Using the Shed printer, copier & scanner

We have installed an Epson multi-function printer. It connects by WiFi, so the only connecting cable is the mains one. It can be unplugged and re-sited anywhere in the shed.

The printer is sensitive to dust, so should be covered with a dust sheet if there is a likelihood of dust in the area around the printer.

This note describes some basics about how to use the printer to print, copy or scan documents. Click any of the headings below to find out more. Some sections contain images - you can usually click them to see a larger version. Note that we have not connected the printer as a fax machine.

If you need more help than we provide here, there is a user guide for the printer here. If you still need help, please get in touch with Andy Henderson and he'll try to arrange something for you.

You'll find very little here that's new to you. Most printers work in a similar way even if they come from different manufacturers.

It would be worth skimming through the following sections, though, in case there are some features you are unaware of.

The control panel is at the front of the printer. Pull it gently from the bottom to hinge it out making it easier to see.

Press the power button at the top left of the control panel. The display screen will light up. If nothing happens, check the printer is plugged in and switched on at the wall socket.

Note that it can take a while for the printer to warm up.

Press the power button at the top left of the control panel to start the shut down process. The display screen asks you to confirm by pressing the OK button. Please do not switch off at the wall socket or disconnect until the power light goes out. The printer needs time to cap the ink cartridges so they don't dry out.

Please:

  • If you have been copying or scanning, remove your original from under the document cover.
  • Remove paper from the feeder and replace it in the packet. Leaving paper in the printer causes it to curl and can cause a paper jam.
  • Fold the control panel away by pressing gently at the bottom of the panel.
  • Fold the front and rear paper trays away to minimise the risk of dust entering and clogging the printer.

While there is still work needing to be done in the shed, we have provided a dust cover, please use it to cover the printer and paper when not in use.

Start by opening the feeder guard and pulling up the paper support...

Slide the paper guides open...

Insert paper centrally - it should fall easily into the printer mechanism...

Close the paper guides so they are snug against the sides of the paper - but not gripping or bending it. Then fold the feeder guard back into place...

Finally, slide out the front paper tray...

We have named the printer "Mens Shed printer" and made it the default device.

You should be able to use any program's print feature without any further interaction once the printer has been switched on.

The printer is capable of double-sided printing. Please consider using this feature to save paper if printing more than one page. You should see an option to print single or double-sided in your program's print window (you might need to click a 'Printer properties' or 'Advanced' button).

You won't normally see the printer's network name but, in case you do, it identifies as: 'EPSON WF-2810 Series'.

Make sure the printer is switched on.

Lift the document cover to reveal the glass...

If necessary, clean the glass with a clean, dry cloth.

Place your document face down on the scanner glass, pushing it to the left hand corner nearest the control panel. The top of your document should point to the right.

Close the cover gently.

Press the left or right arrow buttons on the control panel until the display screen shows 'Copy' and press 'OK'. Follow the prompts to set:

  • Number of copies
  • Colour or monochrome copies
  • Press OK to see additional settings
  • Press OK again then the copy button:
    to start your copy.

Make sure the printer is switched on.

Lift the document cover to reveal the glass...

If necessary, clean the glass with a clean, dry cloth.

Place your document face down on the scanner glass, pushing it to the left hand corner nearest the control panel. The top of your document should point to the right.

Close the cover gently.

At one of the laptops...

  • Type "scan" in the toolbar search box, to see 'Windows fax and scan', select it (there are a bunch of different ways to open the scan app, if you prefer a different method, go for it).
  • Click 'New scan' at the top left of the window.
  • Use the dropdown at the left of the new scan window to select from 'Color', 'Grayscale', or 'Black and white'.
  • Click 'Preview' to see a small version of your scanned image; if it needs repositioning, do that and click 'Preview' again; when you are happy...
  • Click 'Scan'.

Your scanned document is stored automatically in folder 'Scanned documents' in the 'Documents' folder.

You might be asked to confirm paper settings when changing paper. When using normal printer paper, select Plain A4 and press OK.

Printer ink is indecently expensive so please use the printer only when you need to. In practice it is easier to read most documents via the laptops because that allows you to increase print size if necessary.

For the time being we are not asking for contributions when printing documents assuming we won't need to replace the cartridges frequently. That might need to change if the printer gets used a lot.

You might see a warning that ink in a particular cartridge is low. That's not a cue to replace the cartridge - it still has ink in it. Instead, please check to see if we have a replacement cartridge of the relevant colour. If not, let Andy Henderson know so he can source a replacement.

If a cartridge is empty, there are instructions for replacing it in the user manual starting at page 140. Alternatively, let Andy Henderson know so he can do the replacement.

You might see dire warnings because we are not using genuine Epson cartridges. You can safely ignore/override them.

Try both laptops. If just one has a problem, it's a setup issue in the failing laptop. Otherwise, there are a number of reasons why you might be unable to print from one of our laptops:

  • The printer is not switched on
  • The printer has run out of paper
  • One of the cartridges has run out of ink (see above)
  • There has been a paper jam (should be a message on the printer display)
  • The printer is not connected to our network (the wifi icon on the printer display should be blue)
  • The printer is connected to the wrong network; the 'HIMS Visitor' network cannot connect to our main network, the printer must be connected to the 'Mens Shed Assoc HI' network

Communications roles & responsibilities

We see three main types of communication that we need to manage:

  • Communications to the public
  • Communications to members
  • Communications from the public

Click any of these headings for more information...

Nik Nickerson is responsible for all communications to the public including: the press; URC magazine; and the Facebook page. The news and events section of the web site automatically update to match the Facebook page.

Nik will give the committee members opportunity to review publicity articles before they go out.

If you have an item of news for publication, please send it to Nik.

Nik Nickerson will prepare a monthly HIMS sheet to keep members informed about what’s happening. He will send it to members by email and post. He will also arrange for printed copies to be available in the shed.

Tony George will send out other all-member emails as necessary. He will attempt to minimise the number of emails by combining messages where possible. He will post copies of all-member emails on the message board in the shed.

Tony can also post messages to Facebook (and therefore our web site) when appropriate.

Roger Davies will organise member meetings; their frequency and nature will probably change over time as we learn more about what works well.

If you have an item of news for members, please send it to Nik (stating it is for members only if that’s not clear).

Messages will come to us in a number of ways:

  • Via the shed telephone – Roger Davies will arrange for a message book next to the phone and will review it from time to time to ensure messages are getting through to the right people.
  • Via Facebook and ‘Contact us’ on the web site – Andy Henderson will: decide whether messages need responses; reply to straightforward ones; and pass others on.
  • Via post – Don Bates will discard junk mail and make sure post for us and the URC goes to the right post box. Roger Davies will review our post and ensure it gets to the appropriate person.
  • Via members – If you are unsure who should deal with a message, please pass it to Roger Davies (either directly or via the message book).

In any case, all requests for help should go to Roger Davies who will determine the best way to deal with them. We will use the web site, HIMS sheet and all-member emails to notify members of different projects and how they can get involved.

Tim Norgate will take on Roger’s responsibilities in his absence.

Use one of these links to send an email. Alternatively, log in to see phone numbers and email addresses.

Getting to the internet from the shed

The phone and broadband connection is provided by KSM Telecom who also pick up the cost of our calls and internet use. Please remember them if you hear of a firm or organisation wanting to get connected!

It's difficult to provide step-by-step instructions for connecting your device to the internet because there are so many variations even within a single operating system. If, however, you are used to connecting to public networks, ours is no different.

Click any of these headings to find out more...

As with any public WiFi network, you should be aware that anyone can listen in to your online conversation. That being said, the metal frame of our shed acts as a Faraday cage so our network has a very limited range outside the shed. Also most sites - including ours - force an encrypted connection (indicated by https) which is managed independently from our network.

We provide two WiFi networks:

  • HIMS Visitor - is not password connected or encrypted.
  • Mens Shed Assoc HI - is password protected and encrypted.

See below for more information.

We provide a low speed connection for casual use by visitors. It is not password protected, so is the simplest way to connect. The connection's id (SSID) is "HIMS Visitor".

If a visitor wants access to the internet, direct them to this connection. Similarly any members who need casual, occasional internet access to non-sensitive sites (such as online banking or shopping).

We provide a full-speed, password-protected, encrypted connection called "Mens Shed Assoc HI". The password is on display on the shed noticeboard.

You need to be in the members' area to see the password. Log in to see it now.

The shed's metal frame makes access from outside difficult.

If you want to use the internet from the area out the front, you can improve access by leaving the doors open.

You can connect directly to the router using a network cable if your device has an ethernet port. The ethernet ports are at the rear of the router. This method of connection might be useful if there is a problem with the WiFi network.

You should not, however, use this method for regular access because it risks disrupting the network if cables become dislodged.

You shouldn't need to do anything special. The laptops connect to the internet, with full-speed access, automatically.

Click here to see Google's explanation of how to connect an Android phone or tablet to WiFi.

Click here to see Microsoft's explanation of how to connect a Windows 10 device to WiFi.

Click here to see Apple's explanation of how to connect an iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch to Wifi.

Click here to see Apple's explanation of how to connect an Apple Mac to WiFi.

If you have a problem connecting - and you are using the password-protected connection - first check the password (shown here or on the Shed noticeboard). We might have had to change it for security purposes.

Next, take a look at the router - it's the box labelled Zyxel connected to the BT access box. It shows the following lights:

If the first light - the power light - is dark, the router is not plugged in to the mains; you'll need to plug it in. If it is flashing, the router is starting up, wait until it goes solid green and try again to connect.

If the third light - the internet light - is dark or red, there is no connection to the internet from the router (note it will show red for a short time while the router is starting up). Check the cable connecting the router to the BT access box is firmly connected at both ends. If it is, we have a problem with the KSM service you can contact KSM at 023 9229 0500 (but note that, without an internet connection the phone in the shed won't work).

If the light is green (either solid or flashing), the router is connected to the internet; the problem is most likely with the laptop.

You shouldn't need to do anything with the router but, for completeness, the user guide is here

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