LJ4000 error message

[pfisher]

Hello everyone. I am new to this forum. I have two Laserjet 4000 N printers which I am getting the same error messages on both printers. Both printers are networked with fixed IP address. What is happening is this, I turn on both printers, if I want to print something, I get a message saying: "Tray 1 use Plain paper instead" which I hit GO twice. However, I get stopped with this message:"41.3 Unexpected paper size". I hit GO again, the paper comes out but I STILL displays the 41.3 error message.

On Printer 1, it doesn't even pick up the paper. I have checked the rollers everywhere that I can see them. The paper never leaves the tray. It moves slightly but never leaves the tray. How do I fix this issue without taking the printer apart?

On Printer 2, I am getting the message above about using Plain paper in Tray 1. How do I fix this issue.

I have tried to use the Cold Reset/Factory Reset option on Printer 2 but that option doesn't fix the problem. It doesn't reset the settings. What exactly is the purpose of Cold Reset? Do I have any other options to reset the printer to get rid of the current settings?

I am at my wit ends with these printers. I need some suggestions.

Phil

[MichaelTech]

chances are you need a major refurb. The feed assy behind the MP tray assy. is worn, and slipping. The registration assy. can be worn also. An old, worn fuser can affect timeing too.

[Big Al]

Tray one is the top tray that folds out for label sheets, card stock, and so on. The tray at the bottom of the printer is tray 2, if there is one below tray 2 then it becomes tray 3.

The tray 2 & 3 paper size settings are communicated to the printer by three contact springs on the right side of the tray. Try carefully cleaning these contacts on the tray and on the printer. A soft, new, clean pencil erraser works well for this.

The 4000 picks up the paper from the tray with a set of three "D" rings with rubber feet. This set of pickup rollers is turned by a black "dog-bone" shaped connecter from the transmission to the pickup rollers. This dog bone is made weak so a paper jam will not damage the transmission gears. If someone puts way too much paper in the tray and slams the tray shut it will break this dog bone and no paper will move. If this is broken I will tell you the easy way to replace it.

If you can borrow a known good tray that will tell you if it is the tray or the printer.

There is a paper present sensor flag hanging down behind the pickup rollers. If it is stuck that will cause problems.

I recently bought a low page count 4000 for my office at home for just over $100 delivered to my home. Better to go this route than start replacing major assemblies in the existing printers.

Please let us know what you find.

Al

[pfisher]

I have a another question regarding LJ4000 printers. When you are in MS Word, you click on Print, the default printer box comes up, under the Number of Copies, if you want more than 1 copy, you select the number of copies to 3, why does the LJ4000 only print 1 copy even though you specified 3 copies?

Does anyone know the answer to this old problem? I know how to change the number of copies, if you go to the Properties, Advanced Tab, Paper/Output, Copy Count, select 3 copies then it will print the desired number. This method is such a round about way. Does it have to do with Vista or the printer driver?

[pfisher]

come on guys. Doesn't anyone have an answer to my question? I want you guys to try it out for yourselves.

[cs_steve]

Hint -- if you're asking volunteer technicians on this forum to use their time to provide you with technical answers to your questions for free, at least be polite!

Your quote "Come on guys. Doesn't anyone have an answer to my question" is not exactly an appealing phrase when there's plenty of other people the techs on here can respond to who are politely asking for help.

Your first problem relates to the paper size settings. Print a Configuration page from the Information menu and it will tell you what paper size the printer BELIEVES is in the paper tray. It will probably say "Executive" or "Legal" or similar, and you are probably printing Letter size paper. Paper size is controlled by the adjustors in the paper tray; there are 2 blue paper sliders inside the tray; one moves side to side and one moves front to back ; make sure those blue sliders are both set to Letter. A few of these printers also have special paper trays with a 3rd paper size adjustor located on the side of the tray near the front; it will look a little blue wheel knob. If you look on the right side of your tray and see that blue wheel knob, rotate it to Letter also.

Do another Cold Reset and reset the paper size adjustors in the tray as described above , if it still gives you a 41.3 error, you'll want to change the paper size PCA board. This is a fairly common part to fail on this series; it's a small PCA board that reads the paper size settings and it's very easy to change on the 4000 series, it's a bit of a pain to change on the 4000T series.

Regarding your other problem -- printing a certain number of copies is determined by the print driver; you should download a few other drivers from HP's web site and experiment with them to find a driver that actually prints multiple copies when you tell it to.

Tutorial on drivers available here:
http://www.printertechs.com/tech/tutorials/drivers/installdrivers1.php

[pfisher]

CS_Steve,

I must of rubbed you the wrong way. I didn't say anything to offend anyone. I was looking for a quick response. If you don't like how I phrased my question, don't answer it. Move on to another question. My phrase:" Come on guys...." was meant for a response to be fast rather than slow. That's all. I wasn't trying to be impolite as you said I was.

[pfisher]

CS_Steve,

I appreciate you taking your time and others to answer my questions. I am not trying to start anything. I am under the gun to fix this problem. I am looking for faster responses.