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There are many things that can affect how quickly the printer processes a job
To troubleshoot these issues, try using this checklist to go through all the
variables that can have an affect on processing speed: Complexity and file size of graphics
The software
The printer driver
The printer driver options
The network operating system and configuration
The network protocol
The network topology
The client operating system and hardware configuration
Windows 95, 98 and Me Complete the following steps:
From the Windows desktop, click Start, Settings, and Printers.
Highlight the current HP LaserJet Printer icon.
Right-click the mouse button.
Verify that there is a check by Set as Default on the drop-down menu.
Select the Properties option on the menu.
Select the Details tab from the set of tabs across the top of the Properties dialog box.
In the Print to the Following Port section, select the Down Arrow to the right to view the different port options.
Select File from the list.
Select OK to close the Details window and click Save.
Close the Printers window. NOTE: Many applications in Windows also have the option of selecting PrinttoFile when you select File and Print from the Menu bar.
In your application, print the file as usual. The application will start to spool the file, it will ask for an output file name. Give the file a name and extension.
Then, use the Find Files or Folders program to find the file name. This program is accessible either by the Tools menu in Windows Explorer or by clicking the Start button, then Find Files or Folders. Look at the file size; it will be what the printer will actually process for that file. This may be much larger than the file size when viewed in Windows Explorer because of the overhead associated with spooling and processing the file to the printer.
Windows NT 4.0, 2000 and XP Complete the following steps:
From the Windows desktop, click Start, Settings, and Printers.
Highlight the current HP LaserJet Printer icon.
Right-click the mouse button.
Verify that there is a check by Set as Default on the drop-down menu.
Select the Properties option on the menu.
Select the Ports tab from the set of tabs across the top of the Properties dialog box.
In the Print to the Following Port section, click once to highlight a Port, and then click on Configure Port to view the different port options.
Select OK to close the Details window
Close the Printers window. NOTE: Many applications in Windows also have the option of selecting PrinttoFile when you select File and Print from the Menu bar.
In your application, print the file as usual. The application will start to spool the file, it will ask for an output file name. Give the file a name and extension. Then, use the Find Files or Folders program to find the file name.
This program is accessible either by the Tools menu in Windows Explorer or by clicking the Start button, then Find Files or Folders. Look at the file size; it will be what the printer will actually process for that file. This may be much larger than the file size when viewed in Windows Explorer because of the overhead associated with spooling and processing the file to the printer. Complexity and file size of graphics
1. In Windows Explorer, the file size might be only 500 KB, but the same file after being sent to the printer could be more than 60 times larger, in this case 30 MB or larger. The actual file size can be found from a particular application when doing a PRINT TO FILE prints it.
2. File size determines how much information must be spooled to the printer, but the application controls the interaction of formatting and spooling the job with the operating system.
3. The maximum recommended PRN file size that should be sent to the printer should be limited to approximately 15 megabytes (MB). Any PRN file size larger than 15 MB will slow down the printer.
4. The maximum recommended resolution for scanned files is 250 to 300 DPI. Anything higher than this will inflate the file size with no improvement in print quality.
5. Review the process of printing to a printer. There is a file on the monitor that needs to be printed. In the application, the file and print options are selected. The application now looks to see what driver is the default driver. The application reviews the entire document, how each part was created, what it contains, and what commands were added to format the document to its present configuration. Then, in conjunction with this driver, the application now formats the document to the language the printer will understand. The print job is then handed to the operating system through the driver. As the job is past through the driver, the operating system looks to see how the printer is connected to the operating system (for example, parallel cable network connection or other).
6. The print job then travels to the printer via the connection (network or parallel) at the corresponding connection speed. The printer processes the job according to the instructions given by the application through the driver. For example, when printing multiple copies, each copy might spool as a separate print job causing the overall process time to accelerate. Software
1. The software being used will affect both the actual file size and process speed. Adobe applications handle files differently than Microsoft applications or Corel applications. Scanned images printed directly to the printer are different than those that have been edited. Printer driver
1. The printer driver contains settings that affect how quickly the printer spools and prints the job. Verify the correct and latest drivers are being used. Try printing the job with both the PCL and PS drivers. There is also a generic Adobe Postscript driver that can be downloaded and used from Adobe’s Web site for HP printers that have genuine Adobe Postscript (such as the CLJ8500 and 8550). Try changing settings in the drivers and test with multiple files.
2. The Printer Driver options can be used to optimize print speed. If these options are set incorrectly, the job might not spool at all. There are many job specific adjustments that can and should be used, but there is also an Installed Options tab within the driver to select which options the printer has. If the internal hard disk is not installed in the driver, the printer will not use it. This will slow down how quickly the job gets processed. Network operating system and configuration
1. The Network operating system and configuration can make a big difference in how the jobs are processed. The jobs might be coming from the client PCs and go to a print server. Then, from the server, the data goes to the printer. Issues with the server could include not enough hard drive space to store the jobs before they go to the printer, network cabling, or a problem with a hub, router, or switch. There could be a software configuration issue. All of these potential problems need to be checked. NOTE: HP does not support Microsoft print services or going through a server to print. The only exception to this is Novell; a Novell print server can only be a dedicated server. HP Jetdirect will troubleshoot Novell print server issues. For all other troubleshooting issues, connect the printer directly into the network. Bypass the server completely. The only supported configuration will be with the printer as a node on the network. For any server related issues, contact Microsoft or the OS manufacturer. NOTE: It’s a common misconception that the server needs to be used to manage the printer, this is not true. HP Web Jetadmin can be loaded on an administrator's PC to manage the printers on the network. Network Protocol
1. The Network Protocol being used can be an issue. There are several commonly used types, they include TCP/IP, IPX/SPX, DLC/LLC, NDPS(Novell) and LPR(UNIX®). Some Network configurations and operating systems are not supported. NOTE: Some networks, primarily those running UNIX, still use serial cables. Verify the manufacturer of the connectivity card. HP does offer an internal network card with a serial port; it is called the HP Jetdirect Connectivity Card. If the card is a third-party card, refer the customer to that card’s manufacturer. Speed wise, a serial connection will be much slower than current network connectivity options. Network Topology
1. Network Topology is quite varied. For small networks peer-to-peer is the most common. It is the simplest type to setup. From there they can be quite complex: The most popular types are Ethernet and Fast Ethernet. Other types that are still being used are British Navel Connector or BNC, Token Ring, and Apple Talk. There are others as well. The Client Operating System and Hardware Configuration
1. The Client Operating System and Hardware Configuration can have an effect on spooling. Many Networks combine one OS for the Clients and another for the Server. There could be a network problem between a client and the server or a client and the printer.
If the Client computers do not have enough resources there will be problems with the jobs getting sent off to the printer. There may be a software problem with a client PC. Windows protection errors or GPFs are indications the issue is with a particular client. © 2005 Hewlett-Packard
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