Paper costs are pretty standard across the board. The same pack of paper can be used in every printer. But ink is different for every brand, and sometimes every model. The model you choose will directly impact the cost of your printing.

Let me give you an example. I own a machine that uses 6 separate ink tanks. This allows me to just replace the color that is empty, while keeping the half-full cartridges in place to fully empty them. Make sure and check the cost of purchasing refilled cartridges. Many manufactures produce a high quality refilled cartridge. And they can be very inexpensive. Today, I can buy 7 refilled cartridges for my printer, for $10.21. This is at a major online store. This includes one of each color plus an additional black cartridge. That's a cost of less than $2 each. After I empty the cartridges, I take them to my local office supply store. They give me $3 credit for each empty cartridge. I'll let you calculate the cost to print on that deal.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5568433

Reasons to Buy an All in One Printer Scanner Copier Fax

2011-09-20T05:19:00.000-07:00

Not too long ago you had to purchase printers, scanners, copy machines and fax machines separately. With all of the advancements made in technology you can now find an all in one printer scanner copier fax machine without having to purchase each item on its own.

Whether you have a home office, you work from home or own a business an all in one machine may be just what you're looking for. Here are 4 reasons to buy an all in one printer:

1. Convenience. With an all in one printer scanner copier fax everything you need is right at your fingertips. You don't have to use 4 different machines to get things done because one machine can do it all.
2. Savings. All in one machines are very cost-effective and a whole lot cheaper than buying all 4 machines separately. The prices have really come down on these machines because there is so much competition.
3. Save Space. I'm sure you know how large printers and copy machines can be but the multifunction style printers are very small in comparison. If you don't have a lot of space to work with an all in one would be a great choice for you. They are usually no bigger than a small, stand alone printer and they can be placed on desks or small tables without taking up a whole lot of space.
4. Maintenance is Simple. You can find all of the supplies you need for your all in one machine just about anywhere. You won't have to order supplies from a special printing shop and the only things you'll need to buy are ink and paper which you can find at any office store or discount department store.

If you are thinking about buying a printer you may want to consider an all in one printer scanner copier fax machine. This way you'll have the printer and you'll also have the ability to make copies and scan or fax documents if you need to. You'll spend less money, you'll save a lot of space and the supplies you need are relatively cheap and available just about anywhere. You can find multifunction printers online or at any local office supply store and there are many different models and price ranges to fit any budget.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4470784

Set Up a Network Printer

2011-09-16T04:26:00.001-07:00

When we say network printer, it means a stand-alone printer connected to a computer network. When a network printer has been successfully set up, it will always be available to all users in the network. Because of this advantage, more and more inkjet and laser ones are designed with this functionality and are most commonly set up in an office environment.

A network printer can be connected wired or wirelessly. Wired connection is done by connecting it directly into your hub or router using an Ethernet cable. Wireless connection uses Wi-Fi or Bluetooth to connect to the network. Steps in setting up the printer for networking vary every brand/model so it is important to follow the instructions found in your the manual carefully.

After having it successfully set up, you may now share the printer with any computer in the network by following these steps: For Windows 7 users, Click on the Start button, Devices and Printers, Add a Printer, then a wizard will appear. Select Add a Network, Wireless or Bluetooth Printer option, choose your printer from the list and then click Next. At times, it will prompt you to install the printer driver on the computer so just click on Install Driver. Just follow the next few steps provided by the wizard then click Finish.

For Windows Vista users, just click on the Start button, Control Panel, Printer, Add a Printer, then browse for your network printer. Just follow the Add Printer Wizard then click on Finish.

Additional Tips: After setting up your home network printer, you have to test the device to confirm if it is working. Print a test document by printing any word document saved in the computer or you can click on the Start button, Devices and Printers, right-click your printer, click Printer properties, and then select Print Test Page.

If the test document fails, read through the manual again for any missed step(s) and for troubleshooting steps. You can also check your printer manufacturer's website for further details. And if everything else fails, do not hesitate to call the technical support people and they will be more than happy to make your network printer work.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4681046

Selecting the Best Wireless Printer

2011-09-15T04:17:00.001-07:00

Basic Standards for Finding the Best Wireless Printer

Before buying a wireless printer, make sure that it is the best wireless printer so that you will have the bargain due to you. So, ask yourself the following questions first:
- Is it an all-in-one wireless printer?
- don't waste your money buying a stand alone printer when you can buy a multi-functional printer that not only prints but also scans, faxes and photocopies.
- Does it have highly advanced technological features?
- buy a printer that has easy-to-use navigation buttons, which can help you easily access the multiple functions of the all-in-one printer. The best wireless printer should also be wi-fi and Bluetooth ready and should have USB and memory card ports built in it for a trouble-free usage.
- Is it a money and space saver?
- buy an all-in-one wireless printer that is compact so you could take it anywhere you want. And since an all-in-one printer performs multiple functions besides printing you'll save the money that is supposed to be spent on a separate scanning, fax and photocopy machine. Also, buy those printers that help you save on printing supplies.
- Does it produce excellent results fast?
- always check the printing speed of the printer because this will tell you how efficient your printer will be.
- Is it affordable?
- look for a cost-efficient printer. Make sure that the all-in-one wireless printer has all the previous characteristics and is sold for a low cost, or at least for a reasonable amount.

Why is Brother MFC-640W Color Multi-Function Center the Best Wireless Printer?

- As its name suggests, Brother MFC-640W Color Multi-Function Center is an all-in-one printer that prints, scans, faxes and photocopies. Plus it comes with a telephone handset, document feeder and digital voice machine-a real handy printer indeed!
- This printer has built-in ports for memory cards and USB. It prints without the need of plugging it to the computer. It is also ready for the advanced wi-fi and Bluetooth technology.
- Brother MFC-640W Color Multi-Function Center is a take-it-anywhere printer, a very compact printer that has it all. This all-in-one printer also comes with a separate printer ink cartridge for Yellow, Black, Cyan and Magenta. The Black ink cartridges produce more than 1000 pages and only for a low cost. It also last longer than your usual ink cartridge. Clearly, Brother MFC-640W Color Multi-Function Center will really save you some space and money.
- Having an 802.11 b/g and high USB capacity, Brother MFC-640W Color Multi-Function Center can perform at its optimal level.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5189144

Stand Alone ID Card Laminators

2011-09-13T03:30:00.001-07:00

Companies often use an existing desktop printer to create photo IDs on heavy card stock. Lamination is an excellent way to improve the appearance and longevity of these badges. To make this work, you will need a few supplies to go along with your laminator:

1. Basic ID creation software. This type of program can be linked to your HR files for easy information transfer. It can also be used to make visitor passes.

2. A digital camera for taking headshots. A tripod and backdrop are also nice to have.

3. A hole or slot punch. This will enable you to attach badge clips and/or lanyards to your IDs. Use thick lamination pouches (10 mil or higher) to create credentials that are sturdy enough to handle hole punching.

Optional: If you are using full sheets to laminate multiple badges at one time, you will need a corner rounder. This trimming device clips the sharp corners off of each card and gives them a uniform appearance. If you are using individual badge pouches, you won't need this item.

Popular Laminators

These 2 models are good examples of entry level and high end laminators respectively. They are both "carrier free". This means you can run materials through the heated rollers without using a protective card stock carrier. These machines come with a 2 year warranty.

Model KL-10A

This is a compact small business or home office unit designed for low volume use. It features temperature control and 4 rollers for even feeding. You will find it convenient for laminating everything from government documents to business cards, luggage tags, and photographs. This machine accepts materials up to 10.2" wide and up to 10 mil thick.

Model KL-12HR

This unit is designed for frequent, high volume use. It can handle documents 12" wide and up to 20 mil thick making it one of the most versatile desktop laminators on the market. Temperature adjustment, speed control, and reverse switch features come standard on this machine. These allow you to fine tune your lamination process to handle a wide variety of materials.

Plastic Card Lamination Information

You can use a laminator to enhance 10 mil plastic bar-coded cards. Use a "wrapped" rather than a bar-sealed pouch for these cards if they will be swiped through a reader. A wrapped pouch is made of a single folded piece of laminate rather than two pieces glued together. This renders the leading edge highly resistant to wear and tear. You can use a peel & stick hologram laminate (such as the one manufactured by Zebra) to add a topcoat to magnetic stripe cards if you wish. Just don't stick it on the side of the card that has the stripe on it.

Encoded cards should not be run through a traditional desktop laminator since this can cause damage to the data device. If you place a custom order for encoded cards, have these laminated by the vendor as part of their process. Don't try to do it yourself. RFID access devices contain an antenna that should not have too much pressure or heat applied to it. Smart chips must not be laminated over or the contact surface will not be available for docking. ID card printing companies use reverse thermal transfer printers specifically designed to print, encode, and protect such cards in a single pass. The Fargo HDP5000 is a good example of this type of equipment.

Read more: http://EzineArticles.com/1992938

4 Reasons to Buy an All in One Printer Scanner Copier Fax

2011-09-01T04:10:00.000-07:00

How to Connect a Printer to a Stand-Alone PC via Ethernet

2011-08-26T04:03:00.000-07:00

Ethernet cable connections are typically reserved for high-speed Internet connections or system networks, but some printers and computers also use them. Connecting a printer to a computer this way is desirable if you are using a Wi-Fi for Internet and have used up the rest of the USB ports on the computer.

Instructions

Insert the Ethernet cable into the Ethernet port on the printer. Push the cable in completely to secure the connection.

Connect the other end of the cable into the Internet port on the computer. The system detects the hardware and states it has detected new equipment.

Insert the driver installation CD for the printer into the disc drive of the computer. A driver installation wizard appears on the screen.

Accept the end-user agreement. Choose "Next" two more times and then click "Install." The driver for the printer installs onto the computer.

Read more: http://goo.gl/RbgJz

Print From a Memory Card With a Photo Inkjet Printer

2011-08-18T04:49:00.000-07:00

Many stand-alone photo inkjet printers have the ability to print from a memory card without a computer. This feature adds portability and convenience to an already easy to use photo printing system. Read on to find out how to print from a memory card with a photo inkjet printer.

Instructions

Turn your camera off. Be sure your camera is completely turned off and not accessing the memory card.

Remove the memory card gently from your camera. If you are unsure of how to do this, refer to your manual.

Turn on your printer and ensure that is set up properly.


Load your printer with paper. Place your paper in the feeding tray glossy side facing you. Place it against the right side of the paper guide and slide the moveable piece on the left over so it touches the other side.


Insert memory card. Find the slot to insert your memory card into the printer. Refer to the manual. Make sure you insert it in the right direction-it should slide in easily.

Preview your photos. Either print an index or use the preview screen to select which photos you will be using. While looking at an index, take note of the number by the thumbnail.


Select the photos to print. Scroll through the menus and select or enter the number of the photo you want to print.

Press "print." Your print job is finished.

Read more: http://goo.gl/CpZhU

How to Add a Wi-Fi Printer to a Workgroup ?

2011-07-26T22:30:00.000-07:00

Adding a Wi-Fi printer to your workgroup can solve many problems. You do not have to configure it on each computer but can still have the advantage of printer capabilities for everyone in the network. This is useful for small business setups and larger concerns, or even for a home network with just a few computers. You can also set up a wireless network without a Wi-Fi printer in a workgroup. All you need is one computer connected to the printer

Instructions

Configure a Wi-Fi Printer

Connect the printer to your computer. Configure your printer server using the CD that came with the printer. Set up your password. Leave the default settings alone, as the manufacturer will have the optimal settings selected.

Input the IP addresses for the network (this will depend on your network). Input subnet mask and router IP address or gateway. Click "Next."

Set up a WEP (wireless security code) key if your network requires it. Install the drivers for the printer.

Conduct a test print from each computer to ensure that everything is working. Unplug the printer and place it in its permanent location.

Read more: http://goo.gl/5GtB6

Printer Not Responding - The Solutions to Printer Not Working Problem

2011-07-04T03:42:00.001-07:00

Printer is not responding? It is a common problem that many people have dealt with. Although you have followed some guides to troubleshoot it, you might not successfully resolve the problem. This article is to tell the real causes of the "Printer Not Working" problem and how to resolve it for good.

If you plug your printer to a USB port and there is not a green icon showing in the taskbar indicating a device was connected, you can plug it to other ports and see if it is detected. If there is still no icon, it is probably that your USB driver is corrupt or outdated. USB driver is not used by Windows system for recognizing USB devices like printer, scanner, camera and so on.

If it is corrupt or outdated, your system will have difficulty in detecting a device and there will be no any icon shows in the taskbar. That is one of the common causes of "Printer Not Responding" problem. In this case, to fix the problem, you only need to update your USB driver.

In another case, if you get an error message "USB Device Not Recognized" when you attach your printer to your computer, the problem must be caused by the printer driver error. Firstly, you should check if your printer driver is installed properly. Unsuccessful driver installation will lead to your printer not be able to work properly. And if the printer driver is outdated or damaged, your printer will not respond too.

To fix the problem that cause by the driver error, you should check the model of your printer, download and install the latest version on your computer. The printer problems that stem from out-of-date or corrupt driver software can be solved by installing or reinstalling the latest driver.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/3872753

Stand-alone printers giving way to all-in-ones

2011-06-29T21:14:00.001-07:00

Sales of stand-alone ink-jet printers are fading fast, replaced by popular "all-in-one" printers that usually combine a printer, copier and scanner. Prices have fallen so dramatically that all-in-ones are often priced on par with or below single-function printers, and consumers feel they're getting more for their money. Manufacturers are offering price cuts to help spur holiday sales.

For consumers, buying an all-in-one is like "getting a scanner for free," says Colin Donahoe, director of the consumer ink-jet division at printer manufacturer Epson.

Scanners aren't just for making high-resolution copies of old photos. You can also use them to make digital copies of receipts and important documents such as passports and tax returns. Once digitized, they can be stored on hard drives and shared in e-mails.

The Epson RX595, a printer/copier/scanner that sold for $149.95 in September when it launched, is now discounted to $99 in many promotions. A multifunction printer/copier/scanner from market leader Hewlett-Packard hpq is on sale at Best Buy bby for $75 — less than a stand-alone printer cost a year ago.Lexmark's lxk X5470, which also includes a fax function, is selling for $89.99 at Target. tgt

Most popular all-in-ones offer "photo" quality printing, with six ink cartridges for more colorful prints, instead of the four colors used on most stand-alone printers. In the first three quarters of 2007, some 17.6 million ink-jet printers have sold — 12.3 million all-in-ones, compared with 5.3 million single-function printers, according to researcher Gartner. That compares with sales of 17 million in the first three quarters of 2006 — 10.5 million all-in ones and 6.5 million stand-alone printers.

Multifunction printers now have 74% of the market, up from 66% at the beginning of the year, says Gartner.The drop-off in sales of single-function printers is so dramatic that Donahoe predicts they could eventually disappear. "I see them pretty much going away within the next two years," he says. Manufacturers prefer selling multifunction units, which run through ink more frequently as consumers use them for color printing, scanning and copying, says Gartner it analyst Federico De Silva. "This way, (manufacturers) make more money on ink sales, where the real money is," he adds.

Printing manufacturers historically have used the razor/razor blade approach — selling cheap printers, with expensive and highly profitable ink. Color ink refills often cost nearly as much as a new printer. The scanning quality on early all-in-one printers was inferior to stand-alone scanners, but Donahoe says that's changed. Professional photographers, architects and other creative professionals will "still want a (separate) scanner, to make wall-size copies," he says. "But for the mass market, the scans they get on the multifunctions are perfectly good."De Silva says consumers might have a hard time finding single-function printers in 2008, though he believes they will remain available for awhile. "There's always a need for the low end of the market," he says.

Article Source: http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/story?id=4024781&page=1

Stand-alone printers giving way to all-in-ones

2011-06-29T21:14:00.000-07:00

Printer Repair Tips - Fix Your Faulty Printer

2011-06-27T03:16:00.000-07:00

Is your printer broken or faulty? Looking for help to fix printer problems? If the answer is yes, you have landed at the right place. Like any other piece of technological equipments, printers also break down. There are different reasons behind this. It might be a paper jam or leaking ink. How to fix these issues? Go through this article and get the tips.

Printer paper jam is a very common problem. This problem occurs when paper is either loading or being printed upon. The paper gets wrapped around the printer's paper spools and it gets caught between various moving parts of the printer and stops printing.

How to fix printer paper jam problem? Unplug the printer from its power source, and unload all unjammed paper. Next, gently remove the printhead and open the door to expose the paper spools. Then gently grab the paper by a corner and then pull it, following the angle of the machine. At the time of pulling the paper if the paper gets torn, don't panic! Just pull it out in the same manner as mentioned. You can use some tweezers to free the printer from a tiny piece of paper.

Are you trying to install a printer? Check the Device Manager in the Control Panel for any Unknown Devices. The printer will be shown as an Unknown Device if you plug the cable in prior to installing the driver software. You need to remove the Unknown Device and then unplug the USB cable and then install the software that has been supplied with the printer. Once the installation is over, put the USB cable back in.

Are you trying to print something and find that the printer is not responding? If yes, then the problem might be with your computer. To fix this issue, free up some virtual memory. Abort your current print jobs and close all programs including your security software and media players. Once all of the programs are closed, again try the print option.

Ink leaking and smearing are some other common printer problems. Sometimes, you may find that the printed documents are coming out with a little bit more ink than they should. This happens due to an issue with the ink cartridge. To resolve the issue, you need to open the printer to the ink bar, and then press the ink cartridge eject button. After accessing the faulty ink cartridges, check the bottom. If you find that the plastic film on the bottom of the cartridge is cloudy, probably the cartridge is blocked, and you need to clean it.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6100870

Your Printer Might Be A Security Risk

2011-06-20T04:08:00.000-07:00

If you need to regularly work with printed documents, then being able to access your office printer from the Internet might well be a godsend. Just remember that a network-connected printer represents a potential security vulnerability.

While few printers can install software directly (and those that do often have a complex approval process and performance issues), vulnerabilities in printer firmware can create opportunities for cyber-criminals. There are also other potential risks, ranging from your printer being filled with unwanted spam and junk to unexpected expenditure on supplies. Alexey Polyakov, head of the global emergency response team at security software developer Kaspersky Lab, gave an interesting example at the company’s recent security summit in Malaga:

We had an experiment where we tried to find printers via the Web, and we found many of these. We could even order printer supplies for some of them.

Bottom line: if you’re not confident your Internet printing infrastructure is secure, it might be best not to set up that option. After all, you’re not going to have access to the documents until you return to the printer anyway; having to print on the spot might be simpler than cleaning up any security mess afterwards.

Source: http://www.lifehacker.com.au/2011/06/your-printer-might-be-a-security-risk/

How to Choose a New Printer

2011-06-13T23:25:00.000-07:00

So its time to get a new printer; but which one is going to be the best? First things first, you need to figure out what you want to do with your printer. Is speed of printing the most important quality for you or do you want to be able to print photo quality pictures? There are many different features that may be important to you and discovering these will help you select your ideal printer much more easily.

Speed of Printing

When choosing a printer, consider your need for a high speed of printing (measured in Pages Per Minute or PPM). But be for-warned, advertised printer speeds on printers are notoriously inaccurate.

Its also important to note that sometimes, a high speed can compromise the quality of printing offered by a machine, where as in other printers, you can find speed and quality, but often for a bit more money!

Color and/or Black and White

If you want to produce photo quality prints or other color documents, you'll likely want a different printer than if you're just interested in fast black and white printing. Photo quality printers are generally slower, of course, so there's no reason to use one if you aren't going to be printing a lot of pictures; but they can be exactly what you need if you're really into digital photography.

You could always get a model that can do both, but make sure and do your homework so you don't compromise the print quality in exchange for these extra options.

Affordability

For most of us, affordability is always a consideration. But, the true cost of a printer isn't just the price listed at the store. You've got to consider what it's going to cost to keep your printer in ink for the entire life of the machine.

Some printers simply require more expensive ink cartridges, and these printers often carry the most affordable looking price at the store. But, if you're paying a lot to replace the ink cartridges, you'll likely make up that initial savings pretty quickly.

Multi-Function Printers

Many printers today are often combined with scanners and/or copiers. Take a minute to consider if these additional functions would benefit you. For a home office, having a small scanner and copier is often very useful. However, if you use these features regularly, having a stand alone model may be more helpful since the quality will likely be higher. For infrequent use though, multi-function printers can be a great deal.

Resolution

When investigating the resolution or clarity a printer offers, you'll likely want to try and compare from actual printouts instead of the DPI (Dots Per Inch) listed on the printer's specifications.

If that's not possible, look for the highest number of DPI possible as that will provide the best resolution. As with printer speeds though, take the manufacturers reporting of the printer's DPI with a grain of salt; they aren't always accurate.

When it comes time to purchase a new printer, taking the time to do the research on several models and their options will help you, in the end, to purchase the printer that will be the best and most useful for your situation. Take a look at all the different features that seem important for your intended use, review the specifications on several different printers that look as though they'll meet your needs, and then, you'll be ready to make a final purchase you'll actually be pleased with!

Source: http://goo.gl/axvEY

Printer Support - What to Do When You Can't Print

2011-05-27T00:51:00.000-07:00

The final step in any project, whether it is creative, academic or business related, is often printing. The importance we continually invest in printers is often in stark contrast to the amount of time we spend thinking about them. As you approach a deadline and start adjusting your workflow in accordance with the remaining amount of time you have left, printing is always a process you assume will work properly and so you allot it the least amount of time possible.

That is why when printing problems occur, and they usually choose the most inopportune times to show up, being able to quickly figure out what the problem is and resolve it can be priceless. Printer support is different from other kinds of tech support for many reasons. Unlike most other electronic devices the problems you experiences with a printer can derive from issues with software, drivers, hardware or since the printer has moving parts it could even be mechanical.

It should be clear that having printer tech support available for you 24/7 is so necessary. With so many different things that could all go possibly wrong and prevent you from printing what you need to when you need to. Printer support is usually covered by general tech support services giving you access to helpful specialists that can assist you in troubleshooting numerous printing related problems like:

Hardware Issues
Cartridge Alignment
Driver Problems
Printing Preferences
Software Conflicts
Adding Printers To Your Wireless Network

Online product manuals and user message boards can be helpful, but are usually hard to read, incomplete or full of people who don't know what they are doing randomly trying to fix their own problems. Even if you find posts relating to your specific problem, with your exact printer and the same operating system, the suggestions you find online can often cause you to go through a lot of unnecessary steps in the hopes that your issue was the same one.

With a support specialist on the line, however, you can find, troubleshoot and test resolutions and fixes to the problems you are having, as you experience them. And since the printer tech support is often part of a larger comprehensive tech support service, you can be certain that no matter if the problem is with your computer, the software or the printer itself you will be able to fix it and finish printing.

Source: http://goo.gl/j2Msn

5 Tips For Choosing the Best Laser Printer

2011-05-17T23:21:00.000-07:00

Laser printers are normally chosen to get jobs done quickly and with quality. People and businesses that print a lot of documents and use a lot of word programs use laser printers. Your choice of a laser printer will be based on your needs.

Sales

As a rule, laser printers are more expensive than inkjet printers. Look for sales or store specials which can often net you a great laser printer at a great price. Still, if you need one quickly, you can find quality laser printers at a reasonable price. Matching up features you need and a price you can afford, even outside of sales, can be done.

Capacity

If you are going to be doing a lot of bulk printing choose a laser printer that can accommodate a lot of paper. Paper capacity also depends on paper thickness and weight. Normally, standard paper capacity is fine. Laser printers do have options such as these because lasers are used in big companies which need higher capacity.

Compatibility

Find a printer that is going to be adaptable to your computer. You may also want to consider which paper types you will be using and what the capacity is of the printer. All of this makes a difference in your business and it will make a difference in your printer.

Repair costs

If normal repairs on a printer are going to be more than 50% of the price of the printer (which can happen with some laser models) then it is generally going to be more expensive than efficient unless there is an excellent guarantee. Find out what normal repair costs are on the printer you are considering buying. You can normally find that information online. Expect to have at least some repairs done to your printer, no matter what kind of printer it is. This is why warranties are so important.

Print output and quality

Different people and businesses have different specific needs for their printers. Try to look for the printer that provides the quickest output and the best quality for the lowest price. Since these are two very important factors, even if you cannot find the best price on the printer, it may still save you money to get it. If you produce a quality product, you will get more business and that will make you money.

Source: http://goo.gl/h6AKQ

How to Repair Printer

2011-05-11T02:38:00.000-07:00

If you own a printer, you must have faced some technical issues that might have prevented you from getting the best out of it. Here are some of the common printer issues:

- Printer spooler service not running
- Paper jam issue
- Power cable issue
- Cartridge not working
- Paper rolling out of printer completely blank
- Printing result is not up to mark
- Driver failure

About 90 percent of printer problems are related with interface/configuration mistakes and special effects errors. Chances of any mechanical errors are very rare.

Interfacing and configuration issues arise when there is some problem in networking and you may get error like, printer is not found. There are two possible reasons, it may be not be getting identified by your operating system or there may be compatibility issue related with hardware. Please follow the following steps:

Step1. Cross-verify your USB cable, which is used for connecting printer to your computer. You must replace it if there is any damage caused to it.

Step 2. Make sure that your printer is being identified by your computer. From the main menu of Windows, choose the "Printers and Faxes" option and follow the steps to add your USB printer.

If even your printer is not recognized by your computer, then it reflects your printer software may is corrupted. Hence, you need to download it from manufacturer’s website or from a CD.

Finally, check by changing the setting of your printer to default status.
Here are some of the problems that you can fix on your own:

Paper jam: Usually it happens when more than one sheet of paper stuck in the printer. You can gently lift the cover of your printer and pull them out.

Ink level: Check the level of the ink in your cartridge and refill it asap.

Clogged cartridges: This is the most common fault, when your cartridge head is clogged with dry ink. You can repair it with simple command as: Control Panel> Printer>Right Click> Properties>Maintenance> Clean Cartridges.

Driver failure: You can check your device manager, if there is any conflict related with driver it will get reflected as exclamation mark. It shows there is some fault in printer driver and it needs to be replaced. You can make a clean install of your driver.

Alternatively, you can choose to update your printer driver as: "Control Panel > Printers > Right Click > Properties > Update Driver"

Now, you must have understood that most of the problems can be addressed easily at user’s level without calling any technician. However, you can also avail services from some tech support provider to repair your printer.

source: http://goo.gl/unsdK

Canon Printer Error Check

2011-03-24T00:49:00.000-07:00

The Check Printer error for a Canon printer might appear on your computer screen when you are trying to send a print job to the printer, or if you are in the middle of a print job and the printer suddenly stops printing. Investigate the most common causes for the Check Printer error before taking the printer into a repair shop. Sometimes the error is caused by a software glitch in the printer itself, which requires you to reset the printer. Improperly installed print cartridges also cause the error to appear, as do paper jams.

Instructions

1. Press the printer's power button to turn it off. Wait 10 seconds, then turn the printer back on.

2. Open the printer's top or front cover, depending on the model printer. Ensure the lever that locks over the print cartridges is snapped over the cartridges. If the lever was already snapped over the cartridges, raise it and remove the cartridges, then reinstall them in the printer until each snaps into place. Lower the lever over the cartridges and close the printer's cover.

3.Check the paper feed tray and open the printer's front cover to look for any stuck paper. Carefully pull out any paper you see, making sure to remove any torn pieces.

4. Send a print job to the printer. If the Check Printer error persists, take the printer to a repair shop.

Read more: eHow.com

Adobe Acrobat 6.0 Printing Errors

2011-03-16T02:44:00.000-07:00

If you receive a printing error when using Adobe Acrobat 6.0, there are a few things you should consider when you troubleshoot the problem. Check things over in a logical manner since there a lot of variables at play when printing any document.

PDF file-related errors
A printing error can be triggered by a corrupted copy of the file or trying to print from a thumb drive or network drive. Copy the file to your hard drive and try printing it from there. To test for file corruption, try printing a different PDF file. If it prints, your original file is corrupted. To print the original PDF, re-save it as a different file name or re-download the file.

Printer-related errors
You may have printer troubles. To verify this, print the PDF to another printer to see if it works. Check your printer connection and status. You may want to try restarting the computer to flush the print queue. Also, check the printer driver by trying to print something from a different program. If that won't print either, you may need to update your printer driver or re-install it.

Program-related errors
You may have a corrupted Adobe 6.0 installation on your computer if you can't print. Re-installing the program or upgrading to the latest version may restore your ability to print documents from the application.

Read more: eHow.com

Troubleshooting With Printer Cartridges

2011-03-10T02:14:00.000-08:00

If something can go wrong, it will! And in office, this saying is usually proven by a troubling printer. Just before you have to make your presentation, the slides refuse to print and the printer dries up. Or when you are just ready with your final product of creative designing, the ink of your printer changes its colors. Or when you are racing a deadline and the printer refuses to give out a copy, while there are umpteen cartridges in the back-up.

All of us have faced similar experiences at work. So how can our printer be transformed from a source of stress back into an object of utility that it is supposed to be?

Here are some of the most common problems and their solutions explained in detail.

• Printer Runs Dry - Over time, inks of many cartridges thickens up. It becomes difficult then for it to come out from the holes. This leads to problems in flow and continuity. Often discoloration also happens. The printed out file will not resemble the one in your computer. The solution to this problem is nothing but cleaning of the clogged ink. These days most of the printers have a function to ‘clean head'. However, this process will eat up a lot of ink, paper as well as time.

• Printer's ink changes color - This is a typical problem if you have not tested whether the cartridge you are using is compatible to your printer or not. As all inks by different manufacturers are of a different consistency. For example, the consistency of say blue color in an hp printer ink is substantially different from a blue color printer ink of a different company. So if you are not using them, then chances for mixing of colors heighten. This happens because an incompatible ink inside a printer cartridge will seep out and pass on up till the printer head, even when it is at rest. And by the time it gets to printing, even though the command would be of another color, the seeped color will come out first, all mixed up.

So do checks for any compatibility issues before you put replace an ink cartridge. Using genuine ink cartridges will help you skip these troubles. You shall be able to run smoothly all your office tasks.

Read more:- articlealley.com/

Print Management and Network Security

2011-03-07T02:09:00.000-08:00

Print management can often be an annoyance for network operations managers and network administrators, especially if the enterprise or organization relies on their operating system's native print spoolers. But beyond mere annoyance, insufficient print management can easily become a security risk for your organization's sensitive data and materials.

Print Management Vulnerabilities

Many network operations managers and administrators would rather be working on things such as maintaining network integrity and security, rather than troubleshooting enterprise print problems. However, some network managers and admins may not realize that resolving poor print spool management can also increase network security.

A crucial concern in print management and network security--considering today's highly mobile work environments, which increasingly implement WAN's to accommodate mobile users--is the print data that is "exposed" while sent from the end user's machine to the printer over the WAN. Native OS print spoolers work extremely well in the capacity for which they're designed. However, they're only designed to accommodate a very narrow range of tasks, and accounting for WAN security is typically not one of them.

The good news is that any high quality third-party print management solution will provide increased WAN security for print jobs. Plus Tech's OM Plus print management software, for example, encrypts print jobs between OM Plus servers. This prevents the interception and compromise of sensitive documents by rogue employees or by neighboring or crawling computers with access to the WAN.

Print Management Prevents Accidental Security Compromises

This ability of print management solutions to control and manage user print privileges and printer performance can also prevent accidental compromises in document security. Using a native print spooler, a user may send print jobs to the wrong printer, meaning non-primary parties or departments could receive highly sensitive print jobs in their print tray by accident. For example, an HR documents containing social security numbers, salary information, or proposed changes in workforce personnel could print on the production floor rather than on the HR department's internal printers.

Unauthorized parties could then either wean information from the documents that they shouldn't be seeing, or in a more benign scenario, they could simply dispose of it improperly or without the security/destruction measures appropriate to the document.

Printer Problems and Solutions: Reading Between the Lines

While these problems are relatively minor compared to more foreboding network security threats, one must consider these problems relatively. That is, the time that network managers, administrators and help desk staff spend working on or troubleshooting problems related to print management is time spent not working on other network vulnerabilities. The International Data Corporation (IDC) estimates that 40% of help desk calls are related to printing problems. When such a significant amount of resources are spent on a problem with such an easy solution, it becomes increasingly difficult for management to justify not implementing a third-party print management solution, particularly given the security concerns such a solution addresses.

Source:- Ezinearticles.com

error "41.5" HP LaserJet 4000 Series

2011-02-28T21:52:00.000-08:00

The error table in the HP LJ 4000/4050 service manual states that a "41.5" error is a media feed error and directs the technician to reseat the laser scanner connections. If the problem remains, the next recommended action is to replace the laser scanner, and then the engine controller board. This seems odd considering the error is described as a "media feed error" rather than a "beam error," which is caused by either a defective laser scanner or DC controller, or engine controller board. The reason why the information in the manual is misleading is because the recommended action for any "41.X" error is to check the laser scanner followed by the engine controller board. In other words, the manual does not tell the whole story. Incidentally, the HP LaserJet 4100, which replaced the 4050 in the spring of 2001, defines the error properly, hence this article will address only the 4000 & 4050.

PC Troubleshooting 101

2011-02-24T00:17:00.000-08:00

Troubleshooting your PC requires hard work. If you are an expert at it, a technician would no longer be needed to solve the problem. But if you think that the problem is beyond your abilities, it is better to hire someone who knows how to handle your PCs very well.

But before calling for help, you can do some basic strategies to spot the problem in your PC software. Here is a list of things you can do:

. Restart the computer. Minor problems usually correct themselves after the system has been restarted.
. Check the cables and be sure that everything is plugged in.
. Test the electric power. Plug a device into the same outlet where your computer is plugged in. This rule out the possibility that your outlet might not be working.
. Make sure that the monitor and CPU are connected to the power source.
. Detach peripheral devices such as your external Zip disk or printer. Restart the computer afterward.
. Take note of unusual sounds. The hard rive can be making too much noise or the cooling fan may no longer be running.
. Check the insides of the computer for wires that are disengaged. Faulty connections are common PC software problems.
. Use an external start-up disk to run the computer. A good example would be a software CD that came with your PC.

These basic steps can help greatly in PC troubleshooting. Be sure to employ these ways before calling a technician. Remember, minor glitches are easily solved and handled on your own. It would also be less expensive if you try safe and simple steps to troubleshoot your PC.

Tips to Guide You by

. Before deciding to call the technical support team for PC troubleshooting, note down the exact problem and relay what you were doing when the problem occurred. Write down the error messages that appeared on your screen as this can help in fixing your device.
. Be very specific in explaining the problem. Report all the texts and signs you have seen on the screen so technicians can handle the PC software more appropriately.
. Free up some of your hard drive space from unnecessary files. Many clients who have asked for PC troubleshooting have hard disks that are nearly full. Remember to empty the Recycle Bin afterward to clear your hard drive from these files.
. When troubleshooting your PC, remember not to zap the RAM. Leave the wires connected into the surge suppressor while working inside the PC.
. Remember to call for help if the problem is beyond your skills and capabilities. PC troubleshooting is best handled by professionals who can better take care of your PC software and its other components.

Source:- Ezinearticles.com

How to reduce printer ink wastage?

2011-02-17T23:30:00.000-08:00

Every one of us knows that the Ink is expensive; bur few realize what is really expensive. Printer Ink is one of the most expensive things you can exchange one way to the office for the operation and other requires. It is used in homes, office, schools and more, and it is an important resource for busy people. It adds real costs, and demand is high. Let us face it; printer ink is now big business.

According to one survey, almost sixty percent of people in America are having more than one printer. However, there is a difference between Waukesha printer ink and Waukesha toner ink. Printer ink is a liquid that small drops are applied to paper for the pressure in the mold. Each time a nozzle, new supplied of printer ink is automatically fired drawn in his room so it is ready to return to the site is sprayed in a complex pattern of small dots.

This printer is distilled; de-ionized water with the pigment can be added for color. Interestingly, the Waukesha printer ink is black, the same mixture of three inks, cyan, magenta and yellow. And this printer ink is transparent to infrared light, and most of this acid-free. Well, you realize that is not waterproof and should be aware that to dry before being coated. Further more, the ink tends to fade the ink to more than the lowest quality. This particularly important to know when you are printing on photo paper. As for the high quality of ink is essential for obtaining images of the most brilliant and accurate and durable, use only the best quality ink.

Here one thing we need to remember that saving printer ink is more than buying the ink at the lowest price. When you are trying to purchase printer ink for your needs, you need to know what kind of ink for your printer is necessary. Ink quality is important for good results and function to provide critical real printer. Finally, there are some well established and experienced printer supplies are providing Waukesha printer ink, Waukesha Toner ink, Waukesha Computer Repair services to their clients.

Source:- myarticle.com

Dell Laser Printer Error Codes

2011-02-14T22:17:00.000-08:00

The Dell Laser Printer is one of the best around in the market. However, many users complain about the numerous error codes they frequently receive. Here are some troubleshooting tips on fixing these errors effectively.

Error code: 004-332

This type of error code implies that you need to restart the printer again. However, do check to see if toner cartridges are seated in the proper position. Also ensure that they have been locked in. This is an error commonly associated with the Dell 3100cn laser printer.

Error code: 016-370

This is yet another error message asking you to restart the printer. You need to switch off the printer and then connect it via the USB cable. Press the hold and cancel buttons simultaneously. Then power on the printer again. On your LCD display you should typically see a message saying 'ready for download mode'. You will then need to initialize the firmware update process.

Error code: 009-360

Sometimes the Dell laser printer only recognizes the yellow toner as 'missing'. Hence you need to replace the Dell toner with a new one. It can happen when the toner is a remanufactured one with a different chip.

Error type: Not printing black text

This type of error happens because of a problem with the power supply. You need to check if the I/O cable is connected properly or not and that all connections are in place.

Error type: Printing text in red

At certain times you might be able to print perfectly well the first two times and then you see the text being covered in red color. This can happen if the unit is still not properly clean. You could try cleaning the tube.

Error message: Insert yellow toner

Sometimes in spite of replacing the yellow toner in your Dell 5100 cn laser printer you might still get this error message. Try to change the black cartridge. You could also check to see if the toner cartridges are locked appropriately.

Error message: Print head error

This type of error message typically happens when the printer head is not clean enough. You could try installing software that is used to clean the head of the printer. You could try clicking on 'start' then go to 'settings' and then 'printers'. Select your printer and right click on it and go to 'properties'. Check to see if there is any such software installed.

Error code: 1200

This error code is commonly associated with the Dell 922 printer. Usually you might see the cartridge moving front and back and slamming itself against the printer. You need to tighten the strings located on the back of the printer and then it should work fine.

Error message: Parallel port maybe used by another application

This is an error message commonly found when you are trying to make a second scanning operation. Try downloading the printer driver according to your specific operating system. You could also try setting a different parallel port in the BIOS.

Source:- Ezinearticles.com

Printer Spool32 Error

2011-02-09T21:43:00.000-08:00

A Spool 32 error is a computer error that may pop up during a printer operation. Any error that has to do with a spool is an error that involves printing because spooling is part of the procedure that brings information to the printer. In other words, a spool error will not let you print because information is trapped in a folder somewhere between the document or webpage you want to print out and the printer. So how do we stop this error? This article will tell you how.

There are different ways for different operating systems to clear out a spooler. Sometimes, after the spool has been cleared, the printer will start operating again. You can find the spool folder by searching the hard drive for "spool." However, clearing the problem this way is not full proof and can take a lot of work.

Reinstalling the Printer

Another way a spool error or spool illegal operation, as it is sometimes called, can be eliminated is by reinstalling the printer. A printer reinstall operation will reset the driver and therefore overwrite the old spool file thereby creating a new clean one.

Another Way

Probably the best way to fix this problem or most computer error problems is to run a registry cleaner. A registry cleaner will rid the Windows registry of corruption and reinstate the proper flow of information to the printer. It will do so by working directly with the Windows registry. Overwriting the printer driver will do the same thing except the printer driver will be overwritten as it writes new information to the registry.

The registry cleaner method is superior not only in the fact it will get the printer working properly again but it will fix all the other corrupted files in the registry that may be about to cause different computer errors.

The downside to using a registry cleaner is; if you want to use a trustworthy one you will have to buy it. Though they are not expensive, good ones are not free. On the other hand, reinstalling the printer is easy and the driver is probably already on the hard drive and can be reinstalled without using a CD. Though this is not always true and sometimes you will have to find the CD-ROM that came with the printer so you can reinstall it properly.

The bottom line is, anything that has to do with a spool or spooler has to do with a print operation. This is true, unless you have a vintage tape drive because they use a spooler as well.

Source:- Ezinearticles.com

Fix Printer Error 1068

2011-02-01T20:52:00.000-08:00

When you attempt to print a document or image on your PC computer, you may occasionally receive a message about Error 1068 saying that the system's print spooler could not be started. When this happens, you will need to manually restart the computer's print spooler in order to fix the error. The system's print spooler is used to transfer data from a computer to a printer's memory.

Instructions

1. Log on to your PC computer with an account that has administrative privileges.
2. Open the Start menu and click on the "Control Panel" icon.
3. Open the "Administrative Tools" folder and then double-click on the "Services" icon.
4. Scroll through the list of system services until you find "Print Spooler."
5. Highlight "Print Spooler" in the list of services and click on the "Start" link on the left side of the window.
6. Restart your computer and then attempt printing a document or image again. The Error 1068 should no longer appear.

Read more: eHow.com

Setting up or Installing a Printer in Microsoft Windows

2011-01-24T21:56:00.001-08:00

There are two different methods a user can install a printer in Microsoft Windows. Below is additional information about each of these methods listed in the order we believe a user should try installing their printer in Microsoft Windows.

Before being able to install your printer you must have the software that was included with the printer. If you've lost the software for your printer you can download the drivers for your printer and use the drivers to install your printer. A listing of printer manufacturers and links to their associated drivers pages can be found on our printer drivers page.

Setup a printer using printer software

Every printer should come with the software used to install a printer in Windows. Although not all installations are the same the steps for installing this software should be similar to the below steps.

Connect the printer to the computer and a power outlet and make sure it's on.
Insert the CD that was included with the printer. If the CD does not automatically start the install program open My Computer, double-click on the CD drive, and then the Setup or Install file.
Follow the installation wizard and your printer and its associated software should be installed successfully.

Installing a printer only using the drivers

In addition to the above steps a users can install a printer in Windows only using the printer drivers. This is recommended if you only want the printer to be installed but not the additional printer software programs that are often included with the installation and/or you've download drivers.

A listing of printer drivers and software downloads can be found through our printer drivers page.

Note: if you've installed the printer doing the above steps these steps should not be necessary unless you encountered errors.

Connect the printer to the computer and a power outlet and make sure it's on.
Click Start, Settings, and Control Panel.
In the control panel double-click the Printers or Printers and Fax icon.
In the Printers window click the Add a printer icon.
After completing the above steps the Windows Printer Wizard will appear. Click Next, to start the wizard.
Windows will prompt you if you're installing a Local or Network printer. If the printer is connected to your computer choose Local printer attached to this computer and click Next.
When prompted for the location of the drivers for the printer. Browse the computer to the directory of your drivers or point it to the CD that was included with your printer.

Testing the printer

After the printer has been installed in Windows you can use Windows to print a self-test page to make sure the printer is working by following the below steps.

Microsoft Windows 98, 2000, ME, XP, 2003, and Vista users

Click Start, Settings, and open Control Panel.
Double-click the Printers or Printers and Fax icon.
Right-click on the Printer you wish to test and click Properties. If you do not see your printer listed your printer is not installed. See document CH000939 for additional information about installing a printer in Windows.
In the Printers Properties window click the Print Test Page button.
If the printer is able to print a test page, you're printer is installed and setup properly. However, if you're unable to print in other programs it's possible that the program you're attempting to print from has issues.

Fastest Methods For Fixing a Printer Error

2011-01-19T21:13:00.000-08:00

There are many reasons why printer errors can plague your machine. Obviously, you can't go out and buy a new printer every time your printer crashes. Still, there are some very obvious fixes for your printer's hardware and software. There are only a few types of printer errors, so it's eventually easy enough to summarize these errors and fix them.

Frequently Occurring Printer Errors

Of course, there are very common errors including paper jam, low ink, and low toner. In the case of the former problem, you must exercise caution when dealing with the jam. It's wise to always consult your printer's manual before you actually attempt to remove paper from the printer. If you don't, you could end up seriously damaging your printer. Also, always turn off your printer before you extract the paper from the printer.

There are some printers that contain a paper feed button which can facilitate the removal of the paper. If you've got one of these printers, try holding the paper feed button down before you open the printer's casing. It's an easy way to solve the problem.

When your ink is running low, your computer will usually notify you in the "Devices and Printers" category. It may even display a small warning on the taskbar. Take a look at these warnings, and make sure that you change any ink cartridges that are low. You can actually harm your printer by trying to "run on empty" when it comes to ink cartridges. The same goes for toner.

Network Printers and Updating Drivers

If your printer is installed on a network, then you need to contact the system administrator before you make any adjustments. All network printers depend on one another to some degree. Also, you might be dealing with a network problem rather than a hardware or software issue.

If you're having trouble with your printer, but you're not experiencing any of the problems previously listed, then it's very probable that you have to replace your printer drivers. Your printer drivers are basically your printer's gateway to the OS. Your operating system requires updated printer drivers to communicate effectively with the OS so that you can print jobs.

When your OS isn't able to recognize drivers, your printer shuts down. There are a few ways you can update your printer's drivers without going through too much hassle.

Windows Update

The first method for updating drivers is to utilize Windows Update, a built-in tool that looks in Microsoft's databases for your fix. Since most printers are manufactured by external companies, this isn't necessarily going to fix your printer problem.

You have the option to directly visit the manufacturer's website to find new drivers. Almost all manufacturers of printers will contain driver updates on their site. After all, they want you to continue using their products. Just look within the "Support" or "Downloads" category of the manufacturer's site.

Choose Driver Update Software to Repair Drivers Rapidly

Another alternative is to utilize driver update software, which is a type of software used to replace old drivers. This software is easy to use, and will install new drivers on your machine in a matter of minutes. It's very convenient and doesn't take a lot of time. So, it's a good recommendation to utilize driver update software to fix printer errors.

Source:- ezinearticles.com

Common Printer Error Codes

2011-01-18T22:35:00.000-08:00

You have noticed that your printer has been displaying the words 'Error 11' or 'Error 12' for a few hours now. What does that mean? How do you get the error messages to go away? Don't panic. These are just printer error codes to let you know that your printer needs some attention, even if the problem isn't major. Here are some common error codes that you may see fairly often, as well as what to do about them.

Error 11. This just means that the printer is out of paper. No problem-just grab some of the paper that is designed for your printer model and refill the paper draw. Make sure that the paper is aligned correctly according to the diagram or example in the paper draw and close the tray securely. Your printer should be running fine after that.

Error 12. This error is an indication that there is no cartridge in the printer, or that the printer is open. Check to make sure all paper trays and parts of the printer are closed before you start printing. Also check to make sure that your cartridge is secure and does not need replacing before trying to complete a big printing job.

Error 13. The Error 13 message on your printer screen is probably one of the most common printer error codes. It means that there is a paper jam. Most service printer repair manuals will give you instructions on how to get rid of the paper jams, so be sure to follow the directions on the printer screen or paper tray for the best way to remove crumbled paper from the rollers and get your printer up and running again.

Error 16. This is an indication that the toner on the printer is low. Error 16 is another one of the common printer error codes and the error can be fixed by simply ordering more toner and placing it in the printer. There are instructions for this in the introductory manual for the printer as well.

Error 21. You may think that you need a printer repair specialist after seeing this error, but Error 21, or print overrun, lets you know that the job you are requesting is too complex. You can change these printer error codes by replacing the font on some of the documents you are trying to print, or by adjusting some of the margins on your page so that the document will fit inside of the measurements of the printing page.

Error 55. This is perhaps one of the more complicated printer error codes when it comes to printer repair, but Error 55 will let you know that the internal communication between the printer and computer did not fully process for some reason. The DC controller on the printer is not receiving the proper information and you should check the DC controller connections in order to fix this. Your printer may not be receiving enough power from the power supply, so changing the power supply may help with this problem.

Source:- buzzle.com

5 Steps to Setting Up a Wireless Printer

2011-01-17T01:48:00.000-08:00

Wireless networks becoming the norm in network computing both at home and in offices, it is not surprising that these users of wireless networks are now turning as well to setting up a wireless printer to address whatever printing needs that they may have. After all, since wireless printers do not require Ethernet or local area network cables, it is more economical to install them instead of laying out meters upon meters of network cables either at home or in the office.

Setting up a wireless printer is not a complicated matter to accomplish. It can take as short as five steps to get the whole thing done.

Step #1: The Location of the Wireless Printer.

Since more than one computer would be making use of the wireless printer. It makes sense to figure out the best place to put it. The wireless printer should be set up at a place at home or in the office that is accessible to everyone and where there is ample space for paper, printer ink and other such paraphernalia.

Step #2: Bluetooth or Wi-Fi?

There are two connectivity choices when it comes to setting up a wireless printer, and these two choices are none other than Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. Most new computers and printers nowadays are equipped with either Bluetooth or Wi-Fi capacities, but if not, it is easy to get a wireless card that can be plugged using a USB port. The only difference is that Bluetooth printers has a smaller range than Wi-Fi.

Step #3: Enable Printer Sharing

The server computer’s operating system must be informed that the printer that will be added to its network is a wireless printer. In Windows Vista, this is done by accessing the network settings in the Control Panel and then activating file and printer sharing in the local area network settings.

Step #4: Share the Printer.

The other computers on the network must also be set up for using the wireless printer. To do this in Windows Vista, open the Control Panel in the classic view and then open Printers. Right click on the printer that is going to be shared, and then open Properties. In Properties, check the box that allows the printer to be a shared device.

Step #5: Continuous Troubleshooting

Wireless networks are prone to interruptions, and so it is important for whoever it is that is maintaining the wireless network at home or at the office to keep the connections to the wireless printer active. Nothing is more irritating that setting up a wireless printer and then encountering numerous glitches afterwards.

Read more: articlesbase.com
For More Detail

4 Easy Fixes for Common Printer Problems

Fix for “The print spooler service is not running” Error

2011-01-13T04:40:00.000-08:00

You get the following error when you try to install a Printer in Windows.

Operation could not be completed. The print spooler service is not running.

1. Press Window key + R to open the Run dialog Start and type services.msc and click OK.

2. Double-click the Printer Spooler service, and then change the startup type to Automatic. This sets the Spooler service to start automatically when you restart the computer. Click OK.

3. Restart the computer and try to install the printer again.

If that doesn’t work, the problem could be related to corrupted printer drivers that are installed on the computer. Try uninstalling all printer software from the computer and start from scratch. This may include PDF writer or faxing software as well. Anything listed in the Control Panel under Printers & Faxes I would do away with. If there is any software installed for other printers in Add/Remove Programs I would uninstall it all. Clean out everything possible that might be hanging the Printer Spooler service. Obtain updated software from your printer manufacturers and reinstall only the items you need.

Source:- technipages.com

4 Easy Fixes for Common Print Problems

2011-01-12T04:37:00.000-08:00

1 Printing takes too long

The higher the resolution, the slower your printer prints. When you want speed over print resolution, select a print mode like Standard or Draft in your printer driver. Large files with complex images take longer for your printer to process and print than smaller, text-only files. If your printer has minimal memory (base models often do) adding RAM can help speed up image processing.

If your printer is in its power saving mode, it will take extra time for it to “wake” before it’s ready to print at its normal speed. For lengthy documents, printing the pages two-up will cut the page count in half.

2 Paper jams

Unfortunately, jams happen. Follow the instructions for clearing jams on your printer’s control panel (if available) or in its User Guide.
• Inspect the paper path and remove any foreign material.
• When removing stuck paper always pull it out straight. If it’s stuck tight, stop and fi nd out how to release the pressure on it before proceeding. Once a sheet begins to tear it will take longer to remove all the pieces. When labels get jammed, they can be the hardest to remove. Be sure to follow your printer’s instructions for printing labels, so you don’t get stuck.
• Check to ensure the type of paper being printed is supported by your printer.
• Remove the paper from the tray and check it for static electricity. Fan the paper to ensure the sheets aren't clinging together.
• Replace paper that's moist from humidity with dry paper. (Store your paper in a dry environment. When paper is stored in high humidity it can absorb moisture and become difficult to print on.)
• Straighten the stack of paper in the printer's tray when you refill it being careful to keep the sheets uniformly aligned with the tray's paper guides.

3 Poor image quality

There are a variety of print quality issues that users experience from time to time. The remedies fall within a few common areas users can address.
If image quality issues persist after trying the solutions that follow, the problem is more likely to be related to supplies or hardware.
• Check your print driver to be sure the correct paper or media type is selected.
• Check to be sure the paper loaded in the tray matches the type selected in the printer driver.
• The temperature of the fuser may change based on the type of paper or media being printed.
In some laser printers, the fuser itself has an adjustment for paper type. If your printer’s fuser
can be adjusted manually, check to see that it’s set properly. Use caution to avoid injury. Fusers
get very hot.
• Check toner cartridges, imaging unit(s) and the fuser for damage and replace any damaged
units. These components vary by model and manufacturer so it's best to refer to the User Guide.
• When your prints have smudge marks, print several blank sheets of paper. After several sheets the smudges should begin to diminish and then disappear.

4 Print job isn't printing

First, check that you sent the print job to the intended printer. To make your main printer your
default, in Windows® click Start and select Printers and Faxes. Right-click on the appropriate printer icon and select Set as default printer. On those occasions when you want to use a printer other than your default, just select it from the print dialog box.

Check what type of paper your print job requires, and that there is an adequate supply of it in the machine.

If your printer just won’t print or your print job seems stuck in the queue, the easiest solution is to restart. Begin by restarting your software application. If that doesn’t work, reboot your computer. Lastly, turn off your printer for a few minutes before switching it back on.

Source:- office.xerox.com

HP Printer Problems

2011-01-07T04:07:00.000-08:00

You can resolve HP printer problems if you follow a few steps and pay close attention to printer diagnostic lights and Windows error messages in your task manager. If you have installed the printer using the CD that came with it, you should have all of the maintenance software. You may need to download the latest printer drivers if you find the printer is not functioning properly. Follow the suggestions below to troubleshoot an HP printer and fix printing problems in Windows 7.

HP Printer Will Not Print

There could be several reason why your printer will not print. One possible reason could be the print spooler service is stopped. To check the printer spooler, do the following:

Go to Start>Control Panel>System and Security>Administrative Tools.
Double-click Services
Right-click Printer Spooler, then select Properties.
Make sure the print spooler is set to Automatically start and that it is currently started. You can toggle it off, then back on–this will sometimes fix problems with the spooler.

You should also clear your printing queue. A queue can become jammed with a single print job that blocks everything else behind it.

To clear the print queue in Windows 7 go to Start, then click Devices and Printers. Click on your printer and if there are jobs stuck in the queue, click the Printer menu and then click Cancel all documents. If there are still jobs in the queue, restart the computer and try printing again.

HP Printer Diagnostic Lights

Newer printer will have diagnostic lights. These will use a combination of the power button and other LEDs to flash or blink in different patterns to help you troubleshoot the printer error. Below are a few common diagnostic lights and the problems associated with them:

Slowly Blinking Power Button - If your HP printer has a slowly blinking power button, this means it is in the process of printing a job or doing some type of maintenance, such as aligning the print cartridges.

Power Button Fades On And Off -If the power button fades on and off very slowly, this simply means the printer is in sleep mode. Press the power button to wake the printer up.

Power Button And Cartridge Lights Flashing – This means there is a severe jam in the carriage area and it needs to be cleared before printing can resume. Power down and unplug the printer, unplug the USB cable and open the printer to reveal the print cartridges. Once the power is off, the cartridges should move freely. If you do not see any obstructions here. Turn the printer around and open the access panel at the back to see if there is paper jammed there. Note: Some printers will have an access panel at the bottom.

If you do not see any paper, try removing and replacing the printer cartridges.

Cartridge Lights Are On – This could either mean you are not using genuine HP print cartridges or your cartridges are low on ink.

Cartridge Lights Are Blinking Slowly – If either the black or the color cartridge lights are blinking, this could either mean the cartridge is missing or the tape on the new cartridge has not been removed before installation.

WiFi Light Is Blinking – If your WiFi light is blinking, this means the printer is searching for a wireless signal.

All Printer Lights Blinking Rapidly – There is a fatal error with the printer. Try powering off the printer. If that doesn’t work, try unplugging the printer.

If none of these solutions work, be sure to visit the HP website and look-up your printer. There should be troubleshooting guides specific to your model. Software issues can usually be fixed by completely uninstalling and removing all references to the printer, and then reinstalling using the current software and drivers from the HP website. Hardware issues may require a trip to the repair shop or a replacement of the printer itself.

Source:- pctechbytes.com

Troubleshoot an Epson Inkjet Printer

2010-12-27T22:40:00.000-08:00

Epson inkjet printers are relatively easy to repair and troubleshoot. Follow these steps to identify the problem and troubleshoot your Epson inkjet printer.

Instructions

1. Check the obvious. Is it on? Is it plugged in? Are the cables plugged in all the way? Ensure that you have the printer plugged into a working outlet and that the LED light comes on when you press the power button.

2. Check the status. For LCD screens, this is pretty clear. A connected printer reads "Ready," "Connected" or "Online." Other printers will usually have a solid green light when functioning properly. Refer to the manual if you receive an error message.

3. Perform a test print. Most Epson printers have a self-test function. Refer to your manual for instructions on how to do this. Usually, it is just a matter of depressing one button while pushing power.

4. Check the ink. Most newer models will tell you if the ink is low, but try running a color test to double check. You can usually pinpoint the faulty cartridge with this test and then either replace or clean it.

5. Clean the printer. Use the printer's self-cleaning feature usually found under the driver's "Utilities" or the printer's "Properties" section. Click "Clean Print Heads." Or get a dry, lint free cloth and gently wipe down any accessible parts.

6. Check the paper tray. Is it empty or is a sheet jammed? Look at the paper tray and be sure it is lined up correctly for loading.

7. Clear paper jams. Be careful during this operation. Refer to the manual for special instructions and always power down your printer and unplug it first. Use tweezers and be gentle-don't use force. Clear out even the tiniest bits of paper you find.

8. Check to see if the print queue is backed up. On your computer, go to "Control Panel" and then "Printers" and right click your printer's icon. Select "Purge Print Documents." Try printing again.

9. Make sure drivers are installed correctly. Try reinstalling the drivers from the disk or updating the drivers from the manufacturer's website.

Source:- eHow.com

Brother Laser Printer - Fax & Brother Multifunction Printer Error Codes

2010-12-23T02:26:00.000-08:00

Brother offers an entire selection of fax machines, printers and multifunctional printers. However, the list of common error codes found in them can confuse even the most experienced troubleshooter. Here we explain common errors and how to troubleshoot them.

Error code E50: Fuser unit damage

This can happen either when the heat roller has been destroyed or damaged. Make sure to replace your Brother laser printer with a new heat roller.

Error code E51: Fault with protection in the laser beam

This error code indicates that the beam, mirrors or the lid is not seated properly. Make sure to adjust these in order to get your Brother laser printer back working again.

Error code S05: Error with data bus

This type of error code means that the data transmission on the parallel port is affected. Most of the time, this problem can be handled effectively by just resetting your printer.

Error code 'machine error': board issues

This kind of error code will usually be indicated with a loud continuous beep on your Brother Fax machine. You need to check on the solder joints to see if these are cold over the power supply place. You also need to check for these joints on all other boards before you go for a replacement. If you find no improvement even after replacement then try changing the capacitors over the board for the power supply.

Error message 'Black pages'

This error code typically implies black pages being printed out on your Brother laser printer. This usually happens frequently on the Brother 960 and Brother 1260 model varieties. It means that the HVPS is at fault. You will need to replace the following diodes and put jumper wire instead. Diodes D31, D33, D30 and D32 will need replacement. For the jumper wire you will need a gauge of 22.

Error message 'Check paper path'

The error lies with the paper path which can be rectified by taking out paper hopper. Then simply clean the eject rollers of the paper.

Error message 'Cutter problems'

This type of error message gets displayed when there is either a paper jam or the device is not cutting paper properly. You need to check if the cutter spring is defective or not. Make sure to take out the cutter and clean as well as lubricate it. In case the issue does not get solved try replacing the gear train.

Error message 'Poor copy quality'

Sometimes you may come across some grey colored dots on the paper you have just faxed. Make sure to check if the glass and the scanning mirrors are clean. If these are clean then the issue lies with the camera. You could try troubleshooting by just unplugging the Brother Fax machine for at least a whole night. You might just avoid having to shell out on a camera replacement!

Source:- Ezinearticles

How to set up or install a printer in Windows

2010-11-24T21:56:00.001-08:00

Setup a printer using printer software

Every printer should come with the software used to install a printer in Windows. To start the install using this software can vary depending on the type of printer you're using, however will be similar to the steps listed below.
Connect the printer to the computer and a power outlet and make sure it's on.
Insert the CD that was included with the printer. If the CD does not automatically start the install program open My Computer, double-click on the CD drive, and then the Setup or Install file.
Follow the installation wizard and your printer and its associated software should be installed successfully.

Installing a printer only using the drivers

In addition to the above steps a users can install a printer in Windows only using the printer drivers. This is recommended if you only want the printer to be installed but not the additional printer software programs that are often included with the installation and/or you've download drivers.
A listing of printer drivers and software downloads can be found through our printer drivers page.
Note: if you've installed the printer doing the above steps these steps should not be necessary unless you encountered errors.
Connect the printer to the computer and a power outlet and make sure it's on.
Click Start, Settings, and Control Panel.
In the control panel double-click the Printers or Printers and Fax icon.
In the Printers window click the Add a printer icon.
After completing the above steps the Windows Printer Wizard will appear. Click Next, to start the wizard.
Windows will prompt you if you're installing a Local or Network printer. If the printer is connected to your computer choose Local printer attached to this computer and click Next.
When prompted for the location of the drivers for the printer. Browse the computer to the directory of your drivers or point it to the CD that was included with your printer.

Source:- opendrivers.com

HP Printer Error Code 58

2010-11-23T01:59:00.000-08:00

Error 58

4/4L/4P/4V/5/5P Check the fan cable - reseat cable or replace fan
4V/4MV Defective DC controller board - replace
IIISi/4Si Error 58.1 & 58.2 Improperly seated paper cassette
4Si/IIISi 58.1/58.2 Paper cassette is impoperly inserted
5Si 58.X Tray/Lifter Malfunction if X=1: Tray 2 lifter, X=2: Tray 3 lifter, X=3: Tray 1 lifter, X=4: Tray 4 lifter Press SELECT to continue
A printer power source problem Laserjet 1000/1150/1300/2300/3300/4100/4200/4300/5000/5100/8150/9000 Series- To resolve problems with the power supply:
1 Remove the printer from any UPS supplies, additional power supplies, or power strips. Plug the printer into a wall outlet and see if this resolves the problem.
2 If the printer is already plugged into a wall outlet, try another power source in the building that is independent of the one currently being used.
The line voltage and current source at the printer location might need to be inspected to ensure that they meet the electrical specifications for the printer.

For More Detail

HP Printer Error Code 41 & 41x
41.5 Printer Errors

HP Printer Error Code 57

2010-11-22T00:23:00.000-08:00

Error 57

6P/5P/5 Main motor problem, check gear train for binding. Check connections to DC controller - replace main motor
4L/4 Main motor problem, check gear train for binding. Replace main motor
IIIP/IIP+/IIP Error 57-1 Incompatible memory can be either top or bottom slot. Also check motor cable connections. Replace main motor. Can also be DC controller.
5Si/4+/4Si/IIISi (X=2, 3 or 4) Fan motor faulty, check fan number X or duplexor fan and replace as necessary
5 Main motor failure - replace main motor
4+ 57.1 Gears are siezed, motor is bad or DC controller is bad
4Si/IIISi 57.1 Gears siezed, faulty top cover switch, faulty AC interlock switch, J010 loose or faulty, bad main motor PCA
LJ 4000/405 An error occurred with the Fan’s motor. X = Description
4 Printer Fan 7 Duplex Fan
1. Check the Fan’s connector and make sure the Fan is not blocked.
2. Replace the Fan.
LJ 4250/4300/4350 A printer fan is not funtioning. Power cycle the printer.
LJ 5100 A temporary printing error occurred. x = description 1—printer fan
1. Check the fan connector and make sure that the fan is not blocked.
2. Replace the fan.
LJ8100/8150 A fan motor failure occurred. All fans are enabled to low speed operation
at power on. Fans will go into high speed operation during the print cycle.
X Description
2 Fan 3 - Formatter Fan (intake)
3 Fan 2 - Laser/scanner (exhaust)
5 Fan 1 -Low-voltage power supply (exhaust)
6 Fan 4 - Face-down delivery (exhaust)
9 Fan 5 - Tray 1 fan
A temporary printing error occurred in one of the printer fans. X represents the fan motor number associated with the error. For example, 1 = fan motor 1. Power the printer off/on to clear error. Replace appropriate fan as needed.

For More Detail

HP Printer Error Code 20
HP Printer Error Code 13
HP Printer Error Code 16

Printer Error Code 20

2010-11-17T02:46:00.000-08:00

Error 20 Memory Overflow / Insufficient Memory

A large print job has exceeded the memory capacity of the printer. Verify that the SIMMS or memory cards are seated. Add memory or simplify the print job.
On the 5P turn the image adapt and page protect to ON or AUTO. These can be set within the Remote Control Panel. Press GO to resume printing.
On the 5L, set the Enhanced I/O to AUTO (PCL mode) and resend the print job.
Press Select button to resume printing, some data loss will occur, you will need to add memory or reduce the complexity of the print job.

For More Detail

Printer Error Code 14
Printer Error Code 16

HP Printer Error Code 13

2010-11-08T23:01:00.001-08:00

Error 13 Paper Jam

Error Message Forms: 13.XX.YZ - additonal location info on display or 13.XX.YY - a jam exists in the media path
Paper jams can be in the pickup from the tray, inside printer at toner cartridge, inside at the fuser, in duplex assembly if so equiped
XX = Jam Code
Y = Device Number
Z = Device Type
Possible Locations: Tray 1, Tray 2, Tray 3, Rear Door, Top Cover, Jam 13.13.00 indicates a jam in the duplexer assembly

1. Check the paper, make sure it meets the paper specifications for your printer. Tractor feed paper with the edges ripped off doesn't seem to work very well. Extremely heavy or thick paper is also a problem. Check the HP paper specification guide for more info. Be careful with labels, use only labels designed to take the heat generated by the fuser assembly. Regular labels my 'ooze' adhesive as they pass through the fuser assembly and literally gum up the works! Also check for any partially peeled labels, this can be a disaster if they come off inside the printer.

2. Check the paper path for toner or paper dust buildup. Look for bits of paper lodged in the path particularly around the sensors. 4L/4P printers can have paper stuck in the pickup area which is accessed by removing the screw over the oblique roller cover.

3. You may have a worn pickup roller. Check the feed and separation rollers in the printer and in the tray. Look for smooth or cracked worn surfaces. Sometimes you can clean a pickup roller and get a little more life miles out of them but when you start to get jams with a smudge on the top middle of the page, it's time to replace the roller. If your machine uses a paper separation pad, a small rubber or cork material pad check for a smooth surface without any friction. This pad needs to provide friction to the feeding paper. If worn, replace.

4. Is the paper size correct? Is the software set for the size you're using? Is the menu set for the size you're using? Check these items. If the software tells the printer to expect a different size (legal, A4, COM10) than the tray available, you will get an error. This can happen when printing a FAX document formatted for A4 size paper.

5. You could also have a defective or dirty exit sensor. Replace or clean as needed.

6. Make sure the paper cassettes are installed correctly and adjustments are set properly. A buildup of toner on the edges of the tray which slides into the printer can sometimes cause problems. Take a sharp tool, like a razor blade and scrape the buildup off these edges.

7. Bad drive gears. Again on the LJII/III we are starting to see more and more failures of the gear drive assembly. A broken tooth on one gear is all it takes. Replace this as an assembly.

8. Listen for the motor operation, make sure it's operational. If not replace the motor or drive circuit as required.

For More Detail
Hp Printer Error 10
Hp Printer Error 12

Canon printer aims at graphics

2010-10-06T03:57:00.000-07:00

The digital photography market is said to be stalled while it waits for a printer that can match photographic quality. Now Canon Computer Systems says it will not only match the photograph, but beat it.

At Comdex Fall'97 last night, Canon announced a color ink-jet printer, code-named "Aspen," that delivers what Canon says is the ink-jet market's smallest drop size (8 picoliters, or 8 trillionths of a liter) and highest pixel-count resolution (1200-by-1200 dots per inch). The result, according to Canon, is a print superior to a photograph.

But even if the printer lives up to Canon's claims, it probably won't make much of an impact in the consumer market. Expected to sell for about $1,500, or about ten times the cost of a low-end color ink-jet printer, Aspen is aimed at graphics professionals for whom $1,500 is a relative bargain.

Targeting the graphics market is something of a departure for Canon, which has traditionally focused on home users, according to Dataquest analyst Robert Fennell. Graphics professionals typically rely on pricey digital color copiers and line-thermal transfer rather than ink-jet printers like the Aspen, so Canon's success in this segment will depend on one thing: performance.

"At the price, to deliver that quality is a real breakthrough," he said. "The issue then is how long it takes to print. If you have to wait half a day to get a 13-by-19-inch printout, that's not a good solution for print professionals."

Canon said the printer would print at six pages per minute in black, and four pages per minute in color using a letter-sized sheet of paper. Canon representatives demonstrating the product at Comdex reported that an 11-by-17 color print with 85 percent coverage was printing in six minutes at the highest quality setting.

The printer will use what Canon calls dual density inks. One-fifth less dense in color than normal inks, dual density inks yield 17 levels of color gradation with the Aspen printer, which can lay down multiple droplets on the same spot. That nearly doubles the color levels possible with Canon's next-best ink-jet printer, the BJC-7000. Canon also uses a solvent that makes print water-resistant.

Compatible with both Macintosh and Windows platforms, Aspen is scheduled to be available in the second half of the coming year.

Source:- news.cnet.com

Adding a Canon Printer in Mac OS X 10.4.x Tiger

2010-09-23T20:48:00.000-07:00

Users with Canon printers, including Canon imageRUNNER printers and copiers, can print to those devices from OS X 10.4.x Tiger. (Support for OS X previous to 10.4.x Tiger is provided by Apple and Canon but these instructions are based on a 10.4.x Tiger environment.) To create the connection, you will need to download and install drivers for your printer or copier from Canon and set up the printer using Apple's Printer Setup Utility.

Canon provides a common driver for many imageRUNNER models, including the following:

* imageRUNNER C3100, C3170i, C3170U, C5800, C6800, 105, 105+, 2230, 2830, 2870, 2270, 3300, 2800, 2200, 3300i, 3320G, 3320i, 2220i, 3320N, 2220N, 3530, 4570, 3570, 5000i, 6000, 5000, 6020, 5020, 6020i, 5020i, 6570, 5570, 7200, 8070, 85, 8500, 85+ and 9070
* Color imageRUNNER C2620, C3200, C3220

For the most up-to-date list of supported models, check the PDF that comes with the driver.

Installation Instructions

Download the installer and run it; it will require all other applications to close, and then for you to restart the machine after the installation is complete. It will also ask you to authenticate at the beginning of the installation; you will need an administrator account to install these drivers. Note: For Leopard systems the instructions below are roughly accurate.

Source:- engineering.purdue.edu

Fix printer Error 482

2010-09-19T20:45:00.000-07:00

Runtime error 482 is an error caused when you try and use various printer functions inside your Windows computer. The most common cause of these errors is either from having damaged system files inside your PC or from a variety of different errors that can cause your computer to run unreliably. You can fix this error very easily by using the steps in this article to cure any of the issues that cause it to occur...

The Runtime 482 error normally shows in this format:

* Run-time error '482′: Printer Error
* Printer Error

The error is specifically caused by the "PrintForm" command inside Windows becoming damaged and corrupted. This command is used widely in software programs to print the files that you want, but is prone to a lot of damage, leading your system to become unable to use it - showing the Runtime 482 error.

The first thing you can do to avoid this error is to avoid using "printform". This is an in-built Windows command, but ca be circumvented by using the likes of "EndDoc" before it. This is very important as it allows your software to print the documents you want without showing the Runtime 482 error.

After you've done that, it's advisable that you clean out the registry with a "registry cleaner". The registry is often the cause of Runtime errors because of the way it's continually being used by your computer. Every day, the registry is being opened and read to help your system recall a huge number of settings and options. Everything from your desktop wallpaper to your most recent emails are kept in the registry database, making it one of the most important and frequently used parts of your PC. Unfortunately, the registry is also causes the Runtime 482 error, as it's often damaging many of the settings that your printer requires to run. To fix this problem, you need to use a 'registry cleaner' to repair any of the damaged registry settings inside your PC, allowing your computer to run much faster and smoother.

Source:- ezinearticles.com

Fix Printer error 0x0000000d (Printer Malfunction)

2010-09-09T00:59:00.000-07:00

There are 3 step to repair XP 0x0000000d error:

Download a xp 0x0000000d error repair tool and install it.
Open xp 0x0000000d error repair tool and scan you computer for free.
Click fix button and you done.

Now enjoy Error free printing.

Kodak EasyShare G600 Printer Troubleshoot

2010-09-02T00:39:00.000-07:00

Update KODAK EasyShare G600's drivers and firmware.

Check that your computer meets the minimum system requirements if you are using the printer with a computer.
Connect the printer to a computer instead of using stand-alone mode if you have saved your digital photographs in a format other than JPG or if your printed photographs are discolored or cropped.
Ensure that you are using Kodak color cartridge and paper kits and not generic inkjet paper or ink when attempting to print with the G600.
Reduce the amount of paper you load in the paper tray. Do not load more than 30 sheets at a time to prevent paper jams, multiple pages running through the printer at one time and other paper-related errors.
Unplug the printer's power cord and the USB cable that attaches it to your computer, if applicable. Reattach the cables after 10 seconds and attempt to print again.
Reseat the camera in the dock if the printer does not detect it.
Move the EasyShare G600 printer to a cooler location, as excessive heat and sunlight may cause the G600 to operate incorrectly.
Ensure that no objects block the top and back of the printer.

Source: ehow.com

Multifunction Printer Vs The Conventional Printer

2010-08-27T03:53:00.000-07:00

Printer Functionality
The first obvious advantage of the multifunction printer or multifunctional device (MFD) as it's often known, is functionality - the impressive range of capabilities that most MFP's/ MFD's will be able to offer. Typically, an MFP will provide you with photocopying, network printing, scanning, faxing, and all usually colour printing and copying capability too. And today, most MFP's are usually internet and network ready, so they can be quickly, simply and seamlessly integrated into your existing office systems and workflows.

Space Saving Multifunction Printers
Most offices that install an Multifunction Printer (MFP) will find they save on a lot of space. Often smaller businesses would simply have done without the high level of functionality a multifunctional device affords, thinking they had to choose between whichever single function machines were available to them, based on their business priorities and the limited amount of space. Thankfully, today's MFP's, along with offering ever increasing levels of functionality are becoming more and more compact. While a multifunctional device/printer is still typically larger than a standard office printer, in terms of what an MFD/MFP offers for its size, that's the performance to size ratio, it obviously compares very favourably with a standard office/desktop printer. For larger office set-ups, many will find a new MFP will out-perform their separate single function devices on those individual functions. The new, Canon ImageRunner Advance multifunction printer, for instance, will copy and print at a staggering rate of up to 70 PPM. Considering a lot of offices will be under-utilising their existing devices, combining functions, with an MFP that performs well across the range of capabilities, could be an ideal, space-saving solution.

Reliability
Multifunction printers are heavy-duty machines that are built to last. A standard office/desktop printer is not designed to withstand the constant, often heavy-handed and varied usage that will be typically thrown in the direction of an MFP/MFD. Depending on the size and price of the machine you're choosing, MFP duty cycles will usually beat or at least equal those of most office printers and will certainly put the average desktop printer to shame. As robust as they are, MFP's/MFD's will need less attention and your company downtime could be cut considerably, even when compared with your existing single function office devices. And unlike a range of various single function office devices, running just one multifunction printer at any one time, means your chances of seeing an engineer and the associated bills are on average much lower, replacing the three potential fault risks with just one.

Reduce Page Cost
By replacing your usual desktop/office printer with a multifunction printer, you can usually make significant savings. The lower initial outlay for most office, desktop printers can make them very much more attractive when compared with a multifunction printer. However, the day-by-day running costs of a desktop printer could be considerably more. Toner/ink cartridges can be very expensive, sometimes as much as £50, and often require disappointingly regular replacement. If you buy or lease an multifunction printer, you can make a significant reduction on your printing costs. Firstly you can usually opt for a service/support agreement where the MFD will be completely maintained and repaired fro a fixed cost per print copy. And all parts, toner and labour can be included. Printing this way, the total cost to print will normally be around 25% of what the cost to print to a workgroup would be, so savings on your consumables could be substantial. Many organisations are now making significant savings by printing to an MFP rather than a workgroup printer.

Epson Multifunction Printer Series

2010-08-18T22:14:00.001-07:00

Epson is among the oldest players in the printer market and enjoys a secure space in the market for multifunction devices. Here is the list of some of the Epson multifunction printer series.

Epson AcuLaser CX11NF

Color laser printer with multifunction capabilities were once the favorite of corporate offices because of their ability to deliver the most for the business. Now that the printers are getting cheaper, the bulky devices of yesteryears are being replaced by the sleek Epson AcuLaser CX11NF. Small offices looking for increased productivity will find this printer quite affordable. This Epson Multifunction printer resembles an office printer from any angle thanks to its size. Ability to print at really high speeds, a facile network setup feature, and a versatile document feeder are the other attributes of this great printer. Scan quality is 600×600 DPI and supports large print jobs with a 576 MB memory slot.

Epson Stylus Photo RX620

This stands as an ideal printer for the classical photographer. The package is complete with multifunction inkjet printer and a digital photo lab for the Epson Stylus Photo RX620. A unique feature with this printer is that it can also scan film negatives. The design is round and glossy and can be an attractive addition to your office. The paper tray supports 120 sheets. Some of the standalone print features include browsing for photos, porting your memory card, ability to do simple editing and make it print ready.

Photo Editing for novices

The bundled software offered by Epson along with the equipment offers support for photo editing for advanced users as well as novices. The flat scanner enables instant storage to the memory card. The Epson compatible cartridges such as T044220, T044120, T044320, T043120 come with High yield ink of premium quality and is capable of improving the performance of your printer.

Epson Stylus CX6600

This is another multifunction printer from the Epson stable which allows users to print, scan, and copy different materials. It holds a four color ink cartridge at the base and print speeds typically reach up to 22 ppm. For home as well as offices, the print speed is generally comfortable though some people may wish it to be higher. While doing color prints, the Epson Stylus CX 6600 prints up to 11 ppm (page per minute). The standard connectivity features ports for memory card allowing you to print pictures while on the go. It is quite easy to operate this printer and can be employed as a standalone printer too.

Source: articleblast.com

2010-08-18T22:14:00.000-07:00

HP Photosmart D110a: Wireless Stand alone Photo Printer

2010-08-10T21:01:00.000-07:00

With an ePrint function that allows users to print web content directly from the printer itself without ever having to connect to a PC, and a price tag under a hundred dollars, the HP Photosmart D110a is one of the best values on the market. Thanks to a large Touchsmart frame that allows for easy, wireless web browsing directly from the unit, the D110a is one of the first in a new category of, "stand alone printers."

Furthering the HP Photosmart D110a's standing as an independent device is the incorporation of copy functions into the unit. A flip up top allows for copies of photos and documents, along with three dimensional objects such as books and magazines, to be made easily. The device's photo printing quality allows for glossy paper prints of lab quality imagery, and a fast print speed keeps black and white documents outputting at a rapid pace.

The Touchsmart color display makes browsing menus easier than ever, and lets users search through photos uploaded directly from a digital camera for printing. Templates are included in the HP Photosmart D110a's firmware for printing calendars and games using HP Quick Forms. If PC integration is desired after all, HP includes easy to use software such as Photo Creations and drag and drop printing software, while wireless connectivity makes connecting an entire household as easy as can be.

With a great black and white print speed of 29 pages per minute, and a color print speed not too far behind at 23 pages per minute, the HP Photosmart D110a competes with the best for performance. Black and white image resolution tops out at only 600 dots per inch, but color resolution can be selected all the way up to the optimized photo quality of 4800 x 1200 dots per inch. When printing at this resolution, users must be printing to photo paper and they must be connected to a PC.

The display screen is 2.36 inches in size and uses LCD technology, and a duplexor is not included in the hardware, but manual duplexing is possible via the included software. Borderless printing is possible when using photo paper, and direct printing is available via a variety of memory card slots that support Memory Stick Duo and Secure Digital / Multimedia cards.

When connected to a PC, the HP Photosmart D110a can also act as a formidable scanner with an optical scan resolution of 1200 dots per inch and an enhanced resolution of up to 19,200 dots per inch with a 48 inch bit depth. A single 80 sheet paper tray is all the D110a offers for paper storage, severely limiting its high volume print possibilities, and its maximum monthly duty cycle is even more disappointing.

With so many possibilities at such an amazing price, one would expect there to be a catch with the HP Photosmart D110a, and there is. Its maximum duty cycle is only 1000 pages per month, making it ideal for those with very light print needs.

Read more: Articlesbase.com

Canon Copier Pc-941: Stand alone Copy Printer

2010-08-06T04:37:00.000-07:00

When workspace is limited, size is crucial when it comes to office hardware. Industrial grade copy machines can prove to be bulky, and expensive, and occasionally stand alone, personal copy machines stand out as the appropriate purchase. With the Canon Copier PC-941, performance comes in a small package.

Convenient, single touch controls make the Canon Copier PC-941 easy to use for any level of user, and finely tunable features such as manually overridden copy exposure will make even the experts happy. Another adjustable feature is the zoom capabilities, which can be tweaked by single percentage increments for the most precise size control. For quicker reduction and enlargements, preset ratios of 78 and 86 percent are selectable instantly, along with the maximum and minimum zoom ratios of 70 percent and 141 percent; great numbers for an analog unit such as this.

Other exposure modes are an automatic mode for simple and fast production, and a photo mode that is designed specifically for better tone conversion to black and white from color images, or detailed monochrome. The toner saver mode reduces exposure overall, resulting in lighter images, and less toner usage, which cuts down on cost per page.

With approximately 4000 pages worth of yield in each cartridge, toner changes will be few and far between, even when utilizing the Canon Copier PC-941s maximum single operation copy amount of 100. Toner swaps will also be simple, and user friendly, thanks to Canons patented single cartridge system, which eliminates confusing insertion of toner into drum units, and combines them into a single, convenient device.

What good would a personal device be if it werent of manageable size? The Canon Copier PC-941 comes in a medium sized package with a very reasonable total weight, with a footprint of 19 5/8" x 17 5/8" x 11 3/4", sitting at 42.5 pounds including the cartridge, but not paper, and with a hefty front loading paper tray of 250 sheets total capacity, the difference would be notable. The other paper input option is a very versatile single multi use slot, which allows sizes of paper other than letter, and legal, such as in the tray, to be used with the copy machine.

It also can operate with thicknesses much higher than the semi standard 20 lb weight, making greeting cards, transparencies, and card stock fully compatible. Copy source material, on the other hand, can come at almost endless thicknesses, thanks to a fully openable flip top, and legal size document platen glass.

Copy speeds can sometimes suffer in analog, stand alone units, and the Canon Copier PC-941 barely escapes this downside, with 13 copies per minute in letter size, and 11 copies per minute in legal. It is still much faster than the fully portable units, but also comes at a significantly higher price tag. Additionally, thanks to Canons rapid FUSION technology, warm up times are completely eliminated, and time to first print is a mere ten seconds, boosting overall speed for most applications, and making the Canon Copier PC-941 a competitive machine in the world of home use, or small office, personal copy machines.

Read more: Articlesnatch.com

Network and Standalone Printer

2010-08-02T03:32:00.000-07:00

Network printers normally have an Ethernet network port on the back of them. Network Printer is the one which is connected to server of the network and rest of the computer can use it as it is connected to their PC.

Standalone printers normally have memory card slots or some kind of media reading drive on them so you can put a memory card or disc in with something you want to print out without having to plug a computer in to it. Standalone printers are ideal for those who wish to have a dedicated photo printer, Standalone printer used without a PC and easily accessible for printing pictures.

Some printers are all singing and dancing and have both the memory card slots and the network port.

Don't confuse network printers with a shared printer. Any printer that can be connected to a computer or print server can be shared over a network. Only network printers can be plugged directly in to a network.

Auckland Company Becomes First Carbon-neutral Corporate Printer

2010-07-12T00:14:00.000-07:00

Auckland-based Soar Printing claims to have become the first carbon-neutral certified corporate printer in New Zealand after getting the seal of approval from Landcare Research.

Soar had to demonstrate its plans to reduce emissions, set reduction targets, offset emissions it couldn't eliminate and get independent auditing.

The company installed new lighting in its factory, which increased energy efficiency by 40%. It made environmental responsibility part of staff evaluation, and offered them incentives to switch to hybrid cars and more fuel-efficient when driving.

Soar financial director Jenny Carter said it helped that it had ISO 14001 in place already, which meant some of the information was already gathered for auditing.

However, things such as overseas travel, refrigeration, air conditioning "took a while to get", said Carter.

Deploying a Heidelberg Anicolor press (pictured) last year also helped its green credentials, bringing make ready waste down from 400 to around 10 sheets per set-up and saving of 40 tonnes of carbon dioxide and 32 tonnes of paper a year.

The company's next goal is to include some of its products under their CarbonZero certification and is in talks with Landcare Research about what this would involve.

Soar Printing, which has more than 70 staff, set a goal in 2007 to become New Zealand's most environmentally responsible printer.

"We are stewards of the resources we are using, and must think about our responsibility to the next generation," said Carter.

"Being a carbon-neutral certified organization means we are doing our bit to help reduce climate change."

Source: proprint.com.au

Troubleshoot Your HP Printers

2010-07-01T02:31:00.000-07:00

HP has created benchmark in manufacturing computers, printers, and a variety of other electronic devices of classic category.

HP printer is an important accessory for accomplishing a variety of printing tasks at home and offices. However, sometimes you may find yourself in helpless condition with annoying error messages like “Printer could not be found”. Sometimes you may get your paper just rolling out without any impression. In addition you may need Hp printer support to configure and setup your Hp printer, to your home or office network.

You can avail online tech support and get your printer configured and repaired from expert technicians. However, with little patience and knowledge you can solve most of problems with HP printers from your home.

Let us discuss few such problems and their possible solution

Printer could not be found

Verify that your HP printer is in accurate mode of communication. You can perform this, by allowing a test print. Press on the "Go" option of your HP printer’s control panel, after it displays “Ready.” Test print locates the fault and you can troubleshoot accordingly.

Most of the time cable that connects the printer is not fixed properly and your computer is not able to locate the HP printer. Check the end side of your cable. If it is broken or there is frayed wire, then replace it.

However, if the issue remains as it was, then click “Printer,” which opens with a window/printer screen. Right-click on HP printer icon, Click "Properties" Select "Finishing" in the top of the window. Under the “Customer Settings,” choose lower quality for printing. Apply the settings, and then print again. Sometimes, your driver might be creating the conflict, so you can uninstall/update it.

Setup -HP printer

• Connect your HP printer to the power supply.
• Take out the manual and poster, and accordingly fix the ink cartridge.
• Install the HP printer driver.
• Place the HP CD in the tray in your computer and install the device driver.
• Remove the CD and try a test print with your HP printer.

However, if you are not able to configure or troubleshoot your HP printer, It will be better to get registered with them and avail unlimited tech support for any issue on real-time.

For more detail:- http://www.articlealley.com/article_1445465_10.html

Epson Stylus R280 Ink Jet Photo Printer Buyers Guide

2010-06-24T21:47:00.000-07:00

The Epson R280 Ultra Hi-Definition photo printer is fast, easy and affordable. The R280 Prints brilliant, 4" x 6" photos in as little as 11 seconds. Plus it prints text documents too. This awesome printer delivers the same wonderful results as more expensive printers.

Built-in Auto Photo Correction automatically corrects the lighting in poorly exposed photos. And, the Epson Stylus Photo R280 has advanced face detection automatically distinguishes people from scenery to ensure beautiful, natural skin tones. You get brilliant photos you'll want to share for generations to come. And, photos printed with Claria ink resist smudges, scratches, water and fading.

With this versatile printer, you can even personalize CDs/DVDs using your own photos and text. Print directly onto ink jet printable CDs and DVDs for professional-looking results with no messy labels!

The R280 is quality and versatility wrapped up into one easy-to-use printer that's ideal for all your everyday printing needs. Get value, versatility and truly extraordinary results from the Epson R280.

Comparison shop for the Epson Stylus R280 Ink Jet Photo Printer. It's easy to use and lots of fun, consistently producing exceptional prints that last up to 100 years!

Upgrading your photo printer? Read more about Epson Photo Printers at Digital Photography Website and compare Epson Printers for the one that best fits your printing needs, budget and style. Comparison shop for the best price and buy your new printer today for fastest delivery.

Source:- http://www.squidoo.com/epson-r280-printer

How to Fix Printer Paper Jams

2010-06-23T03:43:00.000-07:00

Most printers will work for many years with no problems, but occasionally a piece of paper jams in the printer. Here is a simple way to fix a paper jam and some tips on what to do if the problem persists.

Instructions

1. Pull the paper out if it is visible. If not, then open the top of the printer so that the jammed piece of paper is visible.
2. Grasp the paper and pull gently but firmly. If the paper continues to jam in the printer, inspect the rollers to ensure that they are grabbing the paper and pulling it along the paper path properly.
3. Check the paper path for any obstructions, and clear if found. Also, inspect the other parts that the paper travels through, to ensure that they are not dirty or gummy. If any dirt or other debris is found, clean the parts and try again.
4. Close the top of the printer.
5. Place the printer back online. Try the print job again.

Source:- http://www.ehow.com/how_2066840_fix-printer-paper-jams.html

How to Make a Picture in a Word Document Black & White

2010-06-17T02:43:00.000-07:00

When creating a Microsoft Word document, users may often wish to add visuals in the form of pictures. These pictures can easily be inserted in the Word document; however, sometimes the picture may be in color you want it to be in black and white. Fortunately, Word enables you to convert a color photo--or a clipart image--to black and white, sepia, grayscale or washout, right inside the Word document.

Instructions

1. Upload the picture into Word by clicking the "Insert" tab and then choosing "Picture." Browse until you find the location of the picture (on your hard drive or flash drive, for example). Once you find the picture, click on it so the file name appears in the white box at the bottom of the "Insert Picture" window, and then choose "Insert." The locations of the "Insert" and "Picture" tabs and buttons vary based on the version of Word you are using; if you can't find them, consult the help menu.

2. Re-size the picture, if it isn't the size you want, before attempting to convert from color to black and white. Click on the outline of the picture and hold the shift key and the left mouse button to re-size the picture. Drag the outlines of the box until you achieve the size you want. Holding down the shift key will allow the picture to re-size proportionately. Another option for Office 2007 users is to highlight the picture, right click the mouse, choose "Size" and then input the desired dimensions. For example, if your picture is currently 4 x 6, the size box will show a height of 4 inches and a width of 6. If you want to re-size the picture to 2 x 3, input 2 in the height box and 3 in the width box.

3. Convert the picture to black and white in Office 2007 by first clicking on the picture. Then right-click the mouse, choose "Format Picture" and then choose "Recolor." Word offers lets you choose black and white, sepia, grayscale or washout; in addition, you can change the variations of the photo. This means you can change the text, accent or background colors to make them lighter, darker or slightly different colors. In Word 2003 and 2007, choose the photo by right-clicking on it and then clicking "Format Picture." When the instruction box appears, choose "Picture." Under image selection, choose "Color" and "Black and White." If that black and white image appears too harsh, you can also try grayscale.

4. Adjust the brightness and contrast of the photo after it has been converted to black and white. Choose the '"Brightness" or "Contrast" options under "Format Picture," and drag the arrow to increase or decrease these options.

Source:- http://www.ehow.com/how_5828634_make-word-document-black-white.html

Printer Home Network Set-up

2010-06-07T20:35:00.000-07:00

If you have more than three PCs at home and want to set them up in a network, then here are a few tips that can ensure a smooth set-up:

Keep your installation CDs ready
Check if you have all the current drivers needed by your operating system
Decide upon unique names for each node or computer in the network that is to be set up
Think of your workgroup’s name
Plan how your network will be set up such as where will your printer be kept, the computer arrangements, wireless access points, place for routers and so on
Think about how will you enhance network security? Through encryption or firewalls etc

Once you are through with such set of questions, you can either seek help from Do-it-Yourself guides or refer to technical experts for assistance. In fact, the latter is considered to be a better option as it nullifies the risk of getting stuck in between settings up your new home network. If you have succeeded in setting up your home network, here could be a few issues that are faced by users:

Hidden PCs: At times, you could face problems in viewing other PCs on the network. This primarily happens when your workgroup or PC is not uniquely named.

Lost connections: This problem occurs due to incorrect domain name system (DNS) services, router settings etc.

Printer issues: If you are sharing a printer in your network, at times your printer may not function properly as either there is a problem with one of the PC’s device driver or the printer itself is malfunctioning due to technical faults.

Low Connection Speed: You may be using a good bandwidth, but you notice a sudden slow down in your Internet speed.

Like these there could be many other printer issues that may blurt out scary errors! In such a case, all you have to do is to dial a technical expert who can deal with all sorts of PC issues. Ask PC Experts is a team of certified professionals who believe in delivering quality troubleshooting services to your home network set up issues. Whether you are using ADSL, dial-up or broadband connection, Ask PC Experts can assist you anytime and anywhere through online support. Quickly dial their tech support team at 1-877-889-6859, if you need assistance in setting up your home network or to resolve current problems. For more information on their value plans logon to their website and get yourself registered online.

Source: Remotetechsupports.com

Setup printer as default in Windows 9x / NT / 2000 / ME / XP.

2010-06-06T23:14:00.000-07:00

If you have installed the printer and are getting an error message about the printer not being set as default, or it is attempting to print to another device that is not installed follow the below steps to setup your printer to be the default printer in Windows.

1. Click Start
2. Click Setting and then Printers. You can also find Printers in the Windows Control Panel.
3. Locate the printer you wish to use as the default printer and highlight the icon by clicking it once with the mouse. If your printer is not listed in the Printers window make sure you've properly installed the printer. Steps on installing a printer can be found on document CH000250.
4. Once highlighted right-click the icon, which should give you a menu similar to the below example picture.

5. Make sure there is a check next to "Set as Default", if no check is seen click Set as Default to enable the check.

Source:- http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000251.htm

How do I connect Windows to a network printer?

2010-06-03T22:58:00.000-07:00

Below are the steps required for connecting to a working printer on a network and print to it.

Microsoft Windows 2000 / XP

1. Open the Windows Control Panel
2. Double-click the "Printers" or "Printers and Faxes" icon.
3. Double-click the "Add a printer" icon.
4. Once in the Printer Wizard click the Next button to get started.
5. Select either "A network printer, or a printer attached to another computer" or "Network Printer" and click Next. This option is different in Windows 2000 and Windows XP.
6. Type the name of the printer's network address. This will be the name of the computer and then the name of the printer. For example, if the computer on our network was called "hope" and our printer was called "hp" the network path for our printer would be: "\\hope\hp", if you are adding the printer on a Microsoft Windows XP computer you can click the Browse icon to browse your network and locate the printer. If you're unable to connect to the printer or browse and see the printer make sure you have the network rights and that any installed firewall is temporarily disabled.
7. Once the path has been typed in click Next.
8. If the printer was located over the network Windows should either install the printer or you may be required to install the drivers for that printer on the computer before completing the installation. If you no longer have the software or drivers for your printer you can locate the drivers for your printer through our printers driver section.

Microsoft Windows 95, 98, or ME

1. Open the Windows Control Panel
2. Double-click Printers
3. Double-click the "Add a printer" icon.
4. Click Next to start the Add a printer wizard.
5. Select Network Printer and click Next.
6. Type the network name of the printer. This will be the name of the computer and then the name of the printer. For example, if the computer on our network was called "hope" and our printer was called "hp" the network path for our printer would be: "\\hope\hp", or click the browse icon to browse to the location of the printer. If you're unable to connect to the printer or browse and see the printer make sure you have the network rights and that any installed firewall is temporarily disabled.
7. If the printer was located over the network Windows should either install the printer or you may be required to install the drivers for that printer on the computer before completing the installation. If you no longer have the software or drivers for your printer you can locate the drivers for your printer through our printers driver section.

Source:- http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000904.htm

What are printer permissions?

2010-06-02T21:22:00.000-07:00

Printer permissions determine which printer properties you can manage, such as renaming or sharing a printer, allowing or removing access to the printer, and determining who can manage documents or properties for the printer. Printer permissions are typically managed by the person who installed the printer or, if the printer is connected to a business or enterprise network, by a system administrator.

Permissions can be assigned to each person who uses the printer or to a group of users who have the same type of user account. Members of the administrators group on the computer, for example, have permission to manage printers by default.

Windows offers four types of printer permissions:

1. By default, each user can print and cancel, pause, or restart documents or files that they send to a printer.
2. Manage documents. If you have this permission, you can manage all jobs for a printer that are waiting in the print queue, including documents or files that are being printed by other users. For more information, see View the print queue.
3. printers. This permission allows you to rename, delete, share, and choose preferences for the printer. It also allows you to choose printer permissions for other users and to manage all jobs for the printer. Members of the administrator group for a computer have permission to manage printers by default.
4. permissions. These permissions, typically used only by system administrators, can be used to change the printer owner,if needed. The printer CREATOR OWNER is given all printer permissions and is, by default, the person who installs the printer.

Source:- http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-vista/What-are-printer-permissions

How To add printer drivers for other versions of Windows

2010-05-31T21:09:00.000-07:00

The following procedure describes how to install additional drivers on the print server, as a distribution point for clients running older versions of Windows.

If you share a printer with users running other versions of Windows (Windows 95, Windows 98, or Windows NT 4.0), you can install additional printer drivers on your computer so those users can connect to your printer without being prompted to install the drivers missing from their systems. The drivers are located on the Support CD. Printer drivers for Windows NT 3.1 and Windows NT 3.5 are not included.

1. Open Printers and Faxes
2. Right-click the printer for which you want to install the additional drivers, and then click Properties.
3. On the Sharing tab, click Additional Drivers.
4. In the Additional Drivers dialog box, select the check boxes for the additional environments and operating systems you need, and then click OK.

Note

• To open Printers and Faxes, click Start, click Control Panel, click Printers and Other Hardware, and then click Printers and Faxes.
• You can also open printer properties in Printers and Faxes by clicking a printer, and then clicking Set printer properties under Tasks on the left side of the window. This option is available only if folders are set to look like a Web page and a printer is selected. For more information, click Related Topics.
• A client based on Windows NT 4.0, Windows 2000, or Windows XP Home Edition checks the printer driver each time it reconnects to the network. A Windows NT 3.x client checks each time the spooler service on the client is started. If the driver is not current, a copy of the new driver is downloaded automatically. The printer driver for a Windows 95-based or Windows 98-based client is not automatically kept current. If you update the driver on the print server, you must manually install the driver on Windows 95-based and Windows 98-based clients.

Samsung Printers Troubleshooting

2010-05-31T00:32:00.000-07:00

Today Printers serve many functions besides simply printing. There are so many printer models are available in the market including Samsung printer’s. Computer users are mostly dependent on these machines and need to get them up and running properly when a problem occurs.

Following steps how to troubleshoot common problems with your Samsung printer.

1. poor print quality: Clean the print heads with a little rubbing alcohol.
2. Colored or black background on your paper: Use a lighter-weight paper or replace the toner cartridge.
3. Spots on the printed paper: Check to see if rollers within the printer are dirty, have small pieces of paper stuck to them or need to be replaced.
4. Horizontal striping: Check to see if the toner cartridge is installed properly.
5. Vertical white lines: Check for a dirty lens, toner cartridge window or drum.
6. Horizontal black bands: Replace the contacts on the toner cartridge terminals or the cartridge rollers.

How to Find Your Printer Model

2010-05-04T23:51:00.000-07:00

Looking for your printer model number is not all that difficult. What is considered a model number, however, may be just a bit more confusing. Fortunately, if you are trying to communicate with the printer manufacturer you will likely only need the model name and series of your hp, Cannon, Epson or Brother printer.

Where to look

Ever heard of the saying; if it were any closer it would have bitten you? Well, this holds true for finding a printer model or series number. Given the way that most computer engineers think you might believe that taking the printer apart is necessary to find the printer model or printer series. This is not true. In most cases, the model name and series number the customer service representative will need is actually right there on the front of the printer. After all, if it is easy for you to find it will be easier for them to help you troubleshoot the printer when you are in crisis mode.

Finding the serial number

When it comes to finding the serial number of your HP, Cannon, Epson or Brother printer you will need to look a bit closer. On the back of most of these printers you will see a white rectangular sticker. In all likelihood it will have the printer company logo shown in a big way. The "UL" logo for Underwriters Laboratories will also be found on the sticker. What you are looking for, however, is the always present barcode symbols that everything has on them these days. Numbers will be above the barcodes. There will likely be two barcodes here. One is a product code, which you really do not care about, and the other is the serial number which identifies that particular printer. If, by chance there is no sticker on the back of the printer check under the lid or open the printer up and it should be there. In any case, these stickers are usually about 3x5 inches in size and have all sorts of other inconsequential symbols on them that you really don't care or need to know about.

One last place to look

If you have looked all around the printer for; the printer model, serial number sticker and/or series and make of the printer with no luck try going to the printer test page option on the computer. Print out a test page and everything will usually be there. All this may sound like it is involved but it really will only take seconds.

Source:- ezinearticles.com/?How-to-Find-Your-Printer-Model&id=747049

Computer Repair

2010-02-16T00:14:00.000-08:00

Computer repair includes software and hardware repair. Hardware repair is needed when any part of the computer is not functioning as expected. Software repair is required when any software program is not executing properly.

Need of computer repair
Computer repair is needed for making your computer function properly. Your computer will function properly if all its its parts are working properly. Some of the issues for which you require computer repair are as follows:

* Computer automatically shuts down.
* Computer takes much time in launching applications.
* Computer system crashes or locks up.
* Blue screen error.
* Computer makes beeping sound when switched on.

The reason for most of the computer issues is the lack of maintenance.. For maintaining your computer and optimizing its performance, you have to update software regularly, clean registry, empty cache files and many others.

In case, you have the knowledge about how to repair your computer, you can perform it yourself. But if you do not have any knowledge in this field, then you can contact a computer repair technician.

Computer repair technician is a person who will repair your computer either through online or on-site. Online computer repair is preferred in case your computer needs software repair. If you want to go for online computer repair, all you need to have is an Internet connection. Online computer repair saves your from the pain of taking your computer to some technical services center or inviting some technician at your own residence.

These days most of the companies offering online computer repair adopt the method of remote desktop connection. Technician will access your computer with the use of software made for remote desktop connection. But you have to give him permission for doing so. After getting permission, he will diagnose your problem and after that resolve it. Technician will install, reinstall or uninstall any software, or modify some of the settings for resolving issues.

In case of hardware repair, you have to call a technician in your premises. Technician will diagnose all of your peripheral devices, in case of any faulty one, he will replace that one. He will also update drivers of peripheral devices.

So, it can be said that computer repair is required when your computer is not functioning as expected.

Microsoft XP HelpTechnical Support: Fix your computer issueTechnical SupportComputer help: Dell SupportPC repair

Microsoft XP Help

2010-02-01T01:50:00.000-08:00

Windows XP is an operating system developed by Microsoft. It is one of the most popular operating systems among the computer users. Microsoft had released many service packs for XP. These service packs have added some new features and also help in fixing some problems faced by XP users.

In case you are an XP user, you may also face some technical issues related to it. For getting information about how to resolve your technical issues related to XP, you can visit Microsoft 's website for technical support.

You can get a lot of information about Windows XP from Microsoft support website. You can get information such as

How to install XP
How to reinstall
How to maintain your computer
How to keep your personal data more secure
How to set up and maintain your network
Some time saving tips while using Internet Explorer and Outlook Express
How to transfer pictures directly from digital camera to computer
How to create and edit home movies

When you face any technical issue such as how to edit Boot.ini file, how to view and manage event logs in Event Viewer, how to install and use Recovery Console, how to configure file sharing, how to restore XP to a previous state, how to configure Internet connection sharing, and how to create basic disks and partitions, then you can take assistance from Microsoft support website. Microsoft also offers assistance through e-mail, phone or online tech support.

Also Read:

Technical Support: Fix your computer issueTechnical SupportComputer help: Dell SupportPC repair

Technical Support: Fix your computer issue

2010-01-15T00:20:00.001-08:00

As computer is a machine consisting of hardware and software, which are working in mutual collaboration, vulnerability is always linked.

Some common issues can be disclosed as:

· No sound issue

· Application not responding

· Mouse and keypad stops functioning

· Windows registry error

· .dll file missing error

· Slow browsing

· Pop-ups and ads getting flooded

· No boot issue

· Slow boot

Very first step towards fixing a computer issue is to keep patience.

A deep observation of the system, speaks in itself about, how to fix the computer?

Before going ahead to fix a particular issue, understand the reason behind. For instance computer freezing or slow performance may be on account of virus attack or registry corruption. Knowing the depth of issue will help you to fix computer issue in a better way.

No sound issue can happen due to hardware failure or driver failure. Most of the time there could be a physical connection fault. Driver re-installation is the rare situation and sound card failure is even rarer. Hence, don’t throw away your money. You can fix the computer with simple troubleshooting through the control panel. Go ahead, nothing is impossible.

Internet browsing has become the addiction. No one can abdicate it. But you may find the browsing too getting annoying and dangerous. It may be directing you towards any unknown destination, from where important details can be hijacked. Hence, your privacy is on bet. So you should be always cautions and try to fix this computer issue with installation of suitable anti-spyware.

Many leading enterprises are offering remote and on-site visit technical support too, to fix your computer issue. You can subscribe for suitable service package as a result of which you can fix unlimited computer issues against a single annual premium.

Technical Support

2010-01-12T02:59:00.000-08:00

Sometimes you may have done adequate investment on your computer parts, but still feel unsatisfied with respect to performance and security. Some problem may have become so frequent that, you might have totally surrendered.

But don’t get disgusted. Take help from authentic technical support provider. Your problem can have a permanent solution, but remaining apathetic can grievance the condition. Technical support providers are offering both remote and on-site-visit support for your computer related concerns.

Broadly, we can categorize the scope of technical support service as follows:

· Setup and installation of operating system

· Setup and installation of email client and other useful software

· Troubleshooting

· Internet Security and privacy

· Data protection and system restore

· Green PC

· System optimization

Many of the steps, involved for above are simple and could be performed comfortably with a remote session. It’s a simple process where user can sit relax at home and everything will be done by the technical expert online.

Users have the option to subscribe suitable plan according to his/her usage. This is the best and cost-effective way to get 24/7 technical supports. After subscription, technical support agency monitors your PC regularly, so that any forthcoming disaster can be abandoned. They also help to keep your system updated with latest patches. Hence, you can save your hard earned money and time both.

Interesting Articles >>

Technical support: Get Microsoft help on leading issues Technical Support: Anti-Virus security to get maximum of your resource PC repair

Technical support: Get Microsoft help on leading issues

2010-01-08T01:43:00.000-08:00

Microsoft has introduced a variety of products like Windows operating system, Microsoft Office suite, Internet Explorer and many more, which are user-friendly and reliable. But with growing competition and wide user base, it has become essential to develop suitable platform to discuss and resolve the issue related to them. Hence, Microsoft has joints hands with leading tech expertise to deliver quality solution.

Services of Microsoft help provider can be categorized as follow:

Installation and upgrade application/system software

Microsoft help service provider helps you to migrate from older to the latest operating system Windows 7. If you have got bored with using your older browser or Microsoft Office suite, get it upgraded to latest Internet Explorer 8 and Microsoft Office 2007 simultaneously.

Microsoft help agencies would scan your PC in no time with Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor. It will check the potentiality of your computer against Windows 7. Report will recommend about the next step.

Above step will bring two installation situations in front of you.

Upgrade installation: Customers who have uploaded Windows Vista during June 26, 2009 to January 31, 2010 are eligible for a free Windows 7 upgrade. Intra upgrade has also been facilitated by Microsoft help provider where users of windows 7 Starter, Home Premium and Professional editions can migrate to higher editions

Under upgrade installation all your settings and files will be preserved as it was to the new version.

Custom installation: You can preserve your settings and files with latest Windows Easy Transfer. Here, you need to get the complete Windows 7 installation CD and perform installation task.

Software and hardware compatibility

Microsoft help service providers would help you, if you are in helpless situation. You may find certain programs are not compatible to latest Windows operating system. For both Vista and Windows 7 users, presence of compatibility mode and Windows XP mode is a gift, which can be tweaked around to run any older program.

Security and privacy maintenance

Enterprises dealing in Microsoft help have experienced tech savvy personnel who can manage privacy of your system. You can view your computer usage from remote places as well as can put control over the Internet usage of your kids. You can also enjoy safe online banking and shopping under the surveillance of Microsoft help provider.

System repair and recovery

On account of any issues pertaining to hardware or user mistake data on your computer/server may get eradicated. Hence, preservation of data is an important aspect of IT industry.Microsoft support providers have decent technical group, to take care of everything related to system restore and data backup.

Computer help: Dell Support

2010-01-07T04:13:00.001-08:00

Dell Support: Dell offers vivid group of desktops, laptops, PDAs, computer components and computer peripherals.. Dell support is available round the clock to deal with all sorts of user’s issues like:

· Security threats

· Slow performance of PC

· File sharing issues

· Driver compatibility issues

· Error related to operating system

Motive of Dell support:

· Ensure better security setup and settings to your system

· Optimize your system performance

· Update your system software and application software

· Perform consistent monitoring of hardware component

· Ensure effective data backup

· Installation of suitable peripheral devices

Effective Dell support is available according to user group and is discussed as follows:

Home users: Dell support offers regular PC health checkup programs to compete with ever evolving issues. If required, dell technical support can upgrade your system or application software. They will also ensure that you have the best compatible device driver to gain maximum of your application software. Your system will be equipped with effective firewall and security to prevent intrusion of unwanted programs.

Business users: Dell supports the small scale business group who has the need to customize and virtualize the IT infrastructure.

Enterprises: Dell support offers best data base management technology to Enterprises so as to retain them for longer time. A Dell support does proactive system management so that you can keep your business running efficiently. Enterprises would get best of server services to design flexible and responsive IT infrastructure with deployment of compatible Terminal server. They will also monitor server security on regular basis.

Technical Support: Anti-Virus security to get maximum of your resource

2010-01-06T03:11:00.000-08:00

Are you suffering with your computer box? Not able to make good revert from your system resource. You may be among those who are:

• Getting sluggish performance in spite of making adequate investment

• Getting private data hacked over the Internet

• Unable to enjoy favorite game over the computer

Not a big deal. After going through this blog you would get everything resolved.

Take a notice of your system properties where the operating system is mention. Accordingly install suitable Anti-Virus security on your system. For your convenient I am here, to disclose about some best Anti-Virus security products.

NoAdware

NoAdware Anti-Virus security does an impressive work to remove spyware, adware, trojans, dialers and worms in a few minutes. Worldwide approximately 47 million customers are currently availing the programs. FREE! download is available.

Spyware Doctor

Spyware is the most aggressive Anti-Virus security. User can get up to date security for their PC. The best feature of the product is, it requires least of your system resource, so you can keep your optimum performance.

Windows Defender

Presence of Anti-Virus security Windows Defender will smooth the performance of your system without interfering with system performance. It will make pop-ups and other irrelevant ads to abdicate your system.

Installation of Anti-Virus security packages is not a tough deal. They are user-friendly and can be installed easily with the help of setup wizard in few minutes.

Note: Don’t install two Anti-Virus security products on a same system. It may raise confliction.

Computer support for getting live solution

2009-12-30T23:34:00.000-08:00

These days online computer support has simplified the troubleshooting of computer and server to a huge extent. Online computer support is available round the clock to fix any kind of simple or complex issue. These programs are more reliable, secure and authentic. User has the ultimate right to choose the payment mode.

The motive of blog is to create awareness about the services of the computer support. Computer support is offering diverse solution to the leading issues.

E-mail Help:

E-mail has become an important prospective of any organization. But sometimes due to some reason you may find yourself absolutely helpless when your e-mail client doesn’t work desirably. Most commonly used e-mail client on professional front is Outlook Express. As we know, it keeps the user accounts on the hard drives hence they are vulnerable. Probable causes behind the crash of e-mail may include viruses, bad software and corrupted e-mail attachments. Computer Support provides genuine solution in real-time. It helps the user to take back-up of the e-mail clients as well.

PC Tune-up: Computer Support offers suitable packages for consistent monitoring services. They take care of any abnormality in your hardware or software configuration by regular PC checkup programs and do the needful so that you can use your system under best condition.

Computer Errors: Computer Support helps in fixing any kind of Windows registry conflict, software error or security concerns in no time. They can detect and fix all errors pertaining to registry and optimize the system performance.

Data Backup: In order to manage your database in a secure way, computer support helps the users with latest backup technology. Based upon the convenience of the users, both discrete/individual and online backup are used to render computer support.

PC repair

2009-12-30T02:52:00.001-08:00

If you are unable to boot your PC, this article will shed some light on how to get a computer that is not working at all or how to get back to the state before your computer was broken.

Try the following steps to repair your PC.

STEP1. Turn on your computer. While your computer is turning on, open the CD drive and put operating system installation disc into it.

STEP2. Turn off your computer and then back on, installation process to your hard drive will start once the computer boots from the disc. Choose to reinstall windows and continue with the prompts. Doing this will wipe all the content on your C drive. Therefore, it is recommended to install another hard drive first and install windows on that hard drive.

STEP3. Reboot your system and few prompts will come up. After this the computer will have windows installed on it and should be able to connect to Internet.

If still you are unable to boot your PC, we at iYogi use the most advanced remote computer repair technology. We provide high tech support for your personal computer issues or malfunctions related to software.

We are committed to provide superior customer experience. We understand your problem and troubleshoot your issues. Our comprehensive range of services ensures peak performance to keep your PC up-to-date.

iYogi advantages

· Bring unparallel Technical support services for your PC to keep it running at top speed

· Easy and secure remote computer support anytime, anywhere.

· Deliver innovative technology and services you can trust.

· Our services ensure peak performance.

· We use remote access technology to resolve your issues quickly.

Look for more things with better search option

2009-10-22T22:02:00.000-07:00

The starter pack of Windows 7 makes it easier for small notebook PCs to use the operating system as it takes less time to boot, involves less clicking, and less hassle connecting to networks.

This edition combines the latest in reliability and responsiveness with the familiarity and compatibility of Windows. Although in previous Microsoft OS, Windows Search has a

familiar user interface for instant finding of files and e-mail messages located on your PC.

Windows 7 Home premium edition makes it easy to establish a home network and share all your favorite photos, videos, and music. With the help of Window 7 or windows xp 7 you can even watch, pause, rewind, and record TV.

With Windows 7 Professional edition, you can run many Windows XP productivity programs in Windows XP Mode and recover data easily with automatic backups to your home or business
network. With Windows 7 you can also connect to company networks easily and with more security.

The Ultimate version of Windows 7 combines remarkable ease-of-use with the entertainment features of Windows 7 Home Premium and the business capabilities of Professional. And
for enhanced security, you can encrypt your data with BitLocker and BitLocker To Go. You can also work in any of 35 languages with this edition of Windows 7. These are the

features that give you a definite edge over earlier versions of Microsoft OS. I also think that the view your active networks section now looks much nicer and easier to understand.

Another interesting feature in Windows 7 is Reliability Monitor that allows you to know any future problem in advance. We often come across problems which might have been solved

if known earlier. But how to know what our system is lacking?

Reliability monitor

Windows 7 Reliability Monitor offers a solution. It demonstrates how well is your system by measuring the hardware and software performance of your computer. The tool calculates

the stability index of your system and specifies results in the range from 1-10 and thus from the results, you can get an overview of the overall performance of your system.

This feature was present in Windows Vista by the name of Reliability and Performance monitor but it has been renamed and further enhanced in Windows 7.

You can access this feature by following these steps:

STEP 1. Go to Windows 7 Action Center by clicking the Action Center icon in the system tray and and then choose Open Action Center.

STEP 2. Expand the Maintenance category, and click the View reliability history option.

STEP 3. Windows 7 will generate the reports in a graphical format and will display the stability of your system in the form of a graph. From here, you will be able to get an idea about how well your system is performing.

Any failure will be marked down in the graph, which can provide the complete information. Hence, an easy way to know any abnormality in the system.

ReadyBoost: A way to speed up Windows 7

2009-10-19T21:43:00.000-07:00

Microsoft has included an enhanced version of ReadyBoost on Windows 7, a new feature that speeds up your computer even in a low memory situation by using flash memory, in its latest operating system Windows 7, scheduled to be launched on October 22.

ReadyBoost, which also comes with Vista, make use of a USB flash drive or card as memory and it works with most of the flash storage devices.

In Windows 7, it can handle more flash memory and even multiple devices up to eight, for a maximum 256GB of additional memory. When you plug a ReadyBoost-compatible storage device into your system, the AutoPlay dialog box offers you the option to speed up your computer using ReadyBoost. If you select this option, you can choose how much memory on the device to use for this purpose.

When you set up a device to work with ReadyBoost, Windows shows you the space recommended for an optimal performance. For ReadyBoost to effectively speed up your computer, the flash drive or memory card should have at least 1GB of available space. If enough space is not available for ReadyBoost, you’ll see a message asking you to free some space on the device if you want to use it to speed up your system. You can enable or disable ReadyBoost for a specific flash drive or other removable storage device.

Follow the given guidelines to enable this feature in Windows 7 :

STEP1: Connect a flash drive or flash memory card into your computer.

STEP2: Click Speed up my system, in the Autoplay dialog box, under General options.

STEP3: In the Properties dialog box, click the ReadyBoost tab, and then do one of the following:

To turn ReadyBoost off, click Do not use this device.

To use the maximum available space on the flash drive or memory card for ReadyBoost, click Dedicate this device to ReadyBoost. Windows will leave any files already stored on the device, but it will use the rest to boost your system speed.

To use less than the maximum available space on the device for ReadyBoost, click Use this device, and then move the slider to choose the amount of available space on the device you want to use.

STEP4: Click OK.

Automate Administration with PowerShell

2009-10-19T00:11:00.000-07:00

Windows PowerShell 2.0, a useful feature in Microsoft’s latest operating system, Windows 7, is a great boon to IT professionals yearning for a elevated management of computers in enterprises.

PowerShell 2.0 is built on the Microsoft .Net Framework and is especially designed for system administration providing great help to IT professionals to automate the administration of Windows operating system. The command tools in Windows PowerShell, named cmdlets, allows you to manage computers in enterprise.

Microsoft latest Windows 7 version also helps you to access data stores and supports Windows Management Instrumentation classes. The tool is designed to easily permit the addition of new features. Your own cmdlets, providers, functions and scripts can be added which enables you to use Windows technologies such as Active Directory Domain Services, Windows BitLocker Drive Encryption, the DHCP Server service, Group policy, etc.

IT professionals and developers might be most interested in these improved features in Windows 7 as it helps them to manage Windows at the command line. Developers can also use it to build script language

In a nutshell, following are the changes included in Windows 7 PowerShell:

1. More than 100 new cmdlets are included in Windows PowerShell.

2. Interactive session can be created with single computer and as many as computer can be run with the single command. A session can be established with it which allows you to receive remote commands from multiple computers.

3. With Windows PowerShell background jobs, you can continue to work on your session as the commands run in the background. Background jobs can be run on a local as well as on the remote computer.

4. With debugger, you can debug functions and scripts. Breakpoint can be set and removed with it and you can also check the values of the variables.

5. Modules in Windows PowerShell allows you to function as independent entity. Module package containing your cmdlets, providers, scripts, functions and other files can be distributed to the other users.

6. It supports new event infrastructure and transaction.

7. The messages and text can be displayed to users in multiple languages, with script internalization.

8. For enhanced user experience, not only help at the command line but also new online parameters are included in Get-Help cmdlet which opens updated version of each help topic.