Duplex Printing Problem - Word 2007, Vista and HP Officejet Pro L7780

Question

I'm having trouble with duplex printing on my new HP Officejet Pro L7780, from Word 2007, running on a brand new Vista system.  I've also had this same problem (repeatable) with two other computers, running XP Professional/Word 2003, XP Home/Word 2003.  All of the service packs have been installed for the operating system, word, and printer. 
If you print a landscape document, using the auto duplex setting for the HP printer, the margins will print out offset by .25 inches, on the left and rigt margins.  So if your margin is 1 inches on right and left, the margins will print to .75 on one side and 1.25 on the other.  This would be annoying, except that I'm trying to print brochures and books, which requires that the pages print out exactly as set up... "close enough" isn't working for me
The way I have replicated this problem is as follows:  set up a document in landscape format, using the default margins.  Insert an image on page one, size it so it takes the full margin area.  On the second page, fill it up with text.  Print the document, selecting the printer properties and setting Print on Both Sides=Automatic.   The easiest way see the problem is by holding the document up to the light.  The front and back margins should match and they don't.
Any help you can provide would be very much appreciated.
Diana

Answer 1

Diana,
This problem is perhaps much larger than you might have imagined.  We have tried to work with Hewlett Packard for over two years on the duplex printing problems.  In the process, we have expended over 100 hours of effort in troubleshooting the problem which has included updating software, reinstalling software, developing test documents, escalating issues, submitting technical findings, and in purchasing replacements.  Unfortunately, our efforts to interact with Hewlett Packard excalated support have resulted in an aire of apathy, disinterest, incompetence, frustration, redundancy, occasional discourtesy, and an outright lack of professional decorum - something inconceivable of a large, reputable company.
We have identified several problems with duplex printing.  The duplex printing problems include irregular margin increases (.25 to .50 inch), margin shifts, cut-off text, compressed text, and compressed graphics.  Please note that most of these problems are only evident when printing documents from computer applications to the printer.  If the user simply uses the front printer panel to copy in duplex mode, these problems are not always evident.  This suggests that the printer mechanics are capable of properly duplexing and that the problem lies in the drivers.
The problem is evident on the HP OfficeJet Pro L7780, Photosmart L7180, Photosmart C6150, Photosmart 3310, and likely on many, many other HP models.  The problem is evident on many computers (HP, IBM, Toshiba, and Dell), is evident in multiple applicatons (Word, Wordperfect, Excel, Peachtree, Notepad, and many more), and is evident on multiple operating systems (Windows XP Home, Windows XP Professional, Windows XP Media Center Edition, and Microsoft Vista).
We consider ourselves to be extremely polite, patient individuals, but have nearly been driven to outrage by the indignant disregard offered us by HP's escalation support department; a department which should represent the cream-of-the-crop in both service and technical expertise.  Given the ease with which the problem can be duplicated, we expected an extremely quick resolution by HP who, to our knowledge, has never even made the effort to duplicate the problem in-house on our behalf.
Ironically, HP highly advertises their J.D. Powers rated technical support, yet it appears that they actually have extremely poor published consumer rankings in some of today's mainstream computer magazines.  HP technical support makes no apologies for the fact the user cannot use a major feature of their printers, offers no indication that the problem is even being addressed, and off-loads the responsibility by suggesting that we contact Microsoft (who is to blame for this issue).
Thank you, Diane, for your message.  We had a hard time imagining that we were the only one experiencing this problem, especially when HP promotes such a representation.  Which also begs the question why HP plays like the problem does not even exist?  I also fail to understand why HP technical support shows so little interest in a problem that is easily duplicated and adversely affects a major feature of the printer which is commonly used by individuals purchasing equipment for its duplex capabilities.
This is sad because we have been a loyal customer of HP for over twenty-five years.  There was a time when we would have happily endorsed HP's steller products and steller support (provided you could get a problem escalated).  Now, however, they all-too-often appear to offer equipment that fails to support advertised features which is backed up by sub-standard support and extremely expensive ink.  This is an especially sad commentary for users who are buying HP's upper-end printers and computers.
We desire to know if there are others out there experiencing similar problems?  If you have experienced these problems or would like samples of the problems we have duplicated, please respond.  I think the more information we gather, the better our chance of a successful resolution to a serious problem.
Thanks Everyone!