On Sun, 10 Jan 2010 12:48:43 -0500, Meat Plow
wrote:

The actual model number usually starts with 'C', followed by four
numbers and sometimes another letter on the label with the serial number

Does it matter? They all certainly have the same print engine right?

The various "5" models have quite different guts, engines, and model
unique problems. The 5, 5M, and 5N use EX II engines. The 5P is a VX
engine. The 5Si is a WX engine.
http://www.printerworks.com/Catalogs/LaserJets.html

Looks to me like the laser guts are dirty and the optics need cleaned.

He tried that, with no success. That leaves low laser output. It's
rare, but I've seen it with heavily used EX engines. It's also
possible that the laser is somehow otto focus. That might explain the
light thin lines for characters, while large areas are normally black.
Hard to tell from here.

--
Jeff Liebermann
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Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
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