HP4100 TN White lines and elongated print

[tascam88]

I've been working on a 4100TN for the past couple of days at home. Printer has about 96k prints on it and was never used too heavily. I haven't done any maintenance as far as rollers or anything like that, but there is a new fuser and print cartridge in it. Problem is this - if I print a solid black test page, it comes out with a ton of thin white lines on the entire sheet. Almost looks like somebody wiped a paintbrush over it. The lines extend over into the margins and go off the end of the sheet too. Also if I do a configuration or a windows test page, all of the print is somewhat elongated and the entire page doesn't fit on one sheet. The text isn't overly skewed, but it's enough to not make it all fit on one page. The border on the configuration page is only across the top and down each side but nothing on the across the bottom of the sheet. Photos have lines as well. I've cleaned everything including the mirror on the laser. The question is this - is this problem related to the laser, the formatter or the main control board - or some combination? No errors on the display. Any help is appreciated.

[cs_steve]

First I would try a Cold Reset just to clear any paper size settings, etc.

I think your most likely part failure is a failing laser scanner... that's a pretty common fail part as these models get older, and I have seen "delayed" scanners that cut off the configuration page border at the bottom just as you described. We sell replacement scanners at PrinterTechs, 866-352-7108.

[Big Al]

I have never seen this problem. Book says you may have a bad or dirty laser scanner. Take it out, take it apart, usually just a few screws.
Inspect the plastic lenses for contamination. Check the mirror for contamination. Be very careful when cleaning the mirror and the lenses.
Since you have changed the toner and fuser the only thing left that is an easy fix is the transfer roller (black spongy roller that charges
the image drum in the toner cartridge.)

Check on the cost of a replacement printer before you dump a fortune into replacement parts. You could probably get a similar
model with about the same or less page count and then you would have a spare parts source and maybe swap parts to fix
the one you have now.

Are the white lines always in the same place? If not then it is likely your problem is in the laser scanner assembly. Try doing
an engine check print. If that is good then maybe you have a bad formatter. If you do not have a factory service manual
you can download one free from the Internet. Let us know what you find!
Al

[tascam88]

I replaced the laser assembly with a new unit and the problem is MUCH better. Text documents don't look too bad, however there are still lines along the margins. Any solids that get printed like photos are still full of lines as well. I will say though that the elongated text problem seems to have gone away with the new laser. I was considering changing the formatter board since I've changed everything else. Just wondering if this could still be the root cause of the problem? Any comments are welcomed.

Thanks!

[Big Al]

Do a careful inspection of the image transfer roller (green roller in the toner cartridge) since you may have a refilled cartride and I have seen these with damage on the ends. These damaged areas tend to pick up toner and put it on the margins of the page. The fuser can do the same. You also may have toner contamination from all the previous issues.
Al