Hardware

Deep cleaning the HP LaserJet 4250tn

In Geek, Hardware, Photos, Printers, Work on 13 April 2008 with 2 comments

I cleaned the laser scanner of a HP LaserJet 4250tn and it was the scariest hour of my week.

At work, one of our HP LaserJet 4250tn printers started to have a print quality problem. The print down the middle would be extremely light compared to the rest of the page.

I tried using a different toner cartridge.
I ran a few cleaning pages.
I interrupted a print job before it hit the fuser to see if that was the problem, but it wasn’t.

Since the warranty ran out from HP, all they would offer is email support. However, after these troubleshooting steps, they ceased their free email tech support.

So, I called The Printer Works for tech support. After explaining what I’ve tried, they suggested I clean the laser scanner and emailed me comprehensive instructions.¹

I took my time disassembling the printer to reach the laser scanner assembly, gently cleaned it with glass cleaner and cotton swabs, and put everything back together.

Then came the moment of truth.

I plugged it back in, powered it on, ran a test page, and held my breath.

Success!

Why couldn’t HP do this? ↩

What’s left to test on a freezing computer?

In Computers, Hardware, Windows XP on 27 August 2007 with 3 comments

I’m working on a friend’s computer, which I built at least five years ago. Due to Windows XP giving me the blue screen on start up — even in Safe Mode — I decided to backup his documents and clean install Windows. (I did this for him three years ago, so I think it’s due.)

Unfortunately, that didn’t do the trick.

After the proper drivers were install on a fresh Windows XP foundation, it still froze on me. It wasn’t a blue screen, and I wasn’t even doing anything processor-intensive.

After that, I did the following (within my Ultimate Boot CD):

Ran the extended test with the Western Digital hard drive diagnostics software
Ran MemTest86+ v1.07 for two passes, which took about 40 minutes.

He’s ready to buy another computer, so I’m not worried. I just want to exhaust all other options.

Other than the motherboard finally gone bad, what else could it be? How do you test a motherboard?

Unhinder your CPU

In Computers, Hardware on 17 January 2007 with no comments

I got an email from Robert Bray a few months ago, and got permission to post the following:

I was reading the upgrade article in the PC Magazine you gave me and this link [to CPU-Z] was one that was suggested to test performance. I downloaded it and my CPU speed looked very low.

I started looking though the FAQ and Forums and saw a response that suggested that maybe the AMD Cool ‘n’ Quiet was not activated. So I went to AMD and downloaded the AMD Cool ‘n’ Quiet Dashboard to double check the first results. Sure enough, the power savings were maxed and the CPU voltage was at minimum. The CPU speed was stuck on 50%. So, not knowing if I already had the AMD Cool ‘n’ Quiet software, I read the installation instructions first.

To enable the software, it said to go Start > Control Panel > Power Options, and change the power scheme to “Minimal Power Management”. Eureka! Both dashboards immediately showed the CPU reacting to the demand of the programs and would kick up to 100% to run my video software! Now I’m going to run a test video project to test this new discovery. I’ll [sic] let you know Monday how it worked.

…

Man, I don’t know how I did it, but I must have changed the settings some time ago. I’ve been worried for months that something was wrong with my [computer] because the video processing had slowed so much. I’ve been bugging the guys at work, telling them that everything works great on my computer except that it was slower on the videos. They would give me suggestions; I would run all the virus scan, spyware scans, defrag, everything we could think of. I could never find one thing wrong and I didn’t have any viruses or spyware. And I never even use half of the memory on anything I do, so that wasn’t it.

I just ran a test video and I am back to as fast as it was when new! I just doubled the speed of my CPU for free!

[I] just wanted to tell you of my good fortune in case you ever have to correct a computer that belongs to a “dangerous user” like me. (Someone who knows more than they understand!)

I’m not sure what article he read from PC Magazine. In any case, I hope this helps if you’re trying to troubleshoot speed problems with a fast AMD-based processor. Thanks Robert Bray!

Additional Links

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My computer’s end is near

In Computers, Hardware, Troubleshooting on 1 December 2006 with 5 comments

I’m not sure what’s up with my computer, but I have reason to believe that it’s in its final stages. This past week, software that’s been stable isn’t anymore. (e.g. Firefox, iTunes 7, Internet Explorer) Then, it’s been throwing random Blue Screens of Death. Today, I even tried formatting and clean installing Windows, but even after that, without any additional software installed yet, the computer continues to crash.

I’ve tried the following:

Ran MemTest86, twice, and found no errors
Ran SpinRite 6.0 (Level 4)
Clean Windows XP SP2 install

I haven’t changed any hardware. So, it’s something on the motherboard. (That narrows it down nicely, huh?)

Hopefully, I’ll get a replacement computer tomorrow night from a relative. (He also works in IT.) I’m not sure about the specifications, but he mentioned that it’s a clamshell Dell Optiplex GX270 with 1GB DDR RAM. Not sure about the processor speed, but I’m running an AMD Athlon 1600+, so it’s likely to be faster than what I have right now.

I’m not sure what to do with the old computer. Who knows if the power supply is starting to go? What if the video card is starting to go bad? I’m glad I backed up my data to the external hard drive, but I’m still uneasy.

For my next computer, I want a small form factor machine. This Antec case is a beast, so I’ll either sell it or store it away towards building a PVR system for home. It’s tough to troubleshoot a large computer because it’s a bit tougher to pickup, turn around, and so on. I’ll have to save for awhile, of course.

Or, should I get a Mac?

Any suggestions on how to troubleshoot further? I’d love to hear it!

Note: I’m on the trouble machine writing this. I booted off an old Knoppix Live CD, writing this. It’s running fine. Any ideas on that? In emergency cases like this, it’s probably a good idea to download and burn a copy of Knoppix. It runs pretty well.

Update 12/12/2006: I got the new system, and installed everything last Thursday. Back to normal? Basically! It’s a Dell Optiplex GX270 (clamshell), so it’s not the most customizable system.

Pentium 4 2.39 GHz
1 GB DDR SDRAM
24x CD-RW
Integrated video
USB 2.0
56K modem

He had a 60GB hard drive installed and ready to go, but it was manufactured in 2001. I was a bit scared, so I replaced it with my current 120GB hard drive, which I bought earlier this year.

For now, I’m going to stick with using USB 2.0 instead of Firewire. I’d have to buy a low profile Firewire PCI card if I really need it. At the moment, my iPod syncs just fine, and I don’t mind if synchronizing my external HD takes a bit longer.

If I want to use my Lite-On 52x CD burner, I’ll need to buy this Bytecc BT-200 USB 2.0 to IDE cable adapter. I’ll probably buy a DVD burner from Newegg, too. In any case, my CD burning speed will stink until then.

So, my system isn’t crashing anymore, and I’m happy!

I’ll still save up for a new system. I don’t love the one I’ve got right now, since I don’t have Firewire capability. I’ll most likely save up to build my own PVR first, then possibly get a Macbook.

Goodbye, old wireless router

In Hardware, WiFi on 17 July 2006 with no comments

I bought some new speakers to replace the speakers that died on me the other day. Fortunately, I had the patience to just drive a bit farther to Mwave to get my new speakers at a lower cost.

When I went to plug in the cord to the power strip, I knocked the power adapter to my D-Link DI-614+ wireless router out of its socket. After replugging the router back in, I looked at it only to find that none of the lights on the router were lit.

No way.

I unplugged it again, let it sit a few minutes, then replugged it back in. Nothing.

*silence*

In a matter of three days, I had lost my speakers and my wireless router. You know, if I’m going to lose things, I’d wish the loss would be spread out over a period of time. Good grief…grief indeed.

*sobs*

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