| Computers are becoming commonplace in homes | | | | package that enables your printer to |
| and offices around the world. The problem is | | | | communicate with your computer's operating |
| that most people know so very little about | | | | system, and vise versa.The manufacturer of |
| their computers, that when something goes | | | | your printer sent out a software disc with |
| wrong, they do not know how to begin the | | | | the printer. On this disk, you can find the |
| troubleshooting process.The ugly truth is | | | | default driver for that printer.As computing |
| that we could opt to call the technical | | | | evolves, printer manufacturers upgrade their |
| support phone number that came with the | | | | drivers to either improve the printer's |
| computer, but you never really know what you | | | | performance or to keep up with changing |
| are going to get at the other end of the | | | | Operating Systems.Of course, you could go to |
| phone. You could literally spend several | | | | a website that has been established to give |
| hours just waiting to get to a technician, | | | | you a one-stop shop for finding hardware |
| and then once you have the human on the line, | | | | drivers online. A couple of the most common |
| there is just as good of a chance that they | | | | sites of this type are:* these global sites |
| will not have a clue, as there is that they | | | | are good, they don't always deliver the most |
| will find your solution.I know this because I | | | | up-to-date drivers that are available from |
| used to work in a computer technical support | | | | the manufacturer.Here is an assortment of the |
| call center. You would be amazed who can pass | | | | Support / Driver Download URL's for most of |
| as a technician! For most new hires, the only | | | | the major manufacturers:Brother - - - - - |
| pre-qualifying knowledge that is necessary is | | | | Packard - - Minolta - - - - Bowes - - |
| being able to navigate the current Windows | | | | - / Tektronix - Unseen Printing |
| Operating System.Management feels that if you | | | | IndustryPrinters are cheap to replace as a |
| can navigate Windows, then you can navigate | | | | general rule. If you have a printer whose |
| the database to dig up a solution. The | | | | transport motor failed, it might actually be |
| problem with this kind of thinking is that | | | | cheaper to throw the printer in the trash and |
| the person at the call center is often lost | | | | replace it with a new one. Sure, it might |
| to find a solution that is not yet in the | | | | seem logical to buy a new motor and to |
| database.Of course, all front line | | | | replace the dead motor, but do compare |
| technicians have a help desk to call, but in | | | | pricing options first.What most people fail |
| my own experience, help desk posts were | | | | to realize is that the printer companies are |
| assigned based on politics and not technical | | | | not making their money on manufacturing and |
| knowledge. We ended up with some real idiots | | | | selling printers. Sure, they do still make a |
| at our help desk. Call those people once or | | | | profit when you buy your printer, but that is |
| twice, and you will eventually decide that | | | | not the activity that keeps their |
| you stand a stronger chance to succeed on | | | | stockholders happy.When buying a printer, it |
| your own, than you would be able to | | | | really does make a lot of sense to compare |
| accomplish going upstream in the support | | | | the prices of replacement cartridges before |
| systems.The Business of Printing | | | | you buy the printer. I bought a laser printer |
| SupportFortunately, computer printers do not | | | | one time and was really excited about my new |
| break that often. But when they do, | | | | tool that is until I priced a replacement |
| troubleshooting can be a painful | | | | cartridge for it. $180 a pop for a |
| process.There are some basics that you can | | | | remanufactured laser printer cartridge. Egad! |
| cover to streamline the troubleshooting | | | | That was more than I paid for the printer. I |
| process.Be forewarned that if you ever crack | | | | even bought a replacement printer for less |
| the case of your printer, you should make | | | | money.Sometimes, there is a challenge to find |
| darn sure to disconnect the power source | | | | your printer toner cartridge at your local |
| before you do so. Printers that are connected | | | | shopping center. With so many varieties of |
| to a power supply can actually charge you up | | | | printers out there, most supply stores will |
| with enough current to kill you. Don't take | | | | not keep all of the various replacements on |
| chances with your life.Long before you get to | | | | hand.While it might make sense to go to the |
| the point of trying to crack the case to | | | | manufacturer website to buy replacement toner |
| reach the internals, there are several | | | | kits and cartridges, they generally charge a |
| troubleshooting steps you can take.* Always | | | | premium for those replacements. The |
| check your power supply to see that you have | | | | manufacturer premiums can sometimes be as |
| a good, solid connection. I know that it | | | | much as three times more expensive than what |
| seems the most logical step to take, but you | | | | you can buy from a good third-party provider |
| might be surprised how often a powerless | | | | --- even when that third-party provider |
| machine is discovered to be an unplugged | | | | bought the replacement from a middleman. It |
| machine.* If the printer has power going to | | | | is just like the airline industry. It is |
| it, then turn off the machine and then turn | | | | often cheaper to buy your plane tickets from |
| it back on. Each printer has an internal | | | | a travel company than from the airline |
| brain in it. Removing power temporarily from | | | | itself.With the printer currently sitting on |
| the machine will force the computer chip | | | | my desk, I save $14-$17 on my color cartridge |
| inside of the printer to reset. Often times, | | | | by buying my printer supplies from Toner-R |
| this will solve any issues.* Make sure that | | | | Printing Supplies. By using this third-party |
| your printer cartridge is properly seated. | | | | provider, I save $14 against the |
| Make sure the cartridge is in the printer the | | | | manufacturer's website, and I can save $17 |
| way that the manufacturer intended.* Use the | | | | against Wal-Mart's prices. On the black toner |
| printer's "self-test" feature. The | | | | cartridge, I still save money buying from I |
| manufacturer has included this to help you to | | | | can save $5 against buying the replacement |
| eliminate common printing problems.These four | | | | from the manufacturer, and I can save $6 |
| steps will help you to overcome the problems | | | | against buying from Wal-Mart. And, we have |
| most commonly associated with printers.For a | | | | been trained to believe that Wal-Mart always |
| complete breakdown of generic troubleshooting | | | | has the best prices. Imagine that.When it is |
| steps, the following URL points to the most | | | | time to buy a printer, never think that the |
| comprehensive and easy-to-follow checklist I | | | | manufacturer has your best interests at |
| have seen: Are the Software Applications | | | | heart. They are in this business to make the |
| That Power PrintersA driver is the software | | | | most money they can, period. |