If your old cartridges (or even new ones) won't print 
here's some things to try;
.

FIRST -- ALWAYS CLEAN THE CONTACTS IN THE CARTRIDGE SLOT -- they often have ink on them and that just doesn't work -- they need to be clean! Also, clean the slot contacts on the carriage where you place the cartridges. (see photo)

1) Hold under running hot water, shake it and look for two lines of ink when pressed to a damp folded paper towel. (Of course it is waterproof, it has ink in it!)

2) Soak for an hour in a quart of hot water with a hearty squirt of liquid dish soap and a quarter cup of ammonia - then shake hard and look for two parallel lines on a damp folded paper towel.

3) Fold up 4 or 5 very wet paper towels until you have at least an inch tall gob of towel. Press down slowly and firmly then release slowly and the towels will create suction as they return to their original depth.

4) If all else fails try smearing a bit of saliva down the cartridge contacts and snap into place. It sounds dumb. However, many have found this to work. My theory is that the spit seals small cracks in the microscopic contact wires that cause the cartridge to fire ink. 

​5) Try rubbing the contact strip in the cartridge slot and on the back of the cartridge with a dollar bill. Others report this has worked...I haven't tried it yet.

Sometimes replacing the trailing cable (big white ribbon that follows the carriage) is what is needed for your cartridges to fire ink out of all the microscopic jets. 

​

​Print spooler might error or close unexpectedly when attempting to print
After installing KB4557957, certain printers may be unable to print. Print spooler may error or close unexpectedly when attempting to print and no output will come from affected printer. You might also encounter issues with the apps you are attempting to print from. You might receive an error from the app or the app may close unexpectedly. Note This issue might also affect software-based printers, for example printing to PDF.

Affected platforms:

• Client: Windows 10, version 2004; Windows 10, version 1909; Windows 10, version 1903; Windows 10, version 1809; Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2019; Windows 10, version 1803; Windows 10, version 1709; Windows 10, version 1607; Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2016; Windows 10 Enterprise 2015 LTSB; Windows 8.1
• Server: Windows Server, version 2004; Windows Server, version 1909; Windows Server, version 1903; Windows Server, version 1809; Windows Server 2019; Windows Server, version 1803; Windows Server, version 1709; Windows Server 2016; Windows Server 2012 R2; Windows Server 2012

Resolution: This issue was resolved in the out-of-band update KB4567523. It is a cumulative update, so you do not need to apply any previous update before installing it. To get the standalone package for KB4567523, search for it in the Microsoft Update Catalog. You can import this update into Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) manually. See the Microsoft Update Catalog for instructions. Note KB4567523 is not available from Windows Update and will not install automatically.

6/19/2020
ALERT!
IF YOUR PRINTER SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING THIS WEEK IT IS A BAD MICROSOFT UPDATE
GO TO SETTINGS>UPDATES AND SECURITY>VIEW UPDATE HISTORY.  UNINSTALL THESE UPDATES:  
​KB4560960 AND KB4557957 FROM JUNE 9TH (OR NEAR THERE)

NEXT: INSTALL NEW UPDATES 
IF YOUR WIN 10 IS VER. 1909 OR 1903 INSTALL THE KB4567512 UPDATE
IF YOUR WIN 10 VERSION IS 1809 INSTALL KB4567613
IF YOUR WIN 10 VERSION IS 1803 INSTALL KB4567514

GO HERE TO SEARCH AND DOWNLOAD YOUR UPDATE

​

Jeff from Henderson MN called this morning and said that although I'd put a new trailing cable in his Designjet 430 last year, the cartridge light was blinking and he was thinking of sending his guy Randy to me with the plotter. It's about a three hour drive so Randy stepped up and offered a possible solution:

Rub the cartridge contacts with a dollar bill.
Randy says he often uses this to get better performance from spark plugs.

IT WORKED!

Snapping the cartridge back into the plotter the light went out and the plotter started printing!

Give that Randy a raise!!!

This may work with your Designjet 500 or 800 if the install of the latest firmware now makes your plotter aware of expired inks --- I haven't tested it. Let me know if it works. Thanks!

If you cannot print is not because the ink is expired.

Try this.

1- delete all the pending jobs at the printer panel
2- reset the ink cartridges and acknowledge the warnings
3- print the Image Quality Print to check the status of the nozzles ant the printheads.
4- replace any bad printheads
5- do the printhead alignment and paper advance calibration
6- print an internal demo to test the hardware

From HP: 
Access the settings window in Devices and Printers to select settings that apply to all your print jobs.

1. Search Windows for 'printers', then click Devices and Printers in the search results.
2. Right-click the icon for your printer, then click Printer properties.
   ​

3. Click the Advanced tab, then click Printing Defaults.
Figure : Click Printing Defaults on the Advanced tab in Printer Properties
​4. Change any settings you want as defaults in the Printing Defaults window, then click OK.

How can I install non-digitally signed drivers in Windows 10? (see below for Win 8)
Windows 10 enforces driver signatures by default. What this means is you can download a driver from this site or others, but the driver signing requirement kicks in and "disables" the driver...you won't know it...it looks like it is there and functional. This is because drivers weren't signed back in the 90's! You might get a message that says something about a hash tag...but your downloaded driver won't work. YOU MUST DELETE THE DRIVER FROM YOUR SYSTEM AND REMOVE THE PRINTER FROM YOUR LIST OF PRINTERS. This can be disabled to install drivers that are not digitally signed. Use the following steps to disable driver signature enforcement.
NOTE: If this is all too intimidating or too much  of a hassle you can call the Plotter Princess and for $50 I will remotely connect to your computer, download the drivers, install the printer/plotter and get your plotter to print a test print...so you can be sure you are properly connected and ready to get some work done!! Usually an appointment is not needed. Call 651-247-3022

1. Click the Start  menu and select Settings.
2. Click Update and Security.
3. Click on Recovery.
4. Click Restart now under Advanced Startup.
5. Click Troubleshoot.
6. Click Advanced options.
7. Click Startup Settings.
8. Click on Restart.
9. On the Startup Settings screen press 7 or F7 to disable driver signature enforcement.

Your computer will restart and you will be able to download, extract and install non-digitally signed drivers.
​

______________________________________
How can I install non-digitally signed drivers in Windows 8?
Windows 8 enforces driver signatures by default. This can be disabled so non-digitally signed drivers can be installed. Use the following steps to disable driver signature enforcement.

1. Press the Windows () key + C, or swipe in from the right edge of the screen to open your Charms.
2. Select the Settings charm, and then click Change PC settings
3. Select General, and then scroll down and click on Restart Now under Advanced Startup.
4. Click on Troubleshoot, Advanced options, and then select Startup Settings.
5. Click on Restart.
6. On the Startup Settings screen press 7 or F7 to Disable driver signature enforcement.

Once the computer restarts you will be able to install non-digitally signed drivers for that Windows session. If you restart the computer again the driver signature enforcement will be enabled. You can repeat the above steps at any time you need to disable this feature.


​When next you restart your computer after this the driver signing requirement will be back in force. That's a good thing because it saves you from viruses. Any driver on this site was copied from the original HP driver sites before those lovely folks at HP decided to get rid of them so people like you couldn't use those old plotters anymore!



NOTE: If this is all too intimidating or too much  of a hassle you can call the Plotter Princess and for $50 I will remotely connect to your computer, download the drivers, install the printer/plotter and get your plotter to print a test print...so you can be sure you are properly connected and ready to get some work done!! Usually an appointment is not needed. Call 651-247-3022

HP has an amazingly simple little app that you can download and use with 500. 800, Z series and T series plotters. It is the HP Instant Printing Utility 3

It allows you to drag your file to the open application and click PRINT and it just simply prints....easy peasy.

It works with these operating systems:

Microsoft Windows 7 (32-bit)
Microsoft Windows Vista (32-bit)
Microsoft Windows Vista (64-bit)
Microsoft Windows 7 (64-bit)
Microsoft Windows 8 (32-bit)
Microsoft Windows 8 (64-bit)
Microsoft Windows Server 2012
Microsoft Windows 8.1 (32-bit)
Microsoft Windows 8.1 (64-bit)
Microsoft Windows 10 (32-bit)
Microsoft Windows 10 (64-bit)

 Just another day, tripping over things that you might find useful while researching a new model.  I'm getting a Z2100 ready in the workshop and it appeared that PDFs couldn't be printed...but I was wrong and had used the wrong driver. In the meantime I found this HP article about printing PDFs and decided to share.  

I'm getting beautiful prints now...very happy!
​
I also figured out something else - It can use expired ink...you get alerts, but you can ignore them. I love plotters that can use expired ink!

I've been working hard in my workshop trying to get a plotter to work. It is a Designjet 500 that I purchased from someone who stated "The belt has been replaced but it still needs some adjustment." What he didn't say was that HE'D replaced the belt himself and he didn't have a clue what he was doing. When I took the covers off I found many parts that were loose and missing screws. I kept running the printhead alignment and it kept failing. Everything was back together properly, but it just wasn't able to align. So "Googled" it and found this HP forum posting...Now, I never take the bushings off the carriage when replacing a belt. But it appears the seller of this machine had! I switched them around and yes, the alignment came out perfect! So if you are in the same situation and it is possible that the bushings have been switched, give it a try.

From: http://h30499.www3.hp.com/t5/Printers-Designjet-Large-Format/Double-Lines-being-Printed-Designjet-500/td-p/1091490?notmigrated#.VcVVSXFViko
Re: Double Lines being Printed - Designjet 500
Post Options
‎02-01-2010 08:46 PM

Here's my solution to the common double printing, blurred images on the Designjet 500 & 800.

When the carriage was removed to install a new belt, I had also removed the two "C" shaped bushings as well, one on each side of the carriage. I didn't need to, but thought I could get the carriage off without removing the right-hand side cap and service-station... BTW, you DO need to. 

Anyway... when they were reinstalled, they were swapped accidentally left for right (they only go in one way) and they fit pretty loosely in the carriage when they are swapped.

The resulting slop will allow the carriage to "cock" on the carriage return, and since it prints in both directions, the result is two images, identical, but shifted and produces a "blurry" or double-printed output.

We pulled the carriage again today, and sure enough, they were installed backwards. When the bushings are inserted in their little cavities correctly, it is a very light 'press-fit'. They will fit snugly, and will not fall out if you tilt the carriage left or right. You then secure them with the one small screw and washer for each side.

Buttoned the plotter up, and did a plot... voila!! Perfect plot without even doing a head alignment or anything!!!

It's worth a try... if you didn't remove these bushings, then I don't have any solutions for you. It's an elusive problem, but this repair sure fixed our broken plotter.

Sure beats buying a new $450 carriage assy.!!

1. Determine what size the drawing was originally. This is the size you will want to print. Right click on the name of the file and/or open the file and click on FILE and choose PROPERTIES.
2. If the Preview Window on lower right doesn't show a preview of the original drawing in the correct size - change the paper size to a size that will accommodate the original drawing size. Note: D size is 24" and E size is 36" and F size is 42".
3. Set ZOOM scaling to 100% - Go to ADVANCED options to choose which types of sizes the software should show you. You can even make your own custom setting if you use the PAPER SIZES window.

PDF files can contain layered content if they are created from layered documents by using applications such as Adobe InDesign. As a result, a single page of the PDF file can contain different layers with different content. If you print a PDF that contains layered content, only the layer that is currently visible onscreen is printed. Acrobat Pro and Pro Extended let you specify which layer is visible and printable. Merge or flatten the layers in the PDF to determine if one of the layers is causing the printing problem.

Note: Merging or flattening layers can't be undone. For this procedure, use a copy of your PDF.

To determine which version of Acrobat you are using, choose Help > About Adobe Acrobat (Windows), or Acrobat > About Acrobat (Mac OS).

For Acrobat 8 Professional or later:

1. Make a backup copy of your PDF file by choosing File > Save As and giving the copy a new name.
   
2. Open the copy and choose Advanced > PDF Optimizer. If asked whether you want to save and continue, click Yes.
   
3. Select Discard User Data.
   
4. Select Discard Hidden Layer Content And Flatten Visible Layers, and then click OK.
   
5. When prompted, save the Optimized PDF with another new name.
   
6. Open the Layers panel (if the Layers panel is not visible, choose View > Navigation Panels > Layers). Click the Options pop-up menu, and then select either Merge Layers or Flatten Layers. Merged layers acquire the properties of the layer into which they are merged. Flattening layers discards any layer content that isn't visible onscreen. 
   
7. Save the PDF file and try to print it.

For Acrobat 7 Professional:

1. Make a backup copy of your PDF file.
   
2. Open the copy and choose Advanced > PDF Optimizer.
   
3. Click the Clean Up tab.
   
4. Select Remove Hidden Layers Content and Flatten Layers, and then click OK.
   
5. When prompted, save the Optimized PDF with another new name.
   
6. In the Layers panel, choose Options, and then select either Merge Layers or Flatten Layers. Merged layers acquire the properties of the layer into which they are merged. Flattening layers discards any layer content that isn't visible onscreen.
   
7. Save the PDF file and attempt to print it.
   

Aaron in Phoenix reports that the BLACK CARTRIDGE ALIGNMENT SHEET procedure outlined in the 430 / 450c User Manual in Chapter 5 was the solution to his problem with jagged lines as seen in the photos in a previous post and the after plot seen on the left. 

Aaron in Phoenix is looking for an answer to his 430 Designjet line jogging...I thought it might be the encoder, he replaced the encoder and the print isn't looking any better. He's also recalibrated with the print quality re-cal. Now he's getting desperate and I'm feeling like Aaron has stumped the Plotter Princess so I asked him if I could put it out there for the rest of you to help us. If you have experience and have resolved this, please leave a "comment" at the bottom of this posting. Thanks!!

From the manual -- how to use the SETUP function on the 488ca, 430 or 450c. What it doesn't mention is that you use a 8.5 by 11 inch -- letter size -- paper to print the setup sheet. With the setup sheet you can change the ink drying time, the color settings to monochrome, and many other things!

Someone called today having trouble printing out their PDF's to scale...Here's the best thing I could find on this -- an online step by step with screenshots from the Planning Portal Director -- "Printing Correctly Scaled PDF's"

Having trouble printing your large blueprint or graphics files that are PDFs?

When you flatten PDF layers, you remove any layers that aren’t visible and 
consolidate the rest into one layer. You might use this technique if you want
to  make your plots print faster. To do so, follow these steps:

1. Choose File➪Save As to open the Save As dialog box.


2. Locate a folder destination in the Save In drop-down list and enter a new
     name for your flattened PDF document in the File Name text box. It is very
     important that you change the name of this file because flattening the layers
   in  a PDF document cannot be undone.


3. When you’ve saved the PDF file under a new name, click the Layers tab on the
     Navigation pane and choose Flatten Layers on the Options menu at the top of the
     Layers palette. A Warning dialog box appears, stating This operation cannot be
     undone. Would you like to proceed?


4. Click Yes to close the Warning dialog box and flatten the document layers.
     The proof of your flattening action is exhibited in the Layers palette, which
   is  now completely empty.