Ink Usage Info

[TexasRose]

There's an interesting article in the latest Windows Secrets...Everything Microsoft Forgot to Mention, on ink usage and a study done. Thought maybe some of you might like to read it. http://windowssecrets.com/comp/070705#story1

[Tina_B]

Very interesting article. It seems like I go through ink cartritdges quite quickly these days. It sure would be nice to use all the ink before it says it is out of ink. I usually run mine until the printer will no longer print to try to get the most out of them and then I recycle them with the local group that collects empty cartridges and uses the money for charity.
Tina B

[Cmcburnett]

Mary Ann thanks for the article. Quite interesting.

[ladybug]

the article was interesting. I have an epson with seperate cartridges. (and i was part of the class action suit.) But i like epson and i really like seperate cartridges. I guess any of them can make a case either way. I am just partial to seperate cartridges.

[repoman1122]

:mad:

I have ad my Epson for about six months now, and I got a low level warning on one of the six cartridges. Well, like a good boy, I bought genuine Epson replacements over three months ago ($20x6 for xtra capacity). I followed the instructions, and got an error message that the printer cannot recognize the cartridge. After fiddling with that one cartridge for some time, I decided to change them all out & see what happens. No Luck..... I have heard that there is a date chip in some mfgrs inks that will not allow them to be accepted by the printer if the cartridge date has expired. Btw, I have an HP-C4180 that I use 1/3 price refills on...they will not give you an "ink level" indication, because the chip inside doesn't get reset when they refill them. But otherwise I get good quality at a fraction of the Brandname price. Oh, yeah, I meant to ask if anyone has had this problem with Epson inks, and what can I do besides rant at Epson CS on Monday?

[LeeOtsubo]

There have been many recent instances of fake Epson cartridges. Google for "fake Epson cartridges" and see if your cartridges might be fake. This is especially applicable if you bought the cartridges off the Internet or unofficial source. Otherwise, cartridges do not expire. The "Use By" date is just a recommendation.

[ladybug]

i get my epson cartridges straight from epson site, have never had a problem with the cartridges.

[genevh]

I have an old HP Photosmart 7150 that I experimented with refilling cartridges on. I found out that it remembered the last 2 of each type of cartridge, so if I wanted a refilled cartridge to "reset" I had to keep 3 of each and rotate them out in order so that the refilled cartridge being rotated in was not remembered by the printer. Otherwise, the printer treated it as an empty even though it was full. I'm not sure if Epson does the same thing with their cartridges or not.

[repoman1122]

Thanks for the feedback everyone, I'm gonna call Epson today...I bought my ink right from the On-Line Epson store back in April. Btw, I went ahead and installed all the inks, in desperation, but all I got was a new message saying id did not recognize the cartridge(s) - plural. I'll let you know how things turn out with Epson later on.:o

[repoman1122]

Interesting article there ,Ladybug....I just know we're getting the short end of the stick, especially when we can get "refills" at $7.00 instead of $20!
The Epson CS referred me to tech support who had me try a couple things, but ultimately is now going to send me a replacement cartridge to try. Meanwhile, at lunch I picked up a "refill" that I'm going to try when I get home from work....more, later:)

[repoman1122]

Sorry TexasRose, I thought u wus someone else.....I'm so embarrassed:o

[repoman1122]

Eureka!

Yes, I'm back....I installed the cheapo generic cartridge, and it works like a champ......so I guess I'm no longer dependent upon Epson for their expensive, and sometimes unreliable inks!!!:D:p:) Thanks for listening to my rant, my fellow forum members!

[repoman1122]

That's a great idea, Genevh - I'm gonna save all my cartridges, and try that on my HP-C4180...cause right now, with the refills I'm using, I dont get an ink LEVEL display....maybe your method will trick the printer. The refill guy says they dont reset the chip because it's an expensive piece of equipment...but on a printer that user multiple cartridges (like my Epson), any one "empty" cartridge will keep the printer from functioning, so they do reset/replace the ink chip on those.:cool: