Lexmark Printers

[Emperor_Nero]

How are they in general? I'm considering getting a Lexmark JetPrinter Z52 for $140 at buy.com. Can I get any recommendations/advices?

[linux_guru]

We have a bunch of Lexmark's here at work. They get a real thrashing & still keep on going strong. No major problems.

[Mr.Goodbytes]

What exactly are you planning on getting out of the printer? Is this for documents, presentations, graphics, photos? How important is the cost of ink to you? Noise level?

[OuTpaTienT]

Ink cartridges are kinda expensive, but if you don't plan on printing 100's of pages a month, then it's probably not a factor.

I have a friend with the Z51 and I can tell you that it's output is EXCELLENT. Even when printing on plain paper using the standard ink cartridge (there's also "photo quality" ink cartridges availible).

Only problem I ran into with it was it "claims" to be USB compatible. Well, if you have a VIA chipset motherboard then the printer (at least the Z51) will NOT under any circumstances function on the USB.

[Pete1]

I just purchased the HP 932c. Price was 199.00. A little more $$ than most, but I real like the photo image it gives me. Also no need to change cartridges for photo printing. HP ink is an oil base which shouldn't dry out in your printer like my Canon did. Should save money in long run.
Good luck

[Win_98]

both are just as reliable but when it come to quality printing at low resolution hp932 shine in that area... well if you can get 50 buck rebate for lexmark go for it can't go wrong and yes there is refill kit for it. you dont need to drill a hole, all you do it attach this screw around it that look like a monkey bar and you pull the top off revealing the 3 hole inside where you can inject some ink in it for refill. cost of only 13 buck which give 2 refill a saving of 51 bucks? hey if ya dont refill how can you save right? you gotta to learn how to do it heck even a newbie can do it with their eyes closed. http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif both use the exact same type of cartridge but the difference is that lexmark has 0K buffer! none whatsoever relying on your computer to hold data and process infomation slowing it down to a crawl. the hp932c has 4meg of buffer but no cpu of it own to process data, yikes! this can be a long pause as well before it print something say a full page picture. lexmark is like this... print. pause 1 sec. print. pause 1 sec. with HP it is like this... pause 30 sec print everything on 1 page.

[This message has been edited by Win_98 (edited 08-18-2000).]

[Emperor_Nero]

arggh, that's a heartbreaker, outpatient. I have an asus k7v (via KX-133 chipset) and I was planning on using USB with it :-(

basically, I'll use the printer for graphics, text - just basic stuff.

thanks for your inputs...and more are welcomed :-)

btw, I can get the HP DeskJet 930C for $30 more...should I go for that?

[OuTpaTienT]

Emperor, I only know FOR SURE that the Z51 has a major problem with the USB and VIA chipset motherboards. And I asked EVERYWHERE, EVERYBODY, including a helpful chap that owns his own printer repair business...even he ran into a brick wall. I also fired off a nasty email to some of Lexmarks corporate 'bigwigs'. One of them hit the mark because only about 4-6 hours later I had an extremely detailed reply from some service rep. It was about 6 pages(!!!) of explicit instructions on how to possibly get the thing working. I tried. No go. Also Lexmark says to see VIA because they have a patch for this problem. Well, VIA has no such patch. What a freakin' headache that was. But the point I want to get to (if I can ever stop rambling)...

is that Lexmark told me (numerous times) that the Z52 has a more advanced USB interface and shouldn't have these problems. Although they never directly said it will work with a VIA motherboard. It might be worth it to see if you can locate other Z52/VIA owners and just ask them.

[Emperor_Nero]

I do remember seeing a USB driver by Via, the "USB Filter Driver" (http://www.via.com.tw/drivers/index.htm)...I'm not sure if that's the one though. I'm gonna go ask the Lexmark support ppl now. is the problem due to lexmark or due to the USB on the chipset? I have a logitech wingman extreme 3D and I'm using it via USB.

[OuTpaTienT]

I've run scanners, joysticks, steering wheels, and other devices on the USB on VIA motherboards without any problems. Leads me to believe the problem lies with Lexmark.

That USB filter is something you should have installed anyways. It's not a patch per se.

[Maginno]

Have a Lexmark Optra E+ personal laser. Never had one bit of trouble. Had it for 3 years. Great print quality. I would recommend HP for ink jet though.

[Emperor_Nero]

I just asked tech support: this guy also said it was via's fault and they have a patch. so I asked for the name of the patch: "*long pause* I don't think it has a name, just go to www.viatech.com (http://www.viatech.com) and you'll see the fix for it." dumbass. I'm just gonna buy that printer anyway and use it on my sister's comp which isn't a via system.

[Sweeper]

I have a Lexmark 3000. Other then being a little slow at times, it has lasted some time now. Not to bad for the price either.

[Emperor_Nero]

outpatient, great news:

finally, after a few email exchanges, a tech support personnel said:

-----------
There are problems with Via chipsets that havebeen experienced by many printer companies, so many, in fact, that Microsoft has offered an explanation and possible solution. The link to this websiteis:
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q240/0/75.asp

The file you should download is 240075up.exe.
--------------

I haven't tried this patch myself yet - I did order the printer but haven't received it yet. Also, I'm running Windows 98 first edition (the MS article said there are problems w/ MS windows98SE) so I dont' know if I'll get USB problems. So if anyone has a similiar problem described at the MS site and used the patch - did it work?

[OuTpaTienT]

I got my fingers crossed for ya. However, all my problem were with Win98 and not 98SE.

You're getting the Z52 right? and not the Z51? I'm pretty confident you'll be A-ok with the Z52.