The problem is all inside your head
She said to me
The answer is easy if you
Take it logically
I’d like to help you in your struggle
To be free
There must be fifty ways
To fix your printer
Apologies to Paul Simon (Writer of : 50 ways to leave your lover)
There is no doubt that we come across strange things when investigating and resolving problems in the world of IT. However two strange explanations in one day relating to the same manufacturers printers is worth a mention.
The first was constant jamming of paper just after loading a page on a Techtronix Phaser. The second was the explanation for the above as given to a client with this problem – when I asked if they had ever seen this issue.
I had downloaded a service manual for the printer and was planning to open it to check for paper caught in the feed path – when the client who had previously had the same issue albeit on a slightly newer model offered to show me the solution.
Standing in front of the printer they said that they had had a service call about the problem and an engineer had attended. The advice was that because the back of the printer faced a window and the problem occured at the same time each day (just as the sun hit the window behind the printer) – it was an problem with a sensor in the top of the printer.
The solution – place the cardboard top of a box of photocopier paper over the top of the printer – covering the sensor and remove it when wanting to print – Brilliant !!!!!
The other printer’s problem was also resolved. The owner called me to say that it was now functioning correctly and they were happy with the printer again. When questioned they advised that they had solved it by losing their temper and kicking the printer on the side quite violently.
While I listened I wondered – is there a league for the protection of cruelty to printers ?
You know who you are – G@B – you should be ashamed ……
She said it grieves me so
To see you in such pain
I wish there was something I could do
To make you print again
I said I appreciate that
And would you please explain
About the fifty ways