Lesson Learned: My Brand-New HP Laserjet Printer

[Jennie Ann]

My HP Laserjet 1320 printer died. I researched the HP printers and ended up geting the HP Laserjet P2050DN. I didn't need the "DN," but they were out of the regular HP Laserjet P2050. It must be a popular model. The "N" stands for network, which I don't have. I don't know what the "D" means, at least not yet.

So I plugged it up, placed the toner cartridge in it, and then let it self-install with the HP CD.

I was so bummed, as the printer just would not print. I tried everything for three hours trying to get my brand-new HP printer to work. I tried all the troubleshooting suggestions, but nothing fixed it. I was literally at the end of my rope, getting ready to pack it up and take it back.

Then the last troubleshooting instruction said that I should turn it off and on, that sometimes that will fix a multitude of problems.

So I hit the On/Off button, and then the printer magically turned on for the first time Duh! I thought since the green light was lit that the printer was turned on. WRONG! The entire three hours I was trying to get the printer to print, it was turned off. There is a green light on this printer that stays on even when the printer is turned off.

Lesson Learned is when getting a new printer, be sure it's turned on before you try to print anything. LOL

[Jennie Ann]

Thanks, Allison! You all are so helpful. I really do learn a lot by reading this forum.

LeAnne, I used to have Verizon DSL, and every time a cloud went overhead, my DSL went out. They just could never fix it, having sent numerous technicians out, eventually stating our location was too far away from the "central station." I ended up getting Comcast high-speed cable and haven't had a problem since.

During this time, I had to rely on my trusty dial-up modem. I still keep my dial-up modem intact, just in case.

[LeAnne Law]

LOL It wasn't quite that bad, but it made me realize how much time I spend on the internet.

[April McMillan, CRR, RPR, CSR]

Yikes! Been there, done that. I was one screaming @&*$# by the third day.

[LeAnne Law]

Try having your Internet down for 3 days. I never want to go through that again -- at least not voluntariy.

[Jennie Ann]

Wow, that means I can print on both sides. I haven't had the need to do that, but it is nice to know that I can if I want to.

Thanks, April, for letting me know about that D.

I really did miss not having a printer. It was only for a few days, but I really missed having one.

[April McMillan, CRR, RPR, CSR]

Jennie, glad it's working for you now. I believe the D in the model number means it is a double-sided printer, front and back of the page.