hp4100N prints blank pages + service error message

	hp4100N prints blank pages + service error message by jsf (edited 7/22/08 6:31 PM) reply	+ / -
My HP4100 is printing blank pages. If I look closely at the page, I can see the outline of the characters of the document that I sent to the printer. The message in the display is "ready". I have received 2 error messages, 49.233F, and 79.2F83. I have read the postings / threads for these on the forum, but the problems discussed there are not consistent with the problem I am having. I have 4 memory DIMMs, and I frankly don't know which is original equipment, and which has been added since purchase. They total 176 MB, 16 x 3 + 128. I think the 128 came from an old PC. Before reading posts, I assumed memory was memory, and could be installed into any memory slot. Is that not correct? I have tried turing off machine for a while and removing memory. With memory in the lowest slot, I got a 53.10.xx error reading. when I tried to reboot printer. I then added another strip of memory, and it booted up fine (32MB). From reading the posts, I am confused by what is "firmware". Also, seems like it might be formatter board. I have gotten the message that the toner cartridge is empty, but I have replace with unit from another machine, and gotten the same printing results. The toner cartridge I am using is an hp cartridge. Hope you can help. Thanks in advance.

	Re: hp4100N prints blank pages + service error message by Stephen (7/22/08 6:46 PM) reply	+ / -
The firmware is the program that runs the printer, it has to be installed in the lowest slot. The other slots are for RAM. The printer needs the firmware and at least one memory module to be installed. I'd try the printer with the firmware and one memory module installed, then if it failed I'd swap the memory with one of the other modules.

	Re: hp4100N prints blank pages + service error message by dmzcompute (7/22/08 7:02 PM) reply	+ / -
First thing I would do is remove the nic card with the power off. Then I would perform a cold reset of the printer by pressing down on the big green button while powering on the printer and continue to hold until cold reset appears on the display and then release. When the printer comes to ready, I would go to the information menu and print a configuration page. Post the results here.

	Re: Re: hp4100N prints blank pages + service error message by jsf (7/23/08 8:32 AM) reply	+ / -
I will try this and get back. How do I distinguish between the firmware and the other memory sticks?

	Re: hp4100N prints blank pages + service error message by dmzcompute (7/23/08 12:09 PM) reply	+ / -
The hp dimms will have a part number on them. Just google the part numbers and one will come up as a rom chip. That chip goes in the lowest slot. Lets put it this way if the printer boots and comes to ready you have the chip in the right slot. The printer would just show astericks or squares if in the wrong slot.

	Re: Re: hp4100N prints blank pages + service error message by jsf (7/23/08 1:51 PM) reply	+ / -
Stephen / dmzcompute: Thanks for your cont'd assistance. I figured out (duh) which stick was firmware, and used that plus one memory stick. Tried each memory stick separately. Also removed network card. No luck. Same result. The printer prints out a blank page, where I can barely see the outline of what I was printing. I also tried the cold reset and then tried to print a configuration page. Nothing worked. I did get a message that toner was out, but I tried a different toner cartridge from another printer and that had no effect either. Any further suggestions? Thanks.

	Re: Re: hp4100N prints blank pages + service error message by jsf (7/23/08 3:06 PM) reply	+ / -
Not sure if you saw my post above. I figured out which stick was firmware, and used that plus one memory stick. Tried each memory stick separately. Also removed network card. The printer still prints out a blank page, where I can barely see the outline of what I was printing. I also tried the cold reset and then tried to print a configuration page. Nothing worked. I did get a message that toner was out, but I tried a different toner cartridge from another printer and that had no effect either. Any further suggestions? Thanks.

	Re: hp4100N prints blank pages + service error message by Stephen (7/23/08 6:46 PM) reply	+ / -
You may have two different problems. Lets try a different approach. Do a half self test on the printer to isolate the problem. Print a page and feed from tray 1, (the front fold down tray), When the paper has fed almost all the way in to the printer pop open the top cover to stop the printing process. Remove the toner cartridge and open the shutter. There should be a reverse image of what was about to be transfered to the paper on the drum. You can try the test on a working printer to see the result. You might also want to remove the formatter and do an engine test. www.fixyourownprinter.com/reference/guides/engine/52x

	Re: Re: hp4100N prints blank pages + service error message by jsf (7/24/08 4:36 PM) reply	+ / -
I did the firstpart of your recommendation and there was a reverse image on the drum. So that's not it. I will look up how to run the engine test. Thanks again.

	Re: hp4100N prints blank pages + service error message by jsf (7/25/08 1:34 PM) reply	+1 + / -
I removed the formatter board and ran an engine test. It printed parallel lines on page, not terribly dark, but lines just the same. Should the lines be dark / regular print quality? Thanks. Any further suggestions? Does this suggest formatter board issue?

	Re: hp4100N prints blank pages + service error message by msr976 (7/25/08 3:06 PM) reply	+ / -
The formatter board will not fix the dim print-outs. Causes of the 49 error would be print job stuck in the queue, memory, firmware, jet direct card, and formatter. You have already eliminated the jet direct and the memory. I would pursue fixing the dim print-outs before you spend all of this money. If we can get the printer to print darker then we can check the event log to see how often the errors are occuring. A dirty laser scanner can cause really light prints. Could be a high voltage issue or possibly a transfer roller. If your good at taking things apart, you could try to clean the laser scanner mirrors with a dry lint-free cloth. It just eliminates one less thing.

	Re: hp4100N prints blank pages + service error message by jsf (7/25/08 4:09 PM) reply	+ / -
How do I find the laser scanner mirrors? I have taken top cover off and also rear of unit. Where are mirrors? Thanks.

	Re: hp4100N prints blank pages + service error message by dmzcompute (7/25/08 4:34 PM) reply	+ / -
We need to read all the posts and evaluate the results. He did a half test and there was a reverse print on the drum which indicates to me that the mirror is probably ok and I would not attempt to clean it yet. Now when you did the engine test you got lines which is also ok since before you got nothing. All that said you do not say whether you performed the cold resetine test or not. There are two settings which can have an effect on print quality. First is economode which should be off or the print will be very light and the other is print density which should be at 3. A cold reset will insure these settings are correct. After doing that run a configuration page from the information menu and let us know the results. You are jumping around here from one item to another and really confusing the issue and not helping yourself get the printer fixed. Lets do just a couple of things here, answer questions and post results before we jump to something else. Posters have a habit of jumping in without reading previous posts and really confuse the issue. Finish what Stephen and I tell you first and if not working then let the others stick in their two cents.

	Re: hp4100N prints blank pages + service error message by msr976 (7/25/08 5:54 PM) reply	+ / -
Sorry for jumping in dmzcompute. I did read the posts. Everything I said was legit. I don't know why you always jump to conclusions on situations whenever I'm just trying to help someone resolve their issue. I guess your just too good for me to post anything.

	Re: hp4100N prints blank pages + service error message by dmzcompute (7/25/08 6:46 PM) reply	+ / -
It is just that most people who post with a problem are novices and tend to try the last thing posted without doing or completing what was suggested before. This user is doing just that so he ends up jumping from item to item and diagnostics to solve his issue are lost in the process. Stephen told him what to do with the half test to narrow down the issue. He indicated there was a image on the drum so that would lean towards a transfer issue depending how dark the image is. That said there are settings in the formatter that can effect dim printout and I mentioned them above. I suggested a cold reset and he never indicated if it was done or not. I cannot tell you how may printers I have "repaired" over the years where the issue was someone trying to save the company money set the economode to on and you hardly got anything on the page. I have also seen cases where media will cause almost blank pages. I have never seen optics causing almost blank pages. With optics there is usually areas where the print is very light or no print but the rest of the page is fine since when the optics get dirty they tend to get dirty on either side or get some toner splashed on just one section causing a blank area. I was not trying to critizize the post but rather get this user back on track to performing the necessary items to figure out what is wrong and just not try everything as everyone posts to his problem. We would really like to hear from jsf to see if he is trying or doing the items suggested.

	Re: hp4100N prints blank pages + service error message by Anonymous (7/28/08 6:54 AM) reply	+ / -
Stephen & DMZ: Thanks for all of your help so far. I did run a cold reset and attempt to print a configuration page shortly after you suggested this step. The print out was blank. Sorry if I did not post the result. Let me know if you think cleaning the mirrors will help, as I have already partially dismantled the printer. Thanks again.

	Re: hp4100N prints blank pages + service error message by jsf (7/28/08 6:57 AM) reply	+ / -
That last post is from jsf. Not sure why it came up as anonymous.

	Re: hp4100N prints blank pages + service error message by dmzcompute (7/28/08 3:49 PM) reply	+ / -
You said when you ran a half test there was an image on the drum of the toner cartrdige. If so I doubt the mirror is dirty. What is strange is you get lines with the engine test and you get an image on the drum but no print on the paper when printing a self test. Does not make sense. Do us a favor. Run the engine test again and also run a configuation page from the printer's control panel and scan them and post to a posting site and post a link here so we can see what is happening.

	Re: Re: hp4100N prints blank pages + service error message by jsf (7/28/08 4:05 PM) reply	+ / -
DMZ: Thanks for getting back. I will do as you suggest. I need to reassemble the printer and then run the tests. Also, I assume a posting site is somewhere you can go to and see this scan file? I'll try and find one of those as well. Have a great evening.

	Re: hp4100N prints blank pages + service error message by jsf (7/28/08 4:43 PM) reply	+ / -
DMZ: I have reassembled printer. Run an engine test with formatter board uninstalled. Still faint lines. Reinstalled formatter board. Printed a configuration page and voila! Ink / Toner! It printed a good image. Also printed a regular page from Excel. I will try and figure out how to post somewhere so you can review. I think it is somehow fixed? Reminds me of working on my motorcycle when I was a kid - take it apart, look at it, put it back together again and it works. Will post tomorrow.

	Re: Re: hp4100N prints blank pages + service error message by jsf (7/29/08 9:23 AM) reply	+ / -
DMZ or Stephen: I do not have access to a website to post a scan of the engine test and printed configuration page. Sorry. I was getting a toner empty message this morning, so I installed a new toner cartridge. I am now getting a 54.1 error indicating that I have not removed the tape from new cartridge (not true). I have read the postings about this error message. I have checked the contacts as well as the ground spring on left side of printer. All appear OK. Based on other postings, my guess is that the cartridge memory controller pca is faulty. Would you agree? I assume this is a board or chip that needs to be replaced? Any instructions / thoughts on how to replace or check this connection is OK. Thanks. See string dated 1/24/07 / moe.

	Re: Re: hp4100N prints blank pages + service error message by Anonymous (7/31/08 2:19 PM) reply	+ / -
DMZ: I have not seen a response to my most recent posting three days ago. Do you think you finished responding to this post / issue? Just let me know and I'll proceed based on your response. Based on the research I have done, most likely culprit is a bad cartridge memory controller pca board or a loose connection to same. I have not found any information on how to change that board. Can you help with instructions? If I can figure out how to do that, then I will buy part and try that. Thanks again +.

	Re: hp4100N prints blank pages + service error message by dmzcompute (7/31/08 7:02 PM) reply	+ / -
54.1 error can also be caused by the transfer roller not sitting right. It is also possible the chip on the new toner is bad. Is it hp or aftermarket. You could move the chip from the old toner to the new toner just to check it out. Never had to replace the reader so I am really no help here.

	Re: hp4100N prints blank pages + service error message by dmzcompute (7/31/08 7:09 PM) reply	+ / -
Here is hp's writeup. HP LaserJet 4100 Family Printers - 54.1 Error Will Not Clear ISSUE: The printer is displaying a 54.1 error message that will not clear. SOLUTION: Perform the following steps: Check the print cartridge for protective tape that was not removed. Check the print cartridge for extra plastic remaining from the pull-off tab that could block the toner level sensors. Check the print cartridge contacts on the left side of the print cartridge to ensure they are clean and free of debris. Check the toner level contacts on the left side of the printer to ensure they are clean, springy, and able to make good contact with the print cartridge. Check the high voltage contact (large spring wire) and corresponding post on the cartridge to ensure they will make good contact with each other. Replace the print cartridge with a known good cartridge, if possible, or a new cartridge. If replacing the print cartridge does not correct the issue, then replace the Toner Level Sensor "Antenna Assembly" (RG5-5273-000CN) and the ECU "Engine Controller Board" (C8049-69009 - 110V; C8049-69010 - 220V)

	Re: hp4100N prints blank pages + service error message by jsf (8/1/08 8:58 AM) reply	+ / -
Thanks. I've tried 3 genuine hp cartidges, so the problem is likely more sinister than a bad toner cartridge. Thanks for the lead on next steps.

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