You're right it was an off-brabd, but when I put the original back (it wasn't quite empty)
I still couldn't print, so there seemed to be more wrong than just the cartridge.
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Question
Stylus C60 only produces blank pages
My EPSON Stylus C60 was out of ink, after replacing the ink cartridge,
all looked fine: the power LED is showing green (steady).
When I print, the print-head is running from left to right, but nothing is
printed on the paper. I've run the head-cleaning and nozzle-cleaning
utilities (which cost me a lot of ink), but still NO INK on the paper.
Any clue?
Thanks,
Wally
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Answers
I'm kind of wondering though if the off-brand cartridge did something to the printer though. It could be permanently damaged... Sometimes the off-brand ink is so watered down that it leaks through onto the circuitry and damages things. that's what happened to mine anyway.
Before we assume that though, are you trying to print through the computer or does the printer itself have a self print test (usually you can activate it by pressing certain buttons on the printer). Also, there may be a kit you can get for it to clean the printer head and contact points of the printer head.
If that doesn't work you probably need to send the printer in and get it checked by a professional.
But first, maybe some other experts have some ideas and can help you solve this without sending it in. good luck. If I think of anything else I'll let you know
guid
Leaking is not the issue, first of all there is only circuitry at the back of the
printer, where no ink can reach it.
There is a way to do a print-test from the printer, without a computer attached,
but that one does the same as when I print from a computer:
the head goes from left-to right (and back again), as-if it is printing, but
no ink is put on the paper: a blank sheet.
I've checked all connections to the print-head (not integrated on the cartridges,
but an electro-static one, which is not meant to be replaced), but I couldn't
find any problem.
Do you know of any software to check all ins-and-outs of the internal
HW/SW or FirmWare?
Wally
>>Do you know of any software to check all ins-and-outs of the internal
HW/SW or FirmWare?<<
this is the latest driver available on Epson's website (and a few other components that might help). http://www.epson.com/cgi-b
That should have everything needed to run the printer. as far as checking it for complete diagnostics I do not know of any software that exists for that. sorry
me again... I'm wondering if the print contacts are dirty in the printer. Granted I haven't used this particular printer so I'm not sure what its setup looks like, but you might take a clean lint free cloth and (very carefully and gently) wipe the printer contacts (where it connects to the print cartridge) down. I wouldn't put anything on the cloth though since I'm not sure what chemicals could be used without damaging it.
that's pretty much it for my knowledge on this... good luck
Well,
This printer (thinks it) is smart, when the contacts are dirty (ar the cartridge is installed
not quite correct), you get an error saying that the color (or black) cartridge is installed
wrong. SO I'm sure that this is not the case, since the Stylus monitor tool tells me
evry thing is OK.....
Wally
From what it sounds like you may have a printhead problem. I am assuming you are using cartridges that snap into a printhead or do these cartridges have a copper strip on them and the cartridges plug into the printer.
Since you are not able to do a test print from the printer itself, nor from the pc this weeds out being a software communication problem.
As far as firmware if the printheads are moving back and forth but just spitting out blank pages then their is most likely not a problem in the firmware if the firmware was the problem and/ or electrical connections the printhead would get stuck to one side or not move at all followed by blinking lights.
Have you tried doing a head cleaning on the printer through the software ? Try running a nozzle cleaning several times in a row then try another test print.
here is more detailed info on that procedure
From the Utility section found in the EPSON printer driver, clean the print heads by performing a head cleaning followed by printing a nozzle check pattern. A head cleaning and nozzle check must be performed as a cycle. After printing a nozzle check, examine the printed pattern. Each staggered horizontal and straight vertical pattern should be complete, with no stripes. If there are stripes, continue with another cycle. Perform up to 3 cycles if necessary. If the nozzle check is not printing completely, and if the head cleanings do not help the nozzle check pattern to print completely, try replacing the ink cartridge with a new one, use a cartridge made by epson. If a new cartridge does not work then it is printhead that is the problem if this is the case I do not believe the printhead in this machine is removable. The machine would either have to be sent in for service or replaced.
Some things to think about when using refilled or off brand ink jet cartridges.
Refills or off brand "compatibles" may cause printhead failure in inkjet printers typically Laser Printers are more prone to damage from refilled toner cartridges then inkjets are with inkjet cartridges, however the ink used in the inkjets is not just pigment (dye) their are other chemicals associated with the ink cartridges this is why it is best to use the manufacturers yes you will pay more but this how they make a profit otherwise they would still not be in business because most of the printer companies sell the printers next to "at cost" (their cost to manufacturer them) expecting that they will gain profit from the supplies.
However even though this is looked at as a bad thing. The compatible companies use slightly watered down mixes as you may call them (kind of like designer imposter fragrences) (you can get them at a fraction of the cost of the real deal but also after 15 minutes all you smell is the alcohol instead of the fragrance) same goes for inkjet cartridges yes they charge less but it is not the same chemical composition which could result in bad problems. Their is no way for them to make the same chemical composition because their are patents on the chemical compositions and they would have to pay for licensing and the printer companies HP, EPSON, etc.... would never allow anyone to license their inks to sell them at less cost then they do. At a company I worked at I witnessed this.... while they were developing new inks and ink jet printers some of the ink they first developed was literally eating / melting the printheads because of the chemical composition. Obviously they fixed that but it goes to show it is not just pigment. The companies like HP , Epson and so forth would like to stop the companies selling the compatibles while they have made some headway in suing and having cease and desist orders based on the compatibles having similiar enough packaging to the real deal to mislead the consumer they cannot stop this.
Using compatibles or refills in essence is like playing russian roulette with your printer. You never know which refill or compatible is going to work fine or damage the printer.
another thing to keep in mind is that if refilled or off brand cartridges are used and cause damage to the machine, the printer will not be covered under manufacturer's warranty.
Just a note: The printer companies can really tell if you use 3rd party ink their is tests they can do.... they use to do them at the company I worked for because we had a lot of units come through for warranty repair and it was 3rd party cartridges causing the problems.
This Info. comes directly from Epsons website...
Question: Can the Epson ink cartridges be refilled or can 3rd party ink cartridges be used without voiding the warranty?
Answer: EPSON does not recommend refilling or using 3rd party ink cartridges. Using these products will not void their product's original warranty, however, if these 3rd party products cause a failure, the repair of that failure will not be covered under warranty.
IF you kept doing the nozzle cleaning and nothing was printing then in essence you haven't wasted any ink because it is not comming out of the nozzles. Also this cartridge may not have any ink in it... if you are going by the ink monitor on the pc that resets when you replace a cartridge it actually does not detect how much ink is physically in the cartridge the way it tells you how full the cartridge is by counting the ink drops. I.E. when you buy a new cartridge the printer is programmed so that at say 1,000 ink drops it is empty when you put that new cartridge in tells the printer you have 1,000 drops of ink after printing some say you have used up 250 drops of ink the cartridge would then show 3/4 full. Now lets say you pull that cartridge out and tell the machine you have installed a new one the machine thinks it has 1,000 drops of ink to work when in reality you have already used 250 therefore the ink monitor will now be off by 1/4 the actual measurement meaning that it shows full it is actually 3/4 full it shows 1/2 it is actually 1/4 full etc...
The cartridge that you are trying if it is not new and has been sitting around unused may have dried up if you start to use the cartridge and then take it out and store it for later use it can dry up especially if it is not in a plastic bag with the air out of it. If this cartridge has been sitting around out in the open or just stuck back in the box then the old cartridge is no good.
Your solution is one of two things new cartridge or service....
The 1st step is to buy a new EPSON ink cartridge from the store. Put it in and try it if it does not print try the head cleaning if still no results then the machine will have to be serviced. BE SURE when you replace the cartridge with a new one on the NEW CARTRIDGE REMOVE THE TAPE COMPLETELY. otherwise you will still have blank prints. If the machine requires service you are best off replacing it shipping charges and the repair fees outweigh buying a new printer.
Thanks for the explanation of the ink drops, I thought the cartridge was more clever than that!
The weird thing is that head-cleaning really costs ink.
When I remove the cover, and the cartridges are in their resting position, there is a little ink 'bucket' below the printhead.
When the printer is unused for some time, that bucket is dry.
After I do the head-cleaning that bucket is filled with some ink.....
As far as I am can tell, the software/hardware is blocking the use of this printer.
Services is for me out of the question, much to expensive!
I don't think we will come any further, so I'll stop this posting.
Wally
Have you done a self test page from the printer itself while the printer is disconnected from the computer ? if you have and it does not print then the printer is the problem it is not software. The self test print from the printer itself should have 4 different colors on it red, blue, yellow and black they should be printed in strips, if the pages are completely blank and you have tried replacing the ink cartridges with new ones then the printer is the problem and require service. This method elminates the software from the scenario.
As you could have read in my reply dated: Date: 03/13/2004 12:04PM PST
I already did do the self-test from the printer, without the computer attached.
With software I also mean firmware. But when you mean the drivers, I ruled these
out as the problem source long ago.
I know the problem is in the printer itself. And I can't believe, using off-brand
cartridges will damage a printer such that no ink is comming out of the head
at all.
Wally
I completely disagree with raising the grade from C to B. Both of them couldn't help me at all!
A lot of comment was on using epson cartridges instead of off-barnd ones, that's past tense. The off-brand were
used and that can't be changed. I asked help on how to fix this, that help was NOT provided.
Reading your grading advice, I read:
B: The Expert(s) provided an acceptable solution, or a link to an acceptable solution, that you were able to use, although you may have needed a bit more information to complete the task.
How well they tried they did NOT give me an acceptable solution, nor am I able to complete the task with "a bit more information"
W.r.t. C: One of them suggested me to close the case, I gave them more than enough time to help.
Grade C is the most I can give
I did not find the option to NOT accept their comments, and still close the question.
Perhaps I over-read that option.
I understand perfectly what you're saying, and I don't mind grading the effords,
but YOU shoud then change the rules for awarding grades.
What I read from the grade rules is: no (adequate) solution means a C (or what I should have done:
accept none of the comments).
Right or wrong?
So let us indeed remove this question from the system
AMP & Wally18, I hope this is not viewed as being rude or mean it is only justifying my case as to the grade. I merely presenting factual information.
Wally18,
I just have two simple questions...
1. Did you buy a new epson cartridge as advised (you never mentioned it)?
2. Your statement "How well they tried they did NOT give me an acceptable solution" what is considered an acceptable solution ?
Is it not acceptible because you now have to buy a new printer because you used off brand cartridges that caused your machine to malfunction and it is not covered under Epson warranty ?
(We did not tell you to buy those cartridges)
- If the hardware is broken it cannot be fixed through the internet.
-By process of elmination you had / have three options: Replace the ink cartridge with a new one (epson brand) or the printer needs to be serviced / replaced.
How is their any other "acceptable" solution ?
I am sorry that your printer is broke but that is not our fault both myself and guidway tried very dilligently to fix your problem.
I guess it is unsettling to me that I spent my time trying to help someone for so long (for FREE - we do not get paid for doing this) and then get such a poor grade because of circumstances beyond my control and my fellow experts control.
Also you stated we did not help you, I do not see how we did not we both guided you through troubleshooting processes if we did not guide you through this then the statement saying "we did not help you" would be accurate.
In closing of this I would like to say also that the information we provided you also taught you more about printers, how they work, the dangers of off brand cartridges. This way when you do buy a new printer you don't make the same mistake again "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" as they say. If you still view myself and guidway as not being helpful then I guess I will just turn my cheek remember this and help other people who are more apt to recognize my efforts and my fellow experts efforts.
Sincerely,
briancassin
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by: guidwayPosted on 2004-03-13 at 10:15:10ID: 10588628
Hi Wally,
just curious but was this an actual Epson replacement cartridge or an off-brand replacement cartridge? If off-brand these have a tendency sometimes to mess up printer heads (at least it did when I had a HP deskjet). In either case, could it be a bad cartridge and you can take it back and replace it for another one to test it, or send it back to the manufacturer (probably will have to have the receipt though).
hope this helps
guid