HP LaserJet 4V--Only 11x17?!

All 11x17 drawings I print on my HP LaserJet 4V come out with a blank area about 1" wide and running the length of the paper. Everything else prints fine. Just that zone is mostly blank. The strip/zone is about an inch from the edge, and diagonal lines seem to print better in that zone than horizontal lines, which don't print at all.

Bafflingly, there is no problem printing any drawings to letter-size paper, and there is no problem printing to 11 x 17 paper from another program. Just AutoCAD and just 11x17! The printer has 44 MB of memory installed--all recognized by the printer. And HP says that the driver that comes with Microsoft XP for this printer was specially formulated w/ the help of Autodesk.

Anyone have any ideas?!

 

about 1" wide and running the length of the paper. Everything else prints
fine. Just that zone is mostly blank. The strip/zone is about an inch from
the edge, and diagonal lines seem to print better in that zone than
horizontal lines, which don't print at all.

paper, and there is no problem printing to 11 x 17 paper from another
program. Just AutoCAD and just 11x17! The printer has 44 MB of memory
installed--all recognized by the printer. And HP says that the driver that
comes with Microsoft XP for this printer was specially formulated w/ the
help of Autodesk.

wow! I've been using an HP4V for years without any problems...what version
of Acad? Does MS or PS printing make a difference? Are you using .pc3 files,
are you using the same .ctb/.stb file for both 8 1/2 x 11 and 11 x 17
printing? Etc, etc...we need more information.
Dave
DDP

 

Dave,
I'm using ACAD 2004 and Windows XP; MS and PS have same problem; I'm using the same .ctb file for 8.5 and 11x17 plots. I tried using imported pc2/pcp files, creating my own .ctb file, using ACAD's default .ctb files, changing layers, and changing pens. I even tried plotting upside down (the image, not me). Same problem; always the top of the paper.

I just installed AutoCAD 2004 on a new computer and just started using this printer, so it could be something pretty basic; I'm willing to accept that I know nothing about the computer, printer and ACAD 2004, so feel free to make a suggestion....

daniel.

 

UPDATE:
it's the printer. Has to be. I just discovered that the same problem occurs whenever I print from the Manual feed tray--regardless of paper size.

So now what? HP doesn't support this printer anymore b/c it's too old. They won't even let me pay for tech support.

ugh.

 

Check with a local office supply place. You can still find folks other than
HP that will be willing to help you. However it might cost more than the
printer is worth to fix it. The 4V was a real workhorse but technology has
changed quite a bit since it was released. You might be better off just
replacing it.

--
Tripp Corbin, GISP, MCP
Associate Vice President, GIS/Mapping
ESRI Authorized Instructor
Keck & Wood, Inc.
(678) 417-4000
www.keckwood.com
(678) 417-4000
(678) 417-8785 Fax

 

Just a shot in the dark (I also love my HP4V), but have you tried another
toner cartridge?

- Jim

 

That's no shot in the dark.
Fixes almost all HP printer problems.

John Postlewait
IS Department
George Butler Associates, Inc.

 

acckkk! I actually have a backup reconditioned 4V for whenever in the next
20 years my existing one dies (I've had it 8-10 years now). It's the best
printer HP ever made IMO and they discontinued it because it lasts to long.
When my 4V's quit, I quit
Dave
DDP

 

The Final Update:

Problem resolved: it was the printer driver that was not working. A new driver and the prints are fine.
thanks for all suggestions.
daniel.

 

I could not agree more the HP4V or 4MV are great printers. We still have a
couple that just keep on ticking and we sold a lot to clients that are still
going strong. HP really did it right with that one. However some of the new
models are faster and have a higher quality print. If you are plotting
primarily lines and text those are not a big issue but we print a lot of
aerial photos and you can sure tell a difference with the new printers.

--
Tripp Corbin, GISP, MCP
Associate Vice President, GIS/Mapping
ESRI Authorized Instructor
Keck & Wood, Inc.
(678) 417-4000
www.keckwood.com
(678) 417-4000
(678) 417-8785 Fax