thin horizontal black line at BOTTOM of page when scan on HP Officejet Pro 8600 Plus

[globalist]

Jason,

Thank you for the tip on Adobe Reader. I was under the impression that I had the latest version because checking for updates resulted in the "No updates available" message. However, according to Adobe's website, Adobe Reader XI version 11.0.2 and Adobe Reader X version 10.1.6 are both dated 2/20/2013 --another of those software mysteries.

Usually I do not shy away from a technology challenge. But I these days I have little time to do troubleshooting. I have considered the possiblity that the problem could have something to do with the particular version of the Officejet Pro 8600 Plus I have (the one made for COSTCO and Sam's Club) or with Windows 8.

I returned the printer to COSTCO this morning --which I regretted since I have been very satisfied with the quality and performance of the Officejet line over the years.

I will let you know how it goes with the replacement printer. I will make a purchase decision by tomorrow.

[jason_h]

I understand the constraints of time for sure.  I am sorry to hear you had to return the printer, but also understand the reasoning behind it.  I am interested to hear of your purchase decision and how it turns out.

Feel free to post here again on the forums any questions you may have about the product if you get another HP printer as there are many experts available who are more than willing to assist.

Best of luck, 

Jason

[KenAlker]

Jason,

I have also tried copying pages and I do not get the black lines when copying.  However, I defiantely get them along the bottom every time when scanning from the document feeder.  I have tried scanning to all 6 documents types (PDF Color compressed, PDF color, PDF black, JPEG color, JPEG grayscale, and TIFF black) and all have the same issue.  When I scan from the flat-bed I DO NOT get the same line along the botom of the page (but instead, a line much closer to the top, as stated previously).  Frankly, the issue I'm having with the line along the bottom of the document when using the document feeder is much more prominent and disruptive to the final document.  I'm not as concerned about the line at the top when using the flat-bed and I'm not sure it is as reproducable or is even the same problem.

I'd like to focus on the line along the bottom of the scans that happens whenever using the document feeder.

I am using an older version of Windows Picture and Fax Viewer to view the JPG and TIFF output and an older version of Adobe reader as well as the absolute latest version of Adobe reader to view the PDF's and I get the same results in every case.  I'm relatively convinced that the artifact is in the document itself and is being put there by the HP scanner and is not being rendered artibrarly by the viewer.  Every viewer (new or old) shows the line identically.

The most important piece of information is that I am using exactly the same software on the same computer that I used with my 8500 (as far as readers goes; but I'm using the latest 8600 drivers from the HP website since I upgraded to the 8600).  My 8500 (A909g) did NOT have this issue.  I'm convinced this is being caused by the HP when scanning from the document scanner despite the fact that copies don't produce the same issue.

I'll bet if you tried this on an 8600 (N911g) in your lab that you'd see the same issue - can you try that out?  Do the Costco 8600's use the same firmware as the non-Costco 8600's?

I really do not want to take my printer back and start all over again so I'll do any testing you want and even send you images of my scans if you can take this to engineering to figure out why this is happening when it did not on the 8500.

Sincerely,

Ken Alker

[jason_h]

Hey Ken,

If the line is coming from ADF only, then make sure to shine a flashlight at the thin strip of glass to the left on the flatbed of the printer.  This is the strip of glass used when scanning from the ADF.  Try cleaning this region with a lint-free cloth and gentle glass cleaner.  Make sure not to spray the cleaner on the printer, but instead on the cloth then wipe the glass.

As well, I have access to N911a, N911g, and N911n models (base, plus, and premium) where I am at.  I will perform a fresh install of an 8600 Plus and perform a scan. I will let you know the results.

As to the firmware:  All N911g models use the same firmware.  The firmware isn't different depending on the retailer of purchase.

[globalist]

Jason: Ken accurately described what I experienced. My recolletion is that scanning from the flatbed results in a line that is much closer to the border of the page while scanning from the ADF results in a line that is farther from the page border and therefore more prominent. "Disruptive" was a great word choice.

Ken: Are you using Windows 8?

[jason_h]

Hey,

I have an 8600 Plus (N911g) with the latest firmware (ending 1304AR) and installed it through a wireless connection (Netgear N600 router) on a Windows 8 64-bit Enterprise PC.

I performed a scan through the ADF and the result was as seen below:

I believe the issue may be device specific or computer specific.  If this issue is occuring across multiple computers, then I would agree that this appears to be an issue with your specific 8600.  

If your N911g is in warranty, then I would advise calling HP Tech Support about this issue.  If you are in the US or Canada the number to dial is 1-800-474-6836.  If you are in a different region please click here for the global contact list for HP Tech Support.

[globalist]

Jason,

Was that a "legal size" (8.5" x 14") image?

[jason_h]

This was a US Letter (8.5x11) scan through the ADF.  It was simply what was in the printer's tray.  I can find some Legal paper for a scan as well. Is this the size you are experiencing the trouble with?

[PESDK]

I have a similar problem with an Officejet Pro 8620 - the thread is here: http://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Printer-All-in-One-Install-Setup/ADF-Scan-black-line-at-bottom/td-p/485... (if anybody shoud be interested).