OT: Printing problems with Acrobat

p@mast3rs wrote on 1/8/2006, 5:41 PM
Sorry, not Vegas releated at all. I am trying to print out a pdf file my insurance company gave me and when I print it out, sometimes I get the watermark background with no text showing my proof of insurance or I get no text at all. Everything else prints fine just seem to have a problem with Acrobat files not wanting to print.

Anyone experienced this before?

Using a Lexmark 4200 printer if that helps.

Comments

craftech wrote on 1/8/2006, 5:59 PM
Sometimes the files are set not to allow printing. I tried once to override it, but couldn't find a way to defeat the encoding. Best bet is to use the Print Screen key to position and copy the sections of the document onto the clipboard then transfer them to a word document and print them or print them directly from the clipboard.

You could also download Printscreen.

John
p@mast3rs wrote on 1/8/2006, 7:42 PM
Ok, it seems my black cartridge is clogged. Seeing how I rarely print anything, it must be clogged from non use. New question. How do I get it unclogged? I once remember a long time ago reading somewhere about setting it in a warm cup of water and then letting the circuits dry out before using. Any suggestions?
jeff_12_7 wrote on 1/8/2006, 7:59 PM
I saved these directions I got off of some website:

If you're unable to print then you have nothing to lose by trying to unclog by this soaking method. Be sure and follow these directions to the letter, however, or you WILL damage the cartridge irreveribly even if you could have gotten it working again:

Heat distilled water (not filtered, not bottled water, you MUST use distilled water) until almost boiling. You want steam rising from it. Pour it into a container that you can set your cartridge in so that the water will come up the cartridge approx. 1/4". Let the cartridge soak in the hot distilled water until the water comes to room temperature (don't worry if you see ink in the water - it's okay). Take the cartridge out and blot the head gently on folded paper towel. Install it back in the printer, align the heads, and try a test page. If it still doesn't print, try cleaning the print nozzles using your printer software. If it still doesn't work, it's dead! :(

By the way, never, never use anything other than a folded paper towel to clean your cartridge with (such as Q-tip, tissue, etc.); you'll damage it for sure!
craftech wrote on 1/9/2006, 5:42 AM
If it is an Epson, the print heads are on the printer unfortunately so you will have to manually clean it with cotton swabs and alcohol. If the cartridge itself is clogged just replace it.
If it is an HP printer the print heads are part of the cartridge (smart) so just replace the cartridge.

If you decide to clean the cartridge, in addition to the above recommendations you can try vinegar or Radio Shack tuner or contact cleaner spray.

Keep lots of paper towel rolls handy before you start all this.

John