HP Color LaserJet 2550L User Manual

							Software
Software and supported operating systems
For easy printer setup and access to the full range of printer features, HP strongly
recommends that you install the software that is provided. Not all software is available in all
languages. See the getting started guide for installation instructions, and see the Readme
file for the latest software information.
The most recent drivers, additional drivers, and other software are available from the Internet
and other sources. If you do not have access to the Internet, see 
HP customer care.
The printer supports the following operating systems:
●
Microsoft
® Windows® 98, Windows 2000, Windows Millennium Edition (Me), and
Windows XP
●Windows NT 4.0 (driver only, other printer software is not available)
●Macintosh OS 9.1 and OS X v.10.1 and later
●
UNIX
®, Linux, and OS/2 (limited functionality)
The following tables list the software that is available for your operating system.
HP color LaserJet 2550 series printer software
FeatureWindows
98, MeWindows
2000 and
XPMacintosh
OS 9.1Macintosh
OS XUNIX®,
LinuxOS/2
Windows
Installer
PCL 6
printer driver
PS printer
driver
HP Web
Jetadmin
software1
HP Toolbox
software
Macintosh
Installer
Macintosh
PostScript
printer
description
(PPD) and
printer
dialog
extensions
(PDE)
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							FeatureWindows
98, MeWindows
2000 and
XPMacintosh
OS 9.1Macintosh
OS XUNIX®,
LinuxOS/2
IBM drivers1
Model
scripts2
1Available on the HP website.2Available on the HP website. Not specific to this printer.
Software tips
The following are some tips for working with the printer software.
How do I gain access to the printer features?
The printer features are available in the printer driver. Some features such as custom paper
sizes and page orientation might also be available in the program you are using to create a
file. Change settings in the program, if possible, because changes that are made in the
program override changes that are made in the printer driver.
Gain access to advanced printer features through the printer driver (or the Print dialog box
for Macintosh operating systems). See 
Gaining access to printer driver settings for help with
specific printer-driver features.
How do I get the latest printing software?
When you want to check for and install upgrades to the printing software, you can download
drivers from the World Wide Web or HP’s file transfer protocol (FTP) servers.
To download drivers
1. Go to http://www.hp.com. Click the support & drivers block.
2.
Type color laserjet 2550 as the product name. The Web page for the drivers
might be in English, but you can download the drivers themselves in several languages.
If you do not have Internet access, contact HP Customer Care. (See 
HP customer care or
the flyer that came in the printer box.) See the Readme file for additional release information.
What other software is available?
See the Readme file that is provided on the HP color LaserJet 2550 CD-ROM for additional,
included software and for supported languages.
Software for Windows
When you install the software for Windows, you can directly connect the printer to a
computer by using a USB or parallel cable or , if your printer is network-enabled, you can
connect the printer to the network by using the HP Jetdirect print server. See the getting
started guide for installation instructions, and see the Readme file for the latest software
information. HP color LaserJet 2550 series printer software (continued)
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							The following software is available to all users of the printer, whether you connected the
printer directly to a computer by using a parallel cable or USB cable, or whether you
connected the printer to the network by using an HP Jetdirect print server.
Printer drivers
A printer driver is a software component that provides access to printer features and
provides the means for the computer to communicate with the printer. For help using your
printer driver, see 
Gaining access to printer driver settings.
Select a printer driver based on the way you use the printer.
●Use the PCL 6 printer driver to take full advantage of the printer features. Unless
complete backward compatibility with previous PCL drivers or older printers is
necessary, the PCL 6 driver is recommended.
●Use the PostScript (PS) printer driver for compatibility with PS needs. Certain printer
features are not available in this printer driver.
The printer automatically switches between PS 3 emulation and PCL printer languages
depending on the driver you have selected.
Using Help
The printer driver has Help dialog boxes that can be activated from the Help button in the
printer driver, the F1 key on the computer keyboard, or the question mark symbol (?) in the
upper-right corner of the printer driver. These Help dialog boxes give detailed information
about the specific printer driver. Help for the printer driver is separate from the Help for your
program.
HP Toolbox
You must perform a complete software installation to use the HP Toolbox.
The HP Toolbox provides links to printer status information and help information, such as
this user guide; and tools for diagnosing and solving problems. You can also view
explanations and animations of light messages on the control panel. See 
Maintenance for
more information.
Software for network installations only
This software is available only when the printer is connected to a network.
HP Web Jetadmin
HP Web Jetadmin is intended for printer management in commercial and enterprise
networks. While the HP Toolbox is used to manage a single printer, HP Web Jetadmin is
used to manage groups of printers and other devices. Download this software from the HP
website at http://www.hp.com/go/webjetadmin. The HP Web Jetadmin website provides HP
Web Jetadmin software in many languages.
HP Web Jetadmin is available only if the printer is connected to an Internet protocol- (IP-)
based network. This browser-based software can be installed on one of the following
supported platforms:
●Microsoft Windows 2000 or XP
●Red Hat Linux
●SuSE Linux
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							Starting HP Web Jetadmin
After you install the HP Web Jetadmin software, you can start it in a supported Web browser
on any computer by typing one of the following Web addresses:
●http://server.domain:port/
where server.domain is the server hostname and port is the port number that you
selected during installation. (The default port is 8000.) This information is available in the
url.txt file, which is stored in the folder where HP Web Jetadmin is installed.
●http://ipaddress:port/
where ipaddress is the IP address of the computer on which HP Web Jetadmin is
installed.
For settings that appear in both the printer driver and HP Web Jetadmin, changes that are
made in the printer driver override changes that are made in HP Web Jetadmin.
Software for Macintosh
For Mac 9.1, the Apple LaserWriter 8 driver must be installed to use the PPD file. Use the
Apple LaserWriter 8 driver that came with your Macintosh. For Mac OS X, use Print Center
to print.
The printer includes the following software for Macintosh computers.
PPDs (Mac OS 9.1 and Mac OS X classic)
PPDs, in combination with the LaserWriter driver, provide access to the printer features and
allow the computer to communicate with the printer. An installation program for the PPDs is
provided on the HP color LaserJet 2550 CD-ROM.
PDEs (Mac OS X)
PDEs are code plug-ins that provide access to printer features, such as information about
the number of copies, two-sided printing, and quality settings. An installation program for the
PDEs and other software is provided on the HP color LaserJet 2550 CD-ROM.
HP Toolbox
The HP Toolbox is supported for Mac OS 10.1 and later. You must perform a complete
software installation to use the HP Toolbox.The HP Toolbox provides links to printer status
information and help information, such as this user guide; and tools for diagnosing and
solving problems. You can also view explanations and animations of light messages on the
control panel. See 
HP Toolbox for more information.
Uninstalling the printing software
Uninstall software by using the following directions for your operating system.
Uninstalling software for Windows
The printer comes with an uninstall utility that you can use to select and remove any or all of
the Windows HP printing system components from your computer.
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							To uninstall software for Windows 98 and later
Note
To uninstall the software from Windows 2000 or XP, you must log on with administrator
privileges.
1. Close all of the open programs.
For Windows 98 and Me
a. Press Ctrl+Alt+Delete. The Close Program dialog box opens.
b. Select a program except Explorer or Systray, and click End Task.
c. Repeat step b until all of the programs except Explorer and Systray are closed.
For Windows 2000 and XP
a. Press Ctrl+Alt+Delete. The Windows Security dialog box opens.
b. Click Task Manager and then click the Applications tab.
c. Select a program, and then click End Task.
d. Repeat step c until all of the programs are closed.
2. On the Start menu, point to Programs, point to Hewlett-Packard, point to hp color
LaserJet 2550 series, and click Add or Remove.
3. On the Setup screen, click Next.
4. To remove specific software components, click Modify the existing installation. To
remove all the printer software, click Remove All.
Note
Clicking Remove All requires you to have the software CD to complete the uninstallation.
5. Click the drop-down icon next to each feature that you want to remove. From the drop-
down list, click This feature will not be available.
6. Click Next, and follow the directions on the screen. If the message The following file is
a shared file but is not used by any other programs. Would you like to delete it?
appears, click Yes to All. The system finishes removing files.
7. If prompted to restart the computer, click OK.
Uninstalling software for Windows by using Add or Remove Programs
An alternate method for uninstalling the printer software is to use the Add or Remove
Programs method. This method does not require you to have the software CD.
1. Click Start, point to Settings, and click Control Panel.
2. Click Add or Remove Programs.
3. Scroll through the list of software programs and click hp color LaserJet 2550 series
printer.
4. Click Remove.
Uninstalling software for Macintosh
To remove the printing software from your Macintosh, drag the HP LaserJet folder and PPDs
to the Trash. If you are using Mac OS X, you must also drag the PDEs to the Trash.
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							For Mac OS 9.1: The PPDs are located in Macintosh HD\System Folder\Extensions
\Printer Descriptions.
For Mac OS X: The PPDs are located in Macintosh HD\Library\Printers\PPDs
\Contents\Resources\.lproj. The PDEs are located in Macintosh HD
\Library\Printers\PPD Plugins\HP*.
The phrase  represents the language of the printer software that you selected.
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							Print-media specifications
This section contains information about specifications for the quality of print media,
guidelines for print media usage, and guidelines for print media storage.
General guidelines
Some print media might meet all of the guidelines in this manual and still not produce
satisfactory results. This problem might be the result of improper handling, unacceptable
temperature and humidity levels, or other variables over which Hewlett-Packard has no
control.
Before purchasing large quantities of print media, always test a sample and make sure the
that the print media meets the requirements specified in this user guide and in the HP
LaserJet Printer Family Print Media Guide. For ordering information, see 
Accessories and
ordering information.
CAUTION
Using print media that does not meet HP specifications can cause problems for the printer,
requiring repair. This repair is not covered by the Hewlett-Packard warranty or service
agreements.
This printer accepts a variety of media, such as cut-sheet paper (including up to 100 percent
recycled-fiber-content paper), envelopes, labels, transparencies, glossy paper, HP LaserJet
Tough paper, and custom-size paper. Properties such as weight, composition, grain, and
moisture content are important factors affecting printer performance and output quality. Print
media that does not meet the guidelines outlined in this manual can cause the following
problems:
●Poor print quality
●Increased jams
●Premature wear on the printer, requiring repair
Paper and print media
CategorySpecifications
Acid content5.5 pH to 8.0 pH
Caliper0.094 to 0.18 mm (3.0 to 7.0 mils)
Curl in reamFlat within 5 mm (0.02 in.)
Cut-edge conditionsCut with sharp blades with no visible fray
Fusing compatibilityMust not scorch, melt, offset, or release
hazardous emissions when heated to 210° C
(410° F) for 0.1 second
GrainLong Grain
Moisture content4 percent to 6 percent by weight
Smoothness100 to 250 Sheffield
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							For complete print-media specifications for all HP LaserJet printers, see the HP LaserJet
Printer Family Print Media Guide. To download the guide in PDF format, go to
http://www.hp.com/support/ljpaperguide.
Printing and storage environment
Ideally, the printing and media-storage environment should be at or near room temperature,
and not too dry or too humid. Remember that paper is hygroscopic; it absorbs and loses
moisture rapidly.
Heat works with humidity to damage paper. Heat causes the moisture in paper to evaporate,
while cold causes it to condense on the sheets. Heating systems and air conditioners
remove most of the humidity from a room. As paper is opened and used, it loses moisture,
causing streaks and smudging. Humid weather or water coolers can cause the humidity to
increase in a room. As paper is opened and used it absorbs any excess moisture, causing
light print and dropouts. Also, as paper loses and gains moisture it can distort. This issue
can cause jams.
As a result, paper storage and handling are as important as the paper-making process itself.
Paper storage environmental conditions directly affect the feed operation and print quality.
Care should be taken not to purchase more paper than can be easily used in a short time
(about three months). Paper stored for long periods can experience heat and moisture
extremes, which can cause damage. Planning is important to prevent damage to a large
supply of paper.
Unopened paper in sealed reams can remain stable for several months before use. Opened
packages of paper have more potential for environmental damage, especially if they are not
wrapped with a moisture-proof barrier.
The media-storage environment should be properly maintained to ensure optimum printer
performance. The required condition is 20° to 24° C (68° to 75° F), with a relative humidity of
45 percent to 55 percent. The following guidelines should be helpful when evaluating the
papers storage environment:
●Print media should be stored at or near room temperature.
●The air should not be too dry or too humid (to moderate the hygroscopic properties of
paper).
●The best way to store an opened ream of paper is to rewrap it tightly in its moisture-
proof wrapping. If the printer environment is subject to extremes, unwrap only the
amount of paper to be used during the days operation to prevent unwanted moisture
changes.
●Avoid storing paper and print media near heating and air conditioning vents or near
windows and doors that are frequently open.
Envelopes
Use only tray 1 to print on envelopes. Select the type of envelope that you are using from
the Print dialog box or the printer driver.
In your program, set the margins for the envelope. The following table gives typical address
margins for a commercial #10 or DL envelope.
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							Type of addressTop marginLeft margin
Return address15 mm (0.6 inch)15 mm (0.6 inch)
Delivery address51 mm (2 inches)89 mm (3.5 inches)
●For the best print quality, position margins no closer than 15 mm (0.6 inch) from the
edges of the envelope.
●Avoid printing over the area where the envelope seams meet.
Envelope storage
Proper storage of envelopes helps contribute to print quality. Envelopes should be stored
flat. If air is trapped in an envelope and creates an air bubble, then the envelope might
wrinkle during printing.
For more information, see 
Printing on envelopes.
Envelope construction
Envelope construction is critical. Envelope fold lines can vary considerably, not only between
manufacturers, but also within a box from the same manufacturer. Successful printing on
envelopes depends upon the quality of the envelopes. When selecting envelopes, consider
the following components:
●
Weight: The weight of the envelope paper should not exceed 90 g/m
2 (24 lb) or jamming
might occur.
●Construction: Before printing, envelopes should lie flat with less than 6 mm (0.25 inch)
curl, and should not contain air.
●Condition: Envelopes should not be wrinkled, nicked, or otherwise damaged.
●Temperature: Use envelopes that are compatible with the heat and pressure of the
printer. This printers fusing temperature is 210° C (410° F).
●Size: Use only envelopes that are within the following size ranges.
TrayMinimumMaximum
Tray 176 by 127 mm (3 by 5 inches)216 by 356 mm (8.5 by 14
inches)
Envelopes with double side-seams
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							Double side-seam construction has vertical seams at both ends of the envelope rather than
diagonal seams. This style might be more likely to wrinkle. Be sure the seam extends all the
way to the corner of the envelope as illustrated below.
1
2
1 acceptable
2 unacceptable
Envelopes with adhesive strips or flaps
Envelopes with a peel-off adhesive strip or with more than one flap that folds over to seal
must use adhesives that are compatible with the heat and pressure in the printer. The extra
flaps and strips might cause wrinkling, creasing, or even jams and might damage the fuser.
Labels
Select the type of label that you are using from the Print dialog box or the printer driver.
CAUTION
To avoid damaging the printer, use only labels that are recommended for laser printers. To
prevent serious jams, always use tray 1 to print on labels and always use the straight-
through paper path. Never print on the same sheet of labels more than once or print on a
partial sheet of labels.
When selecting labels, consider the quality of each component:
●Adhesives: The adhesive material should be stable at 210° C (410° F), which is the
printer fusing temperature.
●Arrangement: Only use labels with no exposed backing between them. Labels can peel
off sheets with spaces between the labels, causing serious jams.
●Curl: Before printing, labels must lie flat with no more than 13 mm (0.5 inch) of curl in
any direction.
●Condition: Do not use labels that have wrinkles, bubbles, or other indications of
separation.
For more information, see 
Printing on labels.
Transparencies
Use only tray 1 to print on transparencies. Select Transparencies from the Print dialog box
or the printer driver.
The printer supports printing on color transparencies. Use only transparencies that are
recommended for use in laser printers.
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