[ok] ink cartridges

[pcandpc]

Hello?

I am using HP PSC 2175 inkjet printer.

This is a brand new printer with brand

new cartridges (56 and 57).

I've used the printer for a while and

stored it away for a year or so.

Now, I'm trying to use it again, but

I can only see blank pages coming

out.

I'm thinking perhaps the cartridge

needs to be replaced; so, I tried

some self-testing on the printer, and

I saw some nice color squares printed

neatly.

When I used the printer for a while

before I stored it away, my usage

was very sparingly.

Could the cartridges have been dried/

used up so quickly already?

Thank you.

Edited November 19, 2006 by pcandpc

[ripken204]

well they can dry out, but you said that the test made colored boxes? how about you but a document with color in it and make a copy of it. see if that will work.

[pcandpc]

Hi ripken204,

Actually, I did that too.

However, the color document only

showed up partially printed and lightly.

Even there, the black prints were missing.

So, I suppose it's time to replace both

color and black cartridges.

But then, I just stored the printer away

for about a year or so without using it.

Will the cartridges dry up if you don't

use them for quite some time as in my

case?

For future reference, how can I prevent

this ink drying?

Should I take out the cartridges before

storing away the printer if I don't use

the printer for quite a while?

Well, that's rather inconvenient.

Thanks.

Edited September 26, 2006 by pcandpc

[ripken204]

well i dont thikn that there is a way to prevent them from drying out. once you peal off the protective tape from the cartridge, it is exposed to the air.

[pcandpc]

Hi ripken204,

So, once start using an inkjet printer,

it'd be better to keep using it on a

regular base to prevent ink drying?

Thanks.

[ripken204]

yep, just use it every now and then, it doesnt have to be your primary printer.

[LLXX]

If I remember correctly HP used cartridges with an integrated printhead and water-based ink.

There is probably still ink in the cartridge, but the print head nozzles are clogged with dried ink.

As the ink is water-based, it will easily dissolve in water.

Heat a pot of water just below its boiling point and submerge the printhead of the cartridge for a few minutes or until ink starts to flow freely (like a nib pen) when the printhead is wiped with paper towel.

A few "head cleaning" cycles in the printer will exercise the nozzles further and help to remove the last few clogs. Doing that between 2-minute soaks in hot water seems to work best.

I've done my own printer service (and other's printers) for a few years, this is from experience B)

Epsons and other printers with separate (not easily replaceable) printheads are cleaned in much the same manner, although with their alcohol-based inks an overnight soak in ethanol works much better to clear clogs.

To lessen the chance of plugged printheads in the future, you can use diluted ink which is thinner and less likely to dry out and become viscous (it's also cheaper than using 100% ink ). Black can usually be diluted to 10% by volume with no quality loss, beyond that it becomes dark grey but still legible... (good for draft printing or high-volume low-quality) as for the colors, only the cyan and magenta can be diluted quite a bit, the yellow is already faint so 50% is probably as low as I'd go without noticeable color loss.

Edited September 28, 2006 by LLXX

[mark]

Another thing about HP printer cartridges is that they have a number given to them that the printer can read and it won't let you refill a cartridge and use it. The printer will hold that number in memory for two cartridge changes before the number can be used again.

Here are some pages showing you how to reset your printer: Page 1

Page 2

Page 3

Page 4

DL

[dirtwarrior]

Thanks DL good info

[LLXX]

I believe most HP printers can also be reset through the parallel/USB port by using software (Service Program or some similar name).

[George27]

"Another thing about HP printer cartridges is that they have a number given to them that the printer can read and it won't let you refill a cartridge and use it. "

DL I refill hp cartridges all the time. My experience is that they can be refilled for about 14 months before you need to replce or cycle the serial out of the memory. There is a way of taping up the copper leds in the back to get low empty cartridge message from appearing by my experience that stops after a while.

pcandpc, if the cartidge is dry you can place the printing head into some warm water. That should reconstitute the dry ink that's blocking the holes. The gradiant that exists form the ink to the water will wick some of ink out. Ultimately, you can open the filling holes and blow the ink through if it water won't wick it out. Reseal the fill holes.

[pcandpc]

Hi all,

Thanks for the great tips.

[LLXX]

you can place the printing head into some warm water.

Nearly boiling water works faster, I like to do this with a pot of water over a stovetop