HP Laserjet 4100

A robust workgroup printer capable of 24 pages of A4 per minute at 1200x1200 dpi resolution. The 4100 is the base model in a series including network, duplex, multitray and MFP / copier models.

The LaserJet 4100 series includes:

• LaserJet 4100 - Base Model - C8049A -16MB RAM
• LaserJet 4100n network-ready printer - C8050A - 32MB RAM
• LaserJet 4100tn network-ready additional tray printer - C8051A -32MB
• LaserJet 4100dtn network-ready duplex printer - C8052A - 32MB

There is also an MFP model. The LaserJet 4100 engine is sufficiently fast and high resolution to scan then print as though it were a copier.

LaserJet 4100MFP - printer/ flatbed scanner with 30 sheet ADF - C9148A

LaserJet 4101MFP - a "dtn" version of the MFP - C9149A.

The LaserJet 4100 developed from the LaserJet 4 / Canon LBP-1260, through the 5, 4000 and 4050. It is significantly faster and so uses many different parts and cartridges - but there is a family resemblance. The next model down - the LJ4050 - is significantly slower at just 16 pages per minute.

The successor product is the LaserJet 4200 /4300 line which is another distinct remodelling and significantly faster. The current replacement is the P4014 (43ppm) and P4105 (50ppm). The LJ 4100dtn delivers 24 pages per minute and many of the features of it's sucessors so whilst it might be seen as obsolete in corporations and government departments second-hand machines are likely to be seen as good value by smaller concerns. Unfortunately as from April 2009 HP are ceasing to supply some parts - so the spares market may have to be met by other manufacturers and refurbishers in future.

Control:

2 line backlit LCD display with a fairly intuitive layout (and a help page can be printed out). Network models support Web JetAdmin. The 4100dtn can send email alerts with web order forms.

With an EIO disk drive the 4100 can provide quick copy, private printing released by a PIN and stored jobs like letterhead and fax cover sheets. A toner level sensor and cartridge use data allow remote usage monitoring.

Duty Cycle:

HP seem to reckon the LJ4100 might sustain 150,000 page per month throughput, double that of the 4050. The printer would be runing most hours of the day and using a lot of toner.

Print Speed:

24 pages per minute. Instant-on fuser prints the first page in 12 seconds

Print Resolution:

true 1200x1200 dpi with nnn? greyscale ,ProRes 1200: produces 1200-dpi printing for high quality graphic images, HP UltraPrecise toner for crisp, sharp output

Paper Handling:

An A4 office printer with lots of options.

HP LaserJet 4100 and 4100N: hold 600 sheets of paper. HP LaserJet 4100TN and 4100DTN: hold 1100 sheets of paper. Expandable with optional accessories to hold up to 1,600 sheets of paper in 4 trays.

Tray 1:Multifunction tray with 100 sheet paper / 10 envelope capacity. It accepts 3x5 to 8.5x14 inch "legal" paper and has a straight path to the rear face-up tray. Tray 1 handles 60 to 198 gsm media.

Tray 2:500 sheet capacity. Any size of paper between A5 and legal

Tray 3 ("tn models ")Further 500 sheet capacity. Any size of paper between A5 and legal. Same properties as tray 2.

Tray 4further 500 sheet capacity. Any size of paper between A5 and legal. Same properties as tray 2.

A duplexer is fitted to D models, the option can be added to others. the auto-duplex unit handles 60 to 105 gsm

A powered envelope feeder capable of driving 75 envelopes is also available.

Processor:

250MHz RISC processor.

Memory:

16Mb RAM basic. 32MB on network models. Maximum memory capacity 256MB.

With 32MB or a disk option fitted the printer can use it's RIP-ONCE capability and not need to re-rasterise documents before printing.

Interface:

IEEE 1284 compliant parallel. 2 x EIO slots. Network: "n" models have a JetDirect 610n EIO Print server for 10/100 Fast Ethernet.

Print Languages:

HP PCL 6, PCL 5e, and PostScript 3 emulation. Automatic switching between languages and ports.

System Compatability:

Microsoft Windows 95/98/ 2000/Me/ NT/XP, Apple MacOS 7.5.3 or later, UNIX and Linux.

Power Consumption:

Powersave 16 watts, Standby 21 watts, Printing 317 watts. Instant-on fuser prints the first page in 12 seconds

Dimensions:

346 x 390 x 507 mm

Consumables:

As usual HP use a single-piece cartridge with toner, developer, drum and waste receptacle all in one unit. The cartridges have a large page yield with capacities of 6,000 and 10,000 pages.

C8061A HP Toner Cartridge Standard Yield 6,000 Pages - C8061A

C8061X HP Toner Cartridge High Yield 10,000 Pages - C8061X

SI1067C Silver Reed Black Toner Cartridge With Chip

SI1068 Silver Reed Black Toner Cartridge Maxi

Maintenance Kit:

Maintenance kits provide a fuser and a set of pickup and feed rollers. HP ship a transfer roller as well however in mono printers engineers often just check that the existing roller is clean and give it a clean-up if not. - they are quite expensive and throwing out good rollers seems wasteful.

HP Maintenance Kit (110 Volt) for LaserJet 4100 and 4100MFP - C8057A

HP Maintenance Kit (220 Volt) for LaserJet 4100 and 4100MFP - C8058A. Formerly known as C8058-67903

Contains: fusing assembly, three separation rollers, transfer roller, three paper feed rollers, pickup roller and instruction manual. Approx life of kit 200,000 pages

A refurbished maintenance kit may also be available for these printers. Refurbished kits contain a refurbished printers and new rollers, so they are somewhat cheaper.

Fuser:

The fuser is in the rear of these printers and is fairly easy to install, two plastic inserts have to be pulled out at the rear of the printer and face down tray taken off, then the fuser unscrews and slides out. The fuser adheres toner to the page so it needs replacing when this no longer happens - which means the foil roller has degenerated. Another fault is a "50" error where the printer specifically asks for a new fuser.

C8049-69014 Fuser 220 Volt for LaserJet 4100 and 4100MFP - RG5-5064-340CN

Fits the LaserJet 4100/n/tn

The normal warnings about refurbished fusers apply - the shipment quality is normally OK but there is some likelihood of teething problems. We suggest refurbished fusers are appropriate for technicians familiar with printers. Refurbished printers may not suit people who have one printer that must be available.

Spares:

The LJ 4100 is significantly faster than its predecessors the LJ 4000 and LJ 4050 and although the broad layout of the printer is the same most of the parts are different in detail.

HP Laserjet 4100/N Paper Feed Repair Kit (single cassette / single paper tray models) Contains: Tray 1 Pickup roller RG5-3718, Separation Pad Assy RG5-5281, 2 x Feed/ Separation Rollers RF5-3114, 4 x 'D' Paper Pickup Rollers RB1-8865

HP Laserjet 4100T/TN Paper Feed Repair Kit (twin paper tray models with tray 3) Contains: Tray 1 Pickup roller RG5-3718, Separation Pad Assy RG5-5281, 4 x Feed/ Separation Rollers RF5-3114, 8 x 'D' Paper Pickup Rollers RB1-8865

RG5-3718 MP Tray 1 pickup roller for HP 4000/4050 - RG5-3718-000CN

RG5-5281 Main Separation Pad Assy for HP 4000/4050 - RG5-5281

RF5-3114, Tray 2, 3, 4 Feed/ Separation Roller for HP 4100 Part Number : RF5-3114

RG5-5295 Transfer Roller for HP 4100 Part Number - RG5-5295-000CN

RB1-8865 Tray 2,3,4 Pickup Tyre Part Number - RB1-8865-000CN

RB1-8957 Tray 2 Pickup Tyre Part Number - RB1-8865-000CN

The RB1-8865 is called a D roller because it is shaped somewhat like the letter "D" with 8 ridges on it's tyre. The RB1-8957 is shorter - it has 5 ridges on the tyre. PartsNow suggest in ST300 that the shorter roller gives more precise pressure to the feeding point reducing wear on this roller. In tray 3 the firmer pressure of the RB1-8865 is better.

RG5-5372 Control Panel - RG5-5372050CN

RG5-5084 - MP Pick Up Assy (tray 1) - RG5-5084040CN

RG5-5086 Paper Feed Assy - RG5-5086-000CN

RG5-2656 Paper Input Tray - RG5-2656-080CN

RG5-5277 Paper Pick Up Drive Assy (500 Sheets) - RG5-5277-000CN

RG5-2673 Paper Size Detection Board HP Feeder Control PCA - RG5-2673-000CN

RG5-5085 Registration Assy - RG5-5085-000CN

RF5-3116 Sensor Levor Assy Actuator - RF5-3116

RF5-3086 Separation Pad - RF5-3086-000CN

For Multifunction Printers:

RB2-8769 HP ADF Pickup Roller Part Number - RB2-8769-000CN

RG5-6583 HP ADF Separation Roller Part Number - RG5-6583-000CN

RF5-3808 HP ADF Separation Pad Assembly Part Number - RF5-3808-020CN

Defects Ruler

It is often possible to narrow down the likely cause of a fault by measuring the distance between marks on a page. Problems that stem from a roller will often recur at regular intervals.

See P243 (PDF P245) in the service manual

For the cartridge related faults the first step is to make sure that the printer innards are clean as bad contacts between the printer and cartridge can cause weaknesses in the electrostatic fields. We have some hints on the job here.

It is also worth checking whether the cartridge is dropping toner into the printer - if it is the bottom of the cartridge will look messy and the transfer roller area will be contaminated. Refilled cartridges are commonly more trouble in this respect, the seals wear out but are not always replaced correctly.

Copyright G & J Huskinson & MindMachine Associates Ltd 2013, 2015. Some pictures derived from HP User and Service guides. These technical pages do not constitute an offer for sale; just our knowledge at the time of writing. See the catalog. Sales pages on this Web site use cookies to store user information. We also use Google Analytics to track site usage patterns.