Music Information Technology Services

Frequently Asked Questions: Printers

Q: Why isn't my printer working?

A: There are many reasons why your printer might not work, but the ways to fix it are generally simple.

Some general tips to try when your printer is not working, before calling for tech support:

• Check the paper tray to make sure there is paper.
• Check the paper tray to make sure there is NOT too much paper.  The tray should be about half full of paper.
• Make sure you are using the correct printer paper.  You can get your printer paper from Christina in the Mailroom.
• Check to be sure the paper tray is completely closed.
• Turn the printer off and back on.
• If you are printing a very large document, print the document in three to four pages at a time instead of all the pages at one time.
• Verify the printer cable is plugged into the back of the printer.

Q: How do I clean my printing heads?

A: If the text is either smeared or isn't being printed at all, there are two reasons this may have happened.  If you haven't used your printer in a while, the printing heads may have dried up, and that is causing your printer to function improperly. The other reason is general maintenance.  Ink will build up after a period of time and will need to be cleaned. Here's what you do...

PC Users: Go to the Start Menu - Settings - Printers and Right Click on your printer. Select Printing Preferences... Select the Utility tab. One of the options is Head Cleaning. Just follow the procedures. You may need to clean it several times in order to get it to print clearly. If it doesn't print clearly after several cleanings, you will need to replace the print cartridge.

MAC Users: The easiest way is through Word. Have the program open and select File - Print. At the top of the print dialogue box, click on the button which has a screwdriver and a wrench. One of the options is Head Cleaning. Just follow the procedures. You may need to clean it several times in order to get it to print clearly. If it doesn't print clearly after several cleanings, you will need to replace the print cartridge.

Q: How do I replace my print cartridge?

Make sure your original print cartridge just doesn't need to be cleaned. If the print nozzles are clogged, it will not work even if you replace the print cartridge. You can get new print cartridges from the Mail Room.

Epson 740/760
You can either view a short movie on how to replace the cartridge Epson 740 or you can follow the simple steps below.

1. Remove the yellow tape from the new cartridge.
2. Make sure the printer is turned on and not printing, then open the printer cover.
3. Press the ink cleaning button and hold it for about three seconds until the print head moves left and the power light begins flashing.
4. Pull up the ink cartridge clamp. The cartridge rises up from its holder.
5. Lift the cartridge out of the printer and dispose of it carefully.
6. Lower the new ink cartridge into its holder with the label facing up and toward the back of the printer.
7. Press down the ink cartridge clamp until it locks in place.
8. Press the ink cleaning button and close the printer cover.

Epson 777
You can either view a short movie on how to replace the cartridge Epson 777 or you can follow the simple steps below.

1. Remove the yellow tape from the new cartridge.
2. Make sure the printer is turned on and not printing, then open the printer cover.
3. Press the ink cartridge replacement button (the button which is the lowest and farthest to the left). The print head moves to the center and the power light begins flashing.
4. Pull up the ink cartridge clamp. The cartridge rises up from its holder.
5. Lift the cartridge out of the printer and dispose of it carefully.
6. Tilt the new ink cartridge slightly as you place it in its holder with the label facing up and toward the back of the printer.
7. Press down the ink cartridge clamp until it locks in place.
8. Press the ink cartridge replacement button and close the printer cover.

 Epson 800

1. Remove the yellow tape from the new cartridge.
2. Make sure the printer is turned on and not printing, then open the printer cover.
3. Press either black or color ink cleaning button (depending on which you are replacing) and hold it for about three seconds until the print head moves left and the power light begins flashing.
4. Pull up the ink cartridge clamp. The cartridge rises up from its holder.
5. Lift the cartridge out of the printer and dispose of it carefully.
6. Lower the new ink cartridge into its holder with the label facing up and toward the back of the printer.
7. Press down the ink cartridge clamp until it locks in place.
8. Press the ink cleaning button and close the printer cover.

Lexmark Z32

1. Make sure the Power light is On.
2. Raise the front cover. The print cartridge carrier moves to the loading position unless the printer is busy.
3. Remove the old print cartridge.
4. Install the replacement cartridge in the printer.
   1. Remove only the sticker and the transparent tape from the bottom of the print cartridge.
   2. Insert the print cartridge into the print cartridge carrier.
   3. Push back firmly on the cartridge until it snaps securely into place.
5. Close the front cover.
6. Open the Control Program for Windows or the Control Panel for Macintosh.
7. From the Cartridges tab, select Install/Change Cartridge.
8. Select the type of cartridge you installed and click OK.
9. If you installed a new cartridge, the Alignment dialog box displays. Follow the instructions on the Alignment screen to complete the cartridge installation.