Reader XI can't print long PDFs

Question

I have some long PDFs, over 3000 pages, and Reader can't print more than 86 pages per job. While it tries, the job is apparently invalid and the printer (and HP LaserJet 4015 using a PostScript driver) stops printing and the job then terminates without any error message on either the printer or PC. I've tried several files and all fail. Reader 10 could print thest just fine as can my Mac using non-Adobe software.

Answer 1

We are not aware of any general issue with Reader XI (as opposed to Reader X) in terms of ability to print “long” PDF files. I have routinely printed many very long (i.e., thousands of very graphically-complex pages) to printers with Adobe PostScript without any issues whatsoever from Acrobat XI (same print subsystem as Reader XI).
There are a few potential issues here.
I assume that you are actually referring to a Hewlett-Packard LaserJet p4015, a monochrome printer from 2008, no discontinued. As far as I can tell there is no LaserJet 4015. Such printers emulate PostScript; they do not have Adobe PostScript and have been known to be somewhat dodgy in terms of the quality of such emulation.
Although there were relatively few changes in the PostScript generation between the X and XI versions of Reader and Acrobat, there could have been some simple change that triggers a problem with the PostScript interpretation of this particular model printer.
You should make sure that you have the latest firmware for the printer. Hewlett-Packard often fixes bugs in their PostScript emulation via firmware updates. Go to <http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/SupportTaskIndex.jsp?lang=en&cc=us&taskId =130&prodSeriesId=3558793&prodTypeId=18972&supportTaskId=42593> and if necessary, download and install the latest printer firmware.
You should also set the front panel options and/or the PostScript driver options to Send the PostScript Error Handler with the jobs. If a PostScript error occurs, a page should print out with the error name and diagnostic information. That could help us determine the issue.
One series of problems we have often seen with Hewlett-Packard emulations of PostScript is associated with fonts, especially when large numbers of subset fonts appear in a job, possibly due to the PDF files in question having been assembled from many smaller PDF files. Although your printer, according to specifications, should have a significant amount of memory (128MB), conceivably a series of font subsets are overwhelming the printer. The Advanced option in the print dialog typically provides options for how the fonts are sent to the print including Send by Range (the default), Send at Start, and Send for Each Page. You may wish to change whatever your current setting is for this (especially try Send for Each Page) and see if that resolves the problem.
Please advise as to whether any of the above resolves the problem or at least provides more information that we can use to further diagnose what is going on.
          - Dov