We started with print server migration from Windows Server 2003 to Windows Server 2008 R2. This huge upgrade could give us possible x64 driver issues as Windows Server 2008 R2 is 64-bit operating system.

The first printer that started to give me headaches is HP Color LaserJet 3600n. The only available driver for this printer is HP CLJ 3600 Host based driver that could have problems if your printer is installed via TCP-IP port as it is in our case.

I have installed x64 and x86 version of HP Color LaserJet 3600 and when I tried to print a test page I got following error message:

PCL XL error

Subsystem: KERNEL

Error: IllegalTag

Operator: OpenDataSource

Position: 2

I have also received this error several time on the print server:

Incompatible Print Settings

There are one or more conflicting settings. One of the conflicting settings is:

Paper Source:
Feature2:Option2

Restore my previous settings.
Keep this setting, and I will change it later.

I think that this second error message is partially related to wrong print driver as I've tried to use HP Universal Print Driver instead of HP 3600 driver. No matter that I've changed the driver I've received this error during printer installation on my Windows 7 x64 machine.

Solution:

I have checked the Printing Preferences page and by default 'Paper Source' box was empty. I have selected 'Plain' option for paper source and PCL error message disappeared.

Comments are welcome!

Due to slow season, oversupply of dynamic random access memory (DRAM) and shortages of hard disk drives (HDDs) pricing of computer memory continues to decrease. The contract price of 4GB DDR3 memory module in the second half of November was down to $17.5 (-7.9%), whereas the price of 2GB DDR3 module was $9.5 (-7.3%).

According to DRAMeXchange, a research division of TrendForce, due to the weak demand for PC in November (some PC OEMs orders were even cancelled) the market remained slow. Affected by the inventory pressure, several DRAM manufacturers resorted to cutting prices. In addition, the DDR3 2GB spot price dipped 25% compared to last month, which gave the clients an edge in the contract price negotiation and in turn furthered the price drop. Although DRAM makers such as Elpida and Nanya reduced their capacities in November, the effect of downsizing will not kick in until Q1 2012. In the short term, the DRAM market will still be in a state of oversupply, with the contract price downturn most likely to continue through the end of 2011.

It seems, though HP is yet to confirm it, that researchers from Columbia University have found a security hole in “tens of millions” of HP LaserJet printers that allows a remote hacker to install new and dangerous firmware on the device. In one example, the researchers used the vulnerability to hack a printer’s fuser — the heating element that dries the ink — causing the paper to turn brown and begin to smoke.

The attack vector is depressingly simple: Every time a vulnerable LaserJet printer accepts a print job, it scans that job to see if it includes a firmware update. Unvelievably, the printer doesn’t then check the source of the update; HP doesn’t digitally sign its updates, and the printer isn’t looking for HP’s signature.

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