HP Laserjet 5 Vertical Smudges/Lines on Print

[Bizegrama]

Hi,

I have a HP Lasejet 5 that is about 12+ years old. I recently purchased a duplex on E-Bay (new-works great).

Lately I am getting lines or smudges vertically. :( I believe it might be the fuser. I have printed many copies on this printer, but no number available. I don't think it's the toner cartridge as it is fairly new. Does this sound like a fuser problem? I hate to by a new printer, if I can keep this one working good.

Do you think I need a maintenance kit?

Thanks for your help

[cs_steve]

Try a Half-Way test, this will help you determine if it's toner or fuser:
Here's a page describing how to use the Half-Way Test
http://www.printertechs.com/tech/print-defects/halfwaytest.php

[Bizegrama]

Thanks for the speedy reply. I did the test and it does appear to be a fuser problem, not a toner cartridge problem.

So I'll probably be ordering a maintenance kit in the next week or so.