Brother Multifunction Printer Problem

Simon · Oct 30, 2009, 21:14:24

I have a Brother DCP-330C, bought on the recommendation of an ex-'active' member here.

It's served me well for 18 months or so, but recently, whenever I try to print anything blue, it comes out a sort of bluey green. I have changed the inks, and done all the usual cleaning routines, to no avail. This sounds like an odd sort of problem - has anyone else come across anything like this?

Rik · Oct 31, 2009, 09:49:40

It sounds like the magenta print heat is clogged. Are the heads in the cartridges or the printer?

Dangerjunkie · Oct 31, 2009, 11:49:12

Is there a button you can hold down for a long time or at power up to make the printer throw out a test page. Hopefully this will show all the nozzles.

Cheers,
Paul.

Simon · Oct 31, 2009, 12:35:39

I think the print heads are in the printer.

Test page shows the bluey green, but magenta looks fine.

Steve · Oct 31, 2009, 12:54:05

This is also useful for acertaining which colours aren't printing: Red is made from Yellow & Magenta, Green from Cyan & Yellow and Blue from Cyan and Magenta.

Rik · Oct 31, 2009, 13:07:29

Could you scan and post a copy of the test page, Simon, what you're saying seems to contradict what I'd expect.

Simon · Oct 31, 2009, 13:09:57

Sure, was doing just that as you typed!

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Simon · Oct 31, 2009, 13:10:45

The yellow looks a bit orangey here, but it doesn't on the actual printout.

Simon · Oct 31, 2009, 13:18:12

Ah, looks more like it should in 24bit colour.

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Rik · Oct 31, 2009, 13:20:35

All the colours look fine, including the black. Any chance you've got a colour profile selected for the printer that's wrong?

Simon · Oct 31, 2009, 13:33:17

Not really sure what that is, Rik, or where to find it.

Here's an example. The first attachment is a screenshot, and the second is a scan of the printout of that same colour.

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Dangerjunkie · Oct 31, 2009, 13:50:58

That does look like a colour mapping problem. Have you used any software that might mess with the colourspace (like possibly Photoshop, scanner software or a colour profile tool.) Is there a colour profiel seting in the printer driver or utility? Can someone tell me how to change colour profiles in Windows?

Do you have a laptop you could install the driver on, hook up the printer directly to and do some printing to see if the fault follows the computer or the printer?

Are you using manufacturer's or compatible ink cartridges?

Cheers,
Paul.

Simon · Oct 31, 2009, 14:14:36

Quote from: Dangerjunkie on Oct 31, 2009, 13:50:58
That does look like a colour mapping problem. Have you used any software that might mess with the colourspace (like possibly Photoshop, scanner software or a colour profile tool.) Is there a colour profiel seting in the printer driver or utility? Can someone tell me how to change colour profiles in Windows?

I do use Photoshop Elements, but I wouldn't know where to change anything like colourspace (or even what that is!)

Quote
Do you have a laptop you could install the driver on, hook up the printer directly to and do some printing to see if the fault follows the computer or the printer?

I do, if I can find the driver CD.

QuoteAre you using manufacturer's or compatible ink cartridges?

Compats.

Dangerjunkie · Oct 31, 2009, 14:22:49

I'd give another computer a shot.

Not wanting to sound like I'm trying to teach you to suck eggs but you have done a hard power cycle on both computer and printer (preferably at the same time), haven't you? Just remembering back to Rik's phantom centimeter.

I take it this isn't the first time you've used compat cartridges and they were fine previously?

Cheers,
Paul.

Simon · Oct 31, 2009, 14:52:04

I haven't done a hard power cycle on the printer, but on the computer, yes, as it's powered off every night.

I have used these compats before, and there's been no problem, but I may just change them again, for elimination purposes, although I'll probably wait until they are nearly out first.

Sebby · Oct 31, 2009, 15:35:20

Initially I thought it was going to a be a clogged printhead, but the test page demonstrates it's not. I really don't know what it could be, other than what Rik has said it might be.

Rik · Oct 31, 2009, 16:11:58

Simon, go to Printers & Faxes, right click on the printer and select properties, then look at the Colour Management tab, that will list the profile in use. The fact that printer generated colours look right says to me that the driver is set up wrong.

Simon · Oct 31, 2009, 16:41:52

OK...

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Rik · Oct 31, 2009, 16:56:26

sRGB can produce green hues, I hate the colour space myself. I'd suggest you delete and re-install the printer and see if that helps. Alternatively, remove the profile and see if that does it.

Simon · Oct 31, 2009, 17:16:08

Remove the profile, and hope it adds one of it's own, you mean?

Simon · Oct 31, 2009, 17:17:46

If I click Add, I get these options...

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Rik · Oct 31, 2009, 17:32:01

Try the 330.

Simon · Oct 31, 2009, 18:24:24

Well...

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Rik · Oct 31, 2009, 18:28:41

Damn, I was going on the printer model number.

Try removing, if that doesn't help, remove and re-install the printer.

Simon · Oct 31, 2009, 18:42:59

I just did a straight copy on the printer, and that came out fine, so doesn't that mean it's something to do with the communication from the PC? Would re-installing rectify that?