Printer testing

This page is meant as a general guide to printer testing.

=Printers= The basic steps are:
 * 1. Set the printer up: Plug it in to the wall and computer. Make sure that it has paper. Check that is complete and all doors/trays are closed. If it has a power button, turn it on.


 * 2. For most testable printers Ubuntu will detect it and begin the process of installing drivers. Verify that the printer is installed and follow on-screen instructions if necessary.


 * 3. Open the file "10.04_Printer_Fresh_Used_Ink.odt" and print it. Verify that the appropriate printer is selected in the print dialogue.


 * 4. If the printed page looks perfect then the test was successful. Tape the page to the printer and fill in the blanks. Send this to te tested shelf along with any proprietary power adapters.


 * 4.5 be sure to test any special features like duplex printing, and copying. We do no test the fax or networking capabilities.


 * For the most part we get so many nice printers that we don't spend much time on printers when they do not work right away because:
 * we can't find appropriate drivers
 * Ink or toner is missing (or empty) and we don't have handy replacements.
 * there is a drum or fuser error
 * There are horrible noises, paper jams or errors that cannot be resolved within a minute or two.


 * Printers that fail the test should be labelled with their problem and returned to printer incoming. They will be recycled or sold to a bulk buyer.


 * 5. Unplug the printer, delete the printer (and any others you find) from system-> administration -> Printing

Laserjet Printers

 * match a power supply
 * check for lose/missing vital parts
 * check for lose/missing cosmetics.
 * power up with paper in it
 * check for ready status
 * check for grinding noises

digraph{

start [label="START HERE"] power [label="Can you find a power cord/supply for this printer?", shape=box] paper [label="Place paper in the tray or\n manual feed if it doesn't have a tray.\nTurn the unit on."] grind [label="Did it make grinding noises?", shape=box] ready [label="Does it come up to\nReady to Print?", shape=box] codes [label="If there are Error codes\nReseat Toner, Paper Tray and\ncheck paper path for jams.\nPower on again."] code50 [label="If there is an error code 50\nreseat the fuser and leave it on for 20min."] strip [label="Mark with an X and strip it for parts."] build [label="Mark in a hidden place (underside) and set aside for Printer Build."]

start -> power power -> strip [label=no] power -> paper [label=yes] paper -> grind grind -> strip [label=yes] grind -> ready [label=no] ready -> build [label=yes] ready -> codes [label=no] codes -> code50 code50 -> paper }

Reject if:

Is it missing essential parts (paper drawer, fuser, toner, etc)?

Is it missing cosmetic parts: covers, lids?

Does it have lose parts, missing screws?

Laser Printer Reject Types:

doesn't power on at all bad mainboard paper jam fuser error missing essential parts missing cosmetics won't pass paper path test

Dot Matrix Printers

 * Not generally tested.

Other types of printers

 * Not generally tested.

=Fax Machines=
 * Not tested

=Scanners=
 * We only test the ones that are USB powered.

=PSC (All-in-one printer, scanner, copier)= to the top of the printer.
 * Test like a printer. Also test the copy function and tape a "copy"

=Copiers=