[DM-MUG] black marks on laser output

[Matthew Nuzum]

On Mon, May 3, 2010 at 11:08 AM, Ray Bowler <rbowler at mchsi.com> wrote:
> A problem has developed with my Samsung monochrome laser printer. The
> first couple of pages print fine then light streaking appears on all
> pages about a couple of inches in from each edge. Is this just the
> cartridge going bad or something else?
>

If they're up and down then the problem is likely related to the drum
on the printer which is a consumable in most cases and needs to be
replaced occasionally.

High end laser printers are built to make this easy to replace, low
end printers may not. It's an expensive part so it may be the thought
of the manufacturers that the drum's life is the same as the printer's
life.

Another possible cause is that the rollers have picked up some toner
or dirt. A very common manifestation of this is that you see a faded
duplicate image of the printed page repeated about half way down.
However, it could look just like what you described as well. At the
repair shop I used to work at we had special cleaning materials that
we used to clean the rollers that feed the pages through the printer.

Again, it's very possible that this is signifying the end of life for
your printer. I know my Samsung ML2010 cost about $100 new. I'd expect
that an hour of a tech's time today would exceed $75.

In either case, it may be that there is a product that will help you
extend the life of your device if you don't want to have it repaired.
I did a quick google for "lazer printer cleaning" and saw some
instructional material as well as a $15 "universal cleaning kit."

-- 
Matthew Nuzum
newz2000 on freenode, skype, linkedin, identi.ca and twitter

"Do not seek to follow in the footsteps of the wise. Seek what they
sought." –Matsuo Bashō