MX-M623N Background when scanning to network folder

[Troy]

I have a customer that uses this machine to scan to a network folder. The machine is about 4 months old, has around 55k on it. The problem is that when scanning a document to a folder on her pc, it picks up background and prints a gray shade over the entire sheet minus the blanked edges. It does it from the glass or from the document feeder. This does not happen when copying a document!!

Also when scanning a blank page it has the background defect everytime, but not everytime when scanning a document that has print on it. This makes me think it is sampling a particular part of the document to do an auto exposure adjustment that is not performed when just making a copy. I have set auto exposure to manual and lightened it, but it just makes the image too light if adjusting it enough to get rid of background. I have performed sim 63-2, & 53-8. I have verified it is not a network related issue, because I can scan to the MFP's HDD and then preview it on the MFP's LCD screen and see the background.

I'm stumped. Any input is greatly appreciated.

[Akitu]

Have you checked and cleaned the optics? Is the customer's location dirty?

[mojorolla]

I would check the optics first. The CCD that Sharp uses is very sensative. I have seen it pick up dust from the platen glass right from the box. You could also try adjusting the dpi or compression mode.

[Troy]

Very clean enviroment. Yea, I cleaned the optics first. I just can't understand why it only does it when scanning to a folder, and not when copying.
Looking at the scans over the last 4 months, the images started out fine and progressed to the background showing up. That makes one think it might be dirty optics, but like I said I cleaned the mirrors, lamp, and lens. Am I missing something as far as cleaning the optics? I'll tinker with the dpi and compression.

Thanks for your responses.

[mojorolla]

TIFF or PDF? Have you tried scan to PC or FTP? Same result?

[Troy]

PDF. Still shows if I scan to HDD and preview on MFP's display.
Thanks

[Troy]

Sorry to bump this. Anyone seen this or have any suggestions? Thanks

[Akitu]

Only thing I could POSSIBLY think of if it's only when scanning to folders is to check your RAM. I've had all kinds of funny issues between post-script emulation errors to random lines appearing when scanning to the hard drive for no reason.

[Troy]

Thanks! I haven't heard of that before. Will look at that.

[Akitu]

I have yet to isolate the problem with my own little toy here, as it's not possible to get consistent errors, and I wound up replacing both 512mb chips and the 256mb chip as a solution, to this day it hasn't had any issues of this sort.

My guess is one of the 512mb chips. If you get desperate I would even go so far as to recommend trying an additional 256mb chip and seeing what your results are.

[Troy]

What model did you have a prob with?

[Akitu]

MX-4501N. Was shooting off PS error reports and patching grey lines into everything. Since I replaced the RAM I haven't had any issues despite my best efforts to replicate the problem.

[Troy]

Firmware fixed it. Never would have thought that. The new firmware notes mentioned the following:

Reason for change: In order to correct an error described below.
1. Auto Clear function returns user to the OSA external authority login screen.

2. Pressing Job Status > Home from an OSA HTML based app will not result in a lockup.

Maybe it was corrupt? hmmm.....

Thanks for everyones help. I hope I can be of help to someone in the future.