I would like to thank a few ammrl friends for their input for my problem
(see below) and report that I seem to have found a work-around, though it is
not clear why it worked.
One of the difficulties with this kind of problems is that there are too
many variables: different computer models, OS, cables etc. I found that
some of my statements turned out to be incorrect. Now I think HP-LJ2300
does not work directly with any of the Sun computers in my department
(models none newer than ultra2) running Solaris 6-8. I did see it worked
with a Solaris 7 and knew a 2100 worked with a Solaris 6. I assumed 2100 and
2300 would behave similarly (they looked almost the same). But they don't.
When I realized that 2100 did work with my Solaris 8 instrument, I wondered
why 2300 worked with the Solaris 7 computer. I recalled then that computer
uses a compact parallel autoswitch by BELKIN (F1U115E) to share the printer
with a PC. I tried an identical switch with my system. I saw the red LED
on the switch blinking, the printer data LED blinking and the printing is
successful.
It is not clear to me what is in the Belkin switch to make it work. HP had
suggested to me to try new parallel cables. I did try 2 cables that I
thought were fairly new and they did not work. Now I am looking for these
Belkin switches. My colleague Boris thinks that I might not be able to find
the identical switches now because they are fairly old. Well, I hope it is
not going to be so difficult.
Hsin
-----Original Message-----
> From: Hsin Wang [mailto:wang_at_postbox.csi.cuny.edu]
> Sent: Friday, March 12, 2004 10:20 AM
> To: ammrl_at_ammrl.org
> Subject: Printing problems with new HP laserjet on Solaris 8
<color><param>0100,0100,0100</param><FontFamily><param>Courier
New</param>Dear AMMRLS,
Recently we decided to replace the old HP
Laserjet-3 printers which are used to plot vnmr
NMR spectra from our Varian instruments. We
have tried both HP LJ-1150 and LJ-2300 and
neither acknowledged receiving data signal at
all, whereas old printers (such as LJ-3 and LJ-
6) have no problems. I was puzzled because I
know others in the department have used LJ2100
for the same purpose.
It turns out the 2300 works perfectly with two
other Sun computers here: one is ultra-5 with
Solaris 7 and the other is sparc5 with Solaris
6. My instruments are all Solaris 8 on Ultra-1,
Ultra-2, and Sparc-5.
While trouble-shooting the LJ1150, I talked with
a technician in HP and was told that that all
new generation of high-speed LaserJet uses noise
filters and required stronger signal. With the
2300 you are supposed to be able to turn off
high speed printing. I did that and that did
not seem to make a difference.
Has anyone had similar problems? Is there a get-
around to this problem? Can I buy laserjet
printers from other manufacturors and be sure
that they will work? I am tired of buying new
printers and returning them.
Hsin
<nofill>
____________________________________________________________________
Hsin Wang, Ph.D.
Manager, NMR Facility (718)-982-3809 (O)
Department of Chemistry (718)-982-3910 (FAX)
The College of Staten Island Email: WANG_at_postbox.csi.cuny.edu
2800 Victory Boulevard
Staten Island, NY 10314
Received on Fri Mar 19 2004 - 09:23:56 MST