Printer Question.

[MX2]

If a printer sits for a long time with no use, are there adverse effects?

The carts. were in place the entire time the printer went without use. Finally got around to replacing the black ink cart first, and about a week later the other three were replaced.

Now, the problem is the black ink doesnt seem to work. I print a test page and get nothing in black. I went through the usual rigamorow and head cleaning, and still no black print Is it possible I got a bad black cartridge?

Printer is just a regular Epson C84.

 

[Peter]

Epson Clogmaster ...

Yes it is possible your new cart is bad, or doesn't make a tight seal.

Was the ink cart already empty when you put the printer into disuse? If so, then that ink path for sure has dried out. Good luck reviving it - this is no fun with Epsons, because the heads aren't easily removed.

 

[MX2]

Originally posted by: Peter
Epson Clogmaster ...

Yes it is possible your new cart is bad, or doesn't make a tight seal.

Was the ink cart already empty when you put the printer into disuse? If so, then that ink path for sure has dried out. Good luck reviving it - this is no fun with Epsons, because the heads aren't easily removed.

I just spent the last 15 minutes reading about Epson and the clog problems Looks like its time for a new printer.

On a whim, I just dug up the old black cartridge and shook it to check for ink levels. It feels at least half full, so I know it wasnt sittign there empty even though the software said it was.

 

[Lemon law]

To MX2times,

If it is time for a new printer, there is a lot to learn if you want to get something that fits your needs, will offer you trouble free service, and will give you the lowest total cost of ownership when you factor in initial purchase price plus the cost of replacement cartridges.

If you want quality advice, it would help to know what type of printing you do, antisipated yearly volume, and if you plan to do any photoprinting. Plus, what value to you place in a multifuntional that can scan and maybe fax also?

 

[MX2]

Originally posted by: Lemon law
To MX2times,

If it is time for a new printer, there is a lot to learn if you want to get something that fits your needs, will offer you trouble free service, and will give you the lowest total cost of ownership when you factor in initial purchase price plus the cost of replacement cartridges.

If you want quality advice, it would help to know what type of printing you do, antisipated yearly volume, and if you plan to do any photoprinting. Plus, what value to you place in a multifuntional that can scan and maybe fax also?

Of course I appreciate any input on my next printer purchase

I basically print stuff for the kids in color and B&W. I plan to do a few 6x4 photos every now and then also. I think I will buy a Canon this time around. I dont need scanner or fax options right now, although if the price is right, I will certainly consider an All-In-One.

 

[Peter]

If you print color regularly, then your entry point is Canon's i4200. You get all-separate inks (including separate blacks for text and photo), exceptional paper handling, lowest cost of ownership, top speed for that price range. And print heads are removable

 

[MX2]

Originally posted by: Peter
If you print color regularly, then your entry point is Canon's i4200. You get all-separate inks (including separate blacks for text and photo), exceptional paper handling, lowest cost of ownership, top speed for that price range. And print heads are removable

That Canon looks like a definite good buy. Except I cant find it local for sale

 

[Lemon law]

If you plan to use OEM cantridges only, the chipped canon ip4200 is a good choice. It will do very good in the area of photoprinting and general printing. And comparing OEM cartridges to OEM cartridges is as good as any inkjet on the market
for inkjet consumable costs.

If you are a doing a lot of printing over the years, one might also consider the one generation back non-chipped Canons like the ip3000, ip4000 or ip5000-----these allow for the hassle free refilling and also allow you to use readily available third party cartridges that can save you up to 7x over OEM cartridges.

If you can't get the printer locally, look on ebay----but all in all----you should be able to get something like a non-chipped Canon ip4000 or a chipped Canon ip4200 for around $110. or so shipped.

In terms of a reliable multifuntional, the last of the MP780 are laeving the retail market---but last week they had them at Fry electronics at $180. after rebates-----the mp780 is basically a canon ip4000 printer engine paired with a flatbed scanner and fax.-----for the record, I have the one generation back MP730 and find it a great machine---my wife has a ip4000.
We both use a mix of third party cartridges and also refill our own ink cartridges. We get great reliability and super economical printing.

Hope that helps---its my take on it--but others may have different opinions. But if you are going to buy a Canon printer, get an understanding of what you gain and lose by going to the newer chipped Canons vs. the one generation back but almost identical non-chipped Canons. As I mentioned, it won't matter much is you plan to go with OEM cartridges only.

But a full set of the five OEM replacement cartridges will cost you about $70 in an ip4200----using just third party prefilled cartridges costs me less than $10. for that basic same five in my wife's ip4000-----and refilling is even cheaper.

 

[SonicIce]

wait, you can get OEM carts for the ip4200 now? they cracked the chip?

 

[Peter]

The guy's got the meaning of OEM wrong.

 

[SonicIce]

so what is the alternative to buying the full priced carts in the store?

 

[Lemon law]

Originally posted by: SonicIce
so what is the alternative to buying the full priced carts in the store?

On the non-chipped canons the alternative is either refill your own cartridges or use third party non-OEM cartridges readily available either locally, on the internet, or by mail order. With the latter option offering all the convience of Canon OEM cartridges---you just put them in the printer and print.--just like an OEM cartridge.-----but I should say to any who refill or use third party cartridges---its best to check out your vendor.
There are a few rotten eggs there---so I recommend going to either the nifty stuff forums or steves digicams to check out user feedback on various vendors.

With chipped Canons, you can't use third party cartridges period---no chip no print.

But you can refill an existing canon chipped OEM cartridge with some added hassle involving navigating various nag screens warning of dire damage, and you lose all ink monitoring to boot.---or you buy Canon chipped OEM cartridges----which is the whole idea of why Canon introducted chips.---which is what the consumer buys into when they buy a chipped Canon-----sorry Canon, not this consumer in my case.---but these chipped printerss are selling too well to talk effective boycott.

As I write this, many people are hard at work figuring a way to defeat these new canon chips---after six plus months no luck so far---but it still remains a if and when question in regard to these Canon chips.