MORE INFORMATION
BIN TERMINOLOGY
Paper Cassette
The LaserJet 4 has a slot for a paper tray near the base of the front of
the printer. You can insert a letter tray that holds letter-size paper, or
you can insert a legal tray that holds legal-size paper. There is also an
optional universal tray, which uses an adjusting knob to set the paper size
available. Because the physical size of these trays differs, the printer
has internal sensors that can detect what type of tray it is (letter or
legal) and therefore know what type of paper is being loaded into this
slot. With the optional universal tray, the paper size is detected through
the position of the paper-size adjusting knob. This is called "auto-
detecting" the paper size.
The Multipurpose (or MP) Tray
The MP tray is a door that drops down on the front of the printer above the
paper cassette. The door can drop down a level and has sliders so that you
can put different sizes of paper in it. It looks like a manual-feed tray;
however, unlike a manual-feed tray, with the MP tray, you can load a small
stack of paper (100 sheets) instead of only one sheet at a time.
Because you can load 100 sheets of paper, you can use the MP tray as a
second paper source. This is why HP calls it a multipurpose tray rather
than a manual-feed tray.
NOTE: Because you can put any size paper in the MP tray, you must configure
it to correctly match the paper you are using. (This is done on the control
panel on the printer.)
Optional Envelope Feeder
This is an optional box that is hooked into the front of the printer. It
holds envelopes only.
NOTE: Many people think they have an envelope feeder, when, in fact, they
are using an MP tray. Finding out whether you have a true envelope feeder
or are using the MP tray to load envelopes is very important--this
determines whether you have two or three possible paper sources.
The printer can detect when an optional envelope feeder is installed
because this device hooks into a special spot on the front of the printer.
Although the printer can tell an envelope feeder is installed, it cannot
tell what size envelope is loaded in the feeder. The envelope size also
must be configured using the front control panel of the printer.
Once the feeder is installed, you have 15 seconds to change the envelope
size; otherwise, the printer selects the default value (COM 10).
Optional Lower Cassette
This is an optional tray that the printer sits on top of. It holds up to
500 sheets of paper. There are two types of lower cassettes available:
standard, which supports letter, A4, and executive; and universal, which
supports letter, legal, A4, and executive.
HOW DOES THE HP LASERJET 4 DETERMINE WHICH BIN TO PRINT FROM?
This section explains how the HP LaserJet 4 determines which bin to use
when you print from Word under a variety of configurations and scenarios.
Configuration: No Optional Envelope Feeder or Lower Cassette Installed
If your printer does not have an optional envelope feeder or lower cassette
installed, the two possible paper sources are the MP tray and the paper
cassette:
MP Tray You tell the printer what size paper is loaded
using the Paper Size button on the control panel on
the front of the printer.
Paper Cassette Tells the printer what size paper it contains
(letter or legal).
Scenario 1: Print Envelope from Word
Printer Configuration: Printer contains letter paper cassette, and the MP
tray is configured for legal size paper.
Problem:
When you print a COM 10 size envelope from Word, the printer
displays the following message: [MP LOAD COM 10]. This error
occurs because the printer does not contain a COM 10 paper
source. The printer cannot pull from the paper cassette because
it tells the printer it contains letter size paper. Further, it
cannot pull from the MP tray because you configured that tray
for legal size paper. The printer goes offline and requests the
correct size paper.
Resolution:
Load up to ten envelopes in the MP tray and press the Continue
button to begin printing. If you want to print more than ten
envelopes without pressing the Continue button, reconfigure the
MP tray for envelopes. This resolves the conflict between the
requested and available paper sizes.
Scenario 2: Print Envelope from Word
Printer Configuration: Printer contains the letter cassette and the MP tray
is configured for COM 10 size envelopes.
NOTE: With this configuration, when you send a COM 10 envelope from Word,
the printer pulls an envelope from the MP tray without going offline or
displaying any error message. In other words, everything works correctly.
Problem:
If you print a legal size page from Word and select MP Tray for
the Paper Source setting, the printer goes offline and displays
the [MP FEED LEGAL] error. The printer assumes the MP tray
contains envelopes, so it prompts you to remove the envelopes
and add legal paper to the tray. Similarly, if you print a
legal size page from Word and select Upper Cassette, Lower
Cassette, or Auto Select for the Paper Source setting, the
printer goes offline and displays the [PC LOAD LEGAL] error.
The printer assumes you want to print from the legal paper
cassette, so it prompts you to remove the letter paper cassette
and insert the legal paper cassette.
Resolution:
Either place a legal size sheet in the MP tray or switch to the
legal paper cassette and then press the Continue button. To
avoid the error message altogether, either configure the MP
tray for legal size paper or insert the legal cassette before
you print.
Configuration: Envelope feeder Installed, No Lower Cassette Installed
The three possible paper sources are the MP tray, paper cassette, and the
optional envelope feeder:
MP Tray You tell the printer what size paper is loaded
using the Paper Size button on the control panel on
the front of the printer.
Paper Cassette Tells the printer what size paper it contains
(letter or legal).
Envelope Feeder You tell the printer what size envelopes are
loaded using the Paper Size button on the
printer.
Scenario 1: Print Legal Paper
Printer Configuration: Printer contains the letter paper cassette, the MP
tray is configured for legal size paper, and the envelope feeder is
configured for COM 10 size envelopes.
NOTE: With this configuration, when you print a COM 10 envelope to the
envelope feeder, the printer pulls an envelope from the envelope feeder
without going offline or displaying any error message. In other words,
everything works correctly.
Problem:
If you print a COM 10 envelope with the Paper Source set to
Manual Feed, the printer goes offline and displays the [ME FEED
COM 10] error, even though the envelope feeder contains the
correct size envelope. To continue, remove the legal paper from
the MP tray, place a COM 10 envelope in the MP tray, and press
the Online button to print.
Similarly, if you print a Monarch size envelope from Word with
the Paper Source set to Envelope Feeder, the printer goes
offline and displays the [EE LOAD MONARCH] error to prompt you
to put a Monarch size envelope in the envelope feeder. Word
does not pull an envelope from the envelope feeder because it
is set for COM 10 size envelopes, not Monarch. If you place a
Monarch envelope in the feeder, the printer resumes printing
automatically. (You do not have to press the Continue button.)
Resolution:
You can either put a Monarch size envelope in the feeder, or
you can put the envelope in the MP tray and press the Continue
button on the printer. If you want to avoid the error message,
reconfigure your envelope feeder for Monarch size envelopes.
BIN SELECTION FLOWCHART
Below is a flow chart that provides a visual representation of the bin
selection process on the HP LaserJet 4. Remember that when you select Paper
Source and Paper settings in Word, the printer complies with that request
only if you configured the printer for the requested paper size and source
as well. In other words, the printer configuration must match the Word
settings to print without displaying an error. This behavior is consistent
with the bin-selection functionality of all HP multibin printers.
IMPORTANT: If you change the MP Tray setting from CASS to FIRST using the
menu on the control panel of the printer, the printer first checks the MP
tray for the correct paper size instead of first checking the lower trays.
Word Sends a
Paper Size to
the Printer.
|
|
|
Does Print Job
Paper Size Equal
Size Set for the
Lower Trays?
/ \
/ \
NO / \ YES
/ \
/ \
/ \
/ \
/ \
Does Print Print Job
Job Paper to the
Size Equal Lower Trays.
Size in MP
Tray?
/ \
/ \
NO / \ YES
/ \
/ \
/ \
/ \
Go Offline Print Job to
and Ask for MP Tray.
Paper Size.
GLOSSARY OF PRINTER PANEL [FEED...] MESSAGES
The errors on the printer usually display the paper size it is trying to
print and the bin it is trying to print from. Below is a list of the
printer error messages, along with the causes and troubleshooting methods
you can use for each.
EE LOAD <Envelope Size>
Meaning:
The printer received a request for an envelope that
is not loaded in the optional envelope feeder.
Troubleshooting Tips:
The printer has an envelope feeder, but it is
configured for an envelope size that does not match
the Paper Size setting in Word.
Resolution:
Place the envelope in the MP tray and press the
Continue button or reconfigure the envelope feeder to
match the envelope size you want to print.
MF FEED <Paper Size>
NOTE: Possible <paper size> settings are Letter, Legal, Exec, and A4.
Meaning:
Word requested manual feed bin as the paper source.
Troubleshooting Tips:
If the error occurs even though the MP tray
contains the correct size paper, you need to change
the Paper Source setting in Word from Manual Feed
to MP Tray (this assumes your MP tray is configured
for the requested paper size). Alternatively, you
can place the paper in the MP tray and press the
Online button (in other words, feed the paper
manually).
If you are using a standard Page Size setting and
then adjusting the margin settings to print on a
custom paper size, you need to configure your MP
tray for the requested paper size. In addition,
make sure the Page Size setting in Word matches the
MP tray paper size setting.
ME FEED <Envelope Size>
NOTE: Possible <envelope size> settings are COM 10, Monarch, DL, C5, and
B5.
Meaning:
The printer prompts you to place an envelope in the MP
tray, even though the envelope feeder contains the
correct size envelope.
Troubleshooting Tip:
The Paper Source setting in Word is Manual Feed, so
the printer does not automatically pull the correct
size envelope from the envelope feeder.
Resolutions:
Place the envelope in the MP tray and press the
Online button.
-or-
Change the Paper Source setting in Word to MP Tray
and configure the MP tray for the correct envelope
size.
-or-
Change the Paper Source setting in Word to Envelope
Feeder and configure the envelope feeder for the
correct envelope size. To use this method in Word
2.x, you must also select the Envelope Feeder Has
Been Installed option under the Print category in
the Options dialog box. (To access this dialog box,
choose Options from the Tools menu.)
<xx> LOAD <Envelope or Paper Size>
NOTE: The following are the possible settings for the variables in the
above error message:
- <xx> can be MP (multipurpose tray), PC (paper cassette), or LC (optional
lower cassette)
- <Paper size> can be Letter, Legal, Exec, or A4
- <Envelope size> can be COM 10, Monarch, DL, C5, or B5
Meaning:
The printer received a request for a paper or envelope
size that is not available in the printer.
Troubleshooting Tip:
The error message indicates the paper size and source
Word requested. This size should match the page size
of your document, except when you are creating a
custom page size using a standard Page Size setting
and adjusted margins. If the printer tray contains the
correct paper size, that tray is probably not
correctly configured.
Resolution:
Load the correct paper into the MP tray and press the
Continue button, or configure the MP tray for the
paper size it contains.
HOW TO CONFIGURE THE MP TRAY
NOTE: This procedure also appears on page 3-25 of the "LaserJet 4 User's
Guide."
- On the front panel of the printer, press the Online button to switch
the printer offline.
- Press the Menu button five times so [CONFIG MENU] appears in the LCD
display.
- Press the Item button once so [MP TRAY= ] appears in the LCD display.
- Press the +/- button until [MP TRAY=CASS] appears.
- Press the Enter button so [MP TRAY = CASS*] appears. This enters your
choice.
- Press the Online button to switch the printer online.
- Press the Online button to reset the printer and switch it offline.
- Press the Shift+Reset buttons to reset the printer to factory default
settings.
- Press Online to switch the printer online.
- Press the Paper Size button. [MP TRAY = ...] appears in the LCD
display.
- Press the +/- button until the paper size you have loaded in the MP
tray appears.
- Press the Enter button to lock your choice.
- Press the Online button to switch the printer online.
HOW TO CONFIGURE THE OPTIONAL ENVELOPE FEEDER
When the optional envelope feeder is installed, the printer briefly
displays [EE TRAY = COM 10] when you turn on the printer. After about 15
seconds, the display changes to [00 READY]. To reconfigure the envelope
feeder, you must make the changes before the display changes to [00 READY].
If the display changes to [00 READY] before you reconfigure the envelope
feeder, turn off the printer then turn it on again (or remove the envelopes
from the feeder and then replace them) to display the [EE TRAY = COM 10]
message again.
- Make sure the envelope feeder is properly installed.
- Restart the printer by turning it off and then on.
-or-
Reset the envelope feeder by removing the envelopes from the envelope
feeder and then putting them back.
The printer displays [EE TRAY = COM10] (or another envelope size).
- On the front panel of the printer, press the +/- button until your
envelope size displays. The possible choices are COM 10, Monarch, C5,
DL, and B5.
- When your envelope size is displayed, press the Enter key to lock your
choice.
- Press the Online button.
SAMPLE PRINTING SCENARIOS
This section describes the results of a wide variety of printing
configurations. All the scenarios use version 1.27 of the HP LaserJet 4/4M
driver and Word 6.0 for Windows. In all cases, a COM 10 size envelope is
printed from the Envelopes And Labels dialog box. (To open this dialog box,
choose Envelopes And Labels from the Tools menu.) All modifications to
Paper Source settings are done by choosing the Options button in the
Envelopes And Labels dialog box and then selecting the Printing Options
tab.
No Optional Envelope Feeder Installed
Scenario 1
Configuration:
- Letter tray is installed
- MP tray paper size is configured for COM 10 size envelopes
- Printer driver Paper Source is set for Auto Select
- Printing an envelope with the Paper Source set to Manual Feed
Results:
Printer goes offline and displays [ME FEED COM 10] error.
- Load an envelope in the MP tray.
- Press online to print the envelope from the MP tray.
- Printing an envelope with the Paper Source set to Paper Cassette
Results:
(With the MP tray empty)
Printer goes offline and displays [MP LOAD COM 10] error.
- Load an envelope in the MP tray.
- Printer automatically pulls envelope from the MP tray.
(With an envelope loaded in the MP tray) - Printer automatically pulls
envelope from the MP tray without going offline.
- Printing an envelope with the Paper Source set to Lower Cassette
Results: Same as Paper Cassette (Scenario 1B above)
- Printing an envelope with the Paper Source set to MP Tray
Results: Same as Paper Cassette (Scenario 1B above)
- Printing an envelope with the Paper Source set to Envelope Feeder
Results: Same as Paper Cassette (Scenario 1B above)
- Printing an envelope with the Paper Source set to Auto Select
Results: Same as Paper Cassette (Scenario 1B above)
- Printing an envelope with the Paper Source set to Default Tray
Results: Same as Paper Cassette (Scenario 1B above)
Scenario 2
Configuration:
- Letter tray is installed
- MP tray is configured for letter size paper
- Printer driver Paper Source set to Auto Select
- Printing an envelope with the Paper Source set to Manual
Results:
Printer goes offline and displays [ME FEED COM 10] error.
- Load an envelope in the MP tray.
- Press online to print the envelope from the MP tray.
- Printing an envelope with the Paper Source set to Paper Cassette
Results:
Printer goes offline and displays [MP LOAD COM 10] error.
- Load an envelope in the MP tray.
- Press the Shift+Continue buttons to print the envelope from the
MP tray.
- Printing an envelope with the Paper Source set to Lower Cassette
Results: Same as Paper Cassette (Scenario 2B above)
- Printing an envelope with the Paper Source set to MP Tray
Results: Same as Paper Cassette (Scenario 2B above)
- Printing an envelope with the Paper Source set to Envelope Feeder
Results: Same as Paper Cassette (Scenario 2B above)
- Printing an envelope with the Paper Source set to Auto Select
Results: Same as Paper Cassette (Scenario 2B above)
- Printing an envelope with the Paper Source set to Default Tray
Results: Same as Paper Cassette (Scenario 2B above)
Optional Envelope Feeder Installed
Scenario 1
Configuration:
- Envelope feeder is configured for COM 10 size envelopes
- Letter tray is installed
- MP tray is configured for letter size paper
- Printer driver Paper Source set to Auto Select
- Printing an envelope with the Paper Source set to Manual
Results:
Printer goes offline and displays [ME FEED COM 10] error.
- Load an envelope in the MP tray.
- Press online to print the envelope from the MP tray.
- Printing an envelope with the Paper Source set to Paper Cassette
Result: Envelope automatically prints from the envelope feeder
- Printing an envelope with the Paper Source set to Lower Cassette
Result: Envelope automatically prints from the envelope feeder
- Printing an envelope with the Paper Source set to MP Tray
Result: Envelope automatically prints from the envelope feeder
- Printing an envelope with the Paper Source set to Envelope Feeder
Result: Envelope automatically prints from the envelope feeder
- Printing an envelope with the Paper Source set to AutoSelect
Result: Envelope automatically prints from the envelope feeder
- Printing an envelope with the Paper Source set to Default Tray
Result: Envelope automatically prints from the envelope feeder
Scenario 2
Configuration:
- Envelope feeder is configured for COM 10 size envelopes
- Letter tray is installed
- MP Tray is configured for COM 10 size envelopes
- Printer driver Paper Source is set to Auto Select
- Printing an envelope with the Paper Source set to Manual
Results:
Printer goes offline and displays [ME FEED COM 10] error.
- Load an envelope in the MP tray.
- Press online to print the envelope from the MP tray.
- Printing an envelope with the Paper Source set to Paper Cassette
Result: Envelope automatically prints from the envelope feeder
- Printing an envelope with the Paper Source set to Lower Cassette
Result: Envelope automatically prints from the envelope feeder
- Printing an envelope with the Paper Source set to MP Tray
Results:
- Envelope automatically prints from the MP tray if it contains paper.
- Envelope automatically prints from the envelope feeder if the MP tray is
empty.
- Printing an envelope with the Paper Source set to Envelope Feeder
Result: Envelope automatically prints from the envelope feeder
- Printing an envelope with the Paper Source set to Auto Select
Result: Envelope automatically prints from the envelope feeder
- Printing an envelope with the Paper Source set to Default Tray
Result: Envelope automatically prints from the envelope feeder
PRINTING CUSTOM PAPER SIZES
Word generally creates custom paper sizes by internally selecting the
closest paper size supported by the printer and increasing the margins so
that the text prints in the correct location on the supported paper size.
The following steps describe what usually happens when you print a custom
paper size from Word:
- Word formats the document for letter size paper and increases the margin
settings to create the correct print area on the custom size paper.
The printer does not know that you want to print on custom size paper;
it knows only that Word requested letter size paper.
- The printer looks for letter size paper.
- If the MP tray is configured for letter size paper, the printer
automatically prints from the MP tray. (Frequently, your MP tray already
contains letter size paper, so the document prints correctly and no
printer error occurs.)
On the other hand, if your MP tray is configured for a different size
paper, the printer searches the other paper sources and prints from
there if it finds the correct size paper. This usually prints the
document in the wrong position on the page.
Resolution: Configure your MP tray for letter size paper.
HINTS FOR TROUBLESHOOTING BIN SELECTION PROBLEMS
- Make sure the printer is reset by pressing the SHIFT+MENU buttons on
the printer.
- Make sure the Paper Source setting in the printer driver is set to
Auto Select.
- For envelopes, make sure Paper Source setting is correct; for example,
do not select Envelope Feeder if your printer does not have an optional
envelope feeder.
- Whenever you want to print from the MP tray, make sure the MP tray is
configured to match the paper size you want to print.
- Note the error message on the printer. This usually indicates the paper
size Word is requesting for the print job. Configure the MP tray for
this paper size.
- Make sure you have a current version of your printer driver.