CS-420i print jobs getting stuck 'In Process' on machine

[mike*]

We have a couple of CS-420i's at one account that we are experiencing printing issues with. The print job get stuck in the machines 'Status\Cancel Job' queue with a status of 'In Process'. If you cancel the job, all the jobs behind it come out just fine. Here's the breakdown of what I found. I witnessed one docx file get stuck. I printed the same file, same settings, same printer same everything and it went through without a hiccup. Did the same thing about 15 times with no problems. My thoughts are if it were a driver, machine, or document issue it would be a consistent problem and not so random.

I also want to mention the job completely leaves the queue on the print server and the machine has the latest firmware and the driver is the most current. Any ideas or thoughts on why the job would hang 'In Process' on the machines?

[randandrawson]

I fought this on an old QMS for about 6 months.
Connection seemed fine, then it would just hang on a job. Seemed random.
I know it sounds like a 1st level "phone support" support rag, but try swapping out a new network cable.

Issue progressively got worse, until I was waiting 10 min for a 4K file to render, and got desperate.
I refused to believe that was it, but wow, this old pig prints quick and trouble free now.
Cost $8, after swapping out boards, formatting drives, ...........

[mike*]

I did swap cables on one of the machines designated as the 'tester' to see if the problem continued. The problem is they have 2 of these machines less than 20 ft away from each other and a 3rd in a completely different building doing the same thing.

[randandrawson]

OH boy.
From different workstations as well I suppose? Is it possible there is some network corruption? I mean it's a stretch, but other than some random packet corruption it's just too bizarre.
Are they even all on the same switch?
Would be great if you could blame it on IT!!!

I dont suppose they have any huge electromagnets laying around? Believe it or not I had a client who's network connection would crap out every time the magnet out in the yard was energized to move scrap to the crusher. The PC's and switches all had enough shielding, but the plastic china junk Ve**zon modem bolted right to the tin shack was loosing it's mind (nice install guys.)!
Fixed it with plywood, a steel box and a ground loop.
Weirdest work environment ever.

I feel your pain man, but thats way over my head.

[mike*]

Different workstations, I'm assuming separate switches, and unfortunately no electromagnets around to point fingers at. I have a feeling it has something to do with there network just due to the inconsistency and nature of the problem. But everything prints just fine on an HP printer so im told so its my machines problem!

[blackcat4866]

It probably won't help, but I've got a few suggestions:

Increase the host buffer: Set H8 to 64 or more, Submit, set S5 to 2 (1MB increments), Submit, set M6 to 10 (network printing memory to max), Submit. (Only submit one change at a time.)

You'll get consistently faster print times with PCL XL emulation.

If it's truly a network issue neither of these changes will make any difference. =^..^=

[D_L_P]

I don't know much about Sharp's but does it have a feature where you can set it to print after completing the RIP? Or turn off the spooler entirely? Most newer equipment comes with Appletalk and IPX off but I'd try turning off as many features as possible. If it is processing one job and another comes in, that fax starts ringing and some jerk is pounding away at the control panel most MFD's just can't take all that crap.

Just to give their It dept something to do, have them try all the different ports. Switch from port 9100 to LRP or to the optional unix LPR, or even IPP.

Hp - they always seem to kick our ass when it comes to printing. I've noticed they do most of the processing on the computer end and have very few features at the printer end.

[randandrawson]

yea, the hp printers are a joke. Bring a workstation to its knees while trying to print a large format doc.

The drivers for the hp DO however eat a ton of errors and send a file the printer will mostly digest, well, unless there are typefaces or images.....

The random nature of this issue doesnt seem to point to corrupt typefaces, or bad code from microsoft drivers.

Have you tried rolling the firmware back on one of them? I dont know about Sharp, but I've seen Xerox break a printer with updates.

[mike*]

No real updates yet on this. We changed a few on the settings on one of the machines as a tester to see what happens. Also updated to firmware which was only one back but who knows. Any other thoughts?

[blackcat4866]

The are only three versions of the firmware since inception. I guess the got it right, for the most part. =^..^=