Problem with a LaserJet 4P

Archived from groups: comp.periphs.printers (More info?)

I have a LaserJet 4P that was damaged in transit when I first bought
it (new - in 1994 I think). The case is cracked on the front bottom
left. As I needed to use it straight away I couldn't send it back.

I think the chasis might be a bit out of wack as the cover over the
tone opens very easily and can sometimes be difficult to latch when
closing.

Lately I've been having a few problems with it.

.. When I turn it on I often get the error "12 OPEN OR NO EP". I
normally have to push the toner cartridge around a bit or push the
cover over the toner around. Eventually it starts working.

.. The top left hand corner of the page is often bent over after
printing.

.. I have had a fair few paper jams lately - usually the paper has
jammed as it feeds into the top output tray. I have to repeatedly
turn the printer off and on and pull on the paper to free the jam.

The current toner (a genuine HP) is almost empty (I've had to give
it several shakes already) so I need to decide if I should buy a new
toner cartridge or replace the printer. It's not flash by todays
standards (and the wife would like to print the occasional colour
page) but it does have a straight through paper path - something
most modern printers don't seem to have. It's also nice and compact.

Looking at the self test page it's printed 3980 pages** which isn't
very much at all.

Anyone have any idea if the above problems are easily fixed or
should I just give it the flick and get a new inkjet of some kind?

** I have seen figures stating that the toner has a yield of 3000 to
3350 (depending on the source) pages given 5% coverage. Seeing as I
have used 2 toners for about 4000 pages that implies that my typical
coverage is 7.5% to 8.4%