Forum Topic

Printer Query

I have a canon ip500 printer (quite old at 7 years but in perfect condition)  I had 3 of the colour cartridges re-filled the other day and the colour doesn't work at all. The black ink is working though.  Any clues on what might be the problem? I'll google it and see but I thought there might be some experts out there!

Diane Gill ● 5238d16 Comments

Are you trying to print a colour document? :-)Assuming it's a Windows machine and not some funny hobby/freebie OS, check that the printer isn't set to print in B+W.

Amy Brookes ● 5238d

I am using a mac and there is no setting as far as I know for B&W but I will check when I get home. Yes I'm trying to print colour docs.

Diane Gill ● 5238d

Run a maintenance check the nozzles/print heads may be blocked.  In my exsperience having the cartridges refilled often causes problems.

Carol Atkinson ● 5238d

I've given up with refills to be honest. The quality is so variable that the cost isn't worth it.Compatible cartridges are usually WAAAY cheaper than refills from suppliers like Catridge King.

Nigel Brooks ● 5238d

I think you may be right!  I have just tried again this evening and have ended up in a right mess with the cyan leaking everywhere!  I'm taking the cartridges back and asking for my money back.  I'll check out cartridge king and see if they have compatible cartridges.Cheers

Diane Gill ● 5238d

Also check out www.999inks.co.uk they often have good prices on Canon cartridges.

Nigel Brooks ● 5238d

Re  they often have good prices         xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx  what I find surprising is no-one has mentioned/ queried the  outrageous cost of printer inks. I just cannot understand how the prices are justified, almost £30 for a set of colour cartridges, for what?, just a squitty drop of ink which doesn't last long anyway. If one bothered to work out the cost per printed page, I think one would find it to be rather high.

Tony Price ● 5237d

Simple, ink jet printers are usually sold cheap with enough ink for a shop demo, knowing that they will make their profit on the replacement cartridges. Some cartridges even carry a microchip that counts the number of pages printed rather than the ink used and prevents re-use unless the chip is replaced.Many printers are written off because liquid has leaked on to the control board below while powered.If the ink has dried out in the jets you could try disconnecting the mains plug while the head is accessible, then parking the jets on a small roll of tissue dampened with very dilute detergent.

Chris Bell ● 5237d

Nozzle cleaning may help, but as others have said it's better to avoid refilled cartridges. False economy. I've tried numerous refilled and re-manufactured cartridges over the years with a vareiety of printers. They've either not worked at all, or worse leaked out all over the machine and desk.Currently have a Canon MP630 inkjet and get clone cartridges from  www.cartridgepeople.com  Been using them for several years now, no problems and good prices.

Chris Edwards ● 5237d

Most of the Unix-compatible Free Open Source Software Operating Systems seem to have standardized on the Common Unix Printing System (CUPS) developed by Apple for the free BSD operating system they provide with their few bits of proprietary front end. It carries drivers for most printers and generally just works. All I have to do is configure user permissions since access is denied by default.

Chris Bell ● 5237d

It's the 'Gillette' model.Virtually give the razor/printer away and then charge an arm and a leg for blades/cartridges.Just be glad Tony that you don't have a high-end Epson printer (11 different cartridges at almost £80 each!)

Nigel Brooks ● 5237d

A good quality colour laser printer is usually much cheaper per page, does not "dry up", and is long lasting (most inkjet printers are discontinued and replaced by a different model within a few months, often with a different set of cartridges). I was surprised how much prices have dropped, although the initial purchase price is still higher.

Chris Bell ● 5237d

Re  11 different cartridges at almost £80 each!)            xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx  bluddy  'ell, should be a law against it. Must be for commercial use, surely?

Tony Price ● 5237d

Yes, photo printing. Not mine, I hasten to add.I should also add that that is the 'trade' price, it could cost almost £1000 to do a 'full' refill which is why CISS (constant ink) systems are becoming very popular with commercial outfits.

Nigel Brooks ● 5237d

Just for a chuckle I looked at the full retail price of theses cartridges. OK they each contain 700ml of ink but at £197.55 +VAT each (remember there are 11 of them) it could cost over £2600 for a refill!!!

Nigel Brooks ● 5237d

How does this help Diane? Or anyone this side of planet normal?My BSD is going off and it stinks, please give it a rest.

Amy Brookes ● 5233d