Sharp AL-2021 User manual

AL-2021
DIGITAL MULTIFUNCTIONAL
SYSTEM
OPERATION GUIDE
Page
AL-2021
AL-2041
MODEL
AL-2041
CONTENTS..........................2
INTRODUCTION ..................3
LOADING PAPER ................9
INSTALLING THE
SOFTWARE .......................14
COPIER FUNCTIONS........25
PRINTER FUNCTIONS......37
SCANNER FUNCTIONS....52
SPECIAL FUNCTIONS ......64
MAINTENANCE .................69
TROUBLESHOOTING THE
UNIT ...................................74

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1INTRODUCTION
CONVENTIONS USED IN THIS
MANUAL .......................................... 3
PART NAMES .................................. 4
OPERATION PANEL ........................ 5
INDICATORS ON THE OPERATION
PANEL.............................................. 6
POWER ON ..................................... 7
2LOADING PAPER
PAPER ............................................. 9
LOADING THE PAPER TRAY........ 10
BYPASS FEED (including special
paper)............................................. 12
3INSTALLING THE SOFTWARE
SOFTWARE................................... 14
HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE
REQUIREMENTS .......................... 15
INSTALLING THE SOFTWARE ..... 16
CONFIGURING THE PRINTER
DRIVER ......................................... 22
SETTING UP BUTTON MANAGER.. 23
4COPIER FUNCTIONS
COPY FLOW.................................. 25
ORIGINAL PLACEMENT ............... 26
SET THE COPY QUANTITY.......... 28
EXPOSURE ADJUSTMENT/PHOTO
COPYING ...................................... 28
REDUCTION/ENLARGEMENT/
ZOOM ............................................ 30
SELECTING THE TRAY ................ 30
TWO SIDED COPYING (AL-2041
only) ............................................... 31
SORT COPY .................................. 33
ID CARD COPY ............................. 36
5PRINTER FUNCTIONS
BASIC PRINTING .......................... 37
PRINTER DRIVER SETTING
SCREEN ........................................ 40
SETTING ADVANCED PRINT
FUNCTIONS .................................. 41
SAVING FREQUENTLY USED
PRINT SETTINGS ........................ 49
OUTLINE OF THE PRINT STATUS
WINDOW ....................................... 50
PRINTER DRIVER FEATURES ..... 51
6SCANNER FUNCTIONS
SCANNING OVERVIEW ................52
SCANNING USING THE KEYS ON
THE MACHINE...............................53
SCANNING FROM YOUR
COMPUTER...................................57
7SPECIAL FUNCTIONS
DESCRIPTION OF SPECIAL
FUNCTIONS ................................. 64
TONER SAVE MODE.....................65
USER PROGRAMS .......................66
DISPLAYING TOTAL NUMBER OF
COPIES..........................................67
CHECKING THE TONER LEVEL ..68
8MAINTENANCE
TD CARTRIDGE REPLACEMENT... 69
DRUM CARTRIDGE
REPLACEMENT ............................70
CLEANING THE UNIT ...................71
MOVING AND STORING THE UNIT .. 73
9 TROUBLESHOOTING THE UNIT
MACHINE/COPYING PROBLEMS .. 74
PRINTING AND SCANNING
PROBLEMS ...................................76
PROBLEMS DURING SETUP OF
THE SOFTWARE ...........................80
STATUS INDICATORS ...................82
MISFEED REMOVAL .....................83
IF A PAPER MISFEED OCCURS IN
THE MAIN UNIT WHILE USING THE
SPF (AL-2041) ................................. 88
CONTENTS

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This chapter provides basic information for using the unit.
CONVENTIONS USED IN THIS MANUAL
• This manual explains the operation of the AL-2021 and AL-2041 models. In cases
where the operation is the same, the AL-2041 is used.
• The illustrations in this manual generally show the AL-2041.
• Wherever "AL-xxxx" appears in this manual, please substitute your model name
for "xxxx".
• Illustrations of driver screens and other computer screens show the screens that
appear in Windows Vista. Some of the names that appear in these illustrations
may differ slightly from the screens that appear in other operating systems.
• This manual refers to the Single Pass Feeder as the "SPF".
• In this manual, the following icons are used to provide the user with information
pertinent to the use of the unit.
Warns the user that injury may result if the contents of the warning
are not properly followed.
Cautions the user that damage to the unit or one of its components
may result if the contents of the caution are not properly followed.
Notes provide information relevant to the unit regarding
specifications, functions, performance, operation and such, that
may be useful to the user.
Indicates a letter displayed in the display.
INTRODUCTION

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PART NAMES
Interface
USB
connector
Original cover
(AL-2021)
Drum cartridge
TD cartridge
SPF (AL-2041)
Exit area
3
4
5
2
7
9
8
11
15
16
17
Original guides
Document feeder tray
Peep hole
Document
feeder cover
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4
12
13
10
6
14
1
SPF scanning area (AL-2041)
Document glass
Operation panel
Front cover
Paper tray
Multi-bypass tray
Side cover
Side cover open button
Bypass tray paper guides
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Paper output tray
Paper output tray extension
Power switch
Handle
Power cord socket
Fusing unit release lever
Transfer charger
Charger cleaner
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12
13
14
15
16
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OPERATION PANEL
Two-sided copy key*1/Sort key and
indicators
Use to select sort
mode.
Two-sided copies from
one-sided originals.
Turn on Long Edge or
Turn on Short Edge
can be selected.
Exposure mode selector key and
indicators
Use to sequentially select the exposure
modes: AUTO, MANUAL or PHOTO.
Selected mode is shown by a lit
indicator. (p.28)
Light and dark keys and indicators
Use to adjust the MANUAL or PHOTO
exposure level. Selected exposure level
is shown by a lit indicator. (p.28) Use to
start and terminate user program
setting. (p.66)
Alarm indicators
Drum replacement required
indicator (p.70)
Misfeed indicator (p.83)
TD cartridge replacement
required indicator (p.69)
SPF indicator*2(p.27)
SPF misfeed indicator*2(p.87)
Copy ratio selector key*3and
indicators
Use to sequentially select preset
reduction/enlargement copy ratios.
Selected copy ratio is shown by a lit
indicator. (p.30)
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2
3
4
5
6
7
Copy ratio display (%) key/
READ-END key
• Use to verify a zoom setting without
changing the zoom ratio. (p.30)
• Use to check the number of originals
that must be returned to the document
feeder tray if a misfeed occurs in the
machine when the SPF is used. (p.88)
• Use to terminate reading originals in
sort mode.
( p.33 )
Display
Displays the specified copy quantity,
zoom copy ratio, user program code
and error code.
SCAN key and indicator
(p.6, p.53)
ID CARD key and indicator
Use to copy ID card. For description,
see "ID CARD COPY" (p.36).
Start key and indicator
• Copying is possible when the
indicator is on.
• Press to start copying
• Use to set a user program. (p.66)
Power save indicator
Lights up when the unit is in a power
save mode. (p.64, p.66)
Tray select key
Use to select a paper feed station
(paper tray or multi-bypass tray). (p.30)
Paper feed location indicators
Light up to show the selected paper
feed station.
*1 AL-2041 only
*2 AL-2041 only
*3 The indicators of the operation panel
may differ depending on the country
and region.
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INDICATORS ON THE OPERATION PANEL
The start ( ) indicator indicates the state of the printer or scanner.
Start indicator
On: Indicates the unit is ready for copying or scanning is being performed.
Blinking: The indicator blinks in the following situations:
• When a print job is interrupted.
• When reserving a copy job.
• When toner is being replenished during a copy or print job.
Off: The indicator is off in the following situations:
• During copying or scanning.
• The unit is in the auto power shut-off mode.
• When a misfeed or error has occurred.
• During print online.
Power save indicator
On: Indicates the unit is in a power save mode.
Blinking: Indicates that the unit is initializing (when the side cover is opened and
closed or the power turned off and on).
SCAN indicator
On: The SCAN ( ) key has been pressed and the unit is in scanner mode.
Blinking: A scan job is being executed from the computer, or scan data is stored
in the unit's memory.
Off: The unit is in the copy mode.
ZOOM keys and indicator
Use to select any reduction or
enlargement copy ratio from 25% to
400% in 1% increments. (When the
SPF is being used, the zoom copy ratio
range is 50% to 200%.) (p.30)
Copy quantity keys
• Use to select the desired copy
quantity (1 to 99). (p.28)
• Use to make user program entries.
(p.66)
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Clear key
• Press to clear the display, or press
during a copy run to terminate
copying. (p.28)
• Press and hold down during standby
to display the total number of copies
made to date. (p.67)
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Power save indicator
Start indicator
SCAN indicator

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POWER ON
Turn the power switch on the left side of the unit to the "ON" position. The start ( )
indicator will light up and other indicators which show the initial settings of the
operation panel will also light up to indicate the ready condition. For the initial
settings, see "Initial settings of operation panel" (p.8).
About the scan head
The scan head lamp remains on constantly when the unit is in the ready condition
(when the start ( ) indicator is illuminated).
The unit adjusts the scan head lamp periodically to maintain copying quality. At this
time, the scan head moves automatically. This is normal and does not indicate unit
trouble.
•The unit will enter a power save mode once the set time has elapsed
without any unit operation. The settings of the power save modes can
be modified. See "USER PROGRAMS" (p.66).
•The unit will return to the initial settings a preset amount of time after
the end of a job. The preset amount of time (auto clear time) can be
changed. See "USER PROGRAMS" (p.66).

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Initial settings of operation panel
When the unit power is on, the operation panel will revert to the initial settings when
the time set with the "Auto clear time" setting (p.66) elapses after a job is finished, or
when the clear key is pressed twice.
The initial settings of the operation panel are shown below.
When copying has begun in this state, the settings in the following table are used.
Power off methods
If not used for a certain period of time, the unit will automatically enter auto power
shut-off mode (p.64) in order to minimize power consumption. In cases where the
machine will not be used for a long time, turn off the power switch and remove the
power cord from the outlet.
Copy quantity 1 copy
Exposure adjustment AUTO
Zoom 100%
Tray Paper tray
Two-sided copy (AL-2041 only) The "Two-sided copy" indicator does
not illuminate. (One-sided copy is
selected.)
"0" is displayed in the display.

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Follow the steps below to load paper into the tray.
PAPER
For best results, use only paper recommended by SHARP.
*1 Do not use non-standard envelopes, and envelopes that have metal clasps,
plastic snappers, string closures, windows, linings, self-adhesive, patches or
synthetic materials. Do not use envelopes that are filled with air or envelopes that
have labels or stamps attached. These will cause physical damage to the unit.
*2 For paper weighing from 105 g /m
2
to 128 g /m
2
, A4 is the maximum size that can be
fed through the multi-bypass tray.
• Special papers such as transparency film, labels and envelopes must be fed one
sheet at a time through the multi-bypass tray.
Type of paper
feeding
Type of media Size Weight
Paper tray Standard paper A4
A5
B5
Letter
Legal
Invoice
56 g/m2to
80 g/m2
Multi-bypass
tray
Standard paper and
thick paper
A4
A5
A6
B5
Letter
Legal
Invoice
56 g/m2to
128 g/m2 *2
Special
media
Transparency
film
A4
Letter
Envelope*1International DL
International C5
Commercial 10
Monarch
LOADING PAPER

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LOADING THE PAPER TRAY
1Raise the handle of the paper tray
and pull the paper tray out until it
stops.
2Adjust the paper guides on the paper tray to the copy paper
width and length. Squeeze the lever of paper guide and slide
the guide to match with the width of the paper. Move paper
guide to the appropriate slot as marked on the tray.
3Fan the paper and insert it into the tray. Make sure the edges go
under the corner hooks.
Do not load paper above the maximum height line ( ). Exceeding
the line will cause a paper misfeed.
A
B
Paper
guide B Paper
guide A

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4Gently push the paper tray back into the unit.
•Be sure that paper is free of rips, dust, wrinkles, and curled or bent
edges.
•Make sure all the paper in the stack is the same size and type.
•When loading paper, ensure there is no space between the paper and
the guide, and check if the guide is not set too narrow causing the
paper to bend. Loading paper in these ways will result in document
skew or a paper jam.
•When not using the unit for an extended period, remove all paper from
the paper tray and store it in a dry place. If paper is left in the unit for
an extended period, the paper will absorb moisture from the air,
resulting in paper jams.
•When adding new paper to the paper tray, remove the old paper
already contained in the tray. Placing new paper on top of the paper
already contained in the tray may result in feeding two sheets at one
time.
•If output paper curls, it may help to turn the paper over when loading it
in the tray.

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BYPASS FEED (including special paper)
The multi-bypass tray can be used to feed standard paper, transparency film, labels,
envelopes, and other special purpose paper. Paper measuring from A6 to A4 and in
the weight range of 56 g/m2to 128 g/m2can be used in this tray. (For paper weighing
from 105 g/m2to 128 g/m2, A4 is the maximum size.)
The multi-bypass tray
1Open the multi-bypass tray and extend the tray.
•The multi-bypass tray can hold maximum of 50 sheets of paper.
(Capacity will vary depending on the type of paper loaded.)
•The original image must be smaller than the paper or media for
copying. If the original image is bigger than the paper or media, this
may cause smudges on the edges of the copies.
To close the multi-bypass tray, perform step and then step
in the illustration and push the round projections at the right
of the tray until they click.
1
2
1
2

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2Set the paper guides to the paper width. Insert the paper (print
face down) all the way into the multi-bypass tray.
3Press the tray select ( ) key to select the multi-bypass tray.
•Paper must be fed narrow side into the feed slot.
•
Special papers such as transparency film, labels, and envelopes
must be fed one sheet at a time through the multi-bypass tray.
•When copying onto transparency film, remove each copy
promptly. Do not let copies stack up.
Note for loading envelopes
• Envelopes must be fed narrow side into the feed slot at a time.
• Do not use non-standard envelopes, and envelopes that have metal clasps, plastic
snappers, string closures, windows, linings, self-adhesive, patches or synthetic
materials. Do not use envelopes that are filled with air or envelopes that have
labels or stamps attached.
• Envelopes of which the surface is not flat because of embossing may cause the
copies/prints to become smudged.
• Under high humidity and temperature conditions the glue flaps on some envelopes
may become sticky and be sealed when copied/printed.
• Use only envelopes which are flat and crisply folded. Curled or poorly formed
envelopes may be poorly printed or may cause misfeeds.
• Be sure to select either Com10, DL, C5 or Monarch on the paper size setting of the
printer driver. (For detailed information on printer driver, refer to "PRINTER
DRIVER FEATURES" (p.51).)
• It is recommended that you perform a test print before performing the actual copy/
print job.
Note for loading thick paper
Confirm that user program 29 is set to "2 (High)" when using thick paper. (See
page 66 and 67.)
Print face

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This chapter explains how to install and configure the software that is required for the
printer and scanner functions of the machine.
SOFTWARE
The Software CD-ROM that accompanies the machine contains the following
software:
MFP driver
Printer driver
The printer driver enables you to use the printer function of the machine.
The printer driver includes the Print Status Window. This is a utility that monitors
the machine and informs you of the printing status, the name of the document
currently being printed, and error messages.
Scanner driver
The scanner driver allows you to use the scanning function of the machine with
TWAIN-compliant and WIA-compliant applications.
Sharpdesk
Sharpdesk is an integrated software environment that makes it easy to manage
documents and image files, and launch applications.
* Sharpdesk cannot be used in Windows 2000.
Button Manager
Button Manager allows you to use the scanner menus on the machine to scan a
document.
INSTALLING THE SOFTWARE

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HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS
Check the following hardware and software requirements in order to install the
software.
*1 The machine's USB 2.0 port will transfer data at the speed specified by the USB 2.0
(Hi-Speed) standard only if the Microsoft USB 2.0 driver is preinstalled in the
computer, or if the USB 2.0 driver for Windows 2000 Professional/XP/Vista that
Microsoft provides through "Windows Update" is installed.
*2 Compatible with models preinstalled with Windows 2000 Professional, Windows
XP Professional, Windows XP Home Edition, Windows Vista, or Windows 7, and
which are equipped standard with a USB interface.
*3 • The machine does not support printing from a Macintosh environment.
• Administrator's rights are required to install the software using the installer.
*4 Sharpdesk cannot be installed.
Computer type IBM PC/AT or compatible computer equipped with a
USB2.0*1/1.1*2
Operating system*
3
Windows 2000 Professional*4, Windows XP,
Windows Vista, Windows 7
Other hardware
requirements
An environment on which any of the operating systems
listed above can fully operate

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INSTALLING THE SOFTWARE
1The USB cable must not be connected to the machine. Make
sure that the cable is not connected before proceeding.
If the cable is connected, a Plug and Play window will appear. If this
happens, click the "Cancel" button to close the window and disconnect the
cable.
2Insert the Software CD-ROM into your computer's CD-ROM
drive.
3Click the "Start" button, click "Computer", and then
double-click the CD-ROM icon ( ).
• In Windows XP, click the "start" button, click "My Computer", and then
double-click the CD-ROM icon.
• In Windows 2000, double-click "My Computer", and then double-click the
CD-ROM icon.
4Double-click the "Setup" icon ( ).
• In Windows 7, if a message screen appears asking you for confirmation,
click "Yes".
• In Windows Vista, if a message screen appears asking you for
confirmation, click "Allow".
5The "SOFTWARE LICENSE" window will appear. Make sure
that you understand the contents of the software license, and
then click the "Yes" button.
6Read the "Readme First" in the "Welcome" window and then
click the "Next" button.
7To install all of the software, click the "Standard" button and go
to step 12.
To install particular packages, click the "Custom" button and
go to next step.
The cable will be connected in step 13.
You can show the "SOFTWARE LICENSE" in a different language by
selecting the desired language from the language menu. To install the
software in the selected language, continue the installation with that
language selected.

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8Click the "MFP Driver" button.
Click the "Display Readme" button to
show information on packages that are
selected.
9Select "Connected to this
computer" and click the "Next"
button.
Follow the on-screen instructions.
10 You will return to the window of step 8. If you wish to install
Button Manager or Sharpdesk, click the "Utility Software"
button.
If you do not wish to install the Utility Software, click the "Close" button and
go to step 12.
•If you are using Windows Vista/7 and a security warning window
appears, be sure to click "Install this driver software anyway".
•If you are running Windows 2000/XP and a warning message appears
regarding the Windows logo test or digital signature, be sure to click
"Continue Anyway" or "Yes".
After the installation, a message prompting you to restart your computer
may appear. In this case, click the "Yes" button to restart your computer.

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Installing the Utility Software
11 Click the "Button Manager" or the
"Sharpdesk" button.
Click the "Display Readme" button to
show information on packages that are
selected.
Follow the on-screen instructions.
* In Windows 2000, The "Sharpdesk"
button does not appear.
12 When installing is finished, click the "Close" button.
A message will appear instructing you to connect the machine to your
computer. Click the "OK" button.
13 Connect the machine to your computer with a USB cable.
1Make sure that the machine is powered on.
2Connect the cable to the USB
connector (B type) on the machine.
The USB interface on the machine
complies with the USB 2.0 (Hi-Speed)
standard. Please purchase a shielded
USB cable.
3Connect the other end of the cable to
the USB connector (A type) on your
computer.
The machine is found and a Plug and Play window appears.
•If you are using Windows Vista/7 and a security warning window
appears, be sure to click "Install this driver software anyway".
•If you are running Windows 2000/XP and a warning message appears
regarding the Windows logo test or digital signature, be sure to click
"Continue Anyway" or "Yes".
After the installation, a message prompting you to restart your computer
may appear. In this case, click the "Yes" button to restart your computer.
If your computer is not compatible with USB 2.0 (Hi-Speed), the "USB
2.0 mode switching" setting in the machine's user program must be set
to "Full-Speed". For more information, see "USER PROGRAMS" (p.66).

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14 Follow the instructions in the plug and play window to install
the driver.
When the "Found New Hardware Wizard" appears, select "Install the
software automatically (Recommended)", click the "Next" button, and follow
the on-screen instructions.
This completes the installation of the software.
• If you installed Button Manager, set up Button Manager as explained in "SETTING
UP BUTTON MANAGER" (p.23).
• If you installed Sharpdesk, the Sharpdesk setup screen will appear. Follow the
instructions in the screen to set up Sharpdesk.
•If you are using Windows Vista/7 and a security warning window
appears, be sure to click "Install this driver software anyway".
•If you are running Windows 2000/XP and a warning message appears
regarding the Windows logo test or digital signature, be sure to click
"Continue Anyway" or "Yes".

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Using the machine as a shared printer
If the machine will be used as a shared printer on a network, follow these steps to
install the printer driver in the client computer.
1Perform steps 2 through 6 in "INSTALLING THE SOFTWARE"
(p.16).
2Click the "Custom" button.
3Click the "MFP Driver" button.
Click the "Display Readme" button to
show information on packages that are
selected.
4Select "Connected via the
network" and click the "Next"
button.
To configure the appropriate settings in the print server, see the
operation manual or help file of your operating system.