Dell 3100cn bad drum cartridges?

Question

Approximately one month ago, we replaced the drum cartridge in one of our 3100 printers and then started seeing streaking down the page on all color prints.  We switched the drum cartridge with our other 3100 printer and the streaking moved with the drum cartridge.  The new drum cartridge was under warranty so we ordered a replacement, but when the replacement arrived, the same thing happened.  No matter which printer we put the warranty replacement drum cartridge the color prints have streaking.  Could it be a bad bunch of drum cartridges?  Is anyone else experiencing this with newer drum cartridges?

nailstone · Answer

Yes, that is exactly what has happened with our 3000cn printer.  Within 2 weeks of replacing the drum cartridge the coloured text smears, black is fine.  I had no idea what was causing the problem and the 'help' info didn't help.  At least you have identified that the drum cartridge is the source of the problem.  I'd better contact Dell as the cartridge is still in warrantly.

nailstone · Answer

Well since my last post a technician at Dell thought that the drum was the problem.  Running a test page for each of the 3 colours plus black showed that the smudges/smears were in exactly the same place for all 3 colours, but the black printed fine.  The replacement drum cartridge cured the problem for only about 2 weeks and now we find the smears appearing again.  It is very strange and although the drum cartridge could be replaced, there seems little point if that one will go the same way.

StevenBerbiers · Answer

Dear Fiends,

I see this problem occuring quite often in this forum:
http://forums.us.dell.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=S2500&message.id=8067
http://forums.us.dell.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=S2500&message.id=7738

Could a Dell admin with the help of a technician find out what exactly the problem is?

A\Are there customers who don't have this problem anymore after they had received a replacement drum? To be sure that the problem disappeared, you should have printed a representative amount of pages (like 150 colored pages) to state that the problem has gone.

B\If replacing the drum doesn't help what is the problem then?
-all drums are bad?
-other problem?

==> Is it useful to order replacement drums or what actions should be taken?

In my case I had a replacement drum too, described problem of smudges appeared within 2 weeks again.

Kind regards,
Steven Berbiers

ajrigoni · Answer

Last week, Tech Support recommended that I upgrade the firmware using the download at:

http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/type.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=gen&SystemID=PRN_LSR_3100CN&os=WW1&osl=en&deviceid=6673&libid=40

After the upgrade, all the prints including color seemed to work fine. I just printed a test page this morning and the smearing is back and in the exact same spots.

Message Edited by ajrigoni on 10-11-2006 11:33 AM

StevenBerbiers · Answer

Hello ajrigoni,

I also use the last firmware.
I had this problem with the old and new firmware. So I'm sure it's not firmware related.

I really hope Dell technicians come up with a structural solution.

Best regards,
Steven Berbiers

Printers

Dell 3100cn bad drum cartridges?

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