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My laser printer has been acting up lately, and based on the symptoms a friend suggested a problem with the memory card. (Possibly time to replace or augment, or possibly it just needs to be dusted off and reseated.) Armed with a screwdriver and Google, I set out to try to reseat it.
The printer isn't that big. I didn't consider the possibility that I might not be able to find the memory! I feel like an idiot.
First I tried opening the front, where you replace the toner cartridge. I pulled the cartridge but saw no other access points. I noticed two screws on the top of the casing inside and removed them, but that didn't cause anything new to move. They seem to be decorative.
There is an access panel for the slot where you can add memory, but it does not provide any access to the on-board memory. Not that I really expected to get that lucky.
That left the metal panel on the bottom of the printer, which is promising because that's also where the printer cable comes in. I removed the five screws holding it in place, and it came partially off, but there appared to be an internal connection (cable or wire) keeping me from removing it or even lifting it enough to see the underside. I felt around inside for anything other than moulding but, again, came up empty. I blew out what dust/toner dirt/etc I could, just in case that was relevant, and put the panel back. The fifth screw wouldn't go in, but that doesn't appear to be fatal.
I hooked it back up and it produces the same symptoms as before, so none of that did anything. (But hey! I did no harm. :-) ) I couldn't find anything else to unscrew, wiggle, or dust. Google turned up discussions about memory problems and places that will sell me the part, but nothing on how to actually get to it in the printer. The owner's manual (why yes, I did consult it) tells me how to add memory, so maybe that's worth a try.
A friend has a printer that seems to be of comparable vintage that he doesn't want any more, so I'll investigate that option. If that works, or if adding memory is cheap, then I'm set. I hope to avoid buying a new printer. (A cursory glance at the offerings shows quite a range of prices; I don't know if a $120 no-name laser printer would meet my modest needs or if I should go for the proven track record with a higher price tag, but I hope to defer the question.)
I currently have an HP LaserJet 5L, which served me well for more than a decade.
Edit: Once I determined that I should try expansion memory, I called some stores to see if they have it in stock. Best Buy's phone system had the decency to tell me they're closed today. (It then went on to tell me that hours are Sundays 11 to 7, so nothing is perfect.) CompUSA and Circuit City both abandoned me to hold and/or ringing phones; my best guess is that they, too, are closed today, but they didn't remember to reprogram their phones to reflect it. Fooey on them! So if I'm not going to get instant gratification anyway, I may as well order via the net.
The printer isn't that big. I didn't consider the possibility that I might not be able to find the memory! I feel like an idiot.
First I tried opening the front, where you replace the toner cartridge. I pulled the cartridge but saw no other access points. I noticed two screws on the top of the casing inside and removed them, but that didn't cause anything new to move. They seem to be decorative.
There is an access panel for the slot where you can add memory, but it does not provide any access to the on-board memory. Not that I really expected to get that lucky.
That left the metal panel on the bottom of the printer, which is promising because that's also where the printer cable comes in. I removed the five screws holding it in place, and it came partially off, but there appared to be an internal connection (cable or wire) keeping me from removing it or even lifting it enough to see the underside. I felt around inside for anything other than moulding but, again, came up empty. I blew out what dust/toner dirt/etc I could, just in case that was relevant, and put the panel back. The fifth screw wouldn't go in, but that doesn't appear to be fatal.
I hooked it back up and it produces the same symptoms as before, so none of that did anything. (But hey! I did no harm. :-) ) I couldn't find anything else to unscrew, wiggle, or dust. Google turned up discussions about memory problems and places that will sell me the part, but nothing on how to actually get to it in the printer. The owner's manual (why yes, I did consult it) tells me how to add memory, so maybe that's worth a try.
A friend has a printer that seems to be of comparable vintage that he doesn't want any more, so I'll investigate that option. If that works, or if adding memory is cheap, then I'm set. I hope to avoid buying a new printer. (A cursory glance at the offerings shows quite a range of prices; I don't know if a $120 no-name laser printer would meet my modest needs or if I should go for the proven track record with a higher price tag, but I hope to defer the question.)
I currently have an HP LaserJet 5L, which served me well for more than a decade.
Edit: Once I determined that I should try expansion memory, I called some stores to see if they have it in stock. Best Buy's phone system had the decency to tell me they're closed today. (It then went on to tell me that hours are Sundays 11 to 7, so nothing is perfect.) CompUSA and Circuit City both abandoned me to hold and/or ringing phones; my best guess is that they, too, are closed today, but they didn't remember to reprogram their phones to reflect it. Fooey on them! So if I'm not going to get instant gratification anyway, I may as well order via the net.
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