What is an ENERGY STAR printer?
Like HD televisions and laptop computers, printers must earn the ENERGY STAR label by meeting energy-efficient requirements set by the Environmental Protection Agency. The EPA establishes its specifications based on a product's features, performance and overall energy efficiency. A test measures the product's energy consumption and performance, and a qualified product receives the label based on its Return on Investment (ROI) and features set forth by consumer demand.
ENERGY STAR compliant devices prevent or reduce greenhouse gas emissions, which trap heat in the atmosphere. The resulting effect from these emissions is global warming and rapid climate change. Some greenhouse gases occur naturally, but many factories and products emit the harmful gases that accelerate global warming. Using any ENERGY STAR certified printer means that the user actively takes part in reducing his or her carbon footprint on the Earth. The ENERGY STAR program covers both business and consumer products. In business, using ENERGY STAR products saves the company thousands of dollars each year. In addition, an ENERGY STAR approved printer is at least 25 percent more energy efficient than a non-compliant model. In fact, homeowners may save between $70 and $100 per year just by using ENERGY STAR certified products. Making small changes such as using an approved printer or installing energy-efficient light bulbs can increase these savings.
Not every printer has the ENERGY STAR label. These printers use more energy during printing, adding to the power bill each month. Since most printers remain powered on during the day, a business using non-compliant models wastes hundreds of dollars each year. Many of the newer ENERGY STAR printers have an automatic shutdown feature if the model is not in use. In addition, the printer uses less electricity to operate, saving the company money. According to the EPA, if all businesses in the United States used ENERGY STAR certified equipment such as printers and all-in-one devices, Americans could save nearly 3 billion kilowatts per year. Investing in ENERGY STAR models is smart for the business, home and Earth. These devices save money and reduce greenhouse emissions, which is good for everyone involved.
How to check your Epson Inkjet printer ink levels
With an Epson inkjet printer, it is possible to check the ink levels without removing the cartridges. Regardless of whether it is a color or black and white inkjet printer, Epson provides a status monitor that indicates the remaining ink level in each cartridge. In just a few clicks, the status monitor shows whether or not it is time to purchase new cartridges.
Instructions
1. Epson StatusMonitor software ships with each Epson printer. Insert the CD into any laptop or desktop computer, and connect the printer using an available USB cord. If the printer did not include a CD, download the software directly from the Epson website.
2. In order to access the StatusMonitor program, open an application that allows printing options. After opening an application such as MS Word or a web browser, locate and click the "File" button at the top of the control bar.
3. Select "Print" or "Page Setup" from the drop-down menu. After the dialog box opens, click the "StatusMonitor" icon. Alternatively, click the "Utility" icon and then the "Epson StatusMonitor" button to reveal the display.
4. With the display open, click the "Update" button. Initially, the display indicates the current ink levels. However, clicking the "Update" button refreshes the display in case it shows inaccurate readings. This display shows the ink level of each cartridge installed in the printer.
Configuring the Automatic Monitoring Function
1. To configure automatic monitoring and ink level warnings, return to the "Print" dialog box, and click the "Utility" button.
2. Next, click the "Configuration" button. A new "Configuration" dialog box opens to reveal a list of settings. Here, it is possible to adjust the frequency of warnings and to set automatic ink level monitoring before printing.
Additional Information
In order to keep an Epson inkjet printer up-to-date, it is best to allow automatic updates for the device. Whenever possible, update the drivers for the specific Epson inkjet model. Having out-of-date drivers may cause unexpected results when printing or using the StatusMonitor software.
How do I warranty genuine OEM products?
247inktoner.com sells both compatible and genuine OEM cartridges. However, genuine products must be warranted directly through the manufacturer. Below are phone numbers to the manufacturers:
• Canon - 800-OK-CANON
• Brother - 877-276-8437
• Epson - 800-444-1527
• HP - 800-474-6836
• Konica Minolta - 877-778-2687
• Lexmark - 800-438-2468
• Okidata - 800-654-3282
• Samsung - 800-726-7864
• Xerox - 888-339-7887
Common Samsung Laser Printer Error Codes
When a Samsung printer displays an error code, most will usually be clueless on what it means. Many people lose or discard their manuals, so it may be impossible to locate them. Fortunately, the most common error codes, explanations and solutions can be found here.
H2
If the fuser is not warming up properly, this code appears. Check all printer cables, and make sure there are no points missing. In addition, if the printer is plugged into a surge protector, try plugging the printer directly into the wall.
Paper Jam
When paper is stuck in or close to the exit rollers, this message appears. The paper may be stuck to another sheet. If this is not the case, check the exit roller sensor. It may be damaged or misaligned. Try realigning the paper or roller sensor. If that does not work, the sensor must be replaced.
50
If there is a malfunction in the fuser, expect to see a code 50 on the display. It may appear because the fuser is not heating up. Turn the printer off for at least 15 minutes. Switch the power back on, and check the display for an error message. If the message appears again, a faulty fuser assembly or AC power component may be the culprit.
Media Tray Empty
When this message appears with a full paper tray, the printer's drivers may need to be updated. To do this, visit the Samsung site for the most recent update information.
24
Some print jobs may be too much for one printing run. If this message appears, the print job will overload the machine. Select the continue button, and try reducing the print load. Another option is to add more memory or use a print spooler.
Scanning Error
When this message appears, it always indicates a hardware issue. Try replacing the USB cable. In some cases, cheap cables may not be capable of transmitting the data the scanner needs.
16
This number indicates low toner levels. Fortunately, this is the easiest problem to solve. First, try taking out the cartridge and gently rocking and it forward and backward. This may help it complete the current print job, but a new cartridge will be needed promptly. For inexpensive and reliable compatible or genuine replacement cartridges, try us.
Toner Light On
If the toner light remains on after replacing a cartridge, a fuse error may be to blame. Try replacing the current component with a 50 mp fuse. The fuse is located on the front side of the cartridge. This error is usually only reported with the Samsung SCX-4216F device. A cold restart of the printer may also help.
Missing Print
Some pages may come out with data missing. This usually happens because the paper size configuration is incorrect. Check the settings, adjust them if needed and try again.
Block Print
Pages may come out with blocks instead of regular text. This usually happens when trying to print from Internet pages. It happens because the printer does not recognize the page's font. Try re-installing all of the printer's relevant drivers. If this does not work, open the computer's printer folder. Select the device icon and choose properties. Find the advanced option, click on it and choose the print processor. Select a different graphics mode and try again.
Try these troubleshooting tips before calling a repair company or throwing the device away. Some problems may seem big, but they are easy to fix. When replacing cartridges, try our compatible Samsung cartridges which will save you up to 80% compared to genuine Samsung cartridges.
Why you should choose photo ink
After investing in a great inkjet printer and snapping hundreds of photos with your digital camera, you're probably ready to start printing them at home. You can save a lot of time and money by doing it yourself. If you want professional results, though, you need to invest in the right supplies. Nothing is more frustrating than printing a batch of photos at home and discovering that they look nothing like they do on the screen. One easy way to dramatically enhance the quality of your photo prints is by using special photo ink. Learn more about it below.
Print Brighter, Sharper Photos
When you print photos using standard printer ink, you're sure to be disappointed. In many cases, they just don't have the crispness and brightness that you get with photos that are printed by professional companies. For this reason, many people assume that there's no point in printing photos at home at all. By switching to special photo ink, you can achieve the level of quality that you've come to expect. There's no need to put up with slightly blurry, dull-looking photos. Photo ink costs a little more, but the extra expense is well worth it.
Get Higher Quality Results
Without using special photo ink, the printed copy of your photo probably won't look quite the way it does on your computer screen. It's aggravating to see a gorgeous image on your screen, print it out and discover that it just doesn't look the same. The main reason this happens is because standard printer ink simply can't do high-quality digital photos real justice. It's perfectly possible to print photos that actually look the way they do on the screen. The trick is to use top-notch photo ink. After trying it once, you will never go back to using regular ink.
Avoid Bleeding and Blurring
Have you ever printed a photo at home and ended up with a slightly blurry image whose colors bleed together? After all of that effort, results like these can be especially annoying. Some people assume that this happens because of low-quality paper. However, even the best photo paper in the world can't make up for low-quality ink. Photo ink is designed to adhere instantly to paper. It doesn't have a chance to blur, smear or bleed. As a result, it produces crisp, stunning photos each and every time. There just isn't a substitute for this type of ink.
Fading isn't an Issue
Another major problem with printing photos at home is that they tend to fade over time. At first, a photo print will look great. Even if it's not in direct sunlight, though, it will begin to fade. That's because standard printer ink isn't designed to stand the test of time. Photo ink is formulated to specifically address this issue. It produces photo prints that will continue to look as sharp and vibrant in a few years as they do on the day that they were printed.
Invest in Quality
Even after you pay extra for special photo paper and photo ink, you will still save a bundle by printing your photos at home. In addition to being cost-effective, it's a great way to get precisely what you want. With photo ink, you'll be able to whip up gorgeous, high-quality prints at a moment's notice. Whether you need a quick gift for someone special or have snapped an amazing photo and want to hang it on the wall immediately, photo ink will let you do so with ease. Before you know it, your home will be filled with gorgeous photos that you have printed yourself.
Common HP Photosmart scanner problems
Issues with technology and electronics are normal to experience, and scanners in the HP Photosmart series have their share of problems. It is important for users to recognize some common malfunctions and understand that there are easy solutions available. Having the ability to fix certain problems will help users avoid frustration and replacing the scanner. The most common issues with HP Photosmart scanners involve the software, operating system and mechanical parts.
Symptoms of software issues include inability to open the program, incompatibility errors and program crashes. Most of these problems are caused by installation errors or outdated software. If you think your scanner is experiencing problems with its software, you can follow the steps below.
- Make sure your computer is connected to the Internet and check for updates to your scanner's model.
- Download the appropriate updates and install them to your computer.
- If there are no updates, you may need to completely reinstall the software.
- Go to control panel and find the add/remove icon. Locate your scanner's software and click the uninstall button.
- After the uninstall process is complete, you will need to install the original software again. You can either use the CD that came with your scanner or download the software online.
Sometimes, problems can occur with the computer's operating system for both Mac and PC users. With this type of issue, the scanner's software will usually crash when saving or not open at all. You can check online for updated versions that are compatible with your operating system. If there are no updates, you may have to disable the startup programs in Windows or configure the scanner for Mac OS.
- To disable Windows startup programs, find msconfig.exe by typing it into the search bar in your start menu.
- Click the startup tab to view a list of all the programs that load when Windows boots up.
- Uncheck the programs that are interfering with your scanner software.
If you are running a Mac OS, you might experience application crashes when saving, white lines on your images or error messages indicating poor communication between scanner and computer. If there are no updates available, you will need to configure your scanner to the appropriate settings.
- Open the scanning application and find the settings tab.
- Change the file type to something other than JPEG because this format causes application crashes.
- You can change the image type, color, resolution and size until you find settings that will not interfere with the image quality.
Malfunctioning HP Photosmart scanners can make unusual noises while operating, and these sounds indicate a mechanical problem. You can troubleshoot by turning off the scanner and unplugging it from your computer and the power source. After waiting about one minute, plug everything back in and turn the scanner on. If the device continues to make the sound when you try the job again, it is best to contact technical support.
For flatbed scanners, dirty surfaces can cause images to appear blurry or contain streaks. You can easily clean the surface with a cloth and some regular window cleaner. It is important to remove the glass panel before attempting to clean it. Most HP Photosmart scanners' surfaces are connected by screws that you can remove with a screwdriver. Clean both sides of the panel and replace it while ensuring the screws are tight. Your images should come out clearer after performing this solution.
If you are unsure about the causes of your scanner's issues, it is best to reference the user manual or call technical support for further assistance.
How to configure your printer spool settings
When a printer seems to lag while printing, it's usually because its spool file settings aren't configured properly. On Windows computers, the spool file is set to a default that works well for most users. However, in certain situations, tweaking these settings can produce more reliable and efficient results. Before delving into the ways in which you can optimize your printer's spool settings, you should get a clear idea about what a spool setting is in the first place. By understanding the basics of a printer's spool settings, you will have an easier time making it do what you need it to do.
What is Printer Spooling?
Spooling refers to the process of loading a document file to a computer's memory so that it is accessible to a printer. In general, this is done to increase efficiency and reliability. It is the default setting on Windows computers. When you check your printer's print queue, you are looking at the order in which the spooled files are to be printed. If you see a progress bar next to a file, it means that the spooled file is still being created. Spool files are temporary files. They are deleted after a print job is complete.
Accessing Your Computer's Printer Spool Settings
The specific area in which your computer's printer spool settings are located will depend on the version of Windows that you are using. However, a good place to start is the Control Panel. Seek out the printer properties dialog box. The printer spool settings section is usually located in the Advanced Settings area. There is no way to optimize or adjust your computer's spool settings without accessing this area. Another way to find it is by searching for "spool setting" on the Start Menu or in Windows Explorer.
Moving the Spool File
In some cases, printing is slower than usual because the computer has a hard time accessing the spool file. An easy way to find out whether or not that's the problem is by moving the spool file. In the spool settings dialog box, a default location for the file should already be listed. You should be able to input a new location. Before doing so, create a new folder in the drive or partition of your choice. For the sake of expediency, you should choose a drive or partition that the computer can access quickly. If your printer responds more quickly, you have solved the problem.
Adjust the Printer's Response Time
Another way to enhance the efficiency of a printer's spool settings is by adjusting how quickly it begins printing. It may seem obvious that the printer should begin as quickly as possible, but that's not always the best option. In the spool settings dialog box, your printer should already default to spool so that a program finishes printing faster. This means that it starts printing before the entire document has been spooled. If you regularly print massive documents, though, you might want to adjust it so that it only begins printing after the final page has been spooled. That way, the printer has full and complete access to the entire print file.
Eliminating Spooling
Finally, there should be an option to let applications print directly to the printer. In other words, you can eliminate the spooling process entirely. This isn't ideal because the application will be completely tied up until printing is complete. The efficiency of your computer will suffer while it is printing as well. However, it's something to keep in mind. You can always eliminate spooling temporarily and turn it back on later. In any case, you should always look at your computer's spool settings before you do anything else.
Reasons to get the portable PocketJet printer
For some time, mobile printing has lagged far behind mobile technology in general. There are now countless ways to stay connected with mobile devices like smartphones and tablets. Until recently, though, there was no easy way to print documents, photos and other things while on the go. With the portable PocketJet printer, that's all changed. This exceptionally convenient little printer does precisely what it is designed to do: It produces crisp, high-quality, full-sized printed pages just about anywhere. Learn more about the top advantages of this cleverly designed portable printer below.
Full-Page Printing
There's no need to settle for miniature copies when using the PocketJet printer. At just over 10 inches in length, it can easily produce full-sized copies. For this reason alone, this is an invaluable tool for business people who are constantly on the go. After all, tiny copies of important documents simply aren't going to cut it. No matter where you bring the PocketJet, you can use it to print full-sized pages on demand.
Exceptional Portability
It's easy to assume that the PocketJet printer isn't really that portable. After all, there has to be some kind of catch. However, it truly is lightweight and easy to bring along practically anywhere. It barely weighs one pound, so it doesn't add a significant amount of weight to a laptop bag or briefcase. In fact, it's so small and lightweight that it can be kept in the pocket of a jacket or blazer. There are no gimmicks involved with this incredible device.
No Ink or Toner Necessary
The last thing you want to do is put a tiny, ink- or toner-filled printer in your pocket. Spills and other mishaps are sure to happen with the consumables. That's not an issue with the PocketJet printer because it doesn't use ink or toner. Instead, it relies on direct thermal printing technology. This revolutionary technology allows you to produce a limitless number of prints without ever having to add new toner or replace an ink cartridge. This technology is the primary thing that makes this handy little printer possible. After all, toner and ink can be extremely messy, so devices that rely on them can't be taken from place to place with ease.
Fast, Efficient Wireless Printing
If you've ever had trouble printing from a regular computer to a wireless printer, you're probably skeptical about the capabilities of the PocketJet printer. However, this device uses IrDA technology, which is an infrared interface the produces reliable, exceptional wireless connectivity. It is compatible with a dizzying array of devices, so you should be able to print from your iPhone, tablet or laptop without any trouble at all. This compact little printer works amazingly well in this regard, and it will make life a lot easier for you.
Maintenance-Free Design
There are very few moving parts on the PocketJet portable printer. That's a good thing because you'll probably want to bring it everywhere with you. Because it has so few moving parts, it is extremely durable and more than capable of standing up to life on the road. There is no need to handle this printer with kid gloves.
A Highly Capable Portable Printer
The PocketJet portable printer finally addresses the pressing need for true on-the-go printing. With no ink or toner to worry about, you can avoid messes and other issues. Thanks to its compact size, you can slip it into your pocket or tuck it into your laptop bag. With its reliable wireless technology, you can avoid the frustration of being unable to connect when you need to do so. On every conceivable level, this portable printer delivers.
What is Epson Connect?
One great feature that comes with all Epson printers is Epson Connect, the manufacturer's suite of solutions for wireless, network, and remote printing from almost any electronic device imaginable. With Epson Connect, you are no longer limited to printing from your home computer. Epson Connect allows you to print from your cell phones, your tablet computers, and from your desktop computers that aren't even connected to your home network. There's no limit to the type of files you can print using Epson Connect. Printing web pages, photographs, emails, documents, and reports from anywhere on Earth are all possible with this Epson tool.
Epson Connect supports two main methods of remote printing that are not only simple to set up but also ridiculously easy to use. All you need is your electronic device and an Internet connection to take advantage of all Epson Connect has to offer.
With Epson Email Print, you can assign a special email address that is linked to your Epson printer. Simply send the file you want to print to this email address, and your Epson printer will process the job right away. Epson Email Print is great for professionals who are constantly on the go and may not have access to a reliable printer because they are stuck in meetings, on flights, or catering clients. Are you on vacation? Don't risk losing your precious getaway photos by sending them to your Epson printer right away, no matter where you are in the world. Epson Email Print supports smartphones, laptops, and tablets and can print documents and photos alike.
Another way you can take advantage of Epson Connect is by downloading and installing Epson's iPrint App for your mobile phone. With the iPrint application, you can print documents, photos, and websites directly from your phone. If you have files on cloud storage services like Dropbox, Box.net, or Google Docs, you can also print those using this unique smartphone app. The iPrint application supports scanning functionality directly from your mobile device via any WiFi network. There's more: Check your printer's ink cartridge levels and nozzles or instruct your printer to clean cartridge heads right from your handheld device.
Epson Connect supports an array of mobile devices including Apple's iOS, Google's Android, and RIM's Blackberry platforms. Any mobile device that is capable of sending an email will work with Epson Email Print, but only Apple iOS devices like the iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch and Android tablets and phones will be able to download the Epson iPrint app. Epson printers compatible with the iPrint app include the Artisan series, Stylus series, WorkForce series, WorkForce Pro series, and Pro-C series.
Apple and Google users partial to those brands can choose other mobile printing platforms in conjunction with their Epson printers. Users of Apple's iPad, iPhone, or iPod Touch can use Apple AirPrint to deliver their documents and photos to their Epson printer. With only a few taps on a screen, Apple users can have their print job sent remotely without the need to set up or install anything. Users of Gmail or Google Docs can similarly have their emails, documents, and slideshows printed to their Epson printer without hassle using Google Cloud Print.