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PCL Printer Driver Help Contents
PCL Printer Driver Help
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Printer Driver Basics Working with Paper Adjusting Print Quality Working with Fonts Setting Options Common Print Problems


A Note about This Help File

Because the PCL Printer Driver works with several different printers, some of the information in this Help file may not relate to your printer.  In topics that pertain only to a specific printer or printers, a blue heading directly above the text window tells you which printer or printers the information relates to.  In more general topics that pertain to several printers but that contain printer-specific information as well, the relevant printers are listed (horizontally) in blue directly above the text window.  In this latter type of topic, just click on your printer type in this list to scroll to the appropriate information.


Printer Driver Basics

A printer driver is software that allows your computer to communicate with a printer and to use most of your printer's features.  When you print from an application, the application talks to the printer through the printer driver.  You can also access the printer driver directly.  In the Print dialog box in most Windows applications, choose the Setup button; or click the Printers icon in the Windows Control Panel and then choose the Setup button.

Usually, you will want to access the printer driver to change the way your printer behaves.  For instance, you might want to have the printer use paper from a different tray than it usually does, or you might want it to handle graphics differently than it does currently.

The HP PCL Printer Driver has four tabs on which you can make changes to various settings.  For more information, select any of the topics listed below.

See also

Working with Paper

Adjusting Print Quality

Working with Fonts

Setting Options


Working with Paper

You can control several aspects of how your printer works with paper and paper trays.  You can tell your printer what paper size to expect in a paper tray, and you can tell it which tray to pull paper from.  You can also tell it which orientation to use for printing and how many copies to print.

The table below lists the options that appear on the Paper tab for each printer.  For more information about any of these options, select the appropriate option name in the first column.

Paper Tab Options

	4/4M	4Si/  4Si MX	4L	4ML	4P/MP	4 Plus/ 4M Plus	4V/ 4MV	5P/ 5MP
Paper Size
Paper Source
Copies
Orientation
Set Custom Paper Size
Output Bin
Restore Defaults
About


Paper Size

Click one of the items in the following line to scroll to printer-specific information for that printer.

Top	4V/4MV

Use the Paper Size box to set your printer's default paper size or envelope size.  The box shows only those sizes that are supported by the currently selected printer model.

Note	Your Windows application software may override this setting.  Check the paper size you have selected in your applications.  Envelope sizes are not saved as permanent default paper sizes.

Some printers (4ML, 4P/4MP, 5P/5MP) allow you to define custom paper sizes.  For more information, see Setting Custom Paper Sizes.

For the HP LaserJet 4V and 4MV printers

The largest paper size supported is 11.7 by 17.7 inches.

If you select Maximum as the paper size, the printer will assume that the dimensions of the pages you want to print are 11.7 by 17.7 inches (297 by 450 mm).  Maximum-size paper can only be fed to the printer through the MP Tray.

Bleeds and crop marks: Because the HP LaserJet 4V/4MV printers have the ability to print on specially cut paper up to 11.7 by 17.7 inches in size, you can set up 11-by-17-inch pages with bleeds and crop marks.  For more information about page formatting, refer to the online Help for the application you are printing from.

Custom sizes: If you calculate margins based on the maximum page size, you can print on smaller sizes of paper, the minimum size being 3.9 by 5.8 inches (100 by 148 mm).  For more information, refer to your user's guide.


Setting Custom Paper Sizes

Click one of the items in the following line to scroll to printer-specific information for that printer.

Top	4P/4MP	4ML	5P/5MP

For some printers, you can define custom paper sizes if none of the available size options are what you want to use.  You can set custom paper sizes in either your application or in the printer driver.  The following procedure describes how to change paper size in the printer driver.  See your application's user's guide for more information about setting custom paper size there.

Note	If you set paper size in your application, it will usually override changes you make in the driver.  Occasionally, however, you will have problems setting custom paper size from your application.  If your page does not print as you expect, try setting the custom paper size in both the application and the driver.

To define a custom paper size

1	Measure your paper.

2	On the Paper tab, choose the Set Custom Paper Size button.

The Custom Paper Size dialog box appears.

3	Select either the English or Metric option button.

4	Enter values in the Width and Length boxes.

5	Choose the OK button.

The dialog box closes, and the new custom size appears in the Paper Size box.

For the HP LaserJet 4P and 4MP printers

A5-size paper will be listed as "Custom" on the printer's control panel.  Custom-size paper can be used with the HP LaserJet 4P printer; you need to feed it to the printer through the manual feed slot.

The smallest paper size supported is 3 by 5 inches (76 by 127 mm).  The largest size supported is 8-1/2 by 14 inches (216 by 356 mm).

With this printer, you can set custom paper sizes.  All custom-sized paper is fed to the printer through the Manual Feed Slot.

For the HP LaserJet 4ML printer only

The smallest paper size supported is 3.0 by 7.50 inches (76 by 190 mm).  The largest size supported is 8-1/2 by 14 inches (216 by 356 mm).

With this printer, you can set custom paper sizes.  All custom-sized paper is fed to the printer through the manual feed slot.

For the HP LaserJet 5P/5MP printers

The smallest paper size supported is 3 by 5 inches (76 by 127 mm).  The largest size supported is 8-1/2 by 14 inches (216 by 356 mm).

With this printer, you can set custom paper sizes.  All custom-sized paper is fed to the printer though the Tray 1.

See also

Orientation


Paper Source

The Paper Source box allows you to set the default paper tray or the default paper input (paper source) option.  Depending on which HP LaserJet printer you have installed, you will see a combination of the following choices:

Auto Select

Envelope Feeder

Lower Cassette

Upper Cassette

Manual Feed

MP Tray (MultiPurpose tray)

Cassette

First Available Tray

Tray 1

Tray 2

Manual (Tray 1 - Pause)

You can set the paper source in either your application or in the printer driver.  See your application's user's guide for more information about setting the paper source there.

Note	If you set the paper source in your application, it will usually override changes you make in the driver.  Occasionally, however, you will have problems setting paper source from your application.  If your page does not print as you expect, try setting the paper source in both the application and the driver.

Note	If you select either Manual Feed or Envelope Feeder, the printer driver will use that selection until you exit Windows.  The next time you start Windows, the Paper Source selection will revert to your printer's default paper tray.


First Available Tray

For First Available Tray option, the printer will pull from Tray 1, unless Tray 1 is empty, in which case the printer will try to pull from Tray 2.  If both Tray 1 and Tray 2 are empty, the printer will pause and prompt you to put paper into Tray 2.


Copies

Use the Copies box to tell Windows how many uncollated copies you want to print from your software application.

Note that the Copies box on the Paper tab is one of two locations where you can specify number of copies to print; the other place is the Print dialog box in your application (where the setting works a bit differently).

If you specify multiple copies on the Paper tab, the printer generates the copies, and each page is sent to the printer only once.  This technique prints faster, but the copies will be uncollated.

If you specify multiple copies in the Print dialog box in your application, the application generates the copies, and  each copy of each page is sent to the printer individually, in sequence.  For example, if you print 10 copies of a 25-page document using this method, the printer will print one copy of pages 1-25, then a second copy of pages 1-25, and so on until all 10 complete copies have been printed.  This technique prints more slowly, but you can specify that the copies be collated as they are printed.

Note	If you set the number of copies in the Print dialog box to any value other than 1, this value will override the value set on the Paper tab.


Orientation

Use the Orientation option buttons to specify whether your printer should use portrait orientation or landscape orientation.  You can set orientation in either your application or in the printer driver.

Note	If you set orientation in your application, it will usually override changes you make in the driver.  Occasionally, however, you will have problems setting orientation from your application.  If your page does not print as you expect, try setting the orientation in both the application and the driver.  Occasionally, for Custom Paper Size lengths and widths, it may be necessary to reverse the settings in the length and width boxes.

Select Portrait [image] if you are printing a page that is taller than it is wide when you view the text right side up.

Select Landscape [image] if you are printing a page that is wider than it is tall when you view the text right side up.

See also

Setting Custom Paper Sizes


Restore Defaults

Choose the Restore Defaults button to return all of the settings on the tab to the driver's "factory settings."


Adjusting Print Quality

There are many adjustments that you can make to affect how well the printer prints.  You can allow the printer to make decisions about the best way to print text or graphics, or you can have the printer use settings that you specify.  Also, you can adjust the resolution that the printer uses.

The table below lists the options that appear on the Print Quality tab for each printer.  For more information about any of these options, select the appropriate option name in the first column.

Print Quality Tab Options

	4/4M	4Si/  4Si MX	4L	4ML	4P/MP	4 Plus/ 4M Plus	4V/ 4MV	5P/ 5MP
Graphics Quality
Graphics Mode
Text Mode
REt
EconoMode
Printer Resolution
Restore Defaults
Density
Image Adapt
About
See also

Printed Graphic Looks Different than Computer Graphic

Out of Memory Printer Error (Error 20)

Print Overrun Printer Error (Error 21)


Graphics Quality

Use the options in the Graphics Quality box to change the resolution of graphic images.  Generally, you'll want to keep the quality at the highest settting; however, printing at lower resolutions can be faster and takes less memory.  If complex graphics take a long time to print or if you have printer memory problems, lowering the graphics quality can be helpful.

Note	The Graphics Quality setting affects the resolution of graphic images only, not text.  Use the Printer Resolution box (in all printers except the HP LaserJet 4L/4ML) to change the resolution of text as well as graphic images.

You can select one of three options in the Graphics Quality box:

High--prints at the current printer resolution, producing the highest quality graphics that your printer is capable of printing.

Medium--prints at half the resolution of High.

Low--prints at one fourth the resolution of High.

For example, if you have specified 600 dpi as the Printer Resolution setting and High as the Graphics Quality setting, both text and graphics will print at 600 dpi. If you have selected Medium as the Graphics Quality setting, text prints at 600 dpi and graphics print at 300 dpi. If you have selected Low, text prints at 600 dpi and graphics print at 150 dpi.


Graphics Mode

Use the Graphics Mode setting to tell Windows how to send graphic information to the printer.   HP LaserJet printers will print graphics either as raster images or as HP-GL/2 (Hewlett Packard Graphics Language) graphic images.  Most graphics will print faster as HP-GL/2 than as raster images.  With extremely complex images, raster images may print faster.

You can select one of three options in the Graphics Mode box:

Auto--lets the driver select the optimum technique for sending graphics to the printer.

Raster--sends all graphics to the printer as raster images.

HP-GL/2--sends graphics to the printer as a mixture of HP-GL/2 and raster images.

Note	Not all graphic images can be printed using the HP-GL/2 setting.   If you use the HP-GL/2 or Auto setting and your graphic images do not print the same way they appear on your screen, or if your printer displays a print overrun error (Error 21), select the Raster setting and reprint your graphic.


Text Mode

Use the options in the Text Mode box to specify whether textual elements are to be sent to the printer as graphics or as bitmaps.  Selecting a different Text Mode option can affect the order in which graphics and text are printed on the page.  This selection is important if you are trying to achieve a special effect such as overlaying graphics on top of text.

You can select one of three options in the Text Mode box:

Auto--At 600 dpi, lets the driver choose the fastest printing method for you.  At 300 dpi, you'll get output that looks exactly as if it were printed on an HP LaserJet III or 4L printer.

TrueType as Bitmaps--May print slower than Auto, but ouput at 600 dpi will match what you see on your monitor.  At 300 dpi, you'll get output that looks exactly as if it were printed on an HP LaserJet III or 4L printer.

TrueType as Graphics--(Available only when Graphics Mode is set to Raster and Graphics Quality is set to High.)  This option is useful if you want to print graphic images on top of TrueType text.  By default, because TrueType text is always sent to the printer last, it appears on top of any graphics being printed.  Selecting the TrueType as Bitmaps option sends your TrueType images to the printer as graphics so that the actual graphics can appear on top of the TrueType images.


REt

Click one of the items in the following line to scroll to printer-specific information for that printer.

Top	4/4M	4L/ML	4P/4MP, 4 Plus, 4M Plus, & 4V/4MV	4Si/Si-MX	5P/5MP

REt (Resolution Enhancement technology) refines the print quality of characters and graphics by smoothing out jagged edges that can occur around angles and curves in a printed image.  The effects of different REt settings can be seen by printing a self test. Look for the block labeled REt on the self test printout.  In general, set the REt option so that the REt block on the self test page is uniform in appearance, with no vertical lines or with vertical lines that are dark.

The options that appear in the REt box depend on the printer you are using.

For the HP LaserJet 4 and 4M printers

The REt box for the HP LaserJet 4 and 4M printers contains five options:  Printer Default, Off,  Light, Medium, and Dark.  The default setting for these two printers is Printer Default.  Printer Default uses the REt setting you select on your front panel.  If you select Off, Light, Medium, or Dark in the REt box, however, the driver will override the printer's default setting.

For the HP LaserJet 4L and 4ML printers

The REt box for the HP LaserJet 4L and 4ML printers contains four options:  Off, Light, Medium, and Dark.   The default setting for these two printers is Medium.  Experiment with the different REt settings to see which one works best for you.

For the HP LaserJet 4P, 4MP, 4 Plus, 4M Plus, 4V, and 4MV printers

The REt box for these printers contains five options:  Printer Default, Off, Light, Medium, and Dark.   The default setting for these printers is Printer Default, which can be set on the printer's front control panel.  (From the factory, the default is set to Medium).

For the HP LaserJet 4Si and 4Si MX printers

The REt box for the HP LaserJet 4Si and 4Si MX printers contains three options:  Printer Default, Off, and On.   The Printer Default option will use the REt setting you select on your front panel.  If you choose Off or On, this driver will override your printer default setting.  Experiment with the different REt settings to see which one works best for you.

For the HP LaserJet 5P/5MP printer only

The REt box for the HP LaserJet 5P/5MP printer contains five options:  Printer Default, Light, Medium, Dark, and Off.  The default is Printer Default. (From the factory, the default is set to Medium).


EconoMode

This information does not pertain to the HP LaserJet 4/4M or 4Si/4Si MX printers.

Use EconoMode to reduce the amount of toner that your printer uses.

EconoMode causes the printer to use less toner on each page, as illustrated in the figure below.

As a result, pages printed with EconoMode turned on will be much lighter than pages printed with EconoMode turned off.  This feature can be used as a "draft mode" to extend the life of your toner cartridge.

Note	EconoMode will not affect the speed or performance of your printer.


Printer Resolution

This information does not pertain to the HP LaserJet 4L or 4ML printers.

Resolution refers to the number of dots per inch (dpi) of ink or toner that the printer places on the page.  As resolution is increased, the quality (clarity and visual appeal) of the print on the page is improved.

Note	Occasionally, using a 600 dpi Printer Resolution setting may occasionally require additional printer memory, especially if you are using the Page Protection option.  For recommendations on adding printer memory, see the user's guide or operator's manual for your printer.

Working with Fonts

For best results, set the Printer Resolution option to 600 dpi, and use graphics and fonts that are designed specifically for printers that print at 600-dpi resolution.

If you are using accessory fonts that were designed for 300-dpi printers such as the HP LaserJet Series II and HP LaserJet III printers, you can print at either 600-dpi or 300-dpi resolution.  For best results, set Printer Resolution to 300 dpi and use the REt option in the Print Quality tab.  Your printer will smooth out the 300-dpi data and scale it to 600-dpi resolution.

Working with Graphics

If you want to change the resolution of graphic images only, change the setting in the Graphics Quality box.  The Graphics Quality setting does not affect the resolution of printed text.

See also

Graphics Quality


Density

This information pertains to the HP LaserJet 4L or 4ML printers only.

Print density is a measure of the darkness of print on the page.  Use the Density option to adjust the darkness of your printed images.

To Change Density

To make your printed images darker, select a higher number.

To make your printed images lighter, select a lower number.

Note	If you change your Density setting, you may want to adjust your REt setting.  Adjusting print density will affect REt.

See also

REt


Output Bin

This information pertains to the HP LaserJet 4Si or 4Si MX printers only.

If you have an HP LaserJet 4Si or 4Si MX printer, you can use the Output Bin box to tell your printer to send printed pages to the upper (top) output bin or the Lower (rear) output bin.

Upper

The Upper output bin is the default setting.  Use the Upper output bin setting when you want pages to exit the printer face down in the bin on top of your printer.  Pages sent to the Upper output bin will stack in the order that they are printed.

Lower

Use the Lower output bin setting when you want pages to exit the printer face up in the bin in the rear of your printer.  Pages sent to the Lower output bin will stack in reverse order. (The last page sent to the printer will be on top; the first page will be on the bottom.)

Note	If you select the Lower output bin, you must physically prepare your printer by opening the door in the rear of your printer and extending the lower output bin.


Image Adapt

This information pertains to the HP LaserJet 4L printer only.

You can select from the following options in the Image Adapt box:

Auto--Use the Auto setting to let the printer use Image Adapt when it senses that there is not enough memory available to print a graphic image.

On--Use the On setting if you want the printer to always use Image Adapt when memory is low.

Off--Use the Off setting if you do not want the printer to use Image Adapt.


Common Print Problems

Generally, you should have few problems printing.  There are, however, a few problems that people see more frequently than others.  In the following topics, common problems are described and solutions to the problems are presented.

See also

Printed Graphic Looks Different than Computer Graphic

Out of Memory Printer Error (Error 20)

Print Overrun Printer Error (Error 21)


Printed Graphic Looks Different than Computer Graphic

Not all graphic images can be printed using the HP-GL/2 or Auto options in the Graphics Mode box on the Print Quality tab.  If your printed image looks different than the image on your screen, change your Graphics Mode setting to Raster.

See also

Graphics Mode

Text Mode


Out of Memory Printer Error (Error 20)

Additional printer memory may be required before you can print full-page graphic images at higher Graphics Quality settings.  If your printer does not print the entire graphic image on one page and displays the Out of Memory error message (Error 20), the printer has run out of memory.

To avoid this error

Change the setting in the Graphics Mode box (if HP-GL/2 or Auto is selected, select Raster instead; or if Raster is selected, select HP-GL/2 instead).

Select a lower setting in the Graphics Quality box.

Install more memory in your printer.  (For more information about adding printer memory, contact your authorized Hewlett-Packard dealer.)


Print Overrun Printer Error (Error 21)

Click one of the items in the following line to scroll to printer-specific information.

Top	4Si, 4Si MX, 5P and 5MP

The Print Overrun error message indicates that the data (rules, dense text, raster graphics, or vector graphics) sent to your printer was too complex.

To avoid this error

In the Print Quality tab, select Raster in the Graphics Mode box if you are printing complex HP-GL/2 images.

Use the Page Protection option.  (This option requires additional memory for 600-dpi printing and for larger paper sizes.  See your user's manual for more information).

Make your page less complex by reducing the amount of dense text or the number of rules or graphic images.

For the HP LaserJet 4Si, 4Si MX, 5P, and 5MP printers

Reduce the amount of memory that you have set for the Resource Saving option.  For the HP LaserJet 4Si or 4Si MX printers, this setting is located on the Device Options property sheet.  For the HP LaserJet 5P and 5MP printers, use the "Configure Printer" button located on the Device Options property sheet.


Working with Fonts

Usually, you should use HP FontSmart (if it is installed) to manage fonts for your Hewlett-Packard printer.  To install bitmap font cartridges, scalable font cartridges, and older disk-based scalable type collections, however, use the HP Font Installer. Only HP PCL-compatible fonts and typefaces can be installed with the HP Font Installer.  For more information, see "Compatible Fonts and Typefaces" (in the "Installing Fonts" topic) in the HP Font Installer Help file.  To install TrueType fonts, use HP FontSmart or the Windows Font utility.  The Windows Font utility can be found in the Windows Control Panel.

The table below lists the options that appear on the Fonts tab for each printer.  For more information about any of these options, select the appropriate option name in the first column.

Fonts Tab Options

	4/4M	4Si/  4Si MX	4L	4ML	4P/MP	4 Plus/ 4M Plus	4V/ 4MV	5P/ 5MP
Run HP FontSmart
Cartridges/SIMMS
List Fonts in Application Font Menus
Install Printer Fonts
Restore Defaults
About


Run HP FontSmart

Use HP FontSmart to install fonts in Windows and to uninstall and delete fonts from Windows.  You can also create font lists and samples with HP FontSmart.  For more information about HP FontSmart, see the HP FontSmart Help file.


Cartridge/SIMMs

This information does not pertain to the HP LaserJet 4L and 4ML printers.

You can install SIMM- and cartridge- based font or scalable typeface products from Hewlett-Packard or other companies as long as they are specifically designed for HP LaserJet printers.

To install SIMM- or cartridge-based fonts

1	Install the SIMM or cartridge in your printer according to the instructions in the user's guide for your printer.

2	Choose the Install Printer Fonts button on the Fonts tab.

The HP Font Installer opens.

3	If you are installing AutoFont Support files, install them according to the instructions that came with the cartridge; if you are using Printer Cartridge Metrics (.PCM) files, go to step 3.  (You must use either AutoFont Support files or Printer Cartridge Metrics (.PCM) files to install support for your cartridge.)

Note	If you are installing AutoFont Support files, you must first exit Windows.  If you are installing AutoFont Support files, we recommend that you print this Help topic.  To print this topic, choose Print from the File menu.

Note	You may have to contact the manufacturer of your font or scalable typeface cartridge or SIMM for more information about installing AutoFont Support or Printer Cartridge Metrics (.PCM) files.

4	In the Font Installer dialog box, choose the Add Fonts button.

5	In the Add Fonts dialog box, type the drive and directory where your support files are located.  For example, AutoFont Support files may be in C:\AUTOFONT.  (.PCM files will probably be on a flexible disk drive, such as A:\.)

6	Choose the OK button.

7	From the list on the right, select the cartridge or SIMM name.

8	Choose the Add button.

9	Type the destination drive and directory for your driver support files (for example, C:\PCLFONTS).

10	Choose the OK button.

Once installed, the font cartridge name will appear in the list on the left.

11	Choose the Exit button; then select the cartridge or SIMM name in the Cartridges/SIMMs box in the Fonts tab.

Note	If you do not select the cartridge or SIMM name in the Cartridges/SIMMs box, the fonts or typefaces in the cartridge will not be available in your Windows applications.

To use SIMM- or cartridge-based fonts or typefaces in Windows, you will need to physically install the SIMM (see your user's guide) and then load a .PCM file for Windows using the HP Font Installer (accessed by clicking the Install Printer Fonts button on the Fonts tab).

After you load the .PCM file, use the SIMMs box or Cartridges/SIMMs box to tell Windows which one you are using.

For more information, see the HP Font Installer Help file.


List Fonts in Application Font Menus

Clear this option only if you have installed the TrueType Screen Fonts software for your HP LaserJet printer.  If you have installed a screen font and you have this option selected, Windows will list your printer's built-in Intellifont typefaces twice in each of your Windows applications--once as a printer font and once as a TrueType screen font.  De-selecting this option causes your printer's built-in Intellifont typefaces to be listed only once (as a TrueType screen font) in the Fonts or Typefaces menu of your Windows applications.


Install Printer Fonts

Use the Install Printer Fonts button to open the HP Font Installer.  In general, though, you should use HP FontSmart (if it is installed) to manage fonts for your Hewlett-Packard printer.  The HP Font Installer does not install TrueType fonts. Use HP FontSmart or the Windows Font utility to install TrueType fonts. The Windows Font utility can be found in the Windows Control Panel.

Use the HP Font Installer only to install bitmap font cartridges, scalable font cartridges, and older disk-based scalable fonts. Only HP PCL-compatible fonts and typefaces can be installed with the HP Font Installer.  For more information, see the Installing Fonts topic in the HP Font Installer help file.


Setting Options

Using the PCL Printer Driver, you can adjust many printer settings that are not available elsewhere.

The table below lists the options that appear on the Device Options tab.  For more information about any of these options, select the appropriate option name in the first column.

Device Options Tab Options

	4/4M	4Si/  4Si MX	4L	4ML	4P/MP	4 Plus/ 4M Plus	4V/ 4MV	5P/ 5MP
Page Protection
Memory								*
Configure Printer
Duplex
Resource Saving								*
About
Restore Defaults
* To set these options on the HP LaserJet 5P and 5MP, use the "Configure Printer" button located on the "Device Options" property sheet.


Page Protection

Click one of the items in the following line to scroll to printer-specific information.

Top	4/4M, 4Si/4Si MX	4P/4MP, 4L and 4ML	4V/4MV, 4 Plus/4M Plus, and 5P/5MP

The Page Protection option allows the printer to reserve printer memory for printing complex text or graphic images.  Page Protection enables your printer to create an entire page image in memory before physically moving the paper through the printer.  This process ensures that the entire page will be printed and helps prevent print overrun errors (Error 21: Print Overrun).

Note	This setting will override the default printer Page Protection setting.

For the HP LaserJet 4, 4M, 4Si, and 4Si MX printers

For these printers, the default setting is Off.  If you have difficulty printing a particular page, try the Page Protection setting that matches your page size.

For the HP LaserJet 4P, 4MP, 4L and 4ML printers

For these printers, the default setting is Auto.  For best results, you should leave the Page Protection option set to Auto.  If you get an Error 21 message, try using the Page Protection setting that matches your paper size.

For the HP LaserJet 4V, 4MV, 4 Plus, 4M Plus, and 5P/5MP printers

Normally, you should leave the Page Protection option set to Auto (MEt) for best results.  If you get an Error 21 message, try printing with Page Protection set to Special.  With Special selected, performance will be reduced and the printer might use more memory, but you may be able to print error-free.

Note	When you finish printing the job, switch back to the Auto setting.


Memory

Click one of the items in the following line to scroll to printer-specific information.

Top	4/4M, 4P/4MP, and 4Si/4Si MX	4Plus/4M Plus and 4V/4MV

The setting in the Memory box tells Windows how much memory you have installed in your HP LaserJet printer.  This setting should exactly match the total amount of memory in your printer.

If you are unsure about how much memory is installed in your printer, print a printer self test.  Look for RAM Size.  The RAM Size will be listed in Kilobytes.  You will need to convert the RAM size from kilobytes to megabytes to type the correct value in the Memory box.  To convert this number, divide the RAM size by 1024.  For example, if your RAM Size is 2048,  enter the number 2 in your Memory box.

Additional printer memory can eliminate out of memory errors (ERROR 20) if you print complex forms, full-page graphics images, or many fonts.

LaserJet 4/4M, 4P/4MP, and 4Si/4Si MX printers

If you are using the Page Protection option, your printer may require additional printer memory.  If you are using Page Protection, check your printer user's manual or operator's guide for recommendations on additional printer memory.

LaserJet 4 Plus/4M Plus and 4V/4MV printers

The HP LaserJet 4/4M Plus and 4V/4MV printers have a setting called:

Available Memory (MB)

Additionally the HP LaserJet 4/4M Plus printers has a setting called:

Total Memory (MB)

These settings tell Windows how much memory you have available in your HP LaserJet printer.  The settings should exactly match the amount of memory listed on the printer self test page. On the printout, look for PCL Memory Information. The amount of total and available memory is listed in MBytes. For optimum printer performance, enter the printed values in the box provided.  Other items to note:

If you modify memory options or add or delete memory in the future, make sure this value is also modified.

This value changes the way your computer interacts with the printer. It does not change the printer itself.

Also, if you are using the Page Protection Special option, your printer may require additional printer memory. Check your printer user's manual or operator's guide for recommendations for additional printer memory.

See also

Page Protection


Configure Printer

This information pertains to the 5P/5MP printer only.

Use the Configure Printer button to open the Advanced Printer Configuration dialog box.  Use this button to make changes to the printer's default settings.

For more information, see the Advanced Printer Configuration Help file or your user's guide.


About

Use this button to see information about the name and version of the printer driver.


Resource Saving

This information pertains to the HP LaserJet 4Si or 4Si MX printers only.

Resource Saving tells Windows how much memory you have allocated for Resource Saving on the control panel of your HP LaserJet 4Si/4Si MX printer.  Resource Saving is used by the printer to save macros and fonts when switching between printer languages (HP PCL or PostScript) or resolutions (300 or 600) and when changing the Page Protection setting.

The Resource Saving settings should exactly match the amount of memory that you have allocated for Resource Saving on your HP LaserJet 4Si/4Si MX printer control panel.

If you are unsure about how much memory has been set aside for Resource Saving on your printer, print a printer self test.  Look for the number following the Resource Saving label that tells the amount of memory allocated for PCL Memory and PostScript Memory.  Enter these numbers in the Resource Saving boxes.

See also

Memory


Duplex

This information pertains to the HP LaserJet 4Si,  4Si MX, 4 Plus, or 4M Plus printers only.

If you have a duplex accessory installed in your printer, you can print on both sides of the paper.  This double-sided printing is called duplex printing.

Caution	The duplex unit only prints letter, A4, legal, and executive size pages. Never try to duplex print labels, transparencies, envelopes, odd-sized pages, or paper heavier than 24 lb (90 g/m²). Jamming and damage to your printer can result.

You can select any one of the following options:

None--If you would like your printer to print on only one side of the page, select None in the Duplex Printing box.

Short Edge Binding--Short edge binding in portrait orientation is often used for clipboards (every other page is oriented upside-down).  Short edge binding in landscape orientation is a variation of conventional book layouts.

Long Edge Binding--Long edge binding in portrait orientation is used for conventional layouts in book binding.  Long-edge binding in landscape orientation is often used in accounting and spreadsheet applications because pages can be flipped through, much like a calendar (every other page is oriented upside-down).

4 Plus/4M Plus Printers Only

The Paper Cassette and the duplex accessory must be installed for duplex printing.

See also

Orientation


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Auto Select

You can use the Auto Select setting if your printer has more than one paper tray.

You can also use the Auto Select setting if you are going to be printing on more than one size of paper.  For example, you can use both a letter-size paper tray and a legal-size paper tray; when you select Letter in your software application, the printer will automatically select the letter-size paper tray.


Collated

In multiple-page jobs that are collated, the printer will print a complete set of pages, followed by another complete set of pages, and so on until the total number of copies you specified have been printed.  For example, for a three-page print job, it will print one copy each of pages 1, 2, and 3, followed by another set of pages 1, 2, and 3, and so on.


Uncollated

In multiple-page jobs that are uncollated, all of the copies (the number of copies you specified) of page 1 are printed, followed by all of the copies of page 2, and so on.


Self Test

 For instructions on printing a self-test, see the user's guide or operator's manual for your printer.


SIMM

SIMM stands for "Standard In-line Memory Module." SIMMs can contain printer memory, optional printer languages (such as Adobe's PostScript language), and fonts or typefaces.


Resolution

Resolution refers to the number of dots per inch (dpi) of ink, or toner, that the printer places on the page.  As resolution is increased, the quality (clarity) of the print on the page is improved; however, the higher the resolution, the more toner the printer uses.


Scalable

Fonts have a fixed point size and cannot be reduced or enlarged. Scalable typefaces, on the other hand, are not limited to a particular point size and can thus be reduced and enlarged.


AutoFont Support

AutoFont Support files contain font and typeface width information used by the HP Font Installer. AutoFont Support files are included with all new HP font and typeface products.


Welcome to Help for the HP PCL Printer Driver The PCL Printer Driver allows your computer to communicate with your printer and to use  all of the printer's features.