IBM Q&A

Explanation: The End-of-Forms sensor, located on the left side of the printer as the paper enters the printer, detects both end of forms and hole count. If the hole count sensor is not aligned properly, you may get a false forms jam error.

Solution: Loosen the two screws that hold down the End-of-Forms sensor. Locate the small tab along the top edge of the sensor, and align that tab with the holes in the paper. Tighten down the two screws, and try a form feed. If you still get a false forms jam error, try adjusting the sensor slightly left or right.

IBM Model #4230/4232

Explanation: The End-of-Forms sensor, located on the left side of the printer as the paper enters the printer, detects both end of forms and hole count. If the hole count sensor is not aligned properly, you may get a false forms jam error.

Solution: Loosen the two screws that hold down the End-of-Forms sensor. Locate the small tab along the top edge of the sensor, and align that tab with the holes in the paper. Tighten down the two screws, and try a form feed. If you still get a false forms jam error, try adjusting the sensor slightly left or right.

IBM - Model # 4230/4232

Explanation: The paper out sensor needs to be tuned for the specific forms you are using.

Solution: Power the printer off, and remove any paper that is loaded in the machine. Load paper in the tractor assembly, but don't allow it to load any further until the test is completed. Hold the "Stop" and "Test" keys, and power the printer on. When the display reads "Boot Ram Test User," you may release the keys. Wait until the display reads "Single Yes No," and press the key directly under the word "Yes." Next, press the key directly under the word "No" until you reach a T&D test with the name "Pinch Roller/Sensor Tune/Ribbon" (test number varies from model to model), and press the key under the word "Yes." Follow the prompts until the display reads "Test Running To Stop," and press the key under the word "Stop." The sensor is now tuned.

IBM/Compuprint - Model # 4247

Explanation: The printer is not properly detecting the gap between labels, as determined by the "Gap/Mark Sensor" setting in the "Calibrate Ctrl" menu.

Solution: First, check the "Gap/Mark Sensor" setting under "Calibrate Ctrl." If you are using labels with a physical gap between them, set it for "Gap." If you are using labels with a black stripe on the back, set it for "Mark." After setting it up for the correct sensor, run the "Auto Calibrate" in the "Calibrate Ctrl" menu. If the error does not come up again, save your configuration. If you still get the "Gap Not Detected" error, load the Factory Default configuration from the "Config Control" menu and follow the above directions again.

IBM/Printornix - 4400/T5000

Explanation: The printer is detecting that the hammer bank is overheating, and it will either continue to run in half-speed (HB Control Mode) or not at all (Coil Hot). However, this problem will most frequently occur when the Coil Temperature is not properly set.

Solution: If the printer has been running any print jobs, please wait at least 2 hours for the hammer bank to return to normal temperature.
6400 Method - Press the "Stop" key to take the printer offline, then press the "Scroll Up," "Scroll Down," "Enter," and "Return" keys all at the same time. Scroll down until you see "Set Coil Temp" and press "Enter."
P5000 Method - Press the "Online" key to take the printer offline, the press the Up, Down, Left, and Right arrow keys all at the same time. Scroll down until you see "Set Coil Temp" and press "Enter."

IBM/Printronix - 6400/P5000

Explanation: This is normally due to a server on the network assigning the printer an IP address. You can disable this in the printer via HTTP.

Solution: Enter the current IP address of the printer in a browser window. Click on configuration. When prompted the login is "root" the password is blank just hit enter. Click the network link. You will see your current IP address change that to your desired IP address. To the right of your IP address you will have 3 or 4 check boxes labeled "RARP" "BOOTP" "DHCP" and possibly "Reverse DHCP" uncheck all of them. Scroll to the bottom of the web page, click submit. Scroll back to the top of the web page and click the System link. Click the Reboot button.

When your card finishes restarting, it will have your new IP address. So you will need to change the IP address in your address bar if you wish to return to the printer's web page.

IBM/Printronix - 6400 and P5000

Explanation: The printer currently has flash code loaded that supports Coax/Twinax communication. However, if a Coax/Twinax interface is not installed in the machine, it will continuously cycle at power-up.

Solution: Check to see if a Coax/Twinax card was recently removed from the printer and reinstall it. If that doesn't fix the problem, or if there was no Coax/Twinax card to begin with, reflash the printer.

IBM/Printronix - 6400/P5000

Explanation: The printer uses a "phasing" value to determine the best position to strike the page as the shuttle moves from side to side.

Solution: First, remove the black shuttle cover and note the hand-written phasing value on the shuttle assembly, such as PH45. Next, press the Stop key to make the printer "Not Ready". Next, press the Scroll Up and Scroll Down keys simultaneously to unlock the enter key. Then, press Scroll Up, Scroll Down, Enter, and Return simultaneously to enter the Service menu, and press Enter at "Printer Mechanism Tests." Scroll Up until you see "Hammer Phasing" and press enter to start the print test. While the test is running, press the Return key once, scroll up to "Hammer Phase Value," press Enter twice, and enter the phasing value recorded off the shuttle. Press enter to save the value. Next, press Return twice, scroll down to "Printer Mechanism Tests," and press Enter to stop the test. Examine the printout and check for straight H characters. If the text is still shaky, repeat the process above and try adjusting the value by increments of 10, in either a positive or negative direction, until the text looks good.

IBM - 6400

Explanation: The print gap, or platen gap, is adjustable with two 3/32" allen screws on the left and right sides of the platen bar.

Solution: To widen the print gap, turn the platen screws about a quarter-turn in the counter-clockwise direction. If the ribbon has been chewed up, be sure to check for pieces of the ribbon stuck in the ribbon mask.

IBM/Printronix - 6400/P5000

Explanation: The ribbon should be turning the entire time that the shuttle is running. It will change direction once the end of one spool is reached.

Solution: First, check to see if the ribbon hubs are loose or damaged. The ribbon hubs are the black plastic spindles that each ribbon spool mounts onto. If you turn the ribbon hubs by hand, you should feel the steps in the motor. If the ribbon hub is loose, remove it and check for cracks in the hole where the motor spindle goes into. If there is damage, replace the hub. If the hubs appear to be good, check to make sure both ribbon motors are plugged in. You should be able to see the motor plugs under the casting on the left and right sides. If one ribbon motor is turning, try swapping the two motors and see if the problem changes sides. If it does, replace the motor. If the problem stays in the same place, or if both ribbon motors are not turning, replace the CMX board.

IBM/Printronix - 6400/P5000