AIO 922 Color Contrast Problems

Question

I bought a Dell Dimension 3000 with the AIO 922 printer a couple weeks ago. I am quite happy with the computer, but have been going in cirles with Dell support techs for two weeks about problems with the printer. I noticed a number of postings on the forum about paper feed problems. On mine, the paper is skewed on entry, but straight on exit. However, the leading edge of every page has a little crimp mark where it contacts the paper sensors (ca 2.5' from the left edge of the page). Anyone else noticing that? The problem occurs when the paper is actually feeding, not when I am inserting it into the paper 'tray.' My bigger problem is with poor color contrast in normal (not draft or photo) print mode on plain quality inkjet paper. I've got a test photo that is in shades of blue, and the 922 shows very poor detail, even at 1200 dpi, compared to my 8-year-old Epson Stylus Color 600 at 360 dpi. I suspect it of being an inherent flaw in the design of the printer or the color cartridge, but it could be a software problem or that the default sRGB color space is inadequate to the photo. I've tried using AdobeRGB and E0029_1, the color profile my Epson uses, with the 922 but the results are no better. It's not just blues. If I alter the hue of the photo so that it is in shades of red or green, the color contrast on the page is as poor. 1) Can anyone tell me whether there is a fix for poor color contrast in normal print mode on the 922, or whether it is the result of a design flaw in the printer or cartridge; or 2) How do you get past the front line of Dell support techs, who know nothing beyond what is scripted for them in their support manuals, to talk to an actual printer expert? Thanks, Terry

Printboy007 · Answer

I'll try to address some of your concerns here:

"On mine, the paper is skewed on entry, but straight on exit."

This is normal behavior for the 922, the paper pick is not perfectly centered, so while it might appear to be skewed initially, it will straighten out.

"However, the leading edge of every page has a little crimp mark where it contacts the paper sensors (ca 2.5" from the left edge of the page)"

Again, this is normal for the 922. This is also related to where the paper pick is located, it's about 2.5" from the left edge of paper, thus causing the small bite mark when it grabs/feeds the sheet.

"My bigger problem is with poor color contrast in normal (not draft or photo) print mode on plain quality inkjet paper."

Here it becomes a bit stickier. ;) For starters, are you using a regular color/black cartridge combo, or are you using the photo/color cartridge combo. Does this happen on photo/glossy paper, or just plain paper? Have you attempted to print an alignment page and a cleaning page since you've noticed these problems? You could have several color nozzles that are clogged and aren't firing properly right now, performing those steps might help clear it up. There is no inherent design flaw with the 922 that should be causing the concerns that you are listing here when it comes to photo printing, so more than likely it sounds as if you have a printhead/cartridge related issue. If that indeed is your problem, worst case scenario is to simply have Dell replace the faulty color cartridge with one that works. Don't give up just yet!

Message Edited by Printboy007 on 05-26-2005 04:26 PM

william_the_sco · Answer

Printboy is exactly correct.

Terry Morse · Answer

Printboy is nearly perfectly correct, and I want to thank him for responding.

However, am surprised at the casual way he (or anybody) accepts the crimping problem due to what clearly is a design flaw in the 922: the way in which the paper feed (or pick) picks up paper. I don't understand why any user or Dell would consider this acceptable.

As to the color issue, cleaning the print heads had no effect. Remembering that I am interested in normal, not photo, printing (e.g., printing a report that includes photos), I found that I could get acceptable contrast by lying to the 922 and telling it I was printing on photo/glossy paper, even though it was really plain paper. Thus, I would say that there are software issues as well, but they are surmountable if you don't mind lying. :-) Under the circumstances, I don't.

Thanks again for responding.

Terry

Printboy007 · Answer

'However, am surprised at the casual way he (or anybody) accepts the crimping problem due to what clearly is a design flaw in the 922: the way in which the paper feed (or pick) picks up paper. I don't understand why any user or Dell would consider this acceptable.'   Dell is not the only printer manufacturer to employ this method for paper picking, and certainly is not the only manufacturer that will leave a small bite where the paper is picked.  I have seen instances where the bite was much larger than it should be, due to a faulty piece of hardware.  I'm wondering if this is maybe what you are seeing.  Without looking at the actual results, I can't be sure.  As far as it being a design flaw with the 922, in some respect it is.  Since the paper feed is not perfectly centered, it has to pull the sheet a bit harder than it should, thus leaving a somewhat larger bite.  Moving forward, all future products will have the paper pick perfectly centered to help address this type of concern...

Terry Morse · Answer

Thanks, Printboy. I have tried two AIO 922s, and both had the same problem to the same extent, so I don't think it is a problem with the specific printer. I have used both Epson (Stylus Color 600) and HP (970cxi) printers, and have never encountered the page crimping problem. Pity Dell didn't recognize it as a problem and fix it before they started marketing printers. Soon as I can afford it, I will mostly likely purchase a newer Epson or HP model and dump my Dell (it came bundled with my computer system).

Terry

Printboy007 · Answer

Epson is usually pretty good about not having the bite.  However, some of the HP models you need to be wary of, especially their c-path models (models that pull the paper from the bottom tray).  If the bite mark is a major concern, I'd recommend the Epson.  Good luck, hopefully the Epson will work out to be 100% trouble free for you!

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