How to Create a Custom Paper Size for My Printer

Click 'File' then 'Print' in your program. Choose the printer from the dialog drop-down list and click 'Properties.' You can also access printer properties from the 'Start' menu. Select 'Control Panel,' click 'Printers and Settings,' right-click the printer that you want to use, then select 'Printing Preferences.'
Select the 'Paper,' 'Size' or similar tab on the printer properties dialog box. Click 'Custom' or the similar option under the 'Size' section.
Type in the paper width and height in inches. Take note of the maximum size, which you may see displayed underneath each entry box. Name the custom size setting, if that is an option, then click 'OK.'
View the new size setting under the printer 'Size' section then click 'OK' to close the printing properties dialog box.
Open the printer tray as large as it will go and place your blank sheet of paper inside. Adjust the tray as needed so it fits snugly. Print your document as usual.

How to Bypass Low Ink in a Brother Printer

Cover the 'spine' part of the LC41 cartridge with a small piece of electrical tape.
Place the cartridge back into the printer.
Power off the printer and turn it back on to reset it. You should no longer receive an error message.



Cover the square-shaped hole in the bottom of the LC51 cartridge with black electrical tape.
Place it back into the printer.
Power off the printer and turn it back on to reset it. You should no longer receive an error message.



Cover the tiny 'eye holes' on a toner cartridge with black electrical tape.
Place it back into the printer.
Power off the printer and turn it back on to reset it. You should no longer receive an error message.

How to Connect a USB Printer to Parallel Port

Shut down the computer and turn off the power.
Connect the parallel-to-USB conversion adapter to the LPT (parallel) printer port on the computer. Use the screwdriver to tighten the retaining screws on both sides of the port connector (or use your fingers if they are thumbscrews).
Connect the AC adapter for the conversion adapter to the power input and then plug the other end into an electrical wall socket. If the parallel-to-USB adapter draws its power from the keyboard, remove the keyboard connector from the computer and plug it into female socket of the 'Y' adapter that leads from the adapter. Plug the male end of the adapter cable into the keyboard connector slot on your computer.
Plug the flat end of the USB cable into the open female slot on the conversion adapter. Plug the other end of the cable into the printer.
Refer to the printer manufacturer's installation instructions for setting up the new USB printer and installing any needed software.

How to Stop HP Printer Pop

Click on 'Start,' and then 'Control Panel.' Select 'Printers and Faxes' from the list.
Select the 'File' menu and then 'Server Properties.' Click on the 'Advanced' tab, and then uncheck the option for 'Notify when remote documents are printed.' Select 'Ok' to save the changes you made.
Make sure that you are logged in as 'Administrator' before you can continue disabling the 'HP Solution Updates.' When you are sure that you are logged in as 'Administrator,' click 'Start' and then 'All Programs.' Look for 'HP Product Assistant.'
Select 'View Events' to find out the current error messages being displayed. Click on the error message, and then under 'If this event happens again...,' select 'Don't notify me again.'
Install HP updates whenever they become available so the program does remind you to install updates every now and then. Click 'Start,' All Programs' and 'HP Software Update.' Select your HP product from the list shown and then the operating system your are using. Click on 'Full Feature Software and Drivers,' follow other on-screen instructions and wait for the update to complete. Reboot if necessary.
Uninstall the 'HP Product Assistant' feature from your computer to completely get rid of the HP updates. Load your 'Control Panel,' and then select 'Add or Remove Programs.' Select 'HP Software Tool,' HP Update Tool' or something similar and then 'Uninstall.'

How to Print a Self Test Report on a Printer

Plug the printer into a working electrical outlet. Ensure the printer is turned to ��On.��
Select several sheets of clean, white printer paper. Tap the paper stack on a hard, flat surface to align the edges. Check the paper for rips, curls, wrinkles or bent edges. Remove and discard any unsatisfactory pages. Insert the stack of paper into the input tray, short edge forward. Slide the stack forward until it stops. Do not force the stack beyond its initial stopping point.
Locate the control panel on the front of the printer. Press the Setup Button located on the bottom center of the control panel, beneath the LED readout. Press 2 to select ��Print Reports,�� then press 6 to select ��Self-Test Report�� on the number keypad on the control panel located to the left of the Setup Button.
Examine the resulting self-test page that prints. There should be lines extending all the way across the page in black, yellow, cyan and magenta. A missing black line indicates a problem with the black or photo cartridge. Faded, streaked or missing lines in the other colors indicates a problem with the color ink cartridge.

How to Fix the Dreaded 'Waste Tank Filled' Error Message for Your Canon Printer

With the printer power turned off, while pressing the Resume/Cancel button, press and hold the Power button. (DO NOT release the buttons. The LED lights in green to indicate that a function is selectable.)
While holding the Power button, release the Resume/Cancel button. (DO NOT release the Power button.)
While holding the Power button, press the Resume/Cancel button 2 times, and then release both the Power and Resume/Cancel buttons. (Each time the Resume/Cancel button is pressed, the LED lights alternately in orange and green, starting with orange.)
When the LED lights in green, press the Resume/Cancel button 4 times - Waste ink counter resetting. (Each time the Resume/Cancel button is pressed, the LED lights alternately in orange and green, starting with orange.)
After the function (menu) is selected, press the Power button. The LED lights in green, and the selected function is performed. (When the operation completes, the printer returns to the menu selection mode automatically.)
If the printer is now off, the process is finished, otherwise press the Power button one more time to set the function and to shut down the printer.

How to Manually Clean a Canon Inkjet Cartridge

Remove the ink cartridge. For most printers, you simply pop the top of the printer off, wait for the ink cartridges to move into place, and then remove them from the printer. Consult the user manual of your printer if you are having problems performing this step.
Locate the contacts on the ink cartridge. They are generally on the back of the ink cartridge and tend to be copper or gold colored. Use a dry cleansing cloth and remove any residue from the contacts.
Wipe the rest of the ink cartridge off. Use a dry cleansing cloth to remove any dirt or spots on the ink cartridge.
Clean your cartridge's print head. Use a cleansing cloth with a little bit of rubbing alcohol. Wipe the print head from top to bottom and allow drying. Do this prior to the reinstallation of your cleaned ink cartridge.
Reinstall your ink cartridge. Once you have finished cleaning both the cartridge and the print head, reinstall your cartridge. Consult your printer manual if you have any troubles reinstalling your ink cartridge.