Any computer (printer) experts here?

[Richard]

We have a HP 3500N color laser. It's been fine for us for maybe 5-6 years. Last year, we got a message on it saying we needed a new fuser kit so we got one and replaced all the parts.

Fine & dandy.

Today, maybe 12 months later, we're getting the "need fuser kit" message again. Might be worth noting that the first several years created a LOT more prints than the last 12 months. I'm baffled on the (evidently) short life of this replacement fuser kit which I'll add, was obtained through HP as an original replacement. I don't do the cheaper knock offs on repairs/maintainence.

I've posted on HP's site to inquire why... with no responses yet. Thought I'd ask here just in case anyone might have an idea.

The printer is currently working 100% fine, it's just the message on the screen for the fuser kit.

 

[troutsqueezer]

I'd say 5-6 years is a few years past the life span of just about any printer out there. Time to chuck it and buy new.

I know...not much help but I do design microprocessors for a living and we design for a life cycle of about that long.

 

[beenthere]

Hmmm?
What wears out in a microprocessor? Or is it a built-in calendar that says "times up" ??

As to HP messages, they've been caught handing out "low ink" warnings on their printer ink leading to early replacements when the ink wasn't gone. A big class action suit emerging for almost all HP printers, near as I can tell.

I'd suggest ignoring the fuser kit warning until it doesn't perform any more. Just what I plan to do with the "low ink" cartridge warnings. When the color goes bad, then replace it.
Also HP was caught saying cartridges were out of date, and suggesting their use would nulify mfg's warranty.

But, printers are cheap, just the ink is expensive.

 

[techwrtr2]

We have a HP 3500N color laser. It's been fine for us for maybe 5-6 years. Last year, we got a message on it saying we needed a new fuser kit so we got one and replaced all the parts.

Fine & dandy.

Today, maybe 12 months later, we're getting the "need fuser kit" message again. Might be worth noting that the first several years created a LOT more prints than the last 12 months. I'm baffled on the (evidently) short life of this replacement fuser kit which I'll add, was obtained through HP as an original replacement. I don't do the cheaper knock offs on repairs/maintainence.

I've posted on HP's site to inquire why... with no responses yet. Thought I'd ask here just in case anyone might have an idea.

The printer is currently working 100% fine, it's just the message on the screen for the fuser kit.

Fuser kits "expire" based on page counts. I'm not at my office where I have a CLJ3700 (same basic printer) to confirm what I'm thinking but I believe one of the sample pages you can do will show the page count where the fuser was installed. When you replace the fuse in this printer, you should have gotten a message asking if you replaced it, saying yes resets the count for the new fuser.

Assuming you really have not used the printer nearly as much as the previous years, I'll go on the thought that the page count didn't properly get reset. Should not happen when using HP supplies at the correct interval but anything is possible.

You can manually reset the count if you do the following I copied from the HP service manual.

To reset the fuser count
1. Press MENU to enter the MENUS.
2. Press (down arrow) to highlight Configure Device.
3. Press (check mark button) to select Configure Device.
4. Press (down arrow)to highlight RESETS.
5. Press (check mark button)to select RESETS.
6. Press (down arrow)to highlight RESET SUPPLIES.
7. Press (check mark button)to select RESET SUPPLIES.
8. Press (down arrow)to highlight NEW FUSER KIT.
9. Press (check mark button)to select NEW FUSER KIT.
10. Press (down arrow)to highlight YES.
11. Press (check mark button)to select YES.
The fuser count is reset and the printer is ready to use.

To be honest, I really am not impressed with many of the current market printers. I've considered consolidating my printers into one device (rather than MFP, color laser, standalone BW laser) and just have not liked the hardware available that isn't way beyond $1000.

 

[Maxfli]

Hmmm?
I'd suggest ignoring the fuser kit warning until it doesn't perform any more. Just what I plan to do with the "low ink" cartridge warnings. When the color goes bad, then replace it.
Also HP was caught saying cartridges were out of date, and suggesting their use would nulify mfg's warranty.

But, printers are cheap, just the ink is expensive.

I agree with Beenthere. Run it until it won't print. Only that printer isnt cheap. Those color laser were made to last. One thing we found was the problems with some of the older model lasers became more prononced when the printer was used very little, if it not being used much print some pages. Keep it powered on all the time is also a good thing.

 

[MossRoad]

Fuser kits "expire" based on page counts. I'm not at my office where I have a CLJ3700 (same basic printer) to confirm what I'm thinking but I believe one of the sample pages you can do will show the page count where the fuser was installed. When you replace the fuse in this printer, you should have gotten a message asking if you replaced it, saying yes resets the count for the new fuser.

Assuming you really have not used the printer nearly as much as the previous years, I'll go on the thought that the page count didn't properly get reset. Should not happen when using HP supplies at the correct interval but anything is possible.

You can manually reset the count if you do the following I copied from the HP service manual.



To be honest, I really am not impressed with many of the current market printers. I've considered consolidating my printers into one device (rather than MFP, color laser, standalone BW laser) and just have not liked the hardware available that isn't way beyond $1000.

I tend to agree with you that the page count should have been reset when the fuser was replaced. If it were me, I'd try to reset it. If not, then just run it anyway until the quality of the output suffers. Then worry about it.

 

[woodchuckie]

When my printer tells me it's out of ink I take the cartridge out and put a piece of tape on it and reinsert it while lying to the printer and telling it Yes I Put IN A new Black, Yellow or whatever. It lasts weeks if not months and it's used daily for three kids homework. This works especially good for color since I seldom need something in color anyway.

I like to use all of anything I buy. Like that last 1/8 inch on the brakes. The last mile on the oil change service minder. Flashlight batteries. A battery too weak to us in a flashlight seems to last months in children s toys. Not electronics but the singing dog etc. The heat from the oven if it don't smell and if the humidity is needed. Same thing for the dryer heat. I have an exhaust fan in the laundry room I turn on to pull the moist heat out. I haven't figured out what to do with a broken socket or even a car or truck I don't need and isn't worth giving away.

 

[techwrtr2]

I tend to agree with you that the page count should have been reset when the fuser was replaced. If it were me, I'd try to reset it. If not, then just run it anyway until the quality of the output suffers. Then worry about it.

I've been known to reset pages counts when I don't feel like buying the "kit" required. Fuser for this printer isn't expensive even for an HP OEM part. Try buying an OEM fuser for a Lexmark T634... ouch.

I have had aftermarket fusers and other consumables not reset the counts in the past but usually it's because of a fuse that is designed to blow upon in stall which is what resets the count. Not all rebuilders of such products replace the fuse. Other's just wipe the used toner off a part and sell it as "refurbished". That's ok for somethings, but for consumables it's not.

 

[troutsqueezer]

Hmmm?
What wears out in a microprocessor? Or is it a built-in calendar that says "times up" ??

Temperature cycling kills it. When you bend a metal bar with your hands back and forth to break it in half, the metal fatigues as it heats up and cools down in the bending area and that's what finally breaks the piece of metal. Same thing in electronics.

 

[Bird]

As to HP messages, they've been caught handing out "low ink" warnings on their printer ink leading to early replacements when the ink wasn't gone. A big class action suit emerging for almost all HP printers, near as I can tell.

Yeah, I got an e-mail last week about a proposed settlement in which you can get a $5 discount when you order new cartridges directly from HP. Sounds like a great deal, right?:laughing: I just deleted the e-mail.

I'd suggest ignoring the fuser kit warning until it doesn't perform any more. Just what I plan to do with the "low ink" cartridge warnings. When the color goes bad, then replace it.

My HP printer will be 3 years old in just over a month. I replaced the cartridge when the "low ink" warning came on the first time, but never since then. I learned pretty quickly that I can still do lots of printing before actually running out of ink, so I do just as you said; wait until it doesn't print right to replace a cartridge.