Thursday, February 2, 2012

But it's Not Actually an E-Reader

When the boy asked me what I wanted for Christmas I told him a printer. No, it's not the most exciting present, but the only one we have is from back when I was in college. I don't think we've tried to use it in 2 or 3 years, and the last time we did, it would randomly skip lines. But I wanted a printer for our wedding invitations, and I knew I needed something reliable.

Once the boy knew I wanted a printer, he needed to know what kind, to which I responded, "a good kind." Still not precise enough, I said either an Epson or an HP. Except that still wasn't specific enough, so I told him he'd have to give me more time to research a specific model for him to buy. But he was already in the store, so he did the most logical thing, and bought the most expensive printer.
DSC06412
This is our new printer. It's a wireless scanner, copier, fax, and printer. And you see the control panel off to the side. That's actually a wireless remote control, which also happens to be an e-reader. Yes, my printer includes an e-reader. So without ever really wanting one, I am now the owner of an e-reader.

But minus all the special features, all I really wanted was something to print, except when I tried to do that, I couldn't. Yes, I was able to print all the tests (that's what you see in the printer above), but when it came time to print off address labels for the Save-the-Dates, it decided not to print.

First I realized my firewall kept blocking my printer, so I turner it off. Then my printer kept deciding to disconnect from the wireless network. After 3 hours I still hadn't been able to print my labels. Although I did manage print 1 test sheet to make sure the text would line up. And I did take a break for lunch, which really consisted of me hitting print and eating hoping things would magically print by the time I finished eating.

So again, 3 whole hours after I tried to get my labels to print I still had nothing. My printer didn't have an ip address, and I couldn't get it to sync with the remote (aka my new e-reader), when out of nowhere it just started printed labels, perfectly even. Right after I went to print my return address labels (this time without even a test to make sure they lined up) and on the first try the printed, perfectly aligned again!

I'd like to say that's the end of my printer troubles, but I have a feeling they'll be back. I'm sure when I print invitations in a few months I'll have the same issues. But unfortunately, I'll have to tackle it again even sooner than that since I'm still waiting on a few straggling addresses.

Do you have any printer issues to share? And are you pro or anti e-readers?

1 comment:

  1. I have issues like that all the time. I have the e-reader-less cousin of your printer. Sometimes i can print and sometimes I can't. Each time it's a surprise.

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