In Deep trouble with an Epson SC 640 printer

[rampel]

Epson Stylus Color 640, with XP Pro.

Set up was easy, the system recognized the new USB device and installed the driver OK

I was moving some gagets on my desk, the printer while "on" got unplugged.
After re-plugging it tries to start - then all three red diods (Paper, Black, Color) and the Power On light keep flashing and that's it. Does not accept any commands from the PC

I tried pressing for 3 Scnds each one of the buttons on the printer's control panel but No Go.
Nor could I find any reference to Such a problem in the Manuals

Help will be most appreciated

TIA :

 

[13black]

When you say it got unplugged, are you referring to the USB plug or power plug? I would unplug the USB cable and then the wall plug. Let it sit for a few minutes and the power it back up. Might want to reboot the PC before you hook it back up.

 

[rampel]

Thanks,

It was the power that got unplugged and that worries me. I got a post on another forum explaining to me that if the printer was in the process of printing something when the power fell down - the nozzles get clogged with ink which dries very quickly and the cost of getting it cleaned up and tuned again maybe more than buying a new one of the same class or even higher.

I did try unplugging usb, power, hooking up with parallel etc. Nothing works

 

[13black]

Was it printing when you pulled the plug? If it was you may have to replace the ink cartridges. The ink level is stored in a chip on the cartridge. Each time you turn on the printer the Status monitor software reads the chip's. If you print something a new lower value is written to the chip. maybe the ink values in the chips got messed up and the software thinks they are empty. If they do show as empty you cant do a print test or a head cleaning. Go to the printer properties, advanced, printer defaults, should show how much ink is left. MY epson color 777 is empty, I only have two leds, they are both on solid, no flashing.

 

[rampel]

Thanks,

I already wrote that the 3 red diods: Paper feed, Black ink, Color ink are all lighted. The paper feed is blinking, the ink ones are not. None of the three responds to keeping it pressed to 3 seconds (and more)

If I were able to get the cartridges moving I would be in a much better situation - But I am NOT (able to move them)

The color cartridge is brand new (7 days), did one color print with it. (and it's an epson not a compatible or a re-fill)

Sorry but all those advices are just not my case - not untill I menage to get the carriage to move so I can access the cartridges

 

[13black]

I wonder if you have a paper jam, maybe a little piece stuck inside somewhere. My 777 has a little switch that I can move to release the cartridge holder. It disables the motor so I can pull the whole unite to the center. I use it to cheat the cartridges when I refill. On mine it's hidden and hard to get at. You can see it if you look in the front where the paper comes out. Not sure if that is an option on your printer. Not sure what else you could try, maybe a hammer, j/k.

 

[vailr]

Try this:
Remove the ink cartridge. Spray some Windex (or other ammonia-based liquid cleaner) onto the small prongs that poke into the underside of the ink tanks. Also, spray the small sponge that the print head rests on when powered off. Replace ink tanks and power up, then power off (using the printer's On-Off switch). Wait 30 minutes. Power on and run the nozzle cleaning utility.
Good luck!

 

[rampel]

Thanks,

I haven't seen such a switch but I'll look closely again

 

[rampel]

Thanks, but,

How do I remove the ink cartridges when the carriage does not slide to the middle?

The buttons just don't respond

 

[rampel]

To: 13Black

WOW, I don't know if we are talking about the same switch, but I looked to where the paper is coming out from on the left side when facing the printer. It's not a switch - more a lever. I moved it to upright position, powered on

AND BINGO, the thing works

Thanks a million

 

[13black]

Originally posted by: rampel
To: 13Black

WOW, I don't know if we are talking about the same switch, but I looked to where the paper is coming out from on the left side when facing the printer. It's not a switch - more a lever. I moved it to upright position, powered on

AND BINGO, the thing works

Thanks a million

Probably not the same switch but who cares now.
You can send my million to po box 23........:gift: