Deskjet tiny print - stalls - error on computer - works in one mode but no others.

[AndyMaxwell]

Hi All,

Upon printing the printer gets half way through a page of A4 then stops with the paper still in the machine. When you look at the printout it has shrunk the output to a small section in the center of the page.

The power button on the printer continuously flashes.
And when I have the console open an 'Application quit unexpectedly' error pops up on screen before the printer stops a its funny zoomed out work.

Seemingly there is no printer jam as the print queue is empty following the cessation of printing and, weirdly.........

It doesn't happen when test and configuration pages are printed, and it doesnt happen when I print fast draft!!!

Help?

What I have done so far:

-Plugged/unplugged the USB cables.
-Reinstalled the drivers/package a number of times, both old and new versions.
-Played with all the settings within the printer preferences, set to different paper sizes etc..
-Reinstalled the printer cartridges.

Am I right in thinking that if this were a hardware issue then printing fast draft wouldn't work at all?

I would love to be able to print at a normal print quality so if anyone has a moment to look at the following documents and give me there thoughts it would be most appreciated.

The crash log can be found here..

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1QVeqXST_j9UkJS8UMHwc1kkGs62L6NHNtJSJShligVI/edit

And the screen grab of the crash, here.

http://andymax.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/screen-print.jpg

Thank you.

Andrew Maxwell

Bristol, UK

[PrintDoc]

What printer model?  What version of OS X (it says 10.4 on the console log, but wanted to verify).

[AndyMaxwell]

Hi, it's a Deskjet F4180 and yep it's 10.4.

I have just solved the problem. I uninstalled the printer drivers and software as before. This time though I deleted EVERYTHING with HP in the title. I did a search on 'HP' and deleted it all. Then I went search for all the .plist files and deleted the printerandfax file (for anyone reading, the preferences files '.plist' can become corrupt.

Then I installed the software once more. This time it all worked ok. Except.

Now it prints, but on the printer utility which pops up on the dock it says Error 64 and states a problem with the USB connection. Grr!!!!  What happens is that the document prints fine but stays in the queue (when it should be gone). This means that when you next print a document you get the last document to be printed and you have to manually go in there and remove it!

I have tried a different USB cable with no joy.

Any ideas?

Many thanks

Andrew

[PrintDoc]

Make sure you are not using a USB hub for the printer - plug it directly into your Mac.

Also, there may be an issue with your Mac - let's reset the SMC: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964 if you are using an Intel-based Mac.

Why not upgrade to at least 10.5?

[AndyMaxwell]

Hi,

It's a powerpc based mac. 10.4 works great for me, the cost and the fear that 10.5 may slow my machine down is what keeps me from upgrading

I looked on the apple support forum and there doesn't seem to be an SMC on the power pc's. If you have any other thoughts they will be gratefully received.

Thanks for your time with this.

Andrew

[PrintDoc]

Sure, let's make sure your Mac sees the HP hardware.  Go to the Apple menu > About this Mac > More Info.  Click USB on the left side and then see if your printer shows up.

Also, when you re-installed, did you download the updated software from here?: http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/softwareDownloadIndex?softwareitem=mp-56704-2&cc=us&dlc=en&lc=en&...

[AndyMaxwell]

Hi Print Doc,

Yup, it's in the more info section and all is correct. I did indeed download the newest software/drivers from the HP website as per the link.

Andy

[PrintDoc]

Let's take a different approach.  According to the manual, on page 114 http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/manualCategory?cc=us&dlc=en&lang=en&lc=en&product=3177566&task=&  there are many flashing light sequences.  Which exactly do you have?

I am starting to think this is a power supply or voltage issue.  Turn the printer off and unplug the power supply from both the printer and the source.  Leave it out for 5 minutes.  When plugging it back in, do not plug it into a power strip or surge protector, plug it directly into the wall.