Printers: What Really Happens When You Hit ?Print?

You just poured hours upon hours into a lengthy research paper. All that's left to do is print it out. And that's the easy part, right? Sure looks easy from the user perspective, but it's actually quite complicated. A series of critical processes kick off as soon as you kit the OK button.

The first thing that happens is your software application (MS Word, Excel, etc) sends the data you want to print to your printer driver. The printer driver is nothing more than some software that translates data into a format that your specific printer can understand. When you buy a new printer, it generally comes with a CD. On that CD is the printer driver software you need to enable your specific printer to talk to your computer.

The printer driver takes the translated data and physically sends it along to your printer. It's able to connect to the printer via the USM connection interface. Much of the data received by the printer goes directly into the printer buffer, where it is stored. By storing the data within the printer itself you're able to finish the print job quickly.

If you just turned your printer on for the first time in a while or if the printer has been standing idle for a while, the printer will run through a series of diagnostic tests. Some of these tests check he availability of ink, while others clean the print heads.

Once this preprinting step completes, your printer brain sends a message to the paper stepper motor telling it to engage the rollers and feed paper into the printer body. As the paper is being fed into the machine, the belt pulls the print head into "ready" position. When the paper is perfectly positioned, the print head goes to town, firing droplets of ink at the paper. With incredible speed and accuracy, the print head travels back and forth across the page spewing colors. When it reaches the end of the page, the stepper is quickly engaged, advancing the paper forward. This process continues until the print job is complete.

Bill Smith is a printer expert. Visit his website at http://www.buythebestbuy.com to learn more about printers and ink cartridges.

---

An Introduction to Tape Backup

If you run a small business, chances are you're saving... Read More

Does Size Really Matter In Our Digital Age?

Well, we've all seen the advert, but that's not what... Read More

LCD Monitors: A Catching-On Technology

If you've been in the market for a new computer... Read More

How to Add or Remove an IDE ROM drive

CD ROMS - If you're adding or removing an internal... Read More

Expansion Cards Part 2: AGP

Expansion Cards Part 2: AGPThe first in this series of... Read More

Expansion Cards Part 1: (of a 3 part series)

PCIThe expansion slots available on motherboards allow for a variety... Read More

How to Shop for Inkjet Printer Cartridges

Keeping Shipping Costs DownWhen shopping for inkjet printer cartridges online... Read More

Ink Cartridge Recycling 101

Let's take a moment to think about the topic of... Read More

Flash Your ATI Video Cards BIOS

Flash your ATI video card BIOS.You will need the following:1.... Read More

A Guide to Refurbished Laptops

Computing freedom, independence, and mobility don't have to come with... Read More

ESR Meter - The Capabilities To Check Beyond Electrolytic Capacitor

There is something good about esr meter because besides electrolytic... Read More

To Upgrade or Not?

To upgrade or not? That is the question. At least,... Read More

SED is Coming

One of the bigger challenges facing display manufacturers is to... Read More

Computer Hardware Preventive Maintenance Software

Computers often break down at the worst of all times.... Read More

Discover Everything About Wholesale Bar Code Reader And Software!

It is a given fact that buying wholesale would make... Read More

Buying a Plasma or LCD TV FAQs

This article focuses on frequently asked questions by buyers of... Read More

How To Choose A Computer Case

Things to Consider When Choosing a Computer CaseIn the past,... Read More

Looking for Information on CD Duplication and Replication?

Time is one of the most important things we have... Read More

Review of Logitech Computer Speakers

When it comes to computer speaker systems, you have a... Read More

How To Purchase A Quality Laptop Computers Case

So you finally have that new laptop you have been... Read More

Video Display

Video displays are most recent technique used in both outdoor... Read More

Where does technology come from?

Ever wonder where all the cool gadgets come from? Ever... Read More

Flyback Transformer-How to Locate the ABL Line

Whenever there is a complaint about monitor contrast problem I... Read More

Do You Have Dead Pixels?

Take a good look at your notebook computer screen. Do... Read More

Three Must Have Accessories For Notebook Computers

An Optical MouseNotebooks are normally equipped with touch pads which... Read More

How to Avoid Getting Ripped-Off When You Purchase A New Printer

It's no big secret that printer companies like HP and... Read More

Review of Popular Wireless Headphones

Just about everyone would I agree, I think, that wires... Read More

Laptop and Notebook Theft Prevention

Laptops or Notebook computers are an expensive personal and business... Read More

Wireless Notebooks: What You Need To Know About Going Wireless!

It's not exactly breaking news that our world is becoming... Read More

A Guide To Bar Code Reader Downloads

Bar code readers have proven themselves to be essential tools... Read More

10 Things to Ponder Before Moving Your Office Network

Moving the office network? How hard could it be? Anybody... Read More

A Review of Brother Laser Toners

Brother is right up there with HP and Samsung as... Read More

How To Take Care Of Your Laptop Computer

As the proud owner of a laptop computer, you'll want... Read More