😡 Tried yesterday to print some work out, no luck. Checked the printer and after much squinting at the tiny screen on it realised it was running low on ink. Fine I can get some more. This evening I am sitting quietly cheking out HP and out of the corner of my eye realise the printer screen has lit up. Very surprised as it isn't switched on! It had a black oblong in the middle with a row of numbers and one letter below it. Also at the front, near the paper tray, the camera icon had a flashing light below it. Tried to switch the printer on to see what was wrong with it but couldn't. Closed down the computer and re-started it, still the same. Pulled the plug out of the back of the printer and it went. Switched it on and it started printing out yesterdays work! Very odd!! Is this normal or just my strange printer??:confused::confused:
suggest 'operator error'.
xx
Serenwen,
Yes, printing can be fun can't it.
Computers have a tendency to cache (i.e. hold onto) print jobs that you send even if the computer is turned off. If you send something and the printer can't print it e.g. because it's run out of ink, then switching the printer off will not get rid of the print job which still stays on your computer waiting.
Love and Reiki Hugs
How to Close printing jobs.
😡 Switched it on and it started printing out yesterdays work! Very odd!! Is this normal or just my strange printer??:confused::confused:
Hi Serenwen,
It is normal, as Giles has explained. I suspect that unbeknown to you, your PC took the following steps:
1. Print command received. Document spooled in PC's RAM. Assuming the printer is so set (usual default setting).
2. Print command sent to Printer - held in Printer's RAM.
3. Printer cannot print. Returns message to PC.
4. PC continues to store spooled document in RAM.
5. PC shut down normally. Windows saves the vital contents of RAM in HDD cache, as explained by Giles.
6. Printer switched off. Its contents in RAM lost!
7. You service printer (in this case refill or replace cartridge). It CAN work now!
8. PC switched on. MS Windows checks pending jobs. Finds cached printing job. Finds Printer on. Executes last command. Which it remembers (although you might have forgotten!) to be "Print document".
It's just a dumb machine!
Method to impart some manners to the machine.
Before shutting down PC, (step 5) minimise or close all windows to leave only the desktop open.
left click on "My computer" icon > "Control Panel" > "Printers"
Then RIGHT - click on the icon for your specific printer.
Drop down menu appears. Left click on "Cancel all documents".
That would purge all printing jobs outstanding!
Regards.
Prashna
Thank you for taking the time to reply to me, Energylz and Prashna. I think the think that bothered me most was my printer wasn't switched on at all, not even on stand by. When the screen lit up blue, then the black oblong box in the middle I was very surprised. The cartridges are low but not ready for change just yet. At least I know what to do the next time it happens! Thanks again.