LAN ERROR - LOSS OF CARRIER

[PSL43]

My color laserjet3700n has performed flawlessly for years. Now, it no longer shows up on my network, or I get an error saying the printer is not connected. Once before I saw an error on the display that said communications board error. Now when I print a configuration map it says I/O Card not ready. LAN ERROR - LOSS OF CARRIER.

Is a communications board something that would need to be replaced? Is it worth the repair, or should I consider getting a new color laserjet?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thank You,

Pat Lasley

PSL43

[davidzuts]

This printer came with the jet direct 615N which is known to have issues.  First off do you get a link light on the port where the ethernet cable is connected in the rear.  If you do the issue could be the card, but could also be your router.  Swap the ethernet cables between the printer and the computer to see if you get the same reaction or if the computer does not connect, then you know it is the cable or the router port that has issues.  If the computer still works, then it could be the card.  That said you can pickup replacement 615N or 610N on ebay for 5-10 US.  There is also a way to sometimes repair the old 615N.  You have to bake the card.  You remove the card from the printer with the power off.  You then use a torx 10 screwdriver to remove the plastic back piece.  You then place the card in a baking pan face up with the bottom propped up so it does not touch the pan.  Preheat a good oven to 350F (177C) and when the oven is ready, place the pan with the card in the oven for 8 minutes.  Remove and let cool for 10 minutes.  Put the back piece back on, plug the card back in the printer and connect and you have about 50% chance it will now work.  Good Luck.

[PSL43]

Thank you for your reply, David.

Perhaps I should have given a bit more information. I have the printer connected via the USB port, using D-Link software, SharePort Plus. The printer is connected via the USB port on the router. This has worked flawlessly for over two years. Perhaps I should connect the printer directly to the router using a CAT-5 cable? I'll give that a try, but I'll have to find the directions to configure it going that route.

Thanks again for the help! If you can point me to the directions for configuring the printer via a CAT-5 cable on the router, I'd appreciate it.

-Pat Lasley

PSL43

[PSL43]

I have been looking into setting up the 3700n as a network printer via the ethernet connection to the router. However, I understand that I need the setup disk that came with the printer. Unfortunately, I got this second hand and don't have that disk. Can it be done without the setup disk? Can I get a setup disk? The router connection on the router lights up yellow and the light on the printer has a glowing green light next to the cable port.

Interestingly, I can connect the printer via USB cable to any computer in the house directly and it works fine. But D-Link's Sharport Plus utility will no longer see it. I have removed and reinstalled the software three times and used different cables, etc.. Still no luck there.

Well, thanks for any help on that setting up the 3700n as a network printer.

-Pat

PSL43

[davidzuts]

Sounds like the d-link has gone bad.  Plug the ethernet cable into the jetdirect card on the printer and connect the other end to your switch or router.  Now turn on the printer while holding the check mark green button until all 3 lights come on solid. Scroll in the menu until you hit the item cold reset and press the green button.  Now when the printer comes to ready, wait about 2 minutes and then go to the information menu on the printer and print the config page again.  You will now have an ip address.  Use that ip address to load the printer as local tcp/ip printer on the computer.  You will go to add printer, next and click on local printer and on the next page click on the create port at the bottom and in the drop down select standard tcp/ip and then next and follow the prompts on the computer. 

[PSL43]

Thanks for the directions. I got it set up and showing as a printer in printers and devices, but the test page won't print. I updated the drivers but still nothing. So I ran the troubleshooter and it says there's nothing wrong. Then I ran another trouble shooter that said "Printer xxxx cannot be contacted over the network". I'm at a loss. Any other ideas?

The device page for the printer says printer:error. 1 document in que

Thanks,

Pat

PSL43

[davidzuts · Accepted solution]

Can you ping the printer?  If not than 2 things to check.  First go to a dos prompt on the computer and type ipconfig.  It will give the ip address of the computer.  The address will be something like 192.168.1.6, your numbers will be different but make sure the first 3 sets of numbers of your address are the same as the first 3 sets of numbers of the printers ip address.  If not, then most likely you did not do the cold reset correctly and try it again to get a good ip address for the printer.  If you can not ping the printer check out where the ethernet cable connects on both ends and make sure you have link lights.  Report back.

[PSL43]

On my first attempt to ping the printer I got 4 "General Failure" results. Ooops. The printer was turned off. So I turned it back on and got 4  "Request Timed Out" errors.

So I checked the first three sets of numbers in the IP addresses and they did not match.  Originally, I was unable in four attempts to get all three lights to come on and remain on simultaneously. So I scrolled down to configure and reset to factory defaults. When I went to print a configuration page I had an IP address and figured that must be it. I guess not, now.

I will reattempt to get a cold reset. Will report back....

Thanks,

Pat

PSL43

[PSL43]

I cannot perform a cold reset. I have followed your directions about holding the green check mark and turning the printer on and holding the green check mark  until all three status lights remain lit. It never happens. They'll flash one at a time, the printer initiallizes, calibrates, and goes to ready mode. I even continued holding the checkmark for like three or four minutes after the printer went to ready. Still nothing.

Should I remove the jet direct card and try a cold reset? Could that be what is preventing me from being able to do it?

Your help is so greatly appreciated!

[PSL43]

WOOHOO!!!!

David, you are a genius!

I finally was able to get my printer to cold reset. When I turned it on, I waited about a second and a half to press the green check mark. The lights came on and I was able to cold reset. It gave me an IP address in line with the computer and I was able to configure it just as you instructed. AND NOW IT WORKS!!!!

Thank you so much for your help!!!! You are a God send!

-Pat

PSL43