M5200 Printer problem

Question

DELL M5200 Not using network (USB).

Dell Optiplex SX2800 WinXP

All of a sudden my printer shows: "Change Tray 1 / Plain Letter" and requires me to hit the select button before each print job. I have the latest driver loaded. This happens with MS Word, PDF files and even with Notepad printing. I have tried going through the printer menus but could not find anything that refers to this. Anyone have an idea on how to fix this?

llynster · Answer

was it the fence position? or the linkage?

llynster · Answer

A common problem seen with these trays is the positioning of the rear fence. On the M5200, the paper size is auto-selected dependent on the position of the rear fence in the tray. It's very common to have just added paper, etc., and not lock the rear fence into the correct size position, in this case, 11' or letter size. if the rear fence is off by as much as an 1/8' forward or rearward, the size switches won't correspond to the correct size paper. If you pull out the tray and examine the left side just under the A5 mark, you'll see three little 'nubs' that can protrude from the side of the tray. These 'nubs' press..... or don't press..... switches inside the base of the printer dependent on whether the nub is protruding, or not. If the paper size is letter, the top nub should be retracted, and the next two down should be protruding. Another gotcha is the linkage under the side of tray that atatches the rear fence to the slide that controls the size nubs. Sometimes that linkage gets disconnected and you can slide the rear fence backward and forward and have little/or no effect at all on the nubs.   Hope this helps.

grauci · Answer

That got it.   THANKS!!!!

grauci · Answer

Fence was not locked in position.

llynster · Answer

Something easy then...... glad I could help.

danjessberger · Answer

I was trying to automatically link the two trays on my M5200, and the rear fence issue was preventing them from doing so. Your tip regarding the nubs under the A5 mark really helped me determine the correct location of the rear fence. Thank you so much! You actually helped more than the Dell Tech Support rep I chatted with online, who told me that this printer cannot auto-link trays... You rawk.

-Dan

llynster · Answer

Thanks. This may help others was well. Can you do the accepted solution per this FAQ?

danjessberger · Answer

I am not the original poster and therefore cannot choose an accepted solution.  I can create a new problem and solution if you would like.   -Dan

llynster · Answer

Not really required.... just helps other find the solution the quckest in a thread. Have a good day !!

Printers

M5200 Printer problem

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