HP M880z Grainy copies

[psteelers]

Hi all. Got a HP M880z that prints great but copies are grainy. They run 70 lb. paper as "plain paper", card stock type for 11x17, and 20# for legal. Graininess effects all the paper types. I've updated the firmware and tried different copy settings (ie: text/picture, contrast, sharpness) and even tried paper settings such as Bond, glossy and different weights in printer que. And I tried black only, color and automatic color, which is the normal setting. It has 45,900 pages on it. Any ideas?
Thanks so much.

[theengel]

Re: HP M880z Grainy copies

When you say grainy, do you mean it feels grainy or looks grainy.

Actually, I guess it doesn't matter. I would probably start with the fuser.

[psteelers]

Re: HP M880z Grainy copies

Hi theengel. Images/text look grainy. I guess I don't understand how the fuser can cause jobs printed to look great but copies to be grainy. Can you elaborate?
I really appreciate your prompt reply.

[theengel]

Re: HP M880z Grainy copies

I'm not sure either. I just know that several machines (especially the p4015) can give grainy looking copies if there's a bad fuser. Sometimes slowing the printer down can help, but not always. I thing there's a p4015 firmware upgrade that can help the problem. And I haven't seen it on the M800's, but that's probably where I'd start. Although, I'm not there looking at the machine. The only other thing I can think of is the transfer unit.

[copydocinc]

Re: HP M880z Grainy copies

Clean the optics? (mirrors, lens, glass, top and bottom, slit glass, top and bottom, plastic shield over slit glass, top and bottom)

[psteelers]

Re: HP M880z Grainy copies

I'm not sure either. I just know that several machines (especially the p4015) can give grainy looking copies if there's a bad fuser. Sometimes slowing the printer down can help, but not always. I thing there's a p4015 firmware upgrade that can help the problem. And I haven't seen it on the M800's, but that's probably where I'd start. Although, I'm not there looking at the machine. The only other thing I can think of is the transfer unit.

Well it wouldn't be the strangest thing I've heard of. I'll keep that in mind when I talk to client next.
Thank you

[psteelers]

Re: HP M880z Grainy copies

Clean the optics? (mirrors, lens, glass, top and bottom, slit glass, top and bottom, plastic shield over slit glass, top and bottom)

I hadn't considered that due to print quality is good. But it won't hurt to try it.
Thank you.

[copydocinc]

Re: HP M880z Grainy copies

I hadn't considered that due to print quality is good. But it won't hurt to try it.
Thank you.

Print quality is separate and not related to the optics.
Copy quality is always related to the optics.

[theengel]

Re: HP M880z Grainy copies

Got a HP M880z that prints great but copies are grainy.

I can't believe I didn't see that. Scratch everything I said. Just work on the optics. Probably just replace the whole scan unit: A2W75-67908

[Hewlett Slacker]

Re: HP M880z Grainy copies

I wonder if that might help me out, not grainy copies but i have one that prints beautiful but when copying a certain shade of green on the pantone chart, it turns the green to yellow. Unfortunately it the shade of the customers logo.