4 Must-Dos to Keep Your Printer Printing

1. Clean the ink nozzle
When using an inkjet printer, you’ll want to ensure that the ink nozzle stays clean and free of any obstructions. One easy way to do this is with the HP Deskjet Toolbox that was installed with your printer. For most printers, the Toolbox will have a "Maintenance" or "Printer Services" tab. Choosing this tab reveals a "Clean the print cartridges" option. Choose this option and follow the instructions presented. You may need to run the test multiple times.

2. Ensure printheads are aligned
This simple step will keep all the nozzles pointing in the right direction so that the ink gets to the right place. A hint that your printheads are misaligned: white repeating lines or a grid-like pattern on your printout. For detailed, step-by-step instructions on how to do this for your HP Deskjet, HP Business Inkjet, or HP Color Inkjet Printers, visit this HP support page.

3. Keep carriage rods moving smoothly
The carriage makes a chattering or grinding noise while travelling side-to-side across the rails of the HP Designjet series printers. While the exact steps are slightly different for various Designjet models, the basic idea is to clean and lubricate the printer's slider rods. To do so, turn the printer off, access the carriage assembly, and wipe the carriage’s rails with a lint-free cloth and warm water. Then dry all water from the rails, and apply one small drop of HP Synthetic Oil on the carriage rails on each side of the carriage. Using a lint-free cloth, wipe the lubricant along each side of the carriage rails.

4. Keep drivers up to date
Regularly making sure you have the latest printer driver is one of the easiest things you can do to keep your printer in top working order. Updating your driver will help you avoid or eliminate printing problems, take advantage of your printer’s latest features, and ensure maximum print quality. Even better, these driver updates are free to download from HP; if you have subscribed to HP Driver and Support Alerts, you’ll receive the latest driver updates automatically into your inbox. To install the latest driver:

1. Go to the Support & Drivers page.
2. Select “Download drivers and software (and firmware).”
3. Enter your product number. (This alphanumeric code is usually found on the front or top corner of your printer. If you aren’t sure of your product number, click “How do I find my product name/number”, then click on the “>>” button.
4. Select your operating system, such as Microsoft® Windows Vista® or Windows® XP, from the list of options.
5. Select the basic driver or a driver and software bundle from the list of options. Usually, the first choice is the most basic driver update.
6. Click the “Download only” button.
7. You will see the message “Would you like to save this file?” Click “Save File”.
8. Follow any on-screen instructions to finish your installation.
9. Restart your computer once the installation is complete.

7 Reasons to Upgrade to Windows 7

1.  Simplified Networking:  These days, work doesn’t just happen at the office. Windows 7 features let you move from your work network to home network with ease.

• Location Aware Printing can detect whether you are at work or at home and can automatically send your documents to the right printer.
• HomeGroup lets you share files and printers across computers, even without a server. With Windows 7 Professional networking is simple saving you time and money.

2.  Carefree Mobility:  Work from virtually anywhere—you can connect to and manage wireless networks without having to spend a lot of time configuring them.

• Remote Desktop Connection means you can access documents and programs on a remote PC with just about as much effort as logging on to your laptop.

3.  Comfortable Continuity:  Most applications and devices are compatible with Windows 7, but for the applications that aren’t, Windows 7 Professional also comes with Windows XP Compatibility Mode. You can run your Windows XP-compatible applications right in Windows 7 Professional.


4.  Improved Efficiency: Everyone loves shortcuts, which is why Windows 7 Professional has them built right in.

• The Aero Desktop feature lets you snap open Windows or documents into place side by side.
• The Windows Taskbar and Jump Lists puts the documents and applications you use most right at your fingertips and make it easy to see what you have open.

5.  System Safety: Keeping your information and systems safe is easier than ever.

• Advanced Backup helps safeguard your data by backing it up automatically to a network location or local drive so that you can restore your information should the worst happen.
• You can also encrypt files and folders easily with just the click of your mouse.

6.  Smarter Search: Find information quickly and easily the first time you search for it.

• Windows Search even finds applications, anywhere on your computer, fast.
• The Libraries feature lets you view groups of related files in one place, making them easy to find even when you’ve stored them in different folders or on different PCs.

7.  Reduced Costs:  Windows 7 Professional actually helps older hardware move faster. Plus, better power management features can extend the battery life of your laptop, helping you stay productive and up and running.


For a limited time, you can upgrade to Windows 7 for 50% off of the Open Value Subscription price for one year! Contact us at 419-534-3010 or via email.

Microsoft's Big Easy Offer 4.0

Microsoft’s Big Easy Offer 4.0: Build a solution that fits!

The Big Easy Offer gives you choices on Microsoft products and solutions that fit your needs. For every qualifying product you purchase, Microsoft pays you partner subsidy funds that can be used with a Microsoft Partner of your choice to help with the implementation of your Microsoft solution including software, hardware and services.

What is a Subsidy?
A subsidy is a check made payable to the Microsoft partner of your choice. This subsidy can be used to enrich and implement your Microsoft solution. The subsidy allows you to purchase additional products or services from the Microsoft partner of your choice thus lowering your Total Cost of Ownership.

Want More?
You can increase your subsidy by choosing:
• Products from more than one product group.
• Licenses with Software Assurance.
• Advanced or Enterprise Editions.


How do I take advantage of the Big Easy Offer 4.0?
• Make a qualifying purchase between January 3, 2010 and March 31, 2010.
• Redeem your purchase within 30 days of purchase date at http://www.microsoftincentives.com/BigEasy4/redeem.aspx.
• Receive your partner subsidy check from Microsoft.
• Spend your subsidy funds with your Microsoft partner upon receipt. Please note that subsidy funds expire after 90 days of the check issue date.

Click here to find included products, estimate your subsidy & watch a video


Take advantage of this great offer by contacting a Solution Advisor today! You can reach us by phone at 419.534.3010, via email, or at www.computerworkstoledo.com