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Frequently Asked Questions

Personal Picture Maker 215

These Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) were last updated 6 November, 2003.

1. Can I use the print drivers from my LEXMARK Z32 printer after I install my KODAK Personal Picture Maker 215?
   No. You need to completely uninstall the LEXMARK Z32 printer drivers first. Once that is done correctly, you can then load the printer drivers for the KODAK Personal Picture Maker 215. If you do not uninstall the LEXMARK Z32 drivers, it may default to this printer and you will experience very poor image quality with the KODAK Personal Picture Maker 215.
   
   
2. Can I print my pictures with my KODAK Personal Picture Maker 215 without a computer?
   No.
   
   
3. Can you tell me about the KODAK Color Rich Technology used by the Personal Picture Maker 215?
   KODAK Color Rich Technology was developed to work specifically with KODAK Premium Picture Paper and the unique KODAK dyes that provide industry-leading print life. KODAK Color Rich Technology makes it possible for the KODAK printer to work with your digital images so you get unsurpassed print quality. The KODAK Color Rich Technology custom algorithms give you more vibrant, colorful prints.
   
   
4. What type of cable does the Personal Picture Maker 215 use?
   The KODAK printer uses a USB cableand a parallel cable.
   
   
5. What port must be used for printing?
   The Personal Picture Maker 215 must be assigned to the USB port instead of LPT1.
   
   
6. What items are included with the printer?
   A Personal Picture Maker 215 includes:
   • KODAK Personal Picture Maker 215 printer
     
   • Power Supply (wall adapter)
     
   • KODAK Color Inkjet Cartridge (catalog number 195-1730)
     
   • KODAK Photo Inkjet Cartridge (catalog number 175-4852)
     
   • Quick Reference Guide
     
   • Registration card
     

   Notes:

   The black ink cartridge is sold separately, Kodak catalog number 136-9511.
   
   

7. How do I achieve the best possible photo quality from my KODAK Personal Picture Maker 215?
   You will achieve the highest quality when you print from your computer using KODAK Ultima Picture Paper, select the appropriate settings (KODAK Ultima Picture Paper, high quality, etc.) and use the combination of color and photo cartridges. This will give you the best quality, longest lasting prints.
   
   
8. Which operating system do I need so I can connect my KODAK printer to my computer?
   If you wish to operate the KODAK Personal Picture Maker 215 by using your personal computer, you must have WINDOWS 95, WINDOWS 98, WINDOWS 2000, WINDOWS ME, or WINDOWS XP as an operating system.
   
   
9. Is the KODAK Personal Picture Maker 215 printer MACINTOSH compatible?
   No, it is not compatible with MACINTOSH systems.

   NOTE: If you have purchased a PPM215 printer and a DC3215 camera package from QVC, you will find that the camera is compatible with the MACINTOSH system, but the PPM215 inkjet printer is not.
   
   

10. If I do not have a CD-ROM driver, how can I obtain the software?
    You can down-load the software from the world-wide web. To do so, go to the following location and follow the directions there:

    http://www.kodak.com/go/ppm215
    
    

11. How many dots per inch (dpi) can I expect to get with the KODAK Personal Picture Maker 215?
    When it is used with a computer, the highest resolution of the KODAK Personal Picture Maker 215 is 1200 x 1200 dpi.
    
    
12. Can I use refilled cartridges in the KODAK Personal Picture Maker 215?
    Use of refilled cartridges is not recommended. Refilled cartridges can affect the print quality, cause damage to the KODAK printer, and void your warranty.

    For best results, use only recommended ink cartridges that are manufactured by Kodak.
    
    

13. What cartridges does the KODAK Personal Picture Maker 215 use?
    The KODAK Personal Picture Maker 215 uses two cartridges at one time. You have the choice of selecting between three different inkjet cartridges. Your cartridge choices are as follows:
    • KODAK Color Cartridge, catalog number 195-1730.
      Use this cartridge for all your printing needs.
      
    • KODAK Photo Cartridge, catalog number 175-4852.
      Use this cartridge for high quality color.
      
    • KODAK Black Cartridge, catalog number 136-9511.
      Use this cartridge for printing black text documents.
      
    
    
    
14. Which combinations of ink cartridges should I use?
    

    Color Cartridge and Photo Cartridge Combination
    The combination of a Color Cartridge and a Photo Cartridge is primarily used when one is printing photos, either from a computer or in the standalone mode. The use of this combination results in better image quality for printed pictures.
    

    Color Cartridge and Black Cartridge Combination
    The combination of a Color Cartridge and a Black Cartridge is primarily used for printing documents which contain both text and photos.The use of this combination results in deeper black for the text with good quality photo reproduction.
    

    
    
    
15. What kind of paper can I use in the KODAK Personal Picture Maker 215?
    For outstanding photos, use KODAK Premium Picture Paper or KODAK Ultima Picture Paper. There are also a number of KODAK specialty papers that enable you to print on pre-perforated sheets that are designed for 4 x 6 inch, 5 x 7 inch, and wallet size photos. Consult the Kodak web site www.kodak.com/go/inkjet for other available KODAK Inkjet Paper products.
    
    
16. When should I use KODAK Premium Paper and when would I use plain paper?
    KODAK Premium Picture Paper

    This paper is recommended when you wish to obtain the best quality pictures with the look and feel of a real photograph. The combination of Kodak ink and KODAK Premium Picture Paper also gives decades of document life under typical home display conditions.

    Plain Paper

    Plain paper is recommended when you want a lower cost document that has mixed photos and text.
    
    

17. Why are there different speed and quality settings for the KODAK printer?
    At Kodak we recognize that our customers are going to print a wide variety of documents on the KODAK Personal Personal Picture Maker 215. That is why the KODAK printer speed and quality choices help optimize the quality of the printed document. The quality of the final printed results is also affected by the choice of ink cartridges.
    
    
18. How do I balance the print speed and the print quality when printing a document?
    The KODAK Personal Picture Maker 215 offers a variety of print speeds and print quality selections. This variety is designed to optimize the printed result when you balance the trade-off between speed and quality. The higher the quality, the more ink is used to print the document and the longer the printing process takes. The processing capability of the computer you are using may also have a positive effect on the print speed.

    The table below indicates the availability and benefits of the various setting combinations.

    Note: The default settings are Better or Normal. Refer to your User's Guide for information on how to change these settings.

    Print Quality Selection	Description	Use in Computer-attached Mode?
    Draft (300 x 300 dpi - low ink coverage)	Used for mixed pictures, graphics, and text. This is the fastest way to print a document.	Yes
    Normal (600 x 600 dpi - medium ink coverage)	The optimum setting for printing a wide variety of documents, both text and graphics.	Yes
    High or Best (1200 x 1200 dpi - high ink coverage)	Used for the very best quality computer photo printing	Yes

    
    
    NOTE: WINDOWS 20000 and WINDOWS XP compatible.
    
    
19. Are the photographic prints I produce with my KODAK Personal Picture Maker 215 waterproof?
    As with all photographs, handle your prints on the edges to avoid fingerprints and other marks. Water-fastness improves the longer the ink dries. The prints will not, however, be waterproof.
    
    
20. Where can I get more information on the KODAK Personal Picture Maker 215?
    For more information, consult the Kodak web site www.kodak.com/go/ppm215support_en.
    
    
21. If I am having difficulty with my KODAK Personal Picture Maker 200 and have read the User's Guide, how can I contact technical support personnel for help?
    Please contact Kodak via e-mail.