Beware Printer cartridge's with time limit

lyneaux

beermonsteruk wrote: »

Epson printers with chip problems, try SSC utility, search through google, we use it in the shop to reset the printer and the cartridges. Dont think epson like you to know that this program exists. Worth a try.

I gave it a try on my Stylus Photo 870 (cartridge codes T007 & T008). It told me how much ink the chips said was in the cartridges, but it wouldn't reset them. According to the SSC help notes I needed to solder up and connect a device that looks, from the circuit diagram, just like the resetter you can buy from prink.com for £5.95. Or have I misunderstood something?

beermonsteruk

Hi , sorry for not replying sooner, just done an epson c66 last night with utility, and there is in your system tray the utility, with more options, i tried the soft reset option, reset all counters, and protection counter reset. after that all worked as expected. printer working away nicely for my customer, saved them 60 notes on buying a new one. not heard about the solder option before, something i will look into for you and get back soon.

thanks

itm2

I had an HP Officejet D145 and I got a message saying that my black ink cartridge had "expired" after relatively little use over a long period of time. Note the word "expired" rather than "empty". I now have an Epson colour laser.

reehsetin

my hp cartridges dont have a limit, my printer is rarely used and the cartridges last for ages
also it shows you when you print how much is left in each cartridge, a bit silly if it expires over time than use

BeerBelly

Do you really think there would be a time device? Would make it very hard for retailers to stock catridges (short time to 'expire'! Would also have a long string of complaints, lose business and be highly illegal! Big companies could not afford to get caught with a time device, plus they make so much money from catridges anyway.

What usually happens is the catridges aren't always filled to the top or stop working before they are completely empty!!!

The chips is used to show levels of ink left. Some drivers come bundled with software (like HP, Epson models) that lets you see print levels, perform maintanence ..etc. The chip inside the catridges send the information to the computer to display in a pretty chart.

There are lots of little software apps that let you squeeze what you are entitled to out:
E.g.
http://www.inksaver.com/

Also, i have never bought the manufacturers brands (what a rip off!) Buy WH Smith equivilent for about half the price, or some of the refillable ones, some ebay/online ones can be very good for the money as well.

Personally never had a problem with Smith's, but there is probably cheaper.

Hope this gives you a few places to look at saving £££.