HP Photosmart C5150 All-in-One Scanner/Copier Hash Lines

[DRG-DC]

My parent's HP Photosmart C5150 All-in-One is scanning/printing hash lines. They appear when canning and making copies.  The lines appear in differnet spots each time. My father took the device apart and cleaned the inside and outside of the glass. See the image below.

Anyone have any ideas what is wrong and if the repair is less than the cost of a new device?

[Picardje]

HI,

This could be electrical interferance, so make sure the aio is not close to other electrical devices, and make sure its not to close to wireless devices such as routers, cordless phones, babyphones and so on. Also try the unit standalone and connect it to a grounded wall socket where nothing else is plugged in. Make a copy then and see what happens.  

[Jameshere]

I have had this same problem, only FAR more acute!   In my case, the "hash" lines are frequently so numerous and closely spaced as to form blocks of solis black!

The lines occur in a strict pattern. There are 15 columns of them, almost exactly 1/2" wide, on a regular letter-size page. There is a small gap between the columns, and a narrow border at the sides. They frequently merge into solid black rectangles 1/2" wide and as much as 1 1/2" high.

I have tried switching off  the PC, monitor, router, internet modem, and master hand station of Panasonic cordless phones.  Also taking the C5150 down two stories to the basement and plugging in to a different circuit.  Nothing helps

It seems to me that this phenomenon is occurring to such a strict pattern, that someone who understands how a scanner works would be able to diagnose it right away.

Please do!!

James

[007OHMSS]

This document may shed some light:

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c01887471&tmp_task=solveCategory&cc=us&dlc=en&la...

[Jameshere]

I don't wish to appear ungratefull for the link to the HP site (which I had already viewed)

but I do think that both the original post and mine made it quite clear that this problem is

one of short, HORIZONTAL lines, not vertical lines or streaks . . .

[DRG-DC]

007OHMSS,

The steps you suggested were previously attempted and did not resolve the issue.

[Jameshere]

I am rapidly becoming convinced that this may be a problem of static electricity. 

The problem first appeared in December when I made 80+ copies of a document, a few lines appearing at the end of the run. Subsequently the more I tried different solutions eg: disconnect power, modems etc, the worse the problem seemed to get! A couple of weekds ago I gave up thinking about the problem (except to try this site . . .)

Then two days ago I made a copy, forgetting it would probably be spoiled by the lines, and Eureka: it was clear!  Now today I have made a scan - no problem.  In retrospect, i can recall that when the scan/copy function was left unused for several days, the problem seemed to abate.

So, if it is Static build up as I suspect, how does one avoid / discharge this?

James

[Annemieke]

Hi,

I have the exact same problem with my HP AiO 5180!!! Did you solve it in the meantime. Was it like James suggested an electro-static matter? Hope to hear from you, since hp does no longer support my AiO and the issue is seldom reported on internet forums. Thx!

Annemieke

The Netherlands

[Jameshere]

Sorry to report that I have not solved the problem, and the Static Electricity suggestion seems notto be the answer. I rarely use the 5150 for other than printing - and then not often (preferring to use my reliable 18 year old canon BJ-10sX with ink cartridges which can easily be refilled, at very little cost!) So it has been sitting unused for several weeks. I just ran a copy through, and the hash lines are there as ever. I am shocked that HP seem to be unable to advise. Surely if a company has employees capable of designing a machine like this, they are capable of diagnosing the problem. No wonder HP is in trouble in the marketplace. James