On Thursday 08 May 2003 20:53, Matt Pobursky scribbled:

> Example 1: I install a brand new set of cartridges (~$75 total for
> tri-color and black). I print maybe 10 pages. My AC power goes out
> while the printer is powered on. Power comes back on and now printer
> has constant flashing yellow LED -- manual says replace cartridges!!!
> Printer will not print again until I replace the cartridges, so it
> seems that the power down/up cycle somehow blew the cartridge fuse
> or??? I now keep my printer powered 24/7 on the UPS that runs my
> computer.

So there's the answer!  If the fuse *can* legitimately blow from a power =
surge=20
or otherwise, and it's pretty full, then the mfgr (HP, etc) should replac=
e it=20
under warranty.  I doubt they will have a pro-rating program for this, so=
 you=20
should get a new cartridge.  In that case, just figure out how to blow th=
e=20
fuse when down to say 10% and keep getting new cartridges. :-)


> Example 2: I install a "brand new" set of cartridges purchased locally
> from an Office Depot store (they were running a special). After about
> 2 weeks, the printer stops printing (as in previous example). This
> time, I actually called HP technical support. They asked me what the
> date code was on the carts. Seems the cartridges had expired and the
> tech support person said the printer won't print with "expired"
> cartridges! The reason given was that the ink ages out "and may damage
> the printer". Yeah, right! The only way I figure they can pull this tri=
ck
> off is if the print driver sends the system time/date to the printer
> which the printer compares to the date stamp in the cart and nukes the
> cartridge if expired. I have also seen this behavior verified in an
> article recently (maybe PC Magazine or PC World?).
>
> I hate inkjet printers because of the cartridge issues. Needless to say=
,
> a lot of inkjet printer users feel like they are bending over and grabb=
ing
> their ankles for the manufacturers.

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