[aspsusa]

Hi - I'm nearly printer-phobic, if some piece of computer associated stuff goes wrong in any way it is invariably the printer :evil:

But, inspired by my boyfriend's even more helpless attitude, I thought I'd try to better myself , so...

What are the basics for ink-jet cartridge care?
I have a variety of printers in my life (old HP 694, canon portable (bc-55 or something) and now at work a lexmark x1150). Since I am sloppy about printing anything often enough my most familiar problem is clogging/drying of one or more colours (why, oh why isn't there a cheap black only printer on the market?! - 1/4 of the trouble I would guess).

Surfing the net I find advice ranging from soaking the whole thingy in warm water to carefully cleaning with alcohol (using a syringe and/or a topz!) - not to mention someone suggesting a *mix* of alcohol and water - extremely confusing

Any other "basics" I should know that would make my printing phobia go away?

AspSusa - Powerklin

[adstephens]

The best thing for a printer cartridge is not to place it near any heat source, i.e radiator. This will stop the heads/sponges from drying out. In terms of getting a black only printer, why not look at getting a laser printer like a samsung ML4500. They are reasonably cheap, print around 2500 pages and seem to be better value for money than many ink/bubblejet printers these days

[aspsusa]

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The best thing for a printer cartridge is not to place it near any heat source, i.e radiator. This will stop the heads/sponges from drying out.

Thanks - that's a good tip. And that explains why I am *always* having this problem, especially at home: I like a *warm* house all too much - anything below 22 degrees and I start turning up the heat - poor cartridge(s)...:-)

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In terms of getting a black only printer, why not look at getting a laser printer like a samsung ML4500. They are reasonably cheap, print around 2500 pages and seem to be better value for money than many ink/bubblejet printers these days

I _have_ been thinking about this - in fact I planned to post a question here about just that - what are the pros and cons of the cheaper lasers etc.

Unfortunately there is _one_ little thing about lasers that I guess makes them a bit unpractical (for some of my needs) - I think you can't get one that weighs 900 grams, li-ion battery included

WRT to the problems that provoked my finding this nice (if a bit quiet) board - clogged up replacement cartridge (black of course - always the one you need - grrrr) in the lexmark 1150 at work, boyfriend a nervous wreck over it etc; I *think* it is solved for the moment: water, vodka, wiping it and then eight cleaning cycles.
BTW, that lexmark must have one of _the_ worst online helps - just locating *how* you get it to do a cleaning cycle was a chore (that it was in Finnish doesn't help either - I so do not believe in "localized" versions).

[adstephens]

you'll be surprised how small laser printers are getting at the moment. And although it is not very lght, it certainly is a hell of a lot lighter than older machines.

Asfor your LExmark, well, what can I say. I work with printers on a daily basis and can say from experience that we see a few Lexmark printers with sttalled cartridges especially ones that have been filled with home refill kits. In order to get yours working, I wouldfollow the advice to use water and alcohol. Usually a solution of boiling water and an alcohol based chemical used to bathe the head of the cartridge works best and whilst it's standing in it- blow some air through the top air hole with a syringe or similar implement.

[spinky]

Could you tell me if isopropyl alcohol 99% is appropriate to add to the water? Also what are the recommended proportions?

I just replaced my lexmark inkjet cartridge because my old one dried out. I've hardly used it. There may still be ink in it yet. The printer is not near any heat sources, just a warm apartment.

Is there any way to store a cartridge, say in a fridge, when it's not in use so it wont dry out?

Thanks

[adstephens]

That is probably the best stuff to use but make sure you keep a lid on the bottle in which it's stored otherwise youll find it evapourating very quickly.

You can apply a couple of drops directly to the head. Or if you are bathing it, apply a dessert spoon of Iso to approx 2 mugs of boling water.

Also try pushing some air through the air intake hole of the cartrdge to aid the ink to seep down towards the head through the sponge.

People that I have spoken to have said to me that they have stored their cartridges in the fridge- but we have not tested this thoroughly to see how efective this is. We use specially designed clips to keep the head from drying. Whatever you do, do not put sellotape over the heads as this may damage the heads and also the electrical contacts on the back of the cartridge.

When storing a cartridge always have it so that the head is resting on the surface on which it is being stored as this helps the ink to sit at the head and prevents the sponge from drying at the bottom.

Finally, never leave the cartridge resting on an absorbent surface as this will pull the ink through the cartridge.

If you have a cartridge that has not been used in a while and needs a bit of a restart. Fold a kitchen paper towel so that it is relatively thick and use some warm water on the head to encourage ink flow.

Hope this helps