Dell 942 User Manual 2

Dell™ Photo All-In-One Printer 942 User's Guide

Click the links to the left for information on the features and operation of your printer. For information on
other documentation included with your printer, see Finding Information.

To order ink or supplies from Dell:

Double-click the icon on your desktop.1.

Visit Dell's website, or order Dell printer supplies by phone.2.

www.dell.com/supplies

For the best service, make sure you have the Dell printer Service Tag available. See Express Service

Code and Service Tag.

Notes, Notices, and Cautions

NOTE: A NOTE indicates important information that helps you make better use of your printer.

NOTICE: A NOTICE indicates either potential damage to hardware or loss of data and tells you how

to avoid the problem.

CAUTION: A CAUTION indicates a potential for property damage, personal injury, or death.

Information in this document is subject to change without notice.
© 2004 Dell Inc. All rights reserved.

Reproduction in any manner whatsoever without the written permission of Dell Inc. is strictly forbidden.

Trademarks used in this text: Dell and the DELL logo are trademarks of Dell Inc.; Pentium is a registered trademark of Intel
Corporation; Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.

Other trademarks and trade names may be used in this document to refer to either the entities claiming the marks and names or
their products. Dell Inc. disclaims any proprietary interest in trademarks and trade names other than its own.

Model 942

March 2004 SRV Y5112 Rev. A00

Finding Information

What are you looking for?

Find it here

Drivers for my printer
My User's Guide

Drivers and Utilities CD

Documentation and drivers are already installed on your computer when
purchased from Dell at the same time as your printer. You can use the CD
to uninstall/reinstall drivers or access your documentation.

Readme files may be included on your CD to provide last-minute updates
about technical changes to your printer or advanced technical reference
material for experienced users or technicians.

Safety information
How to set up and use
my printer
Warranty information

Owner's Manual

How to set up my printer

Setup diagram

Express Service Code and
Service Tag number

Express Service Code and Service Tag

This label is located on the back panel of the printer near the serial
number.

Use the Service Tag to identify your printer when you use

support.dell.com or contact technical support.

NOTE: The Express Service Code is not available in all countries.

Latest drivers for my
printer
Answers to technical
service and support
questions
Documentation for my
printer

Dell Support website - support.dell.com
The Dell Support website provides several online tools, including:

Solutions - Troubleshooting hints and tips, articles from
technicians, and online courses
Community - Online discussion with other Dell customers
Upgrades - Upgrade information for components, such as memory
Customer Care - Contact information, order status, warranty, and
repair information
Downloads - Drivers
Reference - Printer documentation and product specifications

How to use Windows XP
Documentation for my
printer

Windows XP Help and Support Center

Click Start Help and Support.1.
Type a word or phrase that describes your problem and click the
arrow icon.

2.
Click the topic that describes your problem.3.

Follow the instructions on the screen.4.

About Your Printer

Understanding the Printer Parts
Setting Up Your Printer
Replacing the Operator Panel
Using the Operator Panel
Print Media Guidelines
Loading Paper
Understanding the Automatic Paper Type Sensor
Placing Your Document on the Scanner Glass

Understanding the Printer Parts

Number:

Part:

Description:

1

Paper support

Part that supports loaded paper.

2

Paper guide

Guide that helps the paper feed into the printer properly.

3

Top cover

Top of printer that holds your document or photo flat while you scan it.

4

Paper exit tray

Tray that holds the paper as it exits the printer.

NOTE: Pull the paper exit tray straight out to extend it.

5

PictBridge-enabled
digital camera port

Slot into which you plug the USB cable that connects to your PictBridge­enabled digital camera.

6

Media card slot

Slot into which you insert a media card containing digital pictures.

NOTE: The LCD will only display JPEG files found on the media card. To

view other image types found on the media card, open the Memory Card
Manager. For more information, see Using the Memory Card Manager.

7

Printer unit

Unit you lift to gain access to the ink cartridges.

8

Scanner support

Part under printer unit that keeps the printer open while you change ink
cartridges.

NOTE: To close the printer for normal operation, lift the printer unit, press

the scanner support to the right, and then lower the printer unit until it
rests on the main body of the printer.

9

Ink cartridge
carrier

Carrier that holds two ink cartridges, one color and the other black or
photo (sold separately). For more information on your cartridges, see

Replacing Ink Cartridges.

10

USB connector

Slot into which you plug the USB cable (sold separately). The other end of
the USB cable plugs into your computer.

NOTE: Dell recommends use of 2.0 compliant cables.

11

Power connector

Slot into which you plug the power adapter.

NOTE: Install the power adapter in the printer. If necessary, connect the

power cable to the power adapter. Then plug the cable into the wall outlet.

12

Operator panel

Panel on the printer you use to control scanning, copying, faxing, and
printing. For more information, see Using the Operator Panel.

13

Scanner glass

Surface on which you place your document or photo face down to copy,
fax, or scan it.

Setting Up Your Printer

NOTE: The Dell Photo AIO Printer 942 supports Microsoft® Windows® 2000 and Windows XP.

Follow the instructions on your Setting Up Your Printer poster to install the hardware and software. If you
encounter problems during setup, see Setup Problems.

You can use the Dell Photo AIO Printer 942 to do a variety of things. A few important things to note:

If your printer is connected to a computer, you can use either the printer operator panel or the printer
software to create your projects.

You do need to connect your printer to a computer to scan, print, fax and use the Save to PC function.
You do not need to connect your printer to a computer to copy or print from flash memory cards or

PictBridge-enabled digital cameras.

Replacing the Operator Panel

If you have a non-English operator panel in your printer box and want to use it, follow these steps:

Open the top cover.1.

If an English operator panel is installed, remove it by lifting the panel up.2.

Snap the non-English operator panel into place.3.

Close the top cover.4.

Using the Operator Panel

Button

Description

1

LCD

Panel on the printer that displays scanning, copying, faxing, and printing options as
well as status and error messages. For more information, see Using the Operator

Panel.

2

Number of
Copies

Select the desired number of copies by using the navigation button.

3

Navigation
button

Increase or decrease a number on the display.
Scroll through a list on the display.

4

Preview

Scans the document in the Copy or Scan mode and displays a preview.

5

Save to PC

Scans the document and sends it to the Dell All-In-One Center. For more
information, see Using the Dell All-In-One Center.
Launches the Memory Card Manager when a memory card is inserted or a digital
camera is connected. For more information, see Using the Memory Card

Manager.

6

Color

Make a color copy.

7

Power

Turn your printer on or off.

8

Error
message LED

Flashes when the printer is experiencing an error. For more information, see Error

Messages and Lights.

9

Mode

Scroll through the available modes: Photo, Copy, Scan, and Fax.

10

Mode lights

Displays next to the current printer mode.

11

Black

Make a black and white copy.

12

Menu

Scroll through the available menus and modes. Each time you press this button, the
next item on the display appears.

13

Cancel

Cancel a scan, print, or copy job in progress.
Cancel a copy job (using only the printer) and it may eject a page.
Exit a menu and return to the default settings.

14

Select

Select a choice that appears on the display.

15

Resize

Resizes the document or photo in the Photo Card or Copy mode.

Operator Panel Functionality

Viewing Ink Levels

To view your ink cartridge levels:

Press Menu on the operator panel.1.
Press the up or down arrow on the navigation button to scroll to Ink Levels.2.
Press Select.3.

The ink cartridge levels are displayed.

Preview

Scans the document in the Copy or Scan mode and displays a preview.

Memory Cards

Your printer supports the following memory card types:

CompactFlash Type I and II
Memory Stick
Memory Stick PRO
SmartMedia
Secure Digital

MultiMediaCard
xD-Picture Card

When you insert a media card into the slot on the front of the printer, the I Want To... menu is displayed.
For more information, see Using Your Printer in Photo Mode.

Memory Card Manager

Memory Card Manager (MCM) allows you to display, manage, edit, print, and save photos from your memory
card to your computer.

To launch Memory Card Manager from the printer:

Insert a memory card into the memory card slot on the front of the printer.1.
Press the Save to PC button on the operator panel, or select Save to Computer from the

I Want To... menu on the LCD.

2.

To launch Memory Card Manager from your computer, click Start Programs or All Programs Dell

Printers Dell Photo AIO Printer 942 Memory Card Manager.

NOTE: The Operator Panel only displays JPGs. Memory Card Manager displays all other file types on

your computer.

PictBridge

Your printer works with PictBridge-enabled digital cameras. For more information, see Using Your Printer in

Photo Mode.

Operator Panel Menus

Photo Card mode

Menu

Sub-menu item

Settings

Photo Card

I Want To...

NOTE: The I Want To... menu is only available when a photo card

is installed.

View Photos or
Print
Save to
Computer
Slide Show
Print All x Photos

Paper Size

8 1/2 x 11 in.*
8 1/2 x 14 in.
A6

A5
B5
A4
L
2L
Hagaki
3x5
3 1/2 x 5 in.
4x6
5x7

Print Quality

Automatic*
Draft
Normal
Photo

Brightness (Press Select.)

Crop (Press Select.)

Rotate 90 degrees (Press Select.)

Print All Photos (Press Select.)

Slide Show (Press Select.)

Print Index Page (Press Select.)

View Photos or Print (Press Select.)

Save to Computer (Press Select.)

Maintenance

Ink Levels (Press Select.)

Change Cartridges (Press Select.)

Align Cartridges (Press Select.)

Clean Cartridges (Press Select.)

Print Test Page (Press Select.)

Defaults

Restore Defaults (Press Select.)

Paper Type

Auto-Detect*
Plain
Coated
Glossy
Transparency

Photo Size

4x6 in.*
5x7 in.
8x10 in.
L
2L
8 1/2 x 11 in.
A4
A5
A6
Hagaki
2 1/4 x 3 1/4 in.
3 1/2 x 5 in.

Preview before Print

Off*
On

Language

English*
French
German
Spanish
Italian
Russian
Japanese
Simplified
Chinese

Clear Settings When

After 2 minutes*
Never

Power Save (the screen saver shown below appears on screen until
the printer enters Power Save)

10 minutes*
20 minutes
30 minutes
Immediate

* Factory default setting

Fax mode

Menu

Sub-menu item

Settings

Maintenance

Ink Levels (Press Select.)

Change Cartridges (Press Select.)

Align Cartridges (Press Select.)

Clean Cartridges (Press Select.)

Print Test Page (Press Select.)

Defaults

Restore Defaults (Press Select.)

Language

English*
French
German
Spanish
Italian
Russian
Japanese
Simplified
Chinese

Clear Settings When

After 2
minutes*
Never

Power Save (the screen saver shown below appears on screen until
the printer enters Power Save)

10 minutes*
20 minutes
30 minutes
Immediate

* Factory default setting

Copy mode

Menu

Sub-menu item

Settings

Copy

Copy Quality

Automatic*
Draft
Normal
Photo

Brightness (Press Select.)

Blank Paper Size

8 1/2 x 11 in.*
8 1/2 x 14 in.
A6
A5
B5
A4
L
2L
Hagaki
3x5
3 1/2 x 5 in.
4x6
5x7

Repeat Image (Press Select.)

Size of Original

Automatic*
2 1/4 x 3 1/4
in.
3x5 in.
3 1/2 x 5 in.
4x6
5x7
8x10
8 1/2 x 11 in.
A6

A5
B5
A4
L
2L
Hagaki

Maintenance

Ink Levels (Press Select.)

Change Cartridges (Press Select.)

Align Cartridges (Press Select.)

Clean Cartridges (Press Select.)

Print Test Page (Press Select.)

Defaults

Restore Defaults (Press Select.)

Paper Type

Auto-detect*
Plain
Coated
Glossy
Transparency

Language

English*
French
German
Spanish
Italian
Russian
Japanese
Simplified
Chinese

Clear Settings When

After 2
minutes*
Never

Power Save (the screen saver shown below appears on screen until
the printer enters Power Save)

10 minutes*
20 minutes
30 minutes
Immediate

* Factory default setting

Scan mode

Menu

Sub-menu item

Settings

Maintenance

Ink Levels (Press Select.)

Change Cartridges (Press Select.)

Align Cartridges (Press Select.)

Clean Cartridges (Press Select.)

Print Test Page (Press Select.)

Defaults

Restore Defaults (Press Select.)

Language

English*
French
German
Spanish
Italian
Russian
Japanese
Simplified
Chinese

Clear Settings When

After 2
minutes*
Never

Power Save (the screen saver shown below appears on screen until
the printer enters Power Save)

10 minutes*
20 minutes
30 minutes
Immediate

* Factory default setting

Print Media Guidelines

Load up to:

Make sure:

100 sheets of plain paper

The paper is loaded vertically against the right side of the paper support.
The paper guide rests against the left edge of the paper.

NOTE: Load letterhead paper with the top of the letterhead entering the

printer first and facing up.

You select Draft (select Photo if a photo cartridge is installed), Normal,
or Photo print quality.

20 sheets of banner paper

You remove any paper from the paper support before inserting banner
paper.
You place a stack of banner paper on or behind the printer, with only the
number of sheets required.

NOTE: You must select A4 Banner or Letter Banner paper size in Printing

Preferences. Failure to do so will cause a paper jam. See Paper Problems.

You load the leading edge of the banner paper into the printer against
the right side of the paper support.
You squeeze and slide the paper guide to the left edge of the banner
paper.
You use banner paper designed for inkjet printers.

10 envelopes

The print side of the envelopes faces up.
The envelopes are loaded vertically against the right side of the paper
support.
The stamp location is in the upper left corner.

The paper guide rests against the left edge of the envelopes.
You print the envelopes with Landscape orientation.
You select the correct envelope size. Select the next biggest size if the
exact envelope size is not listed, and set the left and right margins so
that your envelope text will be correctly positioned.

NOTE: You can load a single envelope into the paper support without removing

plain paper.

25 greeting cards, index
cards, postcards, or photo
cards

The print side of the cards faces up.
The cards are loaded vertically against the right side of the paper
support.
The paper guide rests against the left edge of the cards.
You select Normal or Photo print quality.

25 sheets of photo or
glossy paper

The glossy or coated side of the paper faces up.
The paper guide rests against the left edge of the paper.
You select Normal or Photo print quality.
The paper is loaded vertically against the right side of the paper support.

1 iron-on transfer

You follow the loading instructions on the packaging.
The blank side of the transfer faces up.
The paper guide rests against the left edge of the transfer.
You select Normal or Photo print quality.

20 transparencies

The rough side of the transparencies faces up.
The paper guide rests against the left edge of the transparencies.

NOTE: You can load a single transparency into the paper support without

removing plain paper.

You select Normal or Photo print quality.
The transparencies are loaded vertically against the right side of the
paper support.

Loading Paper

Fan the paper.1.

Place the paper against the guide on the right side of the paper support.2.
Squeeze and slide the left paper guide to the left edge of the paper.3.

2.

3.

NOTE: Do not force paper into the printer. The paper should be flat against the paper support surface

and the right edge should be flush against the right paper guide.

Understanding the Automatic Paper Type Sensor

Your printer has an automatic paper type sensor that detects the following paper types:

Plain
Transparency
Glossy/photo
Coated

If you load one of these paper types, the printer detects the paper type and automatically adjusts the

Quality/Speed settings.

Paper type

Quality/Speed

settings

Black and
Color
Cartridges
Installed

Photo and
Color
Cartridges
Installed

Plain

Normal

Photo 1200
dpi

Transparency

Normal

Photo 1200
dpi

Glossy/photo

Photo 1200
dpi

Photo 1200
dpi

Coated

Normal

Photo 1200
dpi

NOTE: Your printer cannot detect the paper size.

To choose paper size:

With your document open, click File Print.1.
In the Print dialog box, click Preferences or Properties (depending on your program or operating

system).

2.

The Printing Preferences screen appears.
On the Paper Setup tab, select the paper size.3.
Click OK.4.

Unless you turn off the automatic paper type sensor, it always remains on. To turn off the automatic paper
type sensor for a specific print job:

With your document open, click File Print.1.
In the Print dialog box, click Preferences or Properties (depending on your program or operating

system).

2.

The Printing Preferences screen appears.
Click the Quality/Copies tab.3.
Click the Use my choice button.4.
Select the paper type in the drop-down menu.5.
Click OK.6.

To turn off the automatic paper type sensor for all print jobs:

In Windows XP, click Start Control Panel Printers and Other Hardware Printers and

Faxes.

1.

In Windows 2000, click Start Settings Printers.
Right-click the Printer icon.2.
Click Printing Preferences.3.
Click the Quality/Copies tab, and then click Paper Type Sensor Options.4.
Click the Use my choice button.5.
Select the paper type in the drop-down menu.6.
Click OK.7.

7.

Placing Your Document on the Scanner Glass

Open the top cover.1.

Place your document face down on the scanner glass in the lower right corner.2.

NOTE: Make sure the upper left corner of the front of the item aligns with the arrow on the printer.

Close the top cover.3.

3.

Using the Printer

Printing
Copying
Scanning
Faxing
Using Your Printer in Photo Mode

Printing

Printing a Document

Turn on your computer and printer, and make sure they are connected.1.
Load the paper with the print side facing up. For more information, see Loading Paper.2.
With your document open, click File Print.3.
Customize your print settings:

Click Preferences, Properties, Options, or Setup (depending on the program or operating
system).

a.

4.

The Printing Preferences dialog box appears.

On the Quality/Copies tab, select Quality/Speed, the paper type, the number of copies, and
black and white or color printing.

b.

On the Paper Setup tab, select the paper size and orientation.c.
On the Print Layout tab, select the layout and duplexing settings.d.
To see details about a setting, right-click the setting on the screen, and then select What's

This?.

e.

After making the changes in Printing Preferences, click OK at the bottom of the screen to
return to the Print dialog box.

f.

Click OK or Print (depending on the program or operating system).5.

Printing Photos

Load the photo paper with the print (glossy) side facing up. For more information, see Loading Paper.1.
Make sure you have a photo cartridge and a color cartridge installed. For more information, see

Replacing Ink Cartridges.

2.

1.

2.

With your document open, click File Print.3.
Customize your print settings:

Click Preferences, Properties, Options, or Setup (depending on the program or operating
system).

a.

4.

The Printing Preferences dialog box appears.

On the Quality/Copies tab, select Photo and the paper type. Photo/glossy or coated paper is
recommended for printing photos.

b.

On the Paper Setup tab, select the paper size and orientation.c.
On the Print Layout tab, select the photo layout.d.
To see details about a setting, right-click the setting on the screen, and then select What's

This?.

e.

After making the changes in Printing Preferences, click OK at the bottom of the screen to
return to the Print dialog box.

f.

Click OK or Print (depending on the program or operating system).5.

To prevent your photos from sticking together or smudging, remove each photo after it exits the

printer.

NOTE: Before placing your prints in a nonadhesive photo album or frame, allow sufficient time for the

prints to dry thoroughly (12 to 24 hours, depending on the ambient conditions). This maximizes the
life of your prints.

Printing Borderless Photos

Load the photo paper with the print (glossy) side facing up. For more information, see Loading Paper.1.
Make sure you have a photo cartridge and a color cartridge installed.2.

1.

2.
With your document open, click File Print.3.
To customize your print settings, click Preferences, Properties, Options, or Setup (depending on

the program or operating system).

4.

The Printing Preferences dialog box appears.
On the Print Layout tab, click Borderless.5.
When finished customizing your photo, click OK.6.
Click OK or Print (depending on the program or operating system).7.

Printing Other Projects

The I Want To menu provides wizards for creating projects. You may want to print a photo, print on an
envelope, print a banner, make a poster, create a booklet, or print a greeting card.

With your document open, click File Print.1.
To customize print settings, click Preferences, Properties, Options, or Setup (depending on the

program or operating system).

2.

The Printing Preferences dialog box appears along with the I Want To menu.
Select one of the available projects or click See more printing ideas.3.
Follow the instructions on the screen to complete your project.4.

For information on printing directly from a media card or digital camera, see Using Your Printer in Photo

Mode.

Copying

To make copies, you can use the printer operator panel or your computer. For easy one-touch color or black
and white copies, press Color or Black on the operator panel.

Copying Documents Without a Computer

Turn on your printer.1.
Load the paper with the print side facing up. For more information, see Loading Paper.2.
Open the top cover.3.
Place your document on the scanner glass and make sure the upper left corner aligns with the arrow on4.