Path: utzoo!attcan!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!sdd.hp.com!hplabs!hpfcso!rrd
From: rrd@hpfcso.HP.COM (Ray Depew)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.handhelds
Subject: Re: Burned-out infrared printer
Message-ID: <7360029@hpfcso.HP.COM>
Date: 17 Dec 90 18:20:19 GMT
References: <4491@altos86.Altos.COM>
Organization: Hewlett-Packard, Fort Collins, CO, USA
Lines: 28

Steve Scherf tells a spooky story:

>     [ The Case of the Fried Thermal Printhead ]

> I sent it back to HP and they replaced the whole unit under the warranty
> agreement. I'm afraid to use it now, though I'm sure the chance of a repeat
> performance is low. Has anyone else out there had this kind of experience?
> Is this a common thing for thermal printers?

Well, speaking as a user and not as an HP employee, I think you've experienced
a rare event.  Thermal printheads themselves are pretty sturdy, and something
like this would only happen if the control electronics inside got zapped.  If
you had disassembled your printer (which obviously you didn't for good
rea$on$), you would probably have seen some discolored components or circuit
traces.  (Well okay, maybe not...)

I own two of these printers and have access to several others, and they've 
survived lots of abuse without ever showing this problem.  However, I can
understand your not wanting to use the printer again.  I have the same 
irrational fear of placing my 48 in server mode and controlling all my 
file transfers from the PC.  Nothing bad has happened to me yet; it's just
a lot more comforting to do it all from the 48's keyboard.  Like I said,
totally irrational.

Regards
Ray Depew
IC's by Bill and Dave   
rrd@hpfitst1.hp.com