x736de - major slow copying and print speeds

[scoobysteve]

hi all,

I'm working on a x736de that has really slow print and copying speeds. I tried printing a MS Word document with "test" as the only text in the document (in B&W mode) and it took 3 mins to print 35 pages - very sad for a machine that is capable of 35ppm. I tried copying this single page (in B&W mode) at a quantity of 35 and it takes the same amount of time.

the client has said that the machine was initially fast but are unsure on whats happened since. I can confirm that the settings of the paper type on the machine is A4 (in our neck of the woods, this is standard size) and the type is "plain".

Other errors machine is experiencing which may or may not have an effect on this problem:

• We've noticed the machine has had numerous "missing or defective cartridge" errors for the Y and M toner cartridges. Simply taking them out and reinstalling them solves the problem temporarily and eventually replacing them makes the problem go away for a longer period of time. Funny enough the problem has reoccured again on the replacement cartridge for both colours.
• I've had the above error occur on two different models of lexmark. We have suggested that it is faulty toner cartridges but lexmark support has said it is not the case but likely a faulty board or similiar.
• Also, the machine is indicating that it needs all PCU replaced. Does this slow down the speed of the machine? with the other manufacturers we deal with, even if the machine indicates it needs a PCU, the speed is still the same.
• I have reseated the connector for the toner contacts on the system board to solve the missing cartridge issue and eventually replaced the system board to see if it solves the speed issue but it has made no difference

any suggestions would be much appreciated. thank you.

Kind Regards
Steve

[Meach]

If someone put the machine in "Quiet Mode" it will cut the speed in half. Press Menu, General Settings, Quiet Mode, On/Off.
Also the firmware level is at P413c as of March. Make sure that has been updated.
I have seen the cartridge problem quite a bit. Cleaning the contacts like you did helps also sandpaper the contacts.

[Silvertoast]

i agree with updated the firmware more than likely that is the problem, do not reccomend turning off quiet mode, from experience itll create other problems

[scoobysteve]

Hi guys,

thanks for your input. I forgot to mention that i did perform a firmware update to the latest as my first step in trying to sort out the "missing or defective cartridge" error thus i was hoping that would also resolve the speed issue. But i will double check the quiet mode option.

Also in regards to the cartridge issue, it was strange how the lexmark HQ (not level 1 support but the actual dealer & service manager who looks after us lexmark dealers/repair agents) said that they havent had any problems and that it was only just us - i found that very difficult to accept....We've only come onboard as a lexmark reseller and service agent and out of the 10 or so machines we've sold, we have had at least half of them have problems, even two straight out of the box - bad run or bad machines? hmmm.

[Silvertoast]

the only other idea i have is try a diffrent version of the print driver, i had a sharp copier that did basically the same thing, just took like 5- 10 min after the print button was hit on the computer till it actually printed. called sharp and they recommended a diffrent driver, that solved the problem

[scoobysteve]

the copying speed is really slow too and thinking about it is the same as the printing speed. takes about 4 secs from when you see the leading edge of the paper coming out of the exit until when the paper drops onto the output tray... ie, 60 secs / 4secs per page = 15 ppm.. half the speed of what it should be doing...

[scoobysteve]

ok...the speed issue was definitely due to the "quiet mode" being enabled so many thanks to Meach for that.

in regards to the missing cartridge issues, i replaced the controller/system board. so far so good so touch wood all will be ok.