HP DesignJet 4000

[jpaulsen]

Against my better judgment we purchased a used HP DesignJet 4000. For the most part it works pretty well but we are having trouble with random PDF files.

Several 24" x 36" PDF files with an aerial background won't plot. When I print it using Adobe Reader I can see it in the Windows printer queue but it just disappears when it gets to the plotter. If I plot the same PDF on 11" x 17" to the HP 4000 it plots okay. If I send the same PDF to the HP 1050 at 24" x 36" it plots okay.

Today we are seeing additional problems with PDF files. In these cases we get erroneous lines on the plot, some of which look like the ink got smeared while it was wet but that is not the cause.

Has anyone else used the HP 4000 for printing PDF files? Have the PDF files plotted okay for you? Have you seen similar issues to the ones I describe?

[Coloradomrg]

Haven't used the 4000, but...

Did you make sure the drivers and firmware are all up to date?

If printing through a server, make sure everything is up to date on that end as well.

[jpaulsen]

Yes all the drivers are up to date.

We found if we check "Print as image" in the advanced printer settings we can print the aerial background and the erroneous lines go away. But now all the blacks and grays have a red tinge.

[Coloradomrg]

Printheads replaced, or atleast under their 100% usage? our 800 will do the redish tinge when a printhead is dying. Jacked up printheads also cause all sorts of issues with that machine... can't wait to replace that one!