Lexmark E234 User Manual Page 1

www.lexmark.comUser’s ReferenceMay 2004Lexmark and Lexmark with diamond design are trademarks of Lexmark International, Inc.,registered in the United

Notices10For further explanation of your warranty alternatives and the nearest Lexmark authorized servicer in your area, please contact Lexmark at 1-

Supplies information1008Supplies informationSection PageWhat supplies do I need and how do I order them? 101How to conserve supplies 101How to know w

Supplies information101What supplies do I need and how do I order them?There are only two supply items that have to be replaced on a regular basis: t

Supplies information102How to know when you need new suppliesThe following sections describe a couple ways to determine when new supplies are needed.

Supplies information103Recognizing the operator panel light sequencesThe operator panel displays certain light sequences to let you know when the ton

Supplies information104How to change a toner cartridgeWarning: When replacing a toner cartridge, do not leave the new cartridge exposed to direct lig

Supplies information1052Remove the toner cartridge:a Press the button on the base of the print cartridge assembly.b Pull the toner cartridge up and o

Supplies information1065Install the new toner cartridge by aligning the white rollers on the toner cartridge with the white arrows on the tracks of t

Supplies information107Lexmark Return ProgramThe Lexmark Return Program is an environmental program in which Lexmark sells new toner cartridges at a

Supplies information108How to change a photoconductor kitWarning: When replacing a photoconductor kit, do not leave the toner cartridge or the new ph

Supplies information1092Pull the print cartridge assembly out of the printer by pulling on the toner cartridge handle.Note: Do not press the button o

Printer overview111Printer overview250-sheet trayPaper support150-sheet output binOperator panelManual feederFront coverOptional 550-sheet drawerRear

Supplies information1105Install the toner cartridge into the new print cartridge assembly by aligning the white rollers on the toner cartridge with t

Troubleshooting1119TroubleshootingSection PageGeneral problems 112Print quality problems 114• How to clean the printhead lens 118

Troubleshooting112General problemsProblem / Question Solution / AnswerWhat do the blinking lights mean?See “Understanding the operator panel lights”

Troubleshooting113I want to manually duplex card stock, but I’m having trouble getting it to feed.The problem is that when the printer tries to manua

Troubleshooting114Print quality problemsYou can solve many print quality problems by replacing a supply or maintenance item that has reached the end

Troubleshooting115Print too light • The Toner Darkness setting is too light.• You are using paper that does not meet the printer specifications.• The

Troubleshooting116Uneven print density • The toner cartridge is defective. • Replace the toner cartridge.Ghost Images • The Form Type setting in the

Troubleshooting117Blank pages The toner cartridge is defective or empty.Replace the toner cartridge.Solid black pages • The toner cartridge is defect

Troubleshooting118How to clean the printhead lensYou can solve some print quality problems by cleaning the printhead lens.1 Turn the printer off.2 Op

Troubleshooting1193Remove the print cartridge assembly out of the printer by pulling on the toner cartridge handle.Note: Do not press the button on t

Printer overview12The operator panel has 5 lights and 2 buttons.Note: The Continue button also functions as a light.• Press and release Continue to

Troubleshooting1204Locate the glass printhead lens, which is located within the recessed area in the top of the printer.5 Gently wipe the printhead l

Index121IndexNumerics550-sheet drawer 45AAuto CR after LF (Setup menu) 80Auto LF after CR (Setup menu) 80Bbooklets 35Busy light 55buttons 48Ccancelin

Index122cleaning the printhead lens 118manual duplexlight sequence 59printing 32manual feeder 24, 59memory card 44menu settings page 88menusnavigatin

Index123Memory full 74Network interface errors 72Paper jam at the input sensor 67Paper jam in the manual feeder 67Paper jam in Tray 1 69Paper jam in

Print media tasks and tips132Print media tasks and tipsSection PageWhat types of print media can be loaded? 14Where can print media be loaded in the

Print media tasks and tips14What types of print media can be loaded?Get the most out of your printer by properly loading the trays. Never mix media t

Print media tasks and tips15Where can print media be loaded in the printer?Your printer has two standard paper sources: an automatic 250-sheet paper

Print media tasks and tips16Tips on choosing the right print mediaSelecting the right paper or other media reduces printing problems. For best print

Print media tasks and tips17Envelopes• Use envelopes made from 24 lb (90 g/m2) bond paper.• Do not use envelopes that:– Have excessive curl– Are stuc

Print media tasks and tips18Card stock• Preprinting, perforation, and creasing can significantly affect the print quality and cause media handling or

Print media tasks and tips19Tips on preventing jamsYou can avoid most paper jams by correctly loading paper and specialty media in the printer.The fo

Contents2ContentsNotices ... 6Edition notice...

Print media tasks and tips20How to load the 250-sheet and 550-sheet traysFollow these instructions to load paper in the 250-sheet tray and 550-sheet

Print media tasks and tips213Load the paper in the tray with the print side facing down.Note: Load letterhead paper with the design side facing down.

Print media tasks and tips225Insert the tray.6 Extend the paper support on the output bin.

Print media tasks and tips23Extending the tray for legal or folio size paperTo load legal or folio size paper, you need to extend the paper tray. You

Print media tasks and tips24How to load the manual feederThe manual feeder is located at the front of your printer and can only feed one sheet of pri

Print media tasks and tips25How to use the rear exitThe single-sheet rear exit provides a straight-through paper path to help reduce curling and pote

Print media tasks and tips26How to clear paper jamsWhen a paper jam occurs, the printer stops and the operator panel’s Paper Jam and Continue light

Print media tasks and tips272Open the front cover and remove the print cartridge assembly.Warning: Do not leave the print cartridge assembly exposed

Print media tasks and tips284Lift the flap at the front of the printer and remove any jams beneath the flap.5 Open the rear exit and remove any jams.

Printing tasks293Printing tasksSection PageHow to manually feed a print job 30How to print on both sides of the paper (manual duplex) 32How to print

Contents3How to load the manual feeder ... 24How to use the rear exit ...

Printing tasks30How to manually feed a print jobThe manual feeder is located at the front of your printer and can only feed one sheet of print media

Printing tasks318Place a sheet of the selected print media, print side facing up, at the center of the manual feeder, but only to the point where its

Printing tasks32How to print on both sides of the paper (manual duplex)Printing on both sides of the paper reduces printing costs.Although you can us

Printing tasks334Select either Long Edge or Short Edge.5 Select Manual 2-sided printing.6 Click the Paper tab.7 Select the appropriate Input options

Printing tasks34How to print multiple page images on one page (N-up printing)The Multipage Printing (N-up) setting is used to print multiple page ima

Printing tasks35How to print a bookletThe Booklet setting lets you print multiple pages in booklet form without having to re-format your document so

Printing tasks36How to print a posterThe Poster setting lets you print a single image across several pages. Once printed, you can combine the pages t

Printing tasks37How to print on letterheadTo print on letterhead, make sure the paper is loaded with the proper orientation.1 Make sure the letterhea

Printing tasks38How to cancel a print jobA print job can be canceled from the operator panel or from your computer. The Cancel job light sequence is

How to install options394How to install optionsSection PageHow to access the system board 40How to add a memory card 44How to install a 550-sheet dra

Contents4USB menu ... 81Utilities menu ...

How to install options40How to access the system boardTo install a memory card you must access the printer system board.CAUTION: Turn the printer off

How to install options412Open the rear exit.3 Open the side cover by pressing the two detents on the front right side of the machine and swinging the

How to install options424Remove the two screws at the top and side of the metal plate covering the system board.5 Remove the metal plate by rotating

How to install options43How to reattach the system board coverWhen you are finished adding a memory card, be sure to properly reattach the system boa

How to install options44How to add a memory cardThe system board has one connector for an optional memory card. The printer can support up to 128MB o

How to install options45How to install a 550-sheet drawerYour printer supports one optional drawer that lets you load up to 550 sheets of paper.CAUTI

How to install options46How to get the printer driver to recognize installed optionsAfter the printer is turned on, the printer driver should automat

Using the operator panel475Using the operator panelSection PageOverview of the operator panel 48Understanding the operator panel lights 49Operator pa

Using the operator panel48Overview of the operator panelThe operator panel has 5 lights and 2 buttons.Note: The Continue button also functions as a l

Using the operator panel49Understanding the operator panel lightsThe operator panel lights mean different things, depending on their sequence. Lights

Contents5How to clean the printhead lens ... 118Index...

Using the operator panel50Common light sequences (continued)Printer conditionToner lowPhotoconductor kit near fullReplace photoconductor kitReplace p

Using the operator panel51Secondary errors• When the Error and Continue lights are both on, a secondary error has occurred. • When the Paper Jam a

Using the operator panel52Secondary Error codesPrinter conditionPaper jam codesComplex pageInsufficient printer memoryInsufficient collation areaFont

Using the operator panel53Secondary Error codes (continued)Printer conditionInsufficient defrag memoryNetwork interface errorsError communicatingwith

Using the operator panel54Operator panel codesBelow are explanations of what the primary light sequences, or codes, and secondary error codes mean an

Using the operator panel55BusyLight sequence:• Ready—BlinkWhat this light sequence means:• The printer is busy receiving and processing data or print

Using the operator panel56Hex Trace ReadyWaitingLight sequence:• Ready—Slow blinkWhat this light sequence means:The printer is in the Ready mode and

Using the operator panel57Flushing / Resolution reducedNot readyLight sequence:• Ready—Blink• Error—BlinkWhat this light sequence means:• The printer

Using the operator panel58Close doorLoad mediaLight sequence:• Error—OnWhat this light sequence means:The printer door is open.What you can do:Close

Using the operator panel59Load manual feederPrint side two of a duplex jobLight sequence:• Continue—On• Load Paper—BlinkWhat this light sequence mean

Notices6NoticesEdition noticeEdition: May 2004The following paragraph does not apply to any country where such provisions are inconsistent with local

Using the operator panel60Invalid engine code / Invalid network codeToner lowLight sequence:• Ready—On• Error—OnWhat this light sequence means:The co

Using the operator panel61Photoconductor kit near fullReplace photoconductor kitLight sequence:• Continue—On• Toner Low/Replace PC Kit—BlinkWhat this

Using the operator panel62Replace photoconductor kit (printer hard stop)Unsupported toner cartridge / Toner cartridge is not installedLight sequence:

Using the operator panel63Change invalid toner cartridgeProgramming engine code / Programming system codeLight sequence:• Toner Low/Replace PC Kit—On

Using the operator panel64Cancel job / Reset printerService errorLight sequence:• Continue—On• Ready—On• Toner Low/Replace PC Kit—On• Load Paper—On•

Using the operator panel65Printer errorPaper jam printer errorLight sequence:• Continue—On• Error—OnWhat this light sequence means:The printer has on

Using the operator panel66Secondary error codes• When the Error and Continue lights are both on, a secondary error has occurred. • When the Paper J

Using the operator panel67Paper jam at the input sensorPaper jam in the manual feederLight sequence:• Continue—On• Ready—On• Paper Jam—OnWhat this li

Using the operator panel68Paper jams as it exits the tray into the printerPaper jams as a printed job exits the printerLight sequence:• Continue—On•

Using the operator panel69Paper jam in Tray 1Paper jam in Tray 2Light sequence:• Continue—On• Toner Low/Replace PC Kit—On• Load Paper—On• Paper Jam—O

Notices7Licensing noticeThe printer resident software contains:• Software developed and copyrighted by Lexmark• Lexmark modified software licensed un

Using the operator panel70Complex pageInsufficient printer memoryLight sequence:• Continue—On• Ready—On• Error—OnWhat this light sequence means:The p

Using the operator panel71Insufficient collation areaLight sequence:• Continue—On• Toner Low/Replace PC Kit—On• Error—OnWhat this light sequence mean

Using the operator panel72Font errorNetwork interface errorsLight sequence:• Continue—On• Toner Low/Replace PC Kit—Blink• Error—OnWhat this light seq

Using the operator panel73Error communicating with the host computerHost interface disabledLight sequence:• Continue—On• Paper Jam—Blink• Error—OnWha

Using the operator panel74Memory fullLight sequence:• Continue—On• Ready—On• Toner Low/Replace PC Kit—On• Error—OnWhat this light sequence means:The

Using the operator panel75Short paperLight sequence:• Continue—On• Ready—On• Load Paper—On• Error—OnWhat this light sequence means:The paper length i

Using the operator panel76Invalid engine codeInvalid network codeLight sequence:• Ready—On• Load Paper—On• Error—OnWhat this light sequence means:The

Understanding the printer configuration menus776Understanding the printer configuration menusPrinting the Printer Settings Configuration sheetTo help

Understanding the printer configuration menus78Configuration menus overviewMenus are represented by Ready , Toner Low/Replace PC Kit , Load Paper , a

Understanding the printer configuration menus79Network menuUse the Network menu to change printer settings on jobs sent through a network port (eithe

Notices8• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which

Understanding the printer configuration menus80Parallel menuUse the Parallel menu to change printer settings on jobs sent through a parallel port.Set

Understanding the printer configuration menus81USB menuUse the USB menu to change printer settings on jobs sent through a Universal Serial Bus (USB)

Software and network tasks827Software and network tasksSection PageHow to install drivers for local printing 83How to print the menu settings and net

Software and network tasks83How to install drivers for local printingA local printer is a printer attached to your computer using a USB or parallel c

Software and network tasks845Select Suggested, and then click Next.The Suggested option is the default installation for local and network-attached se

Software and network tasks85Macintosh (Web)Mac OS 8.6 or later is required for USB printing. To print locally to a USB-attached printer, you must cre

Software and network tasks86Creating a queue in Print Center or Printer Setup Utility (depending on your version of Mac OS X)1 Install a printer Post

Software and network tasks87LinuxLocal USB printing is supported on Linux platforms such as Red Hat and SuSE Linux.The Linux packages are available o

Software and network tasks88How to print the menu settings and network setup pagesTo print the menu settings page and network setup page, press the C

Software and network tasks89How to configure for TCP/IPIf you have TCP/IP available on your network, we recommend that you assign an IP address to th

Notices9Printer energy consumptionThe following table documents the power consumption characteristics of the printer.The power consumption levels lis

Software and network tasks90How to set up the printer for network printingAfter you have assigned and verified the TCP/IP settings (see “How to confi

Software and network tasks91Direct printing using Windows 98SE/Me, Windows NT 4.0, Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003To install a cust

Software and network tasks92Shared printing from a server using Windows NT 4.0, Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003After connecting you

Software and network tasks936Click OK. Note: If you are missing files, you may be prompted to provide the server operating system CD.7 Check the foll

Software and network tasks944Select the network printer from the Shared printers list. If the printer is not listed, enter the path of the printer in

Software and network tasks95Macintosh (Web)Note: A PostScript Printer Description (PPD) file provides detailed information about the capabilities of

Software and network tasks96• If the PPD file displayed in the PostScript Printer Description (PPD) file portion of the menu is correct for your prin

Software and network tasks976Verify printer installation:a Click ApplicationsÆ TextEdit.b Choose FileÆ Print Æ Summary. The Summary window shows the

Software and network tasks98Using the printer resident Web pageIf you have a network model, your printer has a resident Web page which you can access

Software and network tasks99Using the Local Printer Settings UtilityThe Local Printer Settings Utility, located on the drivers CD, lets you change pr