graifer@net1.ucsd.edu (Dan Graifer) (05/30/87)
The following is a summary of the responses to my two questions about
the ImageWriterII. One was correcting poor print quality in BEST mode.
The other was obtaining Bi-directional printing in FASTER mode.
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From: seismo!cmcl2!cucard!dasys1!davids@sdcsvax (David Schenfeld)
Hi,
If the problem is that you cannot get the print head close enough to
print well, I had the same problem. There is an adjustment screw on the
paper thickness lever.
Hope this helps you. By the way the screw is hard to get to when plastic case
on because the screw is facing the outside case.
Good Luck!
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From: seismo!uiucdcs!uiucuxc!tikal!phred!jeffp@sdcsvax{Jeff Parke}
If you get any wisdom on the faint pixel problem, please let me know. I
see some lightness in my printer as well, which isn't to the point of being
real compromising, but going in that direction. One theory I've poorly tested
is that the print head may be more prone to this when first turned on. My
printer is in a room kept about 50 degrees....
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From dplatt@teknowledge-vaxc.arpa (dave platt)
(Long message suggesting pins in head are bent or stuck. Suggestions:
Not sure anyway to clean/lubricate
Apple repair policy is probably to replace module, but call dealer
Find non Apple repair shop to try and fix
Try lubricating with fine oil such as "Tri-Flow"
(Warning incorrect lubrication may destroy head)
He also had a summary paragraph of why more recent ImageWriter Drivers don't
do bi-directional printing (alignment problems)
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From seismo!philabs!aecom!naftoli@sdcsvax (Robert N. Berlinger)
To get your ImageWriter II to print bidirectionally in Faster mode,
hold down OPTION, SHIFT, and CAPS LOCK together before clicking on
the OK to print button. You only have to do this once.
Love undocumented features!
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Since these arrived, my June '87 issue of MacUser has arrived. On page 125
there is a very interesting article about improving ImageWriter II performance.
This contains the undocumented feature mentioned by Robert Berlinger, and
suggestions for the use of the printers internal proportional font. (some
thing I asked on the net some time ago, and was told wouldn't work.) Page
152 also has some comments from Apple's Dan Cochran telling how to undo this
feature (bi-directional printing) (hold down command key when clicking OK in
the print dialogue)
I've tried the Option-Shift-CapsLock technique, and it works great. Noticably
faster, although the printout can be a bit wavy. I haven't tried adjusting
the print lever, or lubricating the print head yet.
Dan Graifer
graifer@net1.UCSD.EDU
Disclaimer: Nobody ever listens to me anyways; Why should they start now?