HP 4100 Chip Can Cause Premature Toner Low Alert

!INDUSTRY ALERT #91

Reuse of the HP4100 Chip Can Cause Premature “Toner Low” Alert

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Fax: 800.488.2452

INTERNATIONAL SALES

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Fax: 919.774.1287

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HP4100 Embedded Web Server Functionality

The HP4100 embedded web server enables all users of the printer to view the printer’s status on an internal network.

The HP4100 printer generates a home page which provides a quick look at printer status. There are menu options for the user to configure the printer on line (just as they would when using the menus on the printer’s control panel). In addition, users can configure the printer to notify two people via email regarding service, media path, and the status of supplies.

Much of the information provided on the web server is generated by the chip, so it is important for remanufacturers to be aware of the situations their customers might be facing when using aftermarket products.

Supplies Status Page

Percentage of toner available

Toner Low/

Toner Out status

Recommendation

Educate your customers about the expected performance of HP4100 remanufactured cartridges, regarding TONER LOW, TONER OUT, and NON-HP TONER DETECTED messages. Details are outlined on the following pages.

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Industry Alert #91

Reuse of the HP4100 Chip And Premature “Toner Low” Alert

US AND CANADA SALES

Voice: 800.488.2426

Fax: 800.488.2452

INTERNATIONAL SALES

Voice: 919.774.3808

Fax: 919.774.1287

Page 2

Critical Issues

•When the HP4100 cartridge begins to run out of toner on the OEM cycle, a TONER LOW message is displayed on the user interface panel. If the

cartridge is removed from the printer before reaching a TONER OUT message and then remanufactured without removing the chip, a TONER LOW message will appear on the display upon reuse because the chip reactivates to its previous state. If your customer has the HP web page set up for email notification about toner levels, they will receive a faulty

TONER LOW message.

•If the end-user receives a TONER LOW message with the remanufactured cartridge, they can still print by going to the Configuration Menu and setting TONER LOW = CONTINUE.

When utilizing the embedded web server function of the HP4100, the end-user also needs to be aware that the supply status web page will not display an accurate reading of the amount of toner left. After about 25 prints, the toner gauge will show 25% toner remaining. The reading will stay fairly constant at 25% until the cartridge actually reaches about 25% toner remaining. At this point, the chip will function normally and alert the user upon reaching a TONER OUT condition.

•If the cartridge is allowed to run completely out of toner (with the resulting TONER OUT message), the chip will deactivate so that when you

install the remanufactured cartridge, the user will receive a NON-HP TONER DETECTED message. In this instance, the web page information is limited to printer info and an approximate toner level gauge. No TONER LOW email is sent.

See the detailed table on the following page.

Recommendation

Static Control engineers recommend that you remove the HP4100 chip to avoid the TONER LOW or TONER OUT messages. The end-user will still receive a NON-HP TONER DETECTED message, but this message will not cause the printer to stop working. Your customers do need to be aware that they will not receive a TONER LOW message with remanufactured cartridges. Instead they will need to rely on visual checks of their printouts to verify if toner is low or out.

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