How Bin Selection Works on the HP LaserJet 4Last reviewed: February 5, 1998Article ID: Q114431 |
The information in this article applies to:
SUMMARY
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This article explains how bin selection is handled when using the Hewlett-
Packard (HP) LaserJet 4 with Word for Windows. If the bins of the printer
are not correctly configured using the front control panel on the printer,
several problems, including the following, may occur:
BIN TERMINOLOGY
Paper CassetteThe LaserJet 4 has a slot for a paper tray near the base of the front of the printer. You can insert a letter tray that holds letter-size paper, or you can insert a legal tray that holds legal-size paper. There is also an optional universal tray, which uses an adjusting knob to set the paper size available. Because the physical size of these trays differs, the printer has internal sensors that can detect what type of tray it is (letter or legal) and therefore know what type of paper is being loaded into this slot. With the optional universal tray, the paper size is detected through the position of the paper-size adjusting knob. This is called "auto- detecting" the paper size.
The Multipurpose (or MP) TrayThe MP tray is a door that drops down on the front of the printer above the paper cassette. The door can drop down a level and has sliders so that you can put different sizes of paper in it. It looks like a manual-feed tray; however, unlike a manual-feed tray, with the MP tray, you can load a small stack of paper (100 sheets) instead of only one sheet at a time. Because you can load 100 sheets of paper, you can use the MP tray as a second paper source. This is why HP calls it a multipurpose tray rather than a manual-feed tray. NOTE: Because you can put any size paper in the MP tray, you must configure it to correctly match the paper you are using. (This is done on the control panel on the printer.)
Optional Envelope FeederThis is an optional box that is hooked into the front of the printer. It holds envelopes only. NOTE: Many people think they have an envelope feeder, when, in fact, they are using an MP tray. Finding out whether you have a true envelope feeder or are using the MP tray to load envelopes is very important--this determines whether you have two or three possible paper sources. The printer can detect when an optional envelope feeder is installed because this device hooks into a special spot on the front of the printer. Although the printer can tell an envelope feeder is installed, it cannot tell what size envelope is loaded in the feeder. The envelope size also must be configured using the front control panel of the printer. Once the feeder is installed, you have 15 seconds to change the envelope size; otherwise, the printer selects the default value (COM 10).
Optional Lower CassetteThis is an optional tray that the printer sits on top of. It holds up to 500 sheets of paper. There are two types of lower cassettes available: standard, which supports letter, A4, and executive; and universal, which supports letter, legal, A4, and executive.
HOW DOES THE HP LASERJET 4 DETERMINE WHICH BIN TO PRINT FROM?This section explains how the HP LaserJet 4 determines which bin to use when you print from Word under a variety of configurations and scenarios.
Configuration: No Optional Envelope Feeder or Lower Cassette InstalledIf your printer does not have an optional envelope feeder or lower cassette installed, the two possible paper sources are the MP tray and the paper cassette:
MP Tray You tell the printer what size paper is loaded
using the Paper Size button on the control panel on
the front of the printer.
Paper Cassette Tells the printer what size paper it contains
(letter or legal).
Scenario 1: Print Envelope from WordPrinter Configuration: Printer contains letter paper cassette, and the MP tray is configured for legal size paper.
Problem: When you print a COM 10 size envelope from Word, the printer
displays the following message: [MP LOAD COM 10]. This error
occurs because the printer does not contain a COM 10 paper
source. The printer cannot pull from the paper cassette because
it tells the printer it contains letter size paper. Further, it
cannot pull from the MP tray because you configured that tray
for legal size paper. The printer goes offline and requests the
correct size paper.
Resolution: Load up to ten envelopes in the MP tray and press the Continue
button to begin printing. If you want to print more than ten
envelopes without pressing the Continue button, reconfigure the
MP tray for envelopes. This resolves the conflict between the
requested and available paper sizes.
Scenario 2: Print Envelope from WordPrinter Configuration: Printer contains the letter cassette and the MP tray is configured for COM 10 size envelopes. NOTE: With this configuration, when you send a COM 10 envelope from Word, the printer pulls an envelope from the MP tray without going offline or displaying any error message. In other words, everything works correctly.
Problem: If you print a legal size page from Word and select MP Tray for
the Paper Source setting, the printer goes offline and displays
the [MP FEED LEGAL] error. The printer assumes the MP tray
contains envelopes, so it prompts you to remove the envelopes
and add legal paper to the tray. Similarly, if you print a
legal size page from Word and select Upper Cassette, Lower
Cassette, or Auto Select for the Paper Source setting, the
printer goes offline and displays the [PC LOAD LEGAL] error.
The printer assumes you want to print from the legal paper
cassette, so it prompts you to remove the letter paper cassette
and insert the legal paper cassette.
Resolution: Either place a legal size sheet in the MP tray or switch to the
legal paper cassette and then press the Continue button. To
avoid the error message altogether, either configure the MP
tray for legal size paper or insert the legal cassette before
you print.
Configuration: Envelope Feeder Installed, No Lower Cassette InstalledThe three possible paper sources are the MP tray, paper cassette, and the optional envelope feeder:
MP Tray You tell the printer what size paper is loaded
using the Paper Size button on the control panel on
the front of the printer.
Paper Cassette Tells the printer what size paper it contains
(letter or legal).
Envelope Feeder You tell the printer what size envelopes are
loaded using the Paper Size button on the
printer.
Scenario 1: Print Legal PaperPrinter Configuration: Printer contains the letter paper cassette, the MP tray is configured for legal size paper, and the envelope feeder is configured for COM 10 size envelopes. NOTE: With this configuration, when you print a COM 10 envelope to the envelope feeder, the printer pulls an envelope from the envelope feeder without going offline or displaying any error message. In other words, everything works correctly.
Problem: If you print a COM 10 envelope with the Paper Source set to
Manual Feed, the printer goes offline and displays the [ME FEED
COM 10] error, even though the envelope feeder contains the
correct size envelope. To continue, remove the legal paper from
the MP tray, place a COM 10 envelope in the MP tray, and press
the Online button to print.
Similarly, if you print a Monarch size envelope from Word with
the Paper Source set to Envelope Feeder, the printer goes
offline and displays the [EE LOAD MONARCH] error to prompt you
to put a Monarch size envelope in the envelope feeder. Word
does not pull an envelope from the envelope feeder because it
is set for COM 10 size envelopes, not Monarch. If you place a
Monarch envelope in the feeder, the printer resumes printing
automatically. (You do not have to press the Continue button.)
Resolution: You can either put a Monarch size envelope in the feeder, or
you can put the envelope in the MP tray and press the Continue
button on the printer. If you want to avoid the error message,
reconfigure your envelope feeder for Monarch size envelopes.
BIN SELECTION FLOWCHARTBelow is a flow chart that provides a visual representation of the bin selection process on the HP LaserJet 4. Remember that when you select Paper Source and Paper settings in Word, the printer complies with that request only if you configured the printer for the requested paper size and source as well. In other words, the printer configuration must match the Word settings to print without displaying an error. This behavior is consistent with the bin-selection functionality of all HP multibin printers. IMPORTANT: If you change the MP Tray setting from CASS to FIRST using the menu on the control panel of the printer, the printer first checks the MP tray for the correct paper size instead of first checking the lower trays.
Word Sends a
Paper Size to
the Printer.
|
|
|
Does Print Job
Paper Size Equal
Size Set for the
Lower Trays?
/ \
/ \
NO / \ YES
/ \
/ \
/ \
/ \
/ \
Does Print Print Job
Job Paper to the
Size Equal Lower Trays.
Size in MP
Tray?
/ \
/ \
NO / \ YES
/ \
/ \
/ \
/ \
Go Offline Print Job to
and Ask for MP Tray.
Paper Size.
GLOSSARY OF PRINTER PANEL [FEED...] MESSAGESThe errors on the printer usually display the paper size it is trying to print and the bin it is trying to print from. Below is a list of the printer error messages, along with the causes and troubleshooting methods you can use for each.
EE LOAD <Envelope Size>
Meaning: The printer received a request for an envelope that
is not loaded in the optional envelope feeder.
Troubleshooting Tips: The printer has an envelope feeder, but it is
configured for an envelope size that does not match
the Paper Size setting in Word.
Resolution: Place the envelope in the MP tray and press the
Continue button or reconfigure the envelope feeder to
match the envelope size you want to print.
MF FEED <Paper Size>NOTE: Possible <paper size> settings are Letter, Legal, Exec, and A4.
Meaning: Word requested manual feed bin as the paper source.Troubleshooting Tips: - If the error occurs even though the MP tray contains the correct size paper, you need to change
the Paper Source setting in Word from Manual Feed
to MP Tray (this assumes your MP tray is configured
for the requested paper size). Alternatively, you
can place the paper in the MP tray and press the
Online button (in other words, feed the paper
manually).
- If you are using a standard Page Size setting and
then adjusting the margin settings to print on a
custom paper size, you need to configure your MP
tray for the requested paper size. In addition,
make sure the Page Size setting in Word matches the
MP tray paper size setting.
ME FEED <Envelope Size>NOTE: Possible <envelope size> settings are COM 10, Monarch, DL, C5, and B5.
Meaning: The printer prompts you to place an envelope in the MP
tray, even though the envelope feeder contains the
correct size envelope.
Troubleshooting Tip: The Paper Source setting in Word is Manual Feed, so
the printer does not automatically pull the correct
size envelope from the envelope feeder.
Resolutions: - Place the envelope in the MP tray and press the
Online button.
-or-
- Change the Paper Source setting in Word to MP Tray
and configure the MP tray for the correct envelope
size.
-or-
- Change the Paper Source setting in Word to Envelope
Feeder and configure the envelope feeder for the
correct envelope size. To use this method in Word
2.x, you must also select the Envelope Feeder Has
Been Installed option under the Print category in
the Options dialog box. (To access this dialog box,
choose Options from the Tools menu.)
<xx> LOAD <Envelope or Paper Size>NOTE: The following are the possible settings for the variables in the above error message:
Word requested. This size should match the page size
of your document, except when you are creating a
custom page size using a standard Page Size setting
and adjusted margins. If the printer tray contains the
correct paper size, that tray is probably not
correctly configured.
Resolution: Load the correct paper into the MP tray and press the
Continue button, or configure the MP tray for the
paper size it contains.
HOW TO CONFIGURE THE MP TRAYNOTE: This procedure also appears on page 3-25 of the "LaserJet 4 User's Guide."
HOW TO CONFIGURE THE OPTIONAL ENVELOPE FEEDERWhen the optional envelope feeder is installed, the printer briefly displays [EE TRAY = COM 10] when you turn on the printer. After about 15 seconds, the display changes to [00 READY]. To reconfigure the envelope feeder, you must make the changes before the display changes to [00 READY]. If the display changes to [00 READY] before you reconfigure the envelope feeder, turn off the printer then turn it on again (or remove the envelopes from the feeder and then replace them) to display the [EE TRAY = COM 10] message again.
SAMPLE PRINTING SCENARIOSThis section describes the results of a wide variety of printing configurations. All the scenarios use version 1.27 of the HP LaserJet 4/4M driver and Word 6.0 for Windows. In all cases, a COM 10 size envelope is printed from the Envelopes And Labels dialog box. (To open this dialog box, choose Envelopes And Labels from the Tools menu.) All modifications to Paper Source settings are done by choosing the Options button in the Envelopes And Labels dialog box and then selecting the Printing Options tab.
No Optional Envelope Feeder Installed
Scenario 1Configuration:
Results: - Printer goes offline and displays [ME FEED COM 10] error. 1. Load an envelope in the MP tray. 2. Press online to print the envelope from the MP tray.B. Printing an envelope with the Paper Source set to Paper Cassette
Results:
(With the MP tray empty)
- Printer goes offline and displays [MP LOAD COM 10] error.
1. Load an envelope in the MP tray.
2. Printer automatically pulls envelope from the MP tray.
(With an envelope loaded in the MP tray) - Printer automatically pulls
envelope from the MP tray without going offline.
C. Printing an envelope with the Paper Source set to Lower Cassette
Results: Same as Paper Cassette (Scenario 1B above)D. Printing an envelope with the Paper Source set to MP Tray
Results: Same as Paper Cassette (Scenario 1B above)E. Printing an envelope with the Paper Source set to Envelope Feeder
Results: Same as Paper Cassette (Scenario 1B above)F. Printing an envelope with the Paper Source set to Auto Select
Results: Same as Paper Cassette (Scenario 1B above)G. Printing an envelope with the Paper Source set to Default Tray
Results: Same as Paper Cassette (Scenario 1B above) Scenario 2Configuration:
Results:
- Printer goes offline and displays [ME FEED COM 10] error.
1. Load an envelope in the MP tray.
2. Press online to print the envelope from the MP tray.
B. Printing an envelope with the Paper Source set to Paper Cassette
Results:
- Printer goes offline and displays [MP LOAD COM 10] error.
1. Load an envelope in the MP tray.
2. Press the Shift+Continue buttons to print the envelope from the
MP tray.
C. Printing an envelope with the Paper Source set to Lower Cassette
Results: Same as Paper Cassette (Scenario 2B above)D. Printing an envelope with the Paper Source set to MP Tray
Results: Same as Paper Cassette (Scenario 2B above)E. Printing an envelope with the Paper Source set to Envelope Feeder
Results: Same as Paper Cassette (Scenario 2B above)F. Printing an envelope with the Paper Source set to Auto Select
Results: Same as Paper Cassette (Scenario 2B above)G. Printing an envelope with the Paper Source set to Default Tray
Results: Same as Paper Cassette (Scenario 2B above) Optional Envelope Feeder Installed
Scenario 1Configuration:
Results:
- Printer goes offline and displays [ME FEED COM 10] error.
1. Load an envelope in the MP tray.
2. Press online to print the envelope from the MP tray.
B. Printing an envelope with the Paper Source set to Paper Cassette
Result: Envelope automatically prints from the envelope feederC. Printing an envelope with the Paper Source set to Lower Cassette
Result: Envelope automatically prints from the envelope feederD. Printing an envelope with the Paper Source set to MP Tray
Result: Envelope automatically prints from the envelope feederE. Printing an envelope with the Paper Source set to Envelope Feeder
Result: Envelope automatically prints from the envelope feederF. Printing an envelope with the Paper Source set to AutoSelect
Result: Envelope automatically prints from the envelope feederG. Printing an envelope with the Paper Source set to Default Tray
Result: Envelope automatically prints from the envelope feeder Scenario 2Configuration:
Results:
- Printer goes offline and displays [ME FEED COM 10] error.
1. Load an envelope in the MP tray.
2. Press online to print the envelope from the MP tray.
B. Printing an envelope with the Paper Source set to Paper Cassette
Result: Envelope automatically prints from the envelope feederC. Printing an envelope with the Paper Source set to Lower Cassette
Result: Envelope automatically prints from the envelope feederD. Printing an envelope with the Paper Source set to MP Tray
Results: E. Printing an envelope with the Paper Source set to Envelope Feeder
Result: Envelope automatically prints from the envelope feederF. Printing an envelope with the Paper Source set to Auto Select
Result: Envelope automatically prints from the envelope feederG. Printing an envelope with the Paper Source set to Default Tray
Result: Envelope automatically prints from the envelope feeder PRINTING CUSTOM PAPER SIZESWord generally creates custom paper sizes by internally selecting the closest paper size supported by the printer and increasing the margins so that the text prints in the correct location on the supported paper size. The following steps describe what usually happens when you print a custom paper size from Word:
HINTS FOR TROUBLESHOOTING BIN SELECTION PROBLEMS
REFERENCES"LaserJet 4 User's Guide," page 3-25 "LaserJet 4 Envelope Feeder User's Guide"
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