|
Post by wierdostomps on Nov 26, 2008 15:56:02 GMT
Do printer manufacturers "chip" cartridges so that once they have been installed, they cannot be removed from the printer? I've been having trouble with my printer today. It was not showing me as needing ink, but began to streak. I had a spare cartridge, so installed it. Printing was improved, but not perfect, so I decided to take the new cartridge out, then clean the new one. At this point, the printer stopped printing black at all, so after two attempts at cleaning, I put the new cartridge back in, but that too failed to print black at all. I went out and blew £23 at the local Staples on a new cartridge and lo and behold, all my troubles are over. But I am left with the gnawing doubt that it was actually my removing the new cartridge after it had been installed which was responsible for the problem. Am I right? In which case, the obvious next question is whether this ethically dubious practice has ever been tested in law? BTW, I make it that this is my big 50. Can I have another star please, Mr Cat?
|
|
|
Post by Forum Cat on Nov 26, 2008 18:41:19 GMT
Others may advise you better on the cartridge but I reckon that you just had a duff one. Cleaning with cartridge cleaner and dabbing onto kitchen roll until clear colour bands appear on the paper has worked for me in the past. But it is possible that your was just a dead 'un. CatOh and the star thing is automatic. I have set up starry goodness to happen at 50, 100 ,500, 1000, 5000, 10000 and 50000
|
|
|
Post by CyberChimp on Nov 27, 2008 9:03:25 GMT
I assume that you're referring to the cartidges for an inkjet printer.....
The (inkjet) printer cartridges for different printers can vary in their complexity from the simplest (consisting of nothing more than an ink tank and some ink) through to the more complex (containing a complete print head, electronic connections, ink tank, ink and a chip).
In a lot of cases the way a printer decides that it needs the print cartridge replacing is based on adding up the number of pages which have been printed, and then estimating how much ink would have been used. The estimate of how much ink would have been used is often based on a figure for the average amount of ink an average page would require. If you print mainly letters the printer will probably decide that the ink cartridge needs replacing while it still has a reasonable amount of ink remaining in it. If you print almost exclusively full colour full size pictures the ink might run out some times before the printer decides that the cartridge needs replacing.
Some ink cartridges that contain chips count the number of pages which have been printed with them and store that information in the cartridge. With other printers it is the printer itself that stores this information, some other printers simply use software on the computer which the printer is attached to for storing information about how many pages have been printed.
Some ink cartridges with chips may well record nothing more than the fact the the cartridge has been installed (and therefore can't be re-installed). It is possible to flash some of the cartridge chips to reset them - and therefore allow a used cartridge to be refilled and reused - however with some cartridges the only option is to actually replace the chip.
What make and model of printer are you using?
|
|
|
Post by wierdostomps on Nov 27, 2008 19:27:18 GMT
It's an ancient HP Deskjet 1220c - when I've finished decorating the home office, I'll be replacing it with a laser anyway. But I've always made a point of buying (and advising others to buy) genuine cartridges because I've seen other people ruin printers with generic cartridges and I've never had any trouble with HP before.
|
|
|
Post by HeatherKay on Nov 28, 2008 9:15:20 GMT
My 1220c died a while back. I think it was because I'd not used it for some months, and when I tried for the first time I spent about three hours cleaning, recleaning, cleaning and recleaning again to no avail. All I could get out of the colour cartridge was magenta. I had a new cart in stock, stuck it in and the same thing happened.
At which point, I cut my losses and it's now a black only printer used by Best Beloved for the odd output he needs. I'm saving for something newer (and significantly more expensive) from the Canon range. A pity really, because every other printer I own is an HP, and I've always found them reliable. The 1220c, though, I put down to old age and neglect.
|
|
|
Post by wierdostomps on Nov 30, 2008 19:29:06 GMT
Well, mine lives again - at least until the decorating is finished. I've given the cartridge to a friend who uses the same to test in his printer next time he runs out.
|
|