minor accomplishment

I love getting new electronics. I hate setting them up. The task always seems so daunting.

Right before leaving on vacation, my HP LaserJet 1320 died. No warning. The paper just started coming out crinkled and smudged in the top corner of every page.

I did some sleuthing and determined the problem was not fixable — something having to do with replacing an expensive part.

I couldn't be too sad. My printer had a good, long life. I bought it in May 2005 for $300. And in 12 years, it never gave me any problems.

I decide I want another HP given the longevity of my last one. It also has to be wireless. Black and white only. Simple (I have an ink jet for scanning and copying). Fast. And a laser jet that also allows me to use a high-yield toner. It also has to look decent and have a small footprint. 

After consulting one friend and doing some internet research, I decide on the HPLaser Jet Pro M402dw. I order it Saturday; it arrives Monday (Amazon Prime is the absolute best). Based on aesthetics alone I love it. 

But I'd love it even more if it could read its own instructions and set itself up.


The hardest part turns out to be getting it out of the box. After that, it's actually pretty easy.

Within a half hour, everything is working as it should. Honestly, you'd think I'd just figured out how to assemble a circuit board or something equally complicated. I want to yell to someone, "Hey, look what I just did. All by myself!"

Must be why I'm blogging about this.

The printer is a bit loud, but super fast, and doesn't look all that bad.

I'm hoping it's good for at least ten years. But by then, probably some machine that hasn't been invented yet will have replaced it.

Addendum

A few hours later I notice that the power button continues to blink white. Not sure if this is supposed to be happening. So I decide to to use HP chat support.  It takes 11 minutes before Priyadarshini responds.

Then three times, yes three times, Priyadarshini asks me what the problem is. And three times I write, "I'm not even sure if this is a problem. But why does the power button keep blinking in white? Is this supposed to happen?"

Then he writes, "Sorry for the inconvenience," and waits for me to respond.

Eventually Priyadarshini tells me that the light is not supposed to blink.

We then begin trouble shooting.

After 36 minutes of getting no where, I ask for the support phone number. I say good-bye and call HP.

Someone picks up after three rings.

Tells me the blinking white light is totally normal.

Next time I'll know better than to engage in chatting!