Resetting a Canon printer chip

[TheGardener]

I go through Canon inkjet cartridges far quicker than I believe I should. I read that the chip on the cartridge is set for XX number of prints and then stop working, even if there is ink in the cartridge.

I see that there is hardware to reset the chip for $10-$25. But Amazon no longer carries them. I'm wondering if there is software that I can run on Windows 7 that will accomplish this. Any hear of such a thing? I'd be willing to pay a comparable amount.

 

[Ketchup]

wrong thread. Response moved.

 

[TheGardener]

Wrong thread but thanks for the answer.

Some negative responses too for the add-on. I should explore add-ons. I didn't know if this was possible. I like the way that FF works with their dictionary. It's just that the dictionary itself is 4th rate.

Now, anyone know about the canon question?

 

[Ketchup]

Sorry about that. The response was moved.

The cartridges do come with a chip. The chip reader is in firmware on the printer. So, unless you find something that can rewrite the firmware for your model (and not screw it up), you are stuck with the way it works.

The system Cannon uses dries pretty quickly too, so if you don't use it very often, you may be losing ink, not necessarily running out.

Your best best may be to buy re-used and re-chipped cartridges for your model. They may not last longer, but most are a good bit cheaper.

 

[Scooby Doo]

What printer? Canon-Pro100s have a rechipper.

 

[sbpromania]

@TheGardener: I know that there is a combination of buttons that will allow you to reset printer and you will be able to continue printing. In my case I have refilled my cartridges and my printer was seeing both of them empty. So I've found on internet that by pressing a combination of buttons it will reset this setting.

What printer do you have?

 

[balloonshark]

A physical resetter is usually used when you refill cartridges. The button combo sbpromanina is talking about bypasses the printers built in low ink protection. Either way you don't want to run your cartridges completely dry as it can damage the print head so you need to be careful.

 

[TheGardener]

I own the Canon Pixma MG8220. I don't print a lot, so maybe the cartridges are drying out. I rarely print color, but that seems to run down regardless. When I get the warning about low ink, I press an okay button that continues the operation. I think it might not work at some point.

In the last 20 years, this is only the 3rd printer I've owned. The HP printers were workhorses, and the ink lasted a while as my usage has always been low. I tried 3rd party cartridges, but went back to HP's. Then I tried refilling those HP's at Office Max. Did this twice. The price was nice, but I didn't like the results of leaking and splotchy printing.

I haven't messed around with 3rd party cartridges or going the refilling route with the MG8220. My volume does not justify the ink usage [in my mind]. As far as I know, there is no counter on the printer or in my Canon software. There was a windows update for Canon at one time, but I didn't upgrade.

 

[Ketchup]

I still think that getting an HP with the right type of cartridge is the best way to go for light, occasional printing. The cartridges that include the print head will stay sealed better (less dry-out), and each time you replace the cartridge, you of course change the print head, giving it a longer life that other units.

Some printer, like your Canon, do have a replaceable printhead. So if you ever wear it out, you can replace it, but it is a separate unit, so it will suffer from the dryout issue I mentioned above.

The unit you bought is more of a photo-printing unit. Canon's are generally quite good at this too. It will, of course, do everyday black and white print jobs, they are just not quite as cost-effective this way.

 

[balloonshark]

I don't print much either and my ink did dry out and it clogged the print head. After I got it clean (which was an ordeal) I tried refilling. That didn't last long as a made a mess and screwed up the yellow twice. I finally gave in and now I buy inexpensive 3rd party cartridges. I also try to print something once a week to keep everything working ok.

 

[TheGardener]

I still think that getting an HP with the right type of cartridge is the best way to go for light, occasional printing. The cartridges that include the print head will stay sealed better (less dry-out), and each time you replace the cartridge, you of course change the print head, giving it a longer life that other units.

Some printer, like your Canon, do have a replaceable printhead. So if you ever wear it out, you can replace it, but it is a separate unit, so it will suffer from the dryout issue I mentioned above.

The unit you bought is more of a photo-printing unit. Canon's are generally quite good at this too. It will, of course, do everyday black and white print jobs, they are just not quite as cost-effective this way.

Well I went for my first all-in-1 printer (Canon) a couple years ago. I would have bought an HP, but my sibling complained about compatibility issues with Windows and the newer HP's. So I got a great price on the MG8220. But I am paying on the back end with the ink cartridges.

While I did intend to create some photo with this printer, I'm scared it will cost me $14 per photo.

 

[TheGardener]

I don't print much either and my ink did dry out and it clogged the print head. After I got it clean (which was an ordeal) I tried refilling. That didn't last long as a made a mess and screwed up the yellow twice. I finally gave in and now I buy inexpensive 3rd party cartridges. I also try to print something once a week to keep everything working ok.

I might go the 3rd party route, but I had poor experiences with the HP printer. I think I bought Staples brand.

 

[Ketchup]

Well I went for my first all-in-1 printer (Canon) a couple years ago. I would have bought an HP, but my sibling complained about compatibility issues with Windows and the newer HP's. So I got a great price on the MG8220. But I am paying on the back end with the ink cartridges.

While I did intend to create some photo with this printer, I'm scared it will cost me $14 per photo.

Yeah, they ALL make their money on the ink, well more so than the printer.

 

[bbhaag]

Have you considered moving over to a b&w(mono) laser printer? Since you mentioned you rarely print color it might be worth looking into.

We switched over from ink to toner a few years ago for the same reasons. The ink cartridges are expensive and didn't seem to last long. The toner cartridge on our Brother printer has lasted several years now and still looks good. We usually print just a couple sheets a week if that. So not a lot of action.

I know it's not what you asked about but I thought I would throw it out there.

 

[Shamrock]

Just buy ink from supermediastore.com. I can an 11 pack of Linkyo brand for $21.99. I own Canon PIXMA MG6320. The reviews are outstanding.

 

[Mem]

I might go the 3rd party route, but I had poor experiences with the HP printer. I think I bought Staples brand.

I have had excellent results with third party inks for my Canon MG6250 printer,the inks are very cheap and have already paid themselves for a printer at least twice over,they come chipped as well,to give you an idea I get two full sets of 6(mine has grey ink as well) so 12 inks for £7.50 (about $12) or 4 full sets for $20 from ebay.

Canon are far less to clogg then Epson and HP, you can even remove the head in most cases and clean or replace them.

Tip try to print something at least once a month even if you don't use it for a while.

My printer is well over three years old and still going strong on third party inks.

 

[xgsound]

YMMV
Here is a link to "Swift ink" where MG8220 XL ink is $4.99 a piece with $5 shipping. That's cheaper than driving! I always get mine in 3 days or less. That's $35 shipped for a set for all 6 colors. They are not the absolute cheapest, but I've use this brand since 1995 on a BJC600 and my boy uses your same cartridge with no problems. My current cartridge is $5.99 each.
YMMV
http://www.swiftink.com/Canon-PIXMA-MG8220-Ink-Cartridges-s/4243.htm

Jim