FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently asked questions about the usage of PosterJet

When PosterJet is idle it still decelerates the CPU. What can I do?

This is propably caused by a wrong or not full installation of the service pack 2 for PosterJet 7.5. In this case please uninstall PosterJet completely and install the lastest version 7.5 incl. service pack 2.

The latest version 7.5 incl. service pack 2 can be downloaded here . A pdf document that tells you how to completely uninstall PosterJet is available here.

Why does PosterJet display the wrong media width?

Please check first if you have installed the latest version 7.5 of PosterJet. You can check this by opening the help menu and select "about PosterJet". In rare cases it can happen that all roll media sizes are lost after updating the version 7.1 to the version 7.5. In this case please open the preferences in the menu file and select "Factory" in the "Default" tab. This will replace all default sizes. Please keep in mind that the Canon W9000 and the HP CP series printer don`t respond the loaded media width.

Why does the search function from the program preferences not find my printer?

The search function of the PosterJet program preferences is not available for large format printers if your firewall avoids access to this functionality. Please make sure, that your firewall is configured properly. Otherwise you must manually enter the connection parameters for your printer in the PosterJet preferences.

Why will PosterJet not start?

Please check that:

• The web server (IIS or the PosterJet 7 server hosting service) is correctly installed and started. In some cases it can happen that the server hosting application is running, but the comunication to the server is stopped. In this case you have to close PosterJet client and PosterJet server and delete the file "ServerHosting.xml" which can be found under c:\documents and settings\[user]\application data\Eisfeld Datentechnik..... After this you can start the PosterJet server and client again.
• PosterJet is correctly installed.
• The dongle is correctly installed and addressed.

Why will PosterJet not print?

• Check that the printer is switched on.
• Ensure that your computer and printer are connected correctly, including connection to the network.
• In the PosterJet preferences, check that NULL DEVICE is selected in the "Connection" section on the "Printer" tab. If this is the case, please select the desired connection type from the drop-down menu.
• Check and change the network settings (are the printer and PosterJet computer visible in the network?).
• Check whether the printer is controlled:


By Windows:
• Click on Start and then Run...; enter “cmd” in the input field; confirm with OK to call up the input prompt window.
• Enter “ping [IP address of the printer]” and then press Enter (Example: “ping 192.168.0.1” – do not enter a dot at the end)
• If you receive a reply from [IP address of the printer], a connection exists with the printer or the IP address is already assigned. If you receive "request timeout," there is no connection to the printer or the IP address is not yet in use.

Can I split my print job/image into several columns?

Yes, by using PosterJet’s tiling option. This is available in the Business Editions and as an optional module for the Design Editions.
You will find the tiling option in the Submission window under the "Tiling" tab. The columns can be arranged manually or automatically (see also the “large printouts” workshop in our help system).

How to print multiple files and avoid media wastage?

If you want to print different files collect them in the nest queue in the lower part of the PosterJet main window. For information how to work with the nest queue please read the workshop "Print multiple files saving as much space as possible" which can be found in the help system

If you want to print more than one copy of the same file put this file into the main queue and set the copies inside the printer tab of the job submission window to the needed quantitiy. You will see that the box for the "Layout" is checked automatically. This will create a special kind of nest job. As PosterJet can only cut at the end of a job, please uncheck this button if not at least two printouts will fit next to each other on the media width. After sending this job back to the main queue you will get a preview of this nest job by right clicking on the job entry and selecting "Nest Editor".

Can PosterJet control two printers simultaneously and from one computer only (Mac or PC)?

Each PosterJet server can control only one printer. To simultaneously control two printers, you need two separate PosterJet licenses or the PosterJet 7 Corporate Business Edition (this includes two PosterJet 7 servers). These two PosterJet Servers must be installed on two seperate PCs, but can be controlled form one PC by changing the connection of the PosterJet Client from one server to the other one.

Does it matter which computer has the dongle?

The copy protection dongle must be used on the computer on which the PosterJet 7 server is installed. The number of clients and licenses is automatically recognized by the PosterJet server.

On how many computers in a network can PosterJet be installed?

This is dependent on the licenses purchased. Each PosterJet 7 license includes one server and five clients. The server may only be installed once, and requires the copy protection dongle. The clients can be installed on as many computers in the network as desired, but the PosterJet server only permits simultaneous operation by the number of clients licensed with the PosterJet 7 server. This is normally five clients. Additional client licenses, however, can be purchased and flawlessly integrated into the system.

Is there a nest preview before printing?

Yes, this feature is available in PosterJet V7. You can now manually rotate individual jobs in the nest preview, or remove them from the nested job (see also the “Printing several files to save as much space as possible” workshop).

Can I print from a Macintosh OSX machine to PosterJet V7 installed on Windows?

Yes, you can send print jobs via the PosterJet PPD (Postscript Printer Description, a virtual printer driver) out of the application on the OSX system into PosterJet running on Windows. Please see also this support document: 021E_PPD_from_OSX_to_Windows_PosterJet_server.pdf

If you can not transfer the file to the Windows system, please go to the "Add or remove Programs" area of the "control panel" on the Windows system, choose "Add or remove Windows components" and install the "Print Services for UNIX" which you will find under "Other Network File and Print Services".

With release of PosterJet version 7.5 (16th of Dec.2005) there is an OSX client available which can be downloaded here: Demo Version Mac Client This OSX client has to be connected with a PosterJet 7.5 server running on Windows. Please see also this support document: 039E_Installing_and_connecting_MacClient.pdf

How do I set up the TCP/IP address of the PosterJet server in the client?

The address of the server must be set in the client so that it can access the server. In the "Preferences" dialog (accessed through the "File" menu), select the "General" tab and press the button "Servers". A new window will open and display all already configured PosterJet servers. By pressing the button "Add" a second window will appear, where all details of the new server can be entered. Please enter the name for the new server in the specific field and enter the address of the PosterJet server in the "URL" field. If you are working locally (that is, PosterJet server and client are running on one computer), the address is: "http://localhost/PJServer/PJServer.asmx" If the client and server are running on different computers, you must replace "localhost" in the address with the IP address of the computer the PosterJet server is installed on. If you are using dynamic IP addresses provided by the DHCP you have to enter the DNS name of the computer the PosterJet server is running instead of the IP address. After adding the address close both windows. Back in the tab "General" select the server you want to connect to from the drop down list "Server" and press "connect" after this.

You can determine the server IP address by proceeding as follows on the server computer:

• Click "Start" and then "Run..."
• Enter “cmd” in the input field and confirm with OK
• Enter "ipconfig /all" in the new window.
• In the list that then appears, you will find the IP address of the PosterJet server next to the entry "IP address." Enter this address (for example: 192.168.0.255) in the PosterJet client instead of the name “localhost.”
  (Example: "http://192.168.0.255/PJServer/PJServer.asmx")

Which IP addresses should I use for the printer?

There are no generally valid instructions for determining free network addresses. You can receive an IP address that is not yet in use from your network administrator.
The basic requirement is that the computer on which PosterJet is installed and the printer must use the same network. If one or more devices are already connected to your PosterJet computer via TCP/IP, you should keep the set IP address of your server.
After determining the IP address, you must set it on the control panel of the printer (the procedure varies from printer model to printer model). In case of doubt, consult the manufacturer’s documentation or your printer dealer.

Why are the colors not reproduced on the media according to the defaults?

This can have many causes. Please verify that:

• the correct media is selected in the PosterJet job window
• the correct media profile is available
• the correct color setting is selected in the PosterJet preferences
• the settings on the printer control panel are selected according to our defaults

After a break the connection to the Canon imagePROGRAF is not available. What to do?

If the Canon imagePROGRAF does not receive data for a longer period, it may activate a energy saving sleep mode. Sometimes PosterJet is not able to quit this sleep mode of the printer. To wake up the printer press the Online-button on the printers front panel one time.

How to abort print jobs correctly?

1. Stop the print job inside of PosterJet by clicking with the right mouse button on the job and either select "Hold Job" or "Delete"

2. Please wait untill the printer got the last data from the PosteRJet server and finishes the print by its own.

Stopping the print directly at the printer by selecting "cancel" can lead into a problem inside the PosterJet Server when the server still sends data to the printer but the printer will not accept these data any longer.

How to install media profiles on machines whithout an internet connection?

1. With PosterJet 7 you will still get all for the genuine medias from Canon and HP free of charge. These profiles are available through our website and will be updated regulary. Please download the needed profiles using a machine that is connected to the internet and copy them to the machine PosterJet is installed on.

2. Start PosterJet 7, go to the menu "Tools" and select the "Media Update". Use the lower part of the media update window and press the "browse" button. Select the zip-files you have downloaded in step 1 and press "open". PosterJet will now unzip the files and copy them to the right location.

3. In some rare cases it can happen that some security settings interfere with this way of installing media profiles. In this case unzip the donwloaded zip-archive manually and copy the included folder (the first 32 figures of the name of the incl folder should be numbers and letters) into the folder of the needed printer which can be found here:

C:\Program Files\Eisfeld Datentechnik\PosterJet 7 Server Hosting\wwwroot\PJServer\data\System

or here:

C:\Inetpub\wwwroot\PJServer\data\System

After restarting PosterJet the new profiles will be available in the media settings.

How to reset the PosterJet Server?

There are two different ways to reset the PosterJet Server, either if you are using the Microsoft IIS or our own Web Hosting.

1. Microsoft IIS: Please go via "Start" -> "Run" and enter "cmd". Type "iisreset" in the new opened window. Please mind that all other services using the IIS will also be stopped.

2. PosterJet Web Hosting: Please open the server window by double clicking the server icon in the taskbar next to the clock and press the "stop" and after this the "play" button.

How to choose the correct media profile in PosterJet?

For selecting the correct media profile please go to the "Media Settings" in the lower part of the main window of PosterJet. Please select the media you want to print on from the list of installed profiles in the filed "Media". After this submit your selection by pressing the button "Apply Changes".

How to choose the correct media profile in the printer? or: Where can I find the "MediaSettings.html"?

You can choose the right printer internal profile when loading the media into the printer. This process varies from printer to printer. After you have selected the right PosterJet profile you can see in the "Media Settings" tab in the field "Current PosterJet Settings" which printer internal profile was choosen when the PosterJet profile was created. Please select the same printer internal profile when loading media into the printer. In the field "Current Printer Settings" you can see which printer internal profile is choosen at the moment.

Why do I not get ink-levels or media information displayed?

This indicates a defect in the connection between computer and printer. Please mind that not all printers support this "bidirectional comunication".

HP Printers:

CP-Series: no feedback about ink-levels or media information.

All other HP large format printers support the bidirectional comunication if connected via TCP/IP.

Canon Printers:

BJW-9000: no feedback about ink-levels or media information.

All other Canon large format printers support the bidirectional comunication if connected via TCP/IP, USB or FireWire.

If you don´t get a connection to the printer, please check the following points step by step:

1. Check the connection between computer and printer. Are all cables pluged in? Is the power supply interrupted? Is the printer "online"? Are inks and media loaded?

2. If you the printer is connected via TCP/IP, go to "Start" > "run" and enter "cmd". In the new opened window enter the command "ping 192.168.0.120" (192.168.0.120 is an example for the IP-address of your printer). You will now get a response protocol which will tell you how good the connection is. If one or more packets are lost this is related to your network. Perhabs there is a firewall blocking this connection. Please contact your system administrator to solve this problem.

3. If the "ping"command was completed whithout any errors, please check if the IP-address you have selected in PosterJet is the same you have entered in the "ping"command.

Is there a possibility to set a drying time for a special media?

Yes, it is possible to set a drying time for the media profiles used with the Canon 6200, 6400, 7200, 7250, 8200 and 8400 printers. Please have a look at the printer specific information in the help system of PosterJet.

Why is my printout looking different than it appeared on my screen?

For getting the same colours on your screen and on your printout it is very important to create a special ICC-profile for your screen. To do this you need a spectralphotometer (e.g. EyeOne from Gretag McBeth) and the software to create this profile (e.g. Profilemaker). This profiling of your screen (output device) can be made for nearly all out- and input devices. Please see also the "Introduction to Colour Management" in our help system.

How to uninstall PosterJet 7 completely?

For uninstalling PosterJet 7 please use the Windows service for uninstalling applications. You can reach it via: Start -> Control Panel -> Add or Remove Programs. After deleting all entries regarding PosterJet 7 please close this window and delete the following folders manually from your harddisk:

1. The folder "Eisfeld Datentechnik" which you will find in C:\program files.

2. All folders called "Eisfeld Datentechnik GmbH & Co. KG" which you will find in C:\Documents and Settings\[user]\Application Data

and

C:\Documents and Settings\[user]\Local Settings\Application Data

If you are using the Microsoft IIS for the comunication between PosterJet Client and PosterJet Server please also delete the folder "PJ Server" which will be found in C:\Inetpup\wwwroot.

How to delete a queue entry that was allready deleted but appears again after restarting PosterJet?

In some cases a job that was not aborted correctly can appear again in the main queue after it was allready deleted. To erase this job please delete the "MainQueue.xml" file which is stored in the "System" folder of the PosterJet installation directory. This folder is usually located here:

C:\Program Files\Eisfeld Datentechnik\PosterJet 7 Server Hosting\wwwroot\PJServer\data\System

or here:

C:\Inetpub\wwwroot\PJServer\data\System.

The file "MainQueue.xml" will automatically be rewritten after restarting PosterJet. To do the same with the nest queue please delete the "NestQueue.xml". When deleting the "HistoryQueue.xml" all entries in the JobHistory will be removed. Please do not delete any other files in this directory.

Do all versions of PosterJet include the ability to print directly from an application? If not, which versions support this functionality?

Only the PosterJet Editions with PostScript will offer this functionality, as printing from an application will generate a PostScript file via a virtual PosterJet printer (PPD) that needs to be interpreted by PosterJet!