|
HP original laser printer 2686A: bargain or
boat anchor?
"This printer is (i'm told) supposed to print a test
page full of assorted characters yet only prints multiple parallel
lines. Also, i'm unsure of the proper hookup to Win95, parallel
or serial interface. To clarify, I bought this thing used from someone
who 'knew nothing about it' and the HP web site volunteers little
information."
(From: Gerald Chafee (GChafee@worldnet.att.net>).)
If I remember right the original Laserjet has
a "test switch" located towards the back that only tests the print
engine and is supposed to only print parallel lines. I think that
you can take the printer off-line from the front panel and get some
sort of printout by holding down a self-test switch on the front
or a combination of switches. Somewhere I have a service manual
for this unit and I will try to look it up.
BTW, the LJ I's were invariably a serial port
only printer which made them a pain to interface. They do give a
good print for such old technology, but you only have 1 or 2 resident
fonts and I believe there was no graphics capability. You had to
use cartridges to get any other fonts.
(From: Mike B. (osiris@avana.net).)
It's printing correctly. If I remember, there
are two ways of testing this thing. You are hitting the 'test print'
button on the side. This is the parallel lines test. There is another
test button on the front panel that when hit, causes the cascading
alphanumeric printing sequence.
With Win95, you should be able to use the HP Laserjet
driver with no problems. Since you have Model #2686A, I think the
'A' stands for parallel connection. In that case, just connect it
like any other parallel printer, and make sure that you have the
proper Win95 drivers.
Why doesn't the HP site help much? :-). They just
want to sell you one of their new, whiz-bang models :0
This printer is a great workhorse. I believe you
will still find lots of support for it from other places. There
is a place called Laser Connection that supports/services these
printers.
Back to Laser Printers
Save money on printer stuff now
Search below for great deals on all of your printing needs, including
printer cartridges, toner cartridges, ink refill kits, cleaning
cartridges, printer paper, and much more.
|
