|
The main method of speeding up a printer
and allowing it to handle more complex print jobs is to upgrade the
memory of the printer. All printers now have at least a small amount of RAM.
Generally, the more memory a printer has, the more efficiently it
works, and the requirements for the computer resources (CPU cycles and
RAM) become smaller. This memory is used for tasks such as
job buffering or page creation (drawing). Print job buffering is the
ability of the printer to "capture" as much of the print job
into its own internal memory as possible. This allows the computer to
focus on other tasks instead of waiting to send the remaining data in
the print job to the printer. Buffering is common on laser printers
and plotters as well as on higher-end ink-jet and dot matrix printers.
Page creation is the process of the printer recreating the entire page
of a document before output. This allows the printer to output entire
pages at a time while drawing the next page to be printed. This is a
key component of laser printers as these pages are drawn onto the drum
and then transferred to paper.
The first step in installing additional printer memory is to
consult the printer documentation to determine the memory type
used, current memory population and availability, and the proper
procedures for memory upgrades.
|
while others require the use of special or proprietary
memory.