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