IT Self Help

• What is PCounter?
• Where can I use PCounter?
• How do I Print?
  • Release or Cancel your Prints
• How do I Photocopy?
• How do I Scan?
• How do I use the MFDs?
• Printing/Copying Cost
• Add Credit to your Account
• - Paying by Cash
• - Paying by Card
• Check your Balance
• Wireless Printing
• Help!
  • FAQs
• Printing/Copying for Research Students

You can either print to Multi Function Devices (MFDs) or HP LaserJet printers (if available). It is slightly cheaper and faster to print to the MFDs, particularly if you are printing in colour. You just need your University Card to use them.

If a PC has been set up to use PCounter, you should see a green triangle and a pound sign on the bottom right hand side of the screen.  The pound sign tells you your balance and the triangle pops up messages when you print to the colour laser printers.

Black and white printing

The MFDs will print on A4 or A3 size paper. The HP LJ 4250 printers will only print A4.

By default, the MFDs connected to Windows 7 student computers currently print single-sided in black and white. The default will be changed back to double-sided when our suppliers have resolved an issue with the printer drivers.

When you are ready to print follow these steps to print your work, as you would on any other PC:

• Always use 'File' then 'Print...' instead of just clicking the print icon from within your software programs.
• In most applications you will see a drop-down box listing your nearest MFD and other printers if available.
• Select the MFD (or printer) you want to send your work to. To print to an MFD look for a printer with PQ in its name, e.g. MI-PQ002.
• Please note: the MFDs connected to Windows 7 student computers print single-sided as the default option. To change this see the instructions below.
• Click 'Print.'
• If you are printing to an MFD, you will be prompted to collect your work from the MFD. Scan your University Card on the reader attached to the MFD to release your print.
• If you are printing to a LaserJet, your work will appear within seconds on the printer.
• You need enough credit in your PCounter account to pay for the printing.

Print double-sided on the MFDs

• Always use File then Print... instead of just clicking the print icon from within your software programs.
• In most applications you will see a drop-down box listing your nearest MFD and other printers if available.
• Select the MFD from the list - it will have PQ in its name, e.g. MI-PQ002.
• Select Preferences.
• On the Setup tab, look for the Duplex box.
• In the Duplex box select Open to Left from the drop-down box.
• Select OK and Print.

Colour printing on the MFDs

When you are ready to print in colour follow these steps to print your work, as you would on any other PC:

• Always use File then Print... instead of just clicking the print icon from within your software programs.
• In most applications you will see a drop-down box listing your nearest MFD and other printers if available.
• Select the MFD from the list - it will have PQ in its name, e.g. MI-PQ002.
• Select Preferences.
• On the Setup tab, look for the Color/Black and White box.
• Select Color from the dropdown menu.
• Select OK and Print.
• You should receive a prompt from Pcounter making you aware that you are printing to the MFD.
• If you are happy to proceed, accept the prompt and providing you have enough credit, your job will be sent to the MFD.
  • If you do not see the green triangle on the bottom right hand side of the screen or if you didn't receive a prompt then you can release your prints by using the web client.
• Go to the MFD and scan your University Card on the card reader attached to the MFD to release your print.
• You need enough credit in your PCounter account to pay for the printing.

NB: All work printed in colour on the MFDs will be charged at the rate for colour. 

 

Linux printing

If you are using Linux you will not have this popup so you will need to use the web client to release or cancel your job.

 

What if nothing happens?

If your work doesn't come out of the printer you are expecting then check your email as PCounter will send you an email telling you what the problem was, such as if you have run out of credit.

IT Services will also use your registered University email address to contact you if they need to offer any assistance, so please make sure you check your email if you have any problems.