Dell P1500 User manual

Dell™ Laser Printer P1500 User's Guide
Click the links to the left for information on the features and operation of your printer. For information on
other documentation included with your printer, see Finding information.
1
Rear paper support
6
Paper guide
2
Tray 1
7
Operator panel lights
3
Front paper support
8
Front output door
4
Manual feed
9
Optional 250-sheet tray
5
Top output bin
To order replacement toner cartridges, contact Dell at www.dell.com/supplies.
NOTE: Dell does not recommend that you use toner cartridges from a third-party refiller. Print quality
and printer reliability cannot be guaranteed if you do. For best results, use Dell supplies.
Notes, Notices, and Cautions

NOTE: A NOTE indicates important information that helps you make better use of your printer.
NOTICE: A NOTICE indicates either potential damage to hardware or loss of data and tells you how
to avoid the problem.
CAUTION: A CAUTION indicates a potential for property damage, personal injury, or death.
____________________
Information in this document is subject to change without notice.
© 2003 Dell Computer Corporation. All rights reserved.
Reproduction in any manner whatsoever without the written permission of Dell Computer Corporation is
strictly forbidden.
Trademarks used in this text: Dell and the DELL logo are trademarks of Dell Computer Corporation;
Microsoft, Windows, and Windows NT are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation; ENERGY STAR is a
registered trademark of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. As an ENERGY STAR Partner, Dell
Computer Corporation has determined that this product meets the ENERGY STAR guidelines for energy
efficiency.
Other trademarks and trade names may be used in this document to refer to either the entities claiming the
marks and names or their products. Dell Computer Corporation disclaims any proprietary interest in
trademarks and trade names other than its own.
UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT RESTRICTED RIGHTS
This software and documentation are provided with RESTRICTED RIGHTS. Use, duplication or disclosure by
the Government is subject to restrictions as set forth in subparagraph (c)(1)(ii) of the Rights in Technical
Data and Computer Software clause at DFARS 252.227-7013 and in applicable FAR provisions: Dell
Computer Corporation, One Dell Way, Round Rock, Texas, 78682, USA.
FCC emissions information
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to
Part 15 of the FCC rules.
Refer to the Drivers and Utilities CD for details.
March 2003 Rev. A01 SRV 6Y468

Finding information
Software overview
What are you looking for?
Find it here
Drivers for my printer
My User's Guide
Drivers and Utilities CD
Documentation and drivers are already installed on your printer when
shipped from Dell. You can use the CD to uninstall/reinstall drivers or
access your documentation.
Readme files may be included on your CD to provide last-minute updates
about technical changes to your printer or advanced technical reference
material for experienced users or technicians.
Safety information
How to set up and use my
printer
Warranty information
Owner's Manual
NOTICE: Read and follow all safety instructions in your Owner's
Manual prior to setting up and operating your printer.
How to set up my printer
Setup diagram

Express Service Code and
Service Tag number
Express Service Code and Service Tag number
This label is located on your printer
Latest drivers for my
printer
Answers to technical
service and support
questions
Documentation for my
printer
Dell Support Website
The Dell Support Website provides several online tools, including:
Solutions - Troubleshooting hints and tips, articles from
technicians, and online courses
Upgrades - Upgrade information for components, such as memory
Customer Care - Contact information, order status, warranty, and
repair information
Downloads - Drivers
Reference - Printer documentation and product specifications
You can access Dell Support at support.dell.com. Select your region on
the WELCOME TO DELL SUPPORT page, and fill in the requested details to
access help tools and information.
Software overview
Use the Drivers and Utilities CD that came with your printer to install a combination of software applications,
depending on your operating system.

Operating
System
Status
Monitor
Printing Status
Window
Toner Reorder
Application
Desktop icon to order
supplies
Microsoft®
Windows 98
Windows ME
Y
N
N
Y*
Windows NT® 4.0
N
N
N
Y*
Windows 2000
Windows XP
N
Y
Y
Y
*Available in HTML format.
NOTE: If you purchased your printer and computer separately, you must use the Drivers and Utilities
CD to install these software applications.
Status Monitor
The Status Monitor alerts you when an error or warning occurs. For example, when the top cover is open or
toner is running low.
The Status Monitor launches when you send a print job to the printer and only appears on the computer
screen when an error or warning occurs.
Printing Status window
The Printing Status window displays the status of the printer (Printer Ready, Printer Offline, and Error -
Check Printer) and the name of the job when you send a job to print.
The Printing Status window also displays the level of toner so you can:
Monitor the toner level for your printer.
Click Order Toner to order replacement toner cartridges.
See Toner Re-order window for more information.
Toner Re-order window
The Order Toner Cartridges dialog can be launched from the Printing Status window, the Programs window,
or the desktop icon.
You can order toner by phone or from the Web.
1.

Click Start Programs Dell Printers Dell Laser Printer P1500 Dell Toner Re-Order
Application.
1.
The Order Toner Cartridges window appears.
If ordering from the Web:
Choose your printer model from the drop-down list on the screen.a.
Enter your Dell printer Service Tag number in the field provided.b.
2.
Your Service Tag number is located on your printer.
Click Visit Dell's cartridge ordering web site.c.
If ordering by phone, call the number that appears under the By Telephone heading.3.

About your printer
Understanding printer features
Using the operator panel buttons
Printing the Printer Settings Configuration sheet
Choosing the right cable
Understanding printer features
Your Dell™ Laser Printer P1500 offers the following features:
1
Rear paper support
6
Paper guide
2
Tray 1
7
Operator panel lights
3
Front paper support
8
Front output door
4
Manual feed
9
Optional 250-sheet tray
5
Top output bin

Use this feature:
When you want to:
Tray 1
Load up to 150 sheets of paper or 10 sheets of specialty media.
Rear paper support
Support media in tray 1.
Front paper support
Support media in the top output bin.
Manual feed
Load a single sheet of paper or other media, such as transparencies, labels,
envelopes, and card stock.
Paper guides
Adjust the width of the media in tray 1 and the manual feed.
Operator panel lights
Check the status of your printer.
Top output bin
Stack printed documents face down.
Front output door
Print on specialty media, such as card stock or labels.
Optional 250-sheet
drawer
Increase your paper capacity.
Using the operator panel buttons
The operator panel has six lights and two buttons.
Press and release Continue to resume printing.
Press and release Continue twice quickly to display an error code.
Press and release Cancel to cancel the job currently printing.

Press and hold Cancel until all of the lights come on to reset the printer.
Printing the Printer Settings Configuration sheet
To print the Printer Settings Configuration sheet:
Turn the printer off.1.
Open the upper front door.2.
Press and hold Continue as you turn the printer on.3.
All the lights cycle.
Release Continue.4.
Close the upper front door.5.
The light sequence that represents the Home menu is displayed.6.
Press and release Continue until all the lights cycle.7.
A Printer Settings Configuration sheet prints.
Choosing the right cable
Your Dell™ Laser Printer P1500 interconnection cable must meet the following requirements:
Connection
Cable certification
USB
USB 2.0
Parallel
IEEE-1284

Replacing the toner cartridge
Conserving supplies
Ordering replacement toner cartridges
Replacing the toner cartridge
Conserving supplies
Conserving supplies lowers printing costs.
When printing drafts, conserve toner by changing the Print Darkness setting in your printer driver. The
settings range from Very Light to Very Dark. Selecting the Very Light setting conserves toner.
Reduce paper consumption by printing on both sides of the paper.
Ordering replacement toner cartridges
To order replacement toner cartridges, contact Dell at www.dell.com/supplies.
In addition to the toner level indicator that is displayed each time you send a job to print, the printer
operator panel light sequences tell you about the status of your supplies.
When the Toner Low light comes on (in this example, the light is on while the printer is busy receiving data
or printing), check that you have a new toner cartridge available.

To use the remaining toner, remove the toner cartridge, shake it gently back and forth, and reinsert it. When
the print fades or no longer prints satisfactorily, replace the toner cartridge.
NOTE: Dell does not recommend that you use toner cartridges from a third-party refiller. Print quality
and printer reliability cannot be guaranteed if you do. For best results, use Dell supplies.
Replacing the toner cartridge
Removing the old toner cartridge
Use the finger tab to pull down the printer cover.1.
2.

Grasp the cartridge handle and pull the toner cartridge straight up (it may be warm).2.
NOTE: Do not touch the photoconductor drum on the bottom of the toner cartridge.
1
Photoconductor drum
Set the toner cartridge aside.3.
NOTE: Dell cannot guarantee print quality or printer reliability if you use refilled cartridges from a
third party. The printer warranty does not cover damage caused by using refilled cartridges.
Installing the new toner cartridge
Take the new toner cartridge out of the bag.1.
Pull off the plastic piece attached to the ends of the toner cartridge, and remove the foam protective
liner.
2.
NOTE: Do not touch the photoconductor drum on the bottom of the toner cartridge.

Gently shake the cartridge to distribute the toner evenly.3.
Insert the toner cartridge.
Align the colored arrows on either side of the toner cartridge with the corresponding arrows in
the printer.
a.
Holding the handle, tilt the cartridge down and guide it between the toner cartridge grooves.b.
4.
CAUTION: Avoid touching the fuser; it may be hot!
1
Fuser
Push down on the cartridge until it is firmly in place.c.
Close the printer cover.5.

5.
To get the maximum benefit from your toner cartridge:
Do not remove the toner cartridge from its packaging until you are ready to install it.
Store toner cartridges in the same environment as the printer.
Do not remove the toner cartridge from the printer except to replace it or to clear a paper jam.

Printing
Using the operator panel lights
Setting up a print job
Canceling a print job
Sharing printers
Using the operator panel lights
The operator panel has six lights and two operator panel buttons.

When the:
The printer:
Ready/Data light is on
Is ready to receive and process data.
Ready/Data light is blinking
Is busy receiving or processing data.
Toner Low light is on
Alerts you that the toner is getting low.
Load Paper light is on
Prompts you to load media in tray 1, manual feed, or the optional
250-sheet tray (if installed).
Paper Jam light is on
Detects a jam.
Error light is on
Cover is open or the toner cartridge is not installed.
Press Continue light is on
Prompts you to press Continue to resume printing.
Error light and Press Continue light
are both on
Alerts you that a secondary error occurred.
Setting up a print job
Once your printer is set up and your drivers are installed, you are ready to print.
For example, if you have plain paper loaded in tray 1, but you want to print a letter on letterhead paper and
an envelope:
Load letterhead with the top of the page pointing down facing you in tray 1.1.
2.
3.

From your software program, open the file you want to print.2.
From the File menu, select Print (or Printer) Setup to open your printer driver.3.
Verify the correct printer is selected in the dialog box.4.
In the Print Setup dialog box, click Properties, Options, or Setup (depending on the program), to
change the paper setting to Letterhead, and then click OK.
5.
Click OK or Print.6.
Now print the envelope:
Load an envelope vertically, flap side down, with the stamp area in the top left corner in the manual
feed.
1.
From the File menu, select Print (or Printer) Setup to open your printer driver.2.
In the Print Setup dialog box, click Properties, Options or Setup (depending on the program) and
select the size of envelope you want from the Paper Type setting.
3.
Change Orientation to Landscape.4.
In the Print dialog box, click OK.5.
NOTE: To change printer settings not available from your printer driver, install the Local Printer Setup
Utility from the Drivers and Utilities CD (see Using the Local Printer Setup Utility).
If you need an explanation about a printer setting:
Click the Help box in the bottom right corner of any dialog box.
Move your cursor to the setting in question and press F1 or right-click your mouse.

Canceling a print job
From the printer operator panel
Press and release Cancel to cancel the job currently printing.
From your computer
Minimize all programs to display the desktop.1.
Double-click the My Computer icon.2.
Double-click the Printer icon.3.
A list of available printers appears.
Double-click the printer you are using to print the job.4.
A list of print jobs appears.
Select the job you want to cancel.5.
Press the Delete key on the keyboard.6.
Sharing printers
Setting up the printer for sharing
(Windows 95, 98, NT 4.0, Windows Me, and Windows 2000)
Click Start Settings Printers.1.
Select the printer you just created.2.
Click File Sharing.3.
Check the Shared check box, and then enter a name in the Shared Name text box.4.
In the Alternate Drivers section, select the operating systems of all the network clients that will print to
the printer.
5.
Click OK.6.

6.
NOTE: If you are missing files, you may be prompted to provide the server operating system CD.
Check the following to make sure the printer was successfully shared.
The printer object in the Printers folder now has a shared indicator. For example, in Windows NT
4.0, a hand appears under the printer object.
Browse Network Neighborhood. Find the host name of the server and look for the shared name
you assigned to the printer.
7.
The printer is now shared and ready to be installed on network clients.
Setting up the printer for sharing (Windows XP)
Click Start Control Panel Printers and Other Hardware Printers and Faxes.1.
Select the printer you just created.2.
Click File Sharing.3.
Select the Network setup wizard.4.
Click OK.5.
Browse Network Neighborhood. Find the host name of the server and look for the shared name you
assigned to the printer.
6.
The printer is now shared and ready to be installed on network clients.
Installing a shared printer on network clients
Using the point and print method
This method is usually the best use of system resources. The server handles driver modifications and the
print job processing. This lets network clients return to programs much faster.
With this method, a subset of driver information is copied from the server to the client computer. This is just
enough information to send a print job to the printer.
On the Windows desktop of the client computer, double-click Network Neighborhood.1.
Locate the host name of the server computer, and then double-click the host name.2.
Right-click the shared printer name, and then click Install.3.
Wait for the driver information to copy from the server computer to the client computer, and for a new
4.

3.
printer object to be added to the Printers folder. The time this takes varies, based on network traffic
and other factors.
Close Network Neighborhood.4.
Print a test page to verify printer installation.
Click Start Settings Printers.a.
Select the printer you just created.b.
Click File Properties.c.
On the General tab, click Print Test Page.d.
5.
When a test page prints successfully, printer installation is complete.
Using the peer-to-peer method
With this method, the printer driver is fully installed on each client computer. Network clients retain control
of driver modifications. The client computer handles the print job processing.
Click Start Settings Printers.1.
Click Add Printer to launch the Add Printer wizard.2.
Click Network Print Server.3.
Select the network printer from the Shared printers list. If the printer is not listed, enter the path of
the printer in the text box.
4.
The path will look similar to the following:
\\<server host name>\<shared printer name>
The server host name is the name of the server computer that identifies it to the network. The shared
printer name is the name assigned during the server installation process.
Click OK.5.
NOTE: If this is a new printer, you may be prompted to install a printer driver. If no system driver is
available, then you will need to provide a path to available drivers.
Select whether you want this printer to be the default printer for the client, and then click Finish.6.
Print a test page to verify printer installation.
Click Start Settings Printers.a.
Select the printer you just created.b.
c.
d.
7.