  software causing printer jams? 
 The Question is:
 
We have a number of HP5SIMX laser printers that have recently
developed a "jamming" problem.  The printers are accessed by
by Window NT and OpenVMS print queues using TCP/IP.  There isn't a problem
when a Windows app sends a job to the printer.  When a vms print queue
sends a job the paper stalls in two places inside the printers.  This is
happening on at least 4 different networked printers.  The vms queue reports
the queue is either busy or printing when this happens.  A tech has checked
the printers is confident that the printers are physically ok.
The administator of the vms system assures me that nothing has change recently
on the vms side.  I doubt it's a hardware problem because the NT client's
don't have any problem. The printer's error log reports "paper late jams"
Any suggestions?
 
 
 The Answer is:
 
  The Wizard has seen various paper jams resulting from differing paper
  selections, and due to changes in the ambient humidity in the immediate
  area of the printer(s) and in the area where the paper is stored.
 
  The Wizard finds it relatively hard to believe that remote software,
  using supported printer interfaces, should cause printer hardware to
  jam paper, without there being a printer problem.  Assuming that this
  is not a simple case of humidity or paper, the Wizard believes this is
  a flaw in the printer itself, possibly being provoked by a particular
  software timing or by a particular set of software activities.  This
  may have a hardware or a software workaround.
 
  With all respect due the folks that keep the laser printers going given
  the abuse they get, the Wizard doubts that most printer technicians could
  isolate a problem with the print engine design or with the print engine
  software without assistance from the printer manufacturer(s) and/or from
  the software vendor(s) involved.
 
  This is going to need to be reported via formal channels, so that the
  exact hardware and software configuration and the exact environment for
  the jams can be reproduced.
 
