kwadguy,

Thank you for using the Dell Community Forum.

Do all pictures come out the same way? If so, the photo cartridge could be defective.

Hi:

They do all come out the same way. I replaced the cartridge and paper with brand new ones. Exact same problem. I see elsewhere on these forums (very old posts) that others have also observed the same problem. I also found that people who have Kodak EasyShare photo printers (which are basically the same, under a different name--both printers are made for the respective nameplates by Alps) have experienced the same problem.

In all, this appears to be the result of a design defect in these printers. Obviously Dell isn't going to fix it for me, as it's way out of warranty. But it would be nice if Dell would at least acknowledge the problem and offer a potential user solution...

kwadguy,

Just a hunch or two.

What operating system are you using? I only see drivers for 2000/XP.

540	There is no specific Windows Vista printer driver available for this product. For more information on using this printer within Windows Vista, see the following Knowledge Base Article: "Usage limitations for a Dell Photo Printer 540 running Microsoft® Windows Vista™." Article ID: 309259

Did you try start, control panel, printers, your printer, printer preferences and make sure the proper paper selection was selected?

Rick

Hi Just experienced the same problem as many....
I didn't used the printer for about a year, and did load a new cartridge and paper befor putting the printer in the box for storage.
So Today I started with 40 sheets of paper and a new cartrdige.
Although everyone is speaking about half the page, I thinks its more a third of a page.
WIth a jagged edge of the diffrent colour layers.

My guess is this:
As it should probably a thermal transfer for the foil to stick to the paper, it has got to do something with the thermal device.
As warranty has been expired, I'll try to open it later and have a look at it.

As for the "no paper" messsage:
There's a little metal strip on the bottom of the paper entry side.
I noticed tha this strip was upwards and was resting on top of the paper instead of lifting it.
A few hours later, it was back to its normal place, and the message disapeard too.

PS - it has nothing to do with the OS - I am printing from an SD photocard

Exactly the same problem  with the 540 - prints just under half the page. I tried a new cartridge and exactly same problem. My warranty is also long expired so I am happy to open it up  because it is unusable currently.

let me know if anyone can solve this. You would think Dell would take a little bit of interest in helping us repair it. Just when my kids are now old enough to use it and ask "Daddy can you print us that picture"............:emotion-9:

Macgary,

Don't know if this will help or not. Tryreading page 23 in the 540 Manual. It really starts at page 21.

Rick

Has anyone found a solution to the problem with the Dell 540 printing only half the page lenghtwise.  I have the same problem and have done all the same things noted here.  I do not use my printer too often as well.

Thanks,

this is probably why Dell has stopped sellingthese printers quite a while ago

We have experienced the same problem and have changed the ribbon cartridge but it has not helped.

Test page print still prints only half the picture.

We could really use some help here.

Jim

See the following link:

www.instructables.com/.../Repairing-a-Kodak-500-Photo-Printer

While slightly different printter, the problem and the repair are identical.

This person has done a great job explaining the fix.  It works!

Due to age, this thread will be locked.

If you need assistance, please create a new thread in the proper Dell Support Forums

Thank you,

Rick