Cannot Print Complex Graphical Images on HP LaserJet Printer

• Microsoft Windows 95

SYMPTOMS

When you print a document that contains complex graphical images to a non-PostScript Hewlett-Packard (HP) LaserJet 4- or 5-series printer, the error light on the printer may blink and the document may not be printed or the output may be incomplete or incorrect. The same document may have been printed correctly in an earlier version of Windows. Documents that contain only text or simple graphical images are printed correctly.

This problem is known to occur with the following HP LaserJet 4- and 5-series printers:

• 4
• 4M
• 4 Plus
• 4M Plus
• 4L
• 4ML
• 4P
• 4MP
• 4Si
• 4Si MX
• 4V
• 4MV
• 5P
• 5MP

CAUSE

The amount of information being sent to the printer by the Windows 95 printer driver exceeds the amount of installed printer memory. In general, you should be able to print any document that you could print in Windows 3.1. However, you may have to make changes to some printer settings as outlined in this article.

RESOLUTION

To work around this problem, follow these steps:

1. In Control Panel, double-click the Printers icon.

2. Use the right mouse button to click the printer you are using, and then click Properties on the menu that appears.

3. On the Details tab, click Spool settings, and then click RAW in the Spool Data Format box.

4. On the Graphics tab, click the Use Raster Graphics option.

5. On the Fonts tab, click the Print TrueType As Graphics option.

6. On the Device Options tab, move the Printer Memory Tracking slider all the way to the right (to the Aggressive setting).

7. Verify that the Printer Memory setting matches the amount of memory installed in the printer.

8. If the Page Protection check box is not unavailable, click the check box to clear it if it is selected, or click the check box to select it if it is cleared. The check box may be unavailable, depending on the printer model you are using and the amount of memory installed in the printer.

9. Click OK.