Dell™ All-In-One Printer 946 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: www.dell.com/supplies.2.
Order Dell printer supplies by phone. Refer to the Owner's Manual for the correct phone number for
your country.
3.
For the best service, make sure you have the Dell printer Service Tag available. See Express Service
Code and Service Tag number.
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.
© 2006 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, the DELL logo, Dell Picture Studio, and Dell Ink Management System are trademarks of Dell
Inc.; 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 946
June 2006 SRV KJ941 Rev. A00
Finding Information
What are you looking for?
Drivers for my printer
My User's Guide
Drivers and Utilities CD
If you purchased your Dell computer and printer at the same time,
documentation and drivers for your printer are already installed on your
computer. 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.
Setting Up Your Printer poster
Safety information
How to set up and use
my printer
Warranty information
Express Service Code and
Service Tag number
Express Service Code and Service Tag number
This label is located under the printer unit. For more information, see
Latest drivers for my
printer
Answers to technical
service and support
questions
Documentation for my
printer
Dell Support Website
The Dell Support website provides several online tools, including:
Solutions - Troubleshooting hints and tips, articles from technicians,
and online courses
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 then click
the arrow icon.
2.
Click the topic that describes your problem.3.
Follow the instructions shown on the screen.4.
About Your Printer
Understanding the Printer Parts
Setting Up Your Printer
Understanding the Operator Panel
You can use your printer 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 produce quality documents quickly.
You do not need to connect your printer to a computer to make photocopies, send faxes, or print from
a PictBridge-enabled camera.
NOTE: The printer (whether it is connected to a computer or not) must be connected to a telephone
line before you can send a fax.
NOTE: If you use a DSL modem for your computer, you must install a DSL filter on the telephone line
attached to your printer.
Understanding the Printer Parts
Automatic Document
Feeder (ADF)
Scan, copy, or fax multiple page documents and/or legal sized
documents.
Unit you lift to gain access to the ink cartridges.
Panel on the printer you use to control copying, scanning, faxing, and
printing. For more information, see Using the Operator Panel.
Where you load paper into the printer.
Tray that holds the paper as it exits the printer.
NOTE: Pull the paper exit tray stop straight out to extend it.
The connector you use to connect your PictBridge-compatible digital
camera to your printer.
Top cover with
integrated ADF exit
tray
Top of printer that holds your document or photo flat while you scan it.
You can also pick up your original document after it has gone through
the ADF here.
Load original documents in the printer. Recommended for scanning,
copying, or faxing multiple-page documents.
To order ink cartridges or paper, visit www.dell.com/supplies.
Identify your printer when you use support.dell.com or contact
technical support.
Enter the Express Service Code to direct your call when contacting
technical support.
NOTE: The Express Code is not available in all countries.
Connects your printer to a computer using a USB cable (sold separately).
Open to remove paper jams.
Supplies power to the printer.
NOTE: The power supply is removable. When the power supply is removed
from the printer, but remains plugged into a wall outlet, an LED is
illuminated to notify you that power is present.
NOTE: If the power is off when you unplug your machine, the power will be
off when you plug it back in.
Connects printer power supply to power outlet using the supplied countryspecific power cord.
PHONE jack
connector (
- right side
connector)
Remove the blue plug to connect additional devices, such as a data/fax
modem, telephone, or answering machine to your printer.
NOTE: If the phone communication is serial in your country (such as
Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Austria, Belgium, Italy, France, and
Switzerland), you must remove the blue plug from the PHONE jack
connector ( - right side connector), and insert the supplied yellow
terminator for your fax to work correctly. You will not be able to use this
port for additional devices in these countries.
FAX connector (
- left side
connector)
Connects your printer to an active telephone line to send and receive faxes.
NOTE: Do not connect additional devices to the FAX connector ( - left
side connector) and do not connect a DSL (digital subscriber line) or ISDN
(integrated services digital network) without using a digital line filter to the
printer.
NOTE: Your printer supports Microsoft® Windows® 2000, Windows XP, and Windows XP Professional
X64 Edition.
To set up your printer, follow the steps on your Setting Up Your Printer poster. If you encounter problems
during setup, see Troubleshooting.
NOTE: Your printer modem is an analog device that only works when directly connected to a wall jack.
Other devices such as a telephone or answering machine can be attached to the PHONE jack connector
( - right side connector) to pass through the printer as described in the setup steps. If you have a
digital connection such as ISDN, DSL, or ADSL, a digital line filter is required. Contact your Internet
Service Provider for details.
Initial Setup Menu
The printer automatically cycles through initial setup the first time you power on the printer. Initial setup
consists of specifying the language, country, date, time, fax number, and fax name.
If necessary, you can change the settings for language, country, date, time, fax number, and fax name by
accessing the Setup menu. For more information, see Setup Mode.
Understanding the Operator Panel
Using the Operator Panel
The operator panel buttons allow you to copy documents and photos, fax documents, and print photos from
a PictBridge-enabled camera without connecting to a computer. The printer is on when Power is illuminated.
You can change settings using the Select button , and left and right Arrow buttons ; and initiate
a scan, copy, or fax using the Start button .
The display features:
Printer status
Messages
Menus
To turn your printer on or off.
To alert you of errors such as paper out or a paper jam.
To move back a menu level while navigating through the available
menus on the display.
Decrease a number on the display.
Scroll through a list on the display.
Cancel a scan, print, or copy job in progress.
Exit a menu.
Clear a fax number, or end a fax transmission and return the
display to the fax default.
Clear current settings and return to default settings.
To choose the option that appears on the display.
Increase a number on the display.
Scroll through a list on the display.
Insert a three-second pause in the number to be dialed to wait for an
outside line or get through an automated answering system.
NOTE: Enter a pause only when you have already begun entering the
number.
A keypad number
or symbol
In fax mode:
Enter fax numbers.
Select letters when creating a speed dial list.
Type numbers to enter or edit the date and time shown on
the printer display.
In copy mode, select the number of copies you want to make.
Start a scan, copy, or fax job.
NOTE: If you initiate a copy without specifying color or black and
white, color is used by default.
LCD (Liquid
Crystal Display)
To show options available to you.
Operator Panel Menus
Copy Mode
Scan Mode
Fax Mode
Setup Mode
Maintenance Mode
PictBridge Mode
There are five modes available from the main menu on your printer: Copy, Scan, Fax, Setup, and
Maintenance.
A sixth mode, PictBridge mode, is also available on the printer. This mode is only available when you plug a
PictBridge-enabled camera into your printer. For more information, see PictBridge Mode.
Copy Mode
From the main menu, use the left and right Arrow buttons to scroll to Copy.1.
Press the Select button .2.
Press the right Arrow button until the heading you want appears on the display, and then press the
Select button .
3.
Use the left and right Arrow buttons to scroll through the available menu items.4.
When the setting you want appears on the display, press the Select button to save the setting.5.
Copy Mode Menu
Specify your copy to be color or black and white.
Color*
Black
Specify the number of copies you want to make from 1-99.
Specify the quality of the copy.
Auto Detect*
Draft
Normal
Photo
Change the darkness setting using the left and right Arrow buttons (the middle
setting is the default).
Specify the size of the paper in the paper input tray.
8.5x11"*
8.5x14"
A4*
B5
A5
A6
L
2L
Hagaki
3x5"
3.5x5"
4x6"
5x7"
10x15 cm
13x18 cm
NOTE: The default paper size is based on country selection.
Specify the type of paper in the paper input tray.
Auto Detect*
Plain
Coated
Photo
Transparency
Specify how much you want the copy to magnify the original document
50%
100%*
150%
200%
Custom%
Fit to page
2x2 Poster
3x3 Poster
4x4 Poster
2.25x3.25"
3x5"
3.5x5"
4x6"
5x7"
8x10"
8.5x11"
8.5x14"
L
2L
Hagaki
60x80 mm
9x13 cm
10x15 cm
13x18 cm
20x25 cm
A4
Specify how many times you want the image to repeat on a page.
1*
4
9
16
NOTE: The Repeat Image feature cannot be used with zoom. If you select a value other than
1, Zoom is automatically set to 100%.
Press the Select button if you want to collate your multiple-page copies.
For more information about collating copies, see Collating Copies.
Specify how many different images or pages of a document you want to print on a single
page.
1 Up*
2 Up
4 Up
NOTE: N-up and Repeat Image cannot be used together. If a value other than 1 Up is
specified and then you select a Repeat Image value greater than 1, the Repeat Image setting
is ignored and the N-up setting is used.
Specify the size of the original document you are copying.
Automatic*
8.5x11"
2.25x3.25"
3x5"
3.5x5"
4x6"
5x7"
8x10"
L
2L
Hagaki
A6
A5
B5
A4
60x80mm
9x13 cm
10x15 cm
13x18 cm
20x25 cm
Specify the type of the original document you are copying.
Text/Graphics*
Text only
Photo
* Factory default setting
Turn on your computer and printer, and make sure they are connected. If you are working over a
network, make sure your printer is connected to the network.
1.
From the main menu, use the use the left and right Arrow buttons to scroll to Scan, and then2.
press the Select button .
2.
Press the right Arrow button until the heading you want appears on the display, and then press the
Select button .
3.
Use the left and right Arrow buttons to scroll through the available menu items.4.
When the setting you want appears on the display, press the Select button to save the setting.
Scan Mode Menu
If your printer is connected locally:
Select the application to which you want your scanned image or document to be sent.
If your printer is connected to a network:
Select the computer on the network and the application on the selected computer to which
you want your scanned image or document to be sent.
NOTE: If the computer you are sending scanned images or documents to requires a PIN, you
are prompted to enter the PIN before the scan is initiated. For more information about
scanning across a network, see Scanning Single-Page Documents and Single Photos.
Specify the resolution for which you want your original document or image to be scanned.
Automatic
75 dpi
150 dpi*
300 dpi
600 dpi
Specify the size of the original document you want to scan.
Auto Detect*
8.5x11"
2.25x3.25"
3x5"
4x6"
5x7"
8x10"
A6
A5
B5
*Factory default settings
From the main menu, use the left and right Arrow buttons to scroll to Fax.1.
Press the Select button .2.
The display asks for a phone number. Press the Select button .3.
Press the right Arrow button until the heading you want appears on the display, and then press the
Select button .
4.
Use the left and right Arrow buttons to scroll through the available menu items.5.
When the setting you want appears on the display, press the Select button to save the setting or
enter the submenu.
6.
In order for faxing to function properly:
The printer's FAX connector ( - right side connector) must be connected to an active phone line.
See Setting Up the Printer With Equipment for setup details.
NOTE: You cannot fax with a DSL (digital subscriber line) or ISDN (integrated services digital
network) unless you purchase a digital line filter. Contact your Internet Service Provider for more
details.
If you are using the Dell Printer Fax Tools to send a fax from within an application, the printer must be
connected to a computer with a USB cable.
Fax Mode Main Menu
Specify the action for which you want to perform in your Phone Book.
View
Add
Remove
Modify
Print
For more information about your Phone Book, see Speed Dial.
Press the Select button if you want the printer to go off hook.
For more information, see Manually Dialing a Fax While Listening to a Telephone Line (On
Hook Dial).
Send a delayed fax or view faxes waiting to be sent.
Delay Until
View Pending
For more information about sending delayed faxes, see Send a Delayed Fax.
Turn the Auto Answer feature on, off, or schedule a time for the feature to be enabled
and disabled.
On*
Scheduled
Off
Specify the quality (resolution) of the fax being sent.
Standard*
Fine
Superfine
Ultrafine
Use the left and right Arrow buttons to specify the darkness setting (middle
setting is the default).
Set various setup features for your printer's fax settings.
Reports
Ringing and Answering
Fax Printing
Dialing and Sending
Fax Blocking
For more information on any of the options listed under the Fax Setup heading, see Fax
Setup Menu.
The option you select from the Fax Setup heading controls the settings shown on the display.
Use the left and right Arrow buttons to scroll through the available menus items.1.
When the setting you want appears on the display, press the Select button to save the setting.2.
If you want to change more settings in the Fax Setup menu, use the left and right Arrow buttons
to scroll through the available headings.
3.
When the heading you want appears on the display, press the Select button .4.
Use the left and right Arrow buttons to scroll through the available menu items.5.
When the setting you want appears on the display, press the Select button to save the setting or
enter the submenu.
6.
Fax Setup Menu
Specify the type of report you would like to set print settings for.
Activity Report
Fax Confirmation
Print Reports
For more information on any of the options listed under the Reports heading, see
Additional Fax Options.
Set various ringing and answering features for your printer's fax settings.
Ringer Volume
Answer Fax When
Ring Pattern
Fax Forward
Caller ID Pattern
For more information on any of the options listed under the Ringing and Answering
heading, see Additional Fax Options.
Set the settings for how you want faxes to print.
Paper Size
Paper Type
Fit Fax to Page
Fax Footer
For more information on any of the options listed under the Fax Printing heading,
see Additional Fax Options.
Set various options controlling how your printer sends faxes.
Your Fax Number - use the keypad to enter your fax number. This is the
number used on the fax footer.
Your Fax Name - use the keypad to enter your fax name. This is the name used
on the fax footer.
Dial Method
Redial Time
Redial Attempts
Dial Prefix
Dial Volume
Scan
Max Send Speed
Error Correction
Auto Fax Convert
For more information on any of the options listed under the Dialing and Sending
heading, see Additional Fax Options.
Add or remove numbers from which you want to block faxes.
Turn On/Off
Add
Remove
Modify
Print
Block No-ID
For more information about blocking faxes, see Blocking Faxes.
Additional Fax Options
The option you select from the various options on the Fax Setup menu controls the settings shown on the
display.
Use the left and right Arrow buttons to scroll through the available menu items.1.
When the setting you want appears on the display, press the Select button to save the setting.2.
If you want to change more of the additional settings in the menu, use the left and right Arrow
buttons to scroll through the available headings.
3.
When the heading you want appears on the display, press the Select button .4.
Use the left and right Arrow buttons to scroll through the available menu items.5.
When the setting you want appears on the display, press the Select button to save the setting or
enter the submenu.
6.
Additional Fax Options Menu
Specify when you want a fax activity report to be printed.
On Request*
After 40 Faxes
Specify how often you want to print a fax confirmation.
On Error*
Off
Print for All
Specify which report or log you want to print.
Activity Report
Send Log
Receive Log
Settings List
Specify the volume of the ringer from the built-in speaker on the printer.
Off
Low*
High
Specify how many rings you want to occur before the printer answers the fax if the printer
is in Auto Answer mode.
After 1 Ring
After 2 Rings
After 3 Rings*
After 4 Rings
NOTE: In order to use fax blocking you must have two or more rings selected.
Specify a type of ring for which the printer will only answer incoming calls with that ring. If
Any is selected the printer answers all incoming calls.
Single
Double
Triple
Any*
Specify if you want your incoming faxes to be forwarded to another fax number.
Off*
Forward
Print & Forward
Specify the Caller ID pattern you want to use.
Pattern 1*
Pattern 2
Pattern n
NOTE: The number of patterns shown is based on country selection.
Specify if you want error correction enabled or not.
On*
Off
Specify the size of paper in the paper input tray.
8.5x11"*
8.5x14"
A4*
NOTE: The default paper size is based on country selection.
Specify the type of paper in the paper input tray.
Auto Detect*
Plain
Coated
Photo
Transparency
Specify if you want oversized faxes to be scaled to fit on the paper in the paper input tray.
Fit-to-Page*
Use Two Pages
Specify if you want to insert the Time/Date/Page Number/System Identification footer at
the bottom of each fax received.
On*
Off
Specify the printer dialing method.
Touch-tone*
Pulse
Behind PBX
Specify the amount of time the printer should wait before attempting to send a nonsuccessful fax again.
1 Minute
2 Minutes*
3 Minutes
4 Minutes
5 Minutes
6 Minutes
7 Minutes
8 Minutes
Specify the number of times the printer should attempt to re-send a non-successful fax.
0 Times
1 Time
2 Times
3 Times*
4 Times
5 Times
Specify a number up to eight digits that will be added to the beginning of each number
dialed.
NOTE: A pause is automatically inserted after the prefix when dialing occurs.
If no prefix is set:
None*
Create
If a prefix is set:
Current prefix is displayed
None
Specify the volume dial volume.
Off
Low*
High
Specify if you want the original document to be scanned into memory before or after
dialing the fax number.
Before Dial*
After Dial
Specify the maximum speed at which a fax is sent.
2400
4800
7200
9600
12000
14400
16800
19200
21600
24000
26400
28800
31200
33600*
Turn Auto Fax Convert on or off. If you are faxing a high-resolution document to a fax
machine that prints at a lower resolution, the printer automatically converts the resolution
to match that of the receiving fax machine.
On*
Off
Turn fax blocking on or off.
On
Off*
Turn fax blocking for faxes without caller ID on or off.
On
Off*
* Factory default setting
From the main menu, use the left and right Arrow buttons to scroll to Setup.1.
Press the Select button .2.
Press the right Arrow button until the heading you want appears on the display, and then press the
Select button .
3.
Use the left and right Arrow buttons to scroll through the available menu items.4.
When the setting you want appears on the display, press the Select button to save the setting or
enter the submenu.
5.
Setup Mode Main Menu
Select the operator panel setting you want to reconfigure.
Language
Country
Date/Time
Host Fax Settings
Button Beep
Power Save
Clear Timeout Settings
For more information about any of the Device Setup options, see Additional Setup
Options.
Change the default settings from the factory to settings you specify.
Copy/Fax paper size
Copy paper type
Set Defaults
For more information about any of the Defaults options, see Additional Setup Options.
Additional Setup Options
The option you select from the various options on the Setup mode main menu controls the settings shown
on the display.
Use the left and right Arrow buttons to scroll through the available menu items.1.
When the setting you want appears on the display, press the Select button to save the setting.2.
If you want to change more of the additional settings in the menu, use the left and right Arrow
buttons to scroll through the available headings.
3.
When the heading you want appears on the display, press the Select button .4.
Use the left and right Arrow buttons to scroll through the available menu items.5.
When the setting you want appears on the display, press the Select button to save the setting.6.
Additional Setup Options Menu
Specify if you want to allow the printer fax settings to be reconfigured from the
Printer Setup Utility software.
Allow*
Block
Specify if you want to hear a beep when you press buttons on the operator panel or
not.
On*
Off
Specify how much time you want to elapse before the printer switches to Power Save
mode.
Never
After 60 min
After 30 min*
After 10 min
Now
Select how much time you want to elapse before the settings list is reset to the
defaults.
2 minutes*
Never
Specify the size of paper in the paper input tray.
8.5x11"*
8.5x14"
A4*
B5
A5
A6
L
2L
Hagaki
3x5"
3.5x5"
4x6"
5x7"
10x15 cm
13x18 cm
NOTE: The default paper size is based on country selection.
Specify the type of paper in the paper input tray.
Auto Detect*
Plain
Coated
Photo
Transparency
Press the Select button to change the current settings on your printer to the
default settings.
*Factory default settings
From the main menu, use the left and right Arrow buttons to scroll to Maintenance.1.
Press the Select button .2.
Press the right Arrow button until the heading you want appears on the display, and then press the
Select button .
3.
Use the left and right Arrow buttons to scroll through the available maintenance tasks.4.
When the task you want appears on the display, press the Select button to perform the task.5.
Maintenance Mode Menu
Press the Select button to view the level of ink in both cartridges.
Press the Select button to clean the ink cartridges. A cleaning page prints. You may
discard the page when printing is complete.
Press the Select button to align the ink cartridges. An alignment page prints. You may
discard the page when printing is complete.
Press the Select button to print a test page. You may discard the page when printing
is complete.
PictBridge Mode
When you plug your PictBridge-enabled camera into your printer, the printer automatically switches to
PictBridge mode.
When your printer changes to PictBridge mode, press the right Arrow button until the heading
you want appears on the display, and then press the Select button .
1.
Use the left and right Arrow buttons to scroll through the available menu items.2.
When the setting you want appears on the display, press the Select button to save the setting.3.
PictBridge Mode Menu
Specify the size of the paper in the paper input tray.
3.5x5"
4x6"
5x7"
8.5x11"*
L
2L
Hagaki
A6
A5
B5
A4*
10x15 cm
13 x 18 cm
NOTE: The default paper size is based on country selection.
Specify the size of the photos you want to print.
2.25x3.25"
3.5x5"
4x6"*
5x7"
8x10"
8.5x11"
L
2L
Hagaki
A6
A5
B5
A4
60x80 mm
9x13 cm
10x15 cm
13x18 cm
20x25 cm
Using Layout - this is only displayed if there is a photo size and layout conflict. Press
the Select button to resolve the conflict.
Specify the layout of the photos on the printed page.
Automatic*
Borderless
1 per page
2 per page
3 per page
4 per page
6 per page
8 per page
16 per page
1 centered
Specify the print quality (resolution) of the photos.
Automatic*
Draft
Normal
Photo
Specify the type of paper in the paper input tray.
Auto Detect*
Plain
Coated
Photo
Transparency
* Factory default setting
Understanding Paper and Specialty Media
Guidelines
Loading Paper
Understanding the Automatic Paper Type Sensor
Loading Original Documents
Loading Paper
Fan the paper.1.
Lift the paper exit tray, and extend the paper support.2.
Insert paper into the paper input tray.3.
NOTE: Do not force the paper into the printer.
Squeeze and slide the paper guides to rest against the edges of the paper.4.
Lower the paper exit tray.5.
Extend the paper exit tray stop to catch paper as it exits the printer.6.
NOTE: The paper exit tray can hold up to 50 sheets of paper.