Epsom Printer

[jennyjoan]

I am trying to print a page and to the ear it is "printing" when it comes out it is a blank piece of paper.

I went into maintenance ie and got a printout of "block of ink" so I have enough ink at the mo - what else can I try. Thanks

[Tilly2]

I can't help with yours, Jennyjoan, but thanks for reminding me that I need to order some more cartridges. I have run out of ink.

[Buenchico]

What type of page are you attempting to print, Conne? A word-processing document (from Word, AbiWord or similar), a regular web page or a pdf document?

(The reason I ask is that there's a frequently encountered problem, mentioned lots of times here on AB, when trying to print pdf files which have been embedded into a web page)

[jennyjoan]

abi word - ironically the version of your will you gave earlier. I said to myself I gotta get started here so now I have my own will hopefully printed out and will give to my friends etc for signature. I did have a very old one 1994 I think - so this will save me time and money (for solicitor) - thanks Chris -

[Tuvok]

Might be a wrong setting when printing it.

Or could be something in the document - visible or hidden that is causing the problem.

Try saving the file as a pdf and the print the pdf.

[Buenchico]

Start by turning off both your printer and computer completely (after saving the AbiWord file first, of course!).

Then turn them back on and try printing something from a different program (to see whether there's a problem with the way that AbiWord communicates with your printer). For example, simply type a few words in Notepad and see if you can print it out. (To access Notepad, go to Start > All Programs > Accessories > Notepad).

If that works, try printing from AbiWord again. If it doesn't, try cleaning the print heads (even though you appear to be able to get a 'block of ink' to print).

If you continue experiencing problems you might need to reinstall the driver for your printer. (To do that you'll either need the disk which came with your printer or, if you tell us the exact model of your printer, we can hep you find the driver file online).

[jennyjoan]

thanks Chris - had to answer phone there. I have cleaned the heads - but will try the notepad business. let you know soon.

[jennyjoan]

Hi Chris - I printed another document but no ink. There is a warning thing at top right of page saying "you are low in ink" but when I clicked on to it I really have very little black but half of coloured cartridges.

I don't care about colour - how can I change to "colour" even to print the page. I don't really want to fuss about install and reinstall - at the mo anyway.

[jennyjoan]

I also turned the computer off and on.

[Buenchico]

I think that you'll probably need to change the black ink cartridge (even if it's showing that there's still a bit of ink left in it).

[jennyjoan]

Well I will get a cartridge tomorrow but how can you print in colour if you wanted to.

[Togo]

Jenny is the printer also a copier/fax as well by any chance? When you have a printer/copier it usually shows up in devices as 2 devices. ie Epsom printer(followed by model no.) and Epsom fax(lowed by model no.) You have to select printer before choosing print or it will scan an empty (all white) copier and proceed to process a blank page. You should be able to set printer as default device.

[Buenchico]

Some (most?) printers won't let you print in colour if there's no black ink (or vice versa).

However you can normally obtain coloured text in AbiWord by first highlighting it and then going to Format > Font > Color to select your preferred colour. (To highlight the text, either hold down the left mouse button while dragging your cursor over the text or, since you want to select the whole of the text anyway, simply press Ctrl and A together). Then your printer should produce the document in your chosen colour.

[jennyjoan]

no just a boring old printer. will try new cartridge anyway tomorrow

[Tilly2]

Be prepared to be shocked at the price of the replacement cartridge, Jennyjoan.

[jennyjoan]

chris you aren't going to believe me - where is Format etc.

Do think you are correct re the black ink - I think that happened years ago - I had no black ink and it wouldn't print in colour either. Thank goodness I don't print hardly ever now. Again where is format etc.

[Buenchico]

Format should be at the top of your screen (in the line which starts with File, Edit, view, etc). Click that to start with, then Font and Color.

[ummmm]

Tilly...what kind of printer do you have?

[Tilly2]

HP Deskjet 2540, Ummmm.

[ummmm]

We use this at work and it works out much cheaper (obviously it depends on how much you print)

https://instantink.hpconnected.com/uk/en/r

[jennyjoan]

Chris I tried that - had forgotten all that since leaving work. Tried a few different colours but still blank pages. I do think you are very right regarding no black cartridge. Can I say thank you for having great patience. When I get new cartridge I will update you. Thanks again.