Problem with Printer...won't print right

[Questi4110]

I have had my MFC-3420C machine from Brother for almost 2 years now and a couple weeks ago it started giving me problems. I tried to print something from Microsoft Word and it just printed blocks of ink. I tried to print a "test sheet" or copy something (in order to see if the problem was in the hardware of the printer or from the computer) and still blocks of ink.

I called up tech support and the lady told me that the problem was in the printer header because I had been using empty color cartridges.

The printer has 4 cartrides, 1 black and 3 color. After the black and color initially ran out, I found out a way to replace only the black and leave the color empty. Since then, I have been only replacing the black cartridges using generic cartridges. Until now, the printer has not given me any problems.

I tried putting in a new black cartridge and it still gave me a problem.

Could the empty color ink cartridges have damaged the header to the point where it stopped working. The day before, it was printing fine...could it have happened overnight?

I called up local technician and he said it would cost $60 to replace the header.

Is this really a header problem or is it something else?

THANKS

 

[Malak]

Have you tried reinstalling the drivers for it?

 

[Questi4110]

No I haven't. But I dont think that is the problem because it cant even copy correctly or do a test print which are both functions that don't require the printer to even be connected to the pc.

THANKS