• Registered: 2009-01-07
  • Posts: 270

Topic: Laser printer starts as "vara" (.5 s) instead of "varooooommm" (4 s)

I'm having problem with this Samsung ML-2510 monochrome laser
printer.  When I start the printer, it goes "vara" (about .5
second).  In the past, it would go "varooooommm" (about 4
seconds).  Also in the past, I would have to jiggle the
connection (between the power cord and the printer).  I
know the problem is not the power cord since I tried a
different cord.  Which component is failing? The power
switch?  The connector?  Or is it something else?

How easy it is to fix it yourself (I'm not afraid off opening
computers)?  Do Samsung uses standard parts or their own
propriety parts?  Also, is there a way to "fix" the old
part (tape it, tighten it, hardwire, etc)?

Is there a documentation about monochrome laser printer or
something similar (so that I can understand the issue)?

Thank in advanced for your tips.

Sheng-Chieh

p.s.: Another forum thinks it's the connector and I could
hardwire around the problematic item, but I want to see what
you people (a geekier crowd) think.

Tux's Links
http://shengchieh.50webs.com/tuxslinks.html
  • pvsage
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  • From: Section Six
  • Registered: 2009-10-18
  • Posts: 4,911

Re: Laser printer starts as "vara" (.5 s) instead of "varooooommm" (4 s)

What's the printer's vintage?   If it's from the "capacitor plague" era, my money would be on the power supply.  The big problem here is when the capacitors go, they tend to take vital parts like voltage regulators out with them.

while ( ! ( succeed = try() ) );
  • Registered: 2009-01-07
  • Posts: 270

Re: Laser printer starts as "vara" (.5 s) instead of "varooooommm" (4 s)

Thank for replying.

I don't know.  I'm thinking of opening the printer tomorrow - too tired tonight.  I'll post a picture if I can.

Sheng-Chieh

Tux's Links
http://shengchieh.50webs.com/tuxslinks.html
  • Registered: 2009-01-07
  • Posts: 270

Re: Laser printer starts as "vara" (.5 s) instead of "varooooommm" (4 s)

I finally got the printer opened - real hassle -
helped by another forum posting unrelated to
my problem.  So I took 2 pictures.

http://shengchieh.fileave.com/SamsungA.jpg
http://shengchieh.fileave.com/SamsungB.jpg

The first one is the entire back and the second
one is the power board.

I have several possibilities.

1.
If the problem is the power switch or connectore,
I can tried hardwiring around the trouble spot.
From where to where would I hardwaire?

2.
If the problem is the capacitor, I probably want
to replace the entire power board, instead of
messing around with an individual part, correct?

Do you have any other suggestion(s)?

Sheng-Chieh

Tux's Links
http://shengchieh.50webs.com/tuxslinks.html
  • pvsage
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  • From: Section Six
  • Registered: 2009-10-18
  • Posts: 4,911

Re: Laser printer starts as "vara" (.5 s) instead of "varooooommm" (4 s)

I think I see at least a couple of ruptured electrolytic caps: one close to the center of the board and the one toward the bottom of the photo by the heat sink.  Compare what you see on the power supply board with the photos here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capacitor_plague
I hate to tell you this, but ruptured caps usually do mean death to the power supply.

Last edited by pvsage (2010-03-20 03:50:19)

while ( ! ( succeed = try() ) );