Don't buy an HP Printer

[Rex914]

I don't care how good or how reliable HP printers are. They're infamous for the expiring printer cartridge monopoly. That's already horrible enough. But I've found out through my own experimentation and through some quick Googling that their cartridges can actually expire a month or two BEFORE the said expiration date. Combine that with the fact that the printer won't even print without both cartridges in place, and you've got a problem. And I'm already being really light on their antiquated method of combining all their colors in one cartridge even on higher end (> $200) printers. That's also a stupidly wasteful technique of wasting ink when one of your color dies unless you love seeing all your pictures come out magenta.

I actually don't use this particular printer for photos. This one is entirely for documents, and it wasn't even a cheapo model either. Still, the cartidges are fairly low capacity, and they cost $20-$30 a pop.

The moral of the story is, don't buy from HP until they quit this awful expiring cartridge business, or if you do, you need to work at high capacity to burn through all your cartridges before they expire. My cartridge is far, far over half full and has to go to waste because of this. I very much rather have a slow Epson or Canon printer that's optimized for photos to do the job than pay HP twice the money per cartidge and deal with this expiring cartidge junk that forces me to toss out a not even half-finished cartidge. Shame on HP...

[propwash]

Sorry, Rex, but I don't share your opinion. I've used HP printers for years, with no problems. I wasn't even aware that their cartridges had expiration dates on them. Do all of them have these dates, or is it just some? I do mostly black text printing, and so my color cartridges don't get used very much. I have had some of them last over two years with no problems.

One thing that I like about HP is that when you get a new cartridge, you are also getting new ink jets, since the jets are part of the cartridge itself. Other companies used to (and may still) have nozzles that were part of the printer instead of being part of the cartridge, so you might end up replacing a cartridge, thinking you had a problem, and the problem was really in the nozzles themselves.

One thing I don't like about HP is that the ink is very expensive, but I think it is also pretty pricey for other brands as well. I bought a tri-color cartridge that was only 19 ml of ink, and it worked out to over $7,000 per gallon. That's why they almost give their printers away--because they know they're gonna get you on the ink!

I do agree with you that I would rather have the colors be replaceable on an individual basis instead of having to buy a complete new tri-color when you might only be out of one of the three colors.

All that being said, however, I don't mind HP. I don't use my printer a lot, but the HP's I have owned (we currently have three in the family) have performed flawlessly for me and seem to suit my needs. I wish I could say the same about their scanners, but that's another subject!

[Rex914]

Sorry, Rex, but I don't share your opinion. I've used HP printers for years, with no problems. I wasn't even aware that their cartridges had expiration dates on them. Do all of them have these dates, or is it just some? I do mostly black text printing, and so my color cartridges don't get used very much. I have had some of them last over two years with no problems.

One thing that I like about HP is that when you get a new cartridge, you are also getting new ink jets, since the jets are part of the cartridge itself. Other companies used to (and may still) have nozzles that were part of the printer instead of being part of the cartridge, so you might end up replacing a cartridge, thinking you had a problem, and the problem was really in the nozzles themselves.

One thing I don't like about HP is that the ink is very expensive, but I think it is also pretty pricey for other brands as well. I bought a tri-color cartridge that was only 19 ml of ink, and it worked out to over $7,000 per gallon. That's why they almost give their printers away--because they know they're gonna get you on the ink!

I do agree with you that I would rather have the colors be replaceable on an individual basis instead of having to buy a complete new tri-color when you might only be out of one of the three colors.

All that being said, however, I don't mind HP. I don't use my printer a lot, but the HP's I have owned (we currently have three in the family) have performed flawlessly for me and seem to suit my needs. I wish I could say the same about their scanners, but that's another subject!

Don't get me wrong. The output quality and speed of the printer are perfectly fine. I just totally disagree with the forced expiration dates on cartidges (check the cartridge because they all have dates), costs that are twice the competition, and tying together colors even on $200+ printers.

What's worse is that the printer (like Epson) refuses to print if one of the cartridges is out or expired, and in this case, it's the color. I actually don't use color that much either for document, but what HP's doing is forcing you to buy cartridges that you don't use and forces you to replace them even when they're barely used. See my point?

[Rhys]

My Epson was dreadfully wasteful of paper but the ink cartridges could be refilled. The problem there was that after two refills the print quality pummeted.

Our canon was neat in that it had 4 separate ink tanks. The problem was that it always needed one tank or other to be replaced.

Our HP is neat in that it needs only two cartridges. The problem is that they're horribly expensive.

One day I migh get around to fixing my wife's Lexmark.

[Rex914]

Don't even get me started on Lexmark. I don't know if they do the expiration date scam, but they love charging you nothing on the printer and gouging you even worse on ink costs. I remember seeing several printer comparison reports, and the cost per page would always be the worst for Lexmark, then HP, then Epson, and finally Canon being the most economical at the bottom.

Here is one of several reports on this exact topic. This chart is for plain black text documents. We're not even talking about photos yet.

http://images.tomshardware.com/2004/10/25/in_living_color/image008.gif

Now for text and color. This is where HP falls on its face in costs.

http://images.tomshardware.com/2004/10/25/in_living_color/image009.gif

And finally photos...

http://images.tomshardware.com/2004/10/25/in_living_color/image010.gif

Just to throw in one more into the mix, let's take some high end printers and compare costs...

http://images.tomshardware.com/2004/12/29/are_high/image002.gif
http://images.tomshardware.com/2004/12/29/are_high/image003.gif
http://images.tomshardware.com/2004/12/29/are_high/image004.gif

[Jason25]

I would buy another HP printer long before I'd buy a Lexmark! We have tons of them at work, complete garbage. I've never even noticed the expiration dates!

[erichlund]

If this is true, it must be a recent development. Maybe with the newer formula inks. My Deskjet 1220C has some fairly fresh cartridges in it, but not new. The've been in the drawer for seemingly forever.

I've had the occasional clog in an HP cartridge. Usually fixable with a damp paper towel. Just touch the head to the towel and let it soften and wick out the clogged head. But I've never had a cartridge stop working completely that had ink in it.

Of course, I'm not sure how mine would know when a cartridge is expired. I gets print messages through the network, but doesn't have two communication, and it certainly doesn't have a real time clock in it. I suppose the printed file could carry some sort of date stamp, but it hasn't had any affect on my printer.

[Rex914]

A lawsuit was filed back in 2001, so it must have been at least that early if not earlier. If you have an older printer (> 5 years old), then you're in luck because the cartridge won't be able to communicate with an older printer.

I'm still steamed over having to pay a "tax" or an annual running fee for a color cartridge that I hardly use. Maybe I should just switch over to laser for all my documents (unless they chip those too)...

[erichlund]

THWACK!!!! Ouch!!! :mad: I hate it when that happens. I just realized why HP puts a time limit on their cartridges. Ink reloaders. People who get those kits and reload the ink in the cartridge using aftermarket ink. HP is trying to protect their commodity. Seems to me, if you are an ink reloader, it would pay to get an aftermarket cartridge that doesn't expire, and this policy would drive people to aftermarket cartridges.

Just curious. Rex, do you know what HP's policy is if a cartridge expires early? Can the user get a new cartridge? It seems that if you buy a cartridge with an expiration, and it expires early, that is a manufacturing defect.

Of course, if you decide you can't tolerate the HP any longer, you can send a statement to HP. Get a sledge hammer or axe and do a thorough job on the printer. Mail it to the President of HP with a letter explaining why it's in the condition it is and why you will never again buy one of their products.

Of course, if he has a sense of humor, he'll mail you a letter of apology AND a free set of ink cartridges (knowing full well you can't use them). ;)

Cheers,
Eric

[Ali_baba]

When I was in Pakistan, I refilled my cartriges in 5$. They don't refill them infront of you though. I don't know what technique they use.

[Mr.Jingles]

Hi,
Could anyone give me any advice please. I am after an all in one printer, either the HP PSC 2355 all in one or the Epson Stylus Photo RX620. Could anyone give me any advice on which one is the best. Thanks.
Martin

[BonjiB]

HP cartridges are a breeze to refill. They're easy and they work with almost any ink you can throw at em. I've been using the same color cartridge for nearly 3 years now and i've refilled it no less than 10 times. I burn through so much ink printing photos. I own an HP deskjet 950c (old modle, at least 5 years) and it's still going strong with no color banding or other problems. Prints beautiful photos. I have absolutely NO complaints about HP. In fact, i recomend HP to most anyone who asks me about printers. Get one that will take the photo cartridge in place of the black, it really makes a difference. Get online and buy hp inks in bulk containers (magenta, cyan, photo magenta, photo cyan, black and yellow.) SOOO much cheaper doing it this way. Then all you have to do is replace the cartridge if your heads ever crap up. As for expiring ink, i've never had a problem with it since i burn through a cartridge worth of ink in about 2-3 months. My next printer however will be a canon for the mere fact that the heads are seperate from the ink cartridges. I want to set up a continuous ink supply system so i don't have to go through the trouble of refilling so often. Just hook it up to a 16 ounce bottle of ink and just stick the tube into a new bottle when i run out.

[Kate_b18]

HP printers are temperamental beggars!
I have a serious dislike for them!

[Rhys]

Our HP 3845 and our laserjet both work well.
Even our Canon i560 works well despite having had a broach pass right through the feed system.
I haven't revived the lexmark yet.

The printer I did find was a royal PITA was my Epson.

[Rex914]

HP cartridges are a breeze to refill. They're easy and they work with almost any ink you can throw at em. I've been using the same color cartridge for nearly 3 years now and i've refilled it no less than 10 times. I burn through so much ink printing photos. I own an HP deskjet 950c (old modle, at least 5 years) and it's still going strong with no color banding or other problems. Prints beautiful photos. I have absolutely NO complaints about HP. In fact, i recomend HP to most anyone who asks me about printers. Get one that will take the photo cartridge in place of the black, it really makes a difference. Get online and buy hp inks in bulk containers (magenta, cyan, photo magenta, photo cyan, black and yellow.) SOOO much cheaper doing it this way. Then all you have to do is replace the cartridge if your heads ever crap up. As for expiring ink, i've never had a problem with it since i burn through a cartridge worth of ink in about 2-3 months. My next printer however will be a canon for the mere fact that the heads are seperate from the ink cartridges. I want to set up a continuous ink supply system so i don't have to go through the trouble of refilling so often. Just hook it up to a 16 ounce bottle of ink and just stick the tube into a new bottle when i run out.

Models that are 5 years and older do not exhibit this smart chipping/expiration date behavior. Our old HP printer is like yours (and even older model) and works fine. It's the newer ones that are just ridiculously unfair to those who don't print regularly.

[AVITWeb]

My HP is probably about 4 years old now and I have had the ink expire on me (the cartridge out of the box within a few months) and it would not print with it at all...checked the date, and sure enough it had expired...got a new one...and BAM...workead again!

My problem with HP is that this is my 4th printer from them....junk junk junk.
Prints crooked...scanner is useless after about 6 months because dust accumulates on the underside of the glass and you cannot get to it...Smart answer feature for faxes NEVER worked right...on the other hand...the pics are pretty decent althought I have to think that they will probably fade....canon...here I come..esp for my S2

[PCG]

Most interested to read the comments on HP cartidges. Have had my PSC 950 for about 4 years with only 1 problem - the scanner has packed up. Have never had trouble refilling the cartridges. Sometime if they complain I open up the lid, then when the cartridge is in the 'remove it' position I switch off the power, take it out, refill if needed then replace and switch on. It then functions OK and I find the photo printing quality is excellent.

However I was contemplating buying the new (new in UK anyway) HP 2310 but presume I could expect problems with these new individual colour cartridges especially how to overcome the chipping. Has anyone any thoughts on this? If there is going to be a long term problem then I shall not buy because I agree their ink prices are a rip-off.

[Rhys]

Most interested to read the comments on HP cartidges. Have had my PSC 950 for about 4 years with only 1 problem - the scanner has packed up. Have never had trouble refilling the cartridges. Sometime if they complain I open up the lid, then when the cartridge is in the 'remove it' position I switch off the power, take it out, refill if needed then replace and switch on. It then functions OK and I find the photo printing quality is excellent.

However I was contemplating buying the new (new in UK anyway) HP 2310 but presume I could expect problems with these new individual colour cartridges especially how to overcome the chipping. Has anyone any thoughts on this? If there is going to be a long term problem then I shall not buy because I agree their ink prices are a rip-off.

Test drive a printer but try putting tape over the contacts to see what happens.

[Rex914]

Just to put some closure to this story. It turns out that the black cartridge expired and not the color cartridge. What I don't like about this is that the expiration of a cartridge prevents you from using functions that don't require printing... like scanning. I would be unable to scan documents even though scanning documents for e-mails has nothing to do with printing.

[PCG]

Test drive a printer but try putting tape over the contacts to see what happens.


Thanks Rhys,

Will try the tape trick. May work. There is sure to be a way.

Was interested to read your comments on the suggested Printer Review forum. I have to admit I am very happy with the print quality from my PSC 950 (colour cartridge 78 three in one). Perhaps the new individual cartridges are not all they are cracked up to be, but at this stage I don't know because I haven't tried them which is why I feel a review would be helpful. Especially on the cartridge running costs.

Anyone know where can I find a review of the HP 2310?

[Spot focus]

Just to put some closure to this story. It turns out that the black cartridge expired and not the color cartridge. What I don't like about this is that the expiration of a cartridge prevents you from using functions that don't require printing... like scanning. I would be unable to scan documents even though scanning documents for e-mails has nothing to do with printing.
Hi Rex914 I have a HP photosmart 7960 & 930c both of which I refill :) I have a pdf that came with refill inks that tells you how to cheat the fill level in the cartridge if this is your problem? I would be happy to E-mail it to you:)

[~Kayla~]

What about remanufactured inkjet cartridges? I just bought one, black and it isn't working well for me. I did a print alignment test and the black ink is streaky as if it needs to be replaced although the ink level is 100% but the color is fine, the old color cartridge is fine but isn't a remanufactured one.

I have an HP PSC 1350. Any suggestions? Is it the cartridge? I bought it at Staples.

[Spot focus]

Hi ~Kayla~ It proberly is the cartridge with blocked jets :( You might try doing a "cartridge clean" in printer tools, this sometimes works;)

[~Kayla~]

Thanks, I will try it. :)

[skeeder]

I haven't used a printer for printing pictures. For black and white my Hp hasn't let me down once.

[ed from pa]

Hi Rex914 I have a HP photosmart 7960 & 930c both of which I refill :) I have a pdf that came with refill inks that tells you how to cheat the fill level in the cartridge if this is your problem? I would be happy to E-mail it to you:)

Spot Focus, i have an HP Photosmart 7960, could you e-mail the above pdf for refill inks.
thanks, ed from pa

[Spot focus]

Spot Focus, i have an HP Photosmart 7960, could you e-mail the above pdf for refill inks.
thanks, ed from paE-Mail sent hope it not to big:confused:

[Rex914]

Hi Rex914 I have a HP photosmart 7960 & 930c both of which I refill :) I have a pdf that came with refill inks that tells you how to cheat the fill level in the cartridge if this is your problem? I would be happy to E-mail it to you:)

The problem has nothing to do with refills. I just happen to have cartridges that I can't use up before the expiration date. Now if the PDF tells me how to get my legal, original cartridges to work again like they should, that's a whole different story. :)

[Peterlaver]

I have a HP PSC 1510 which uses two cartridges.

1 Black and 1 tri-color.

The black cartrigde is TYPE 336 and is supplied with the magnificent quantity of 5ml of ink. Yes, thats not a misprint, just 5ml.

Now, curiosity made me start to investigate.

I have two old black HP cartridges Type 27 and 56 ((WHICH HOLD LARGE QUANTITIES OF INK)) and are practically the same size physically as the new type 336.

NO, YOU CANT SWITCH THEM.--THEY THOUGHT OF THAT.

It is easy to remove the tops of these cartridges and guess what we find.
The old 27 and 56 cartidges contain a sponge that fills THE ENTIRE VOLUME.

The new TYPE 336 has a DIVIDING WALL AND A MINIATURE SPONGE AND A MASSIVE AIRSPACE. Yes, that cartridge that you paid a fortune for, contains over two thirds airspace.

NOW FOR A SOLUTION.

Remove both sponges (messy but careful work will be OK.)
Take the 336 cartridge and study it carefully; you must now remove the dividing wall (WITHOUT DAMAGING THE FILTER THAT YOU WILL SEE AT THE BOTTOM). Small saw blade or file will do. Now, here is the final trick.
Take the large sponge from the old 27 /56 and with a very sharp knife cut it in such a way that it will press on the filter. (A sort of L shape).

Put the top on and hold down with tape. Fill with ink. Put in printer and do ink cycle.

I HAVE NEVER BOUGHT A REPLACEMENT 336 AND USE BLACK INK MADE FOR ANOTHER PRINTER. I PRINT MASSIVE QUANTITIES OF BLACK TEXT AND VERY GOOD PHOTO PRINTS.

Hope this will save you lots of money,

Peter

[sambrown8022]

after seeing this thread i think its safe to say that pinters in general are frustrating, and i have found that if i get professional prints done, it may be pricey, (15 dollars for a nice medium sized print) but I get the best results, and that way i dont have to deal with paper jams and empty ink cartriges :D

[Peterlaver]

Regarding the cost of these cartridges, maybe this may be of interest.

Have just installed HP 1510 all in one which uses a type 342 color cartridge.
This cartridge is more or less the same size as a type 56 or type 27. (black)

Now comes the interesting part. When this 342 finally came to stop printing (after just a few photos), I decided to dismantle it.
Sure enough there were the usual partitions dividing the body into 3 divisions.
Nothing strange about that. (one for each color)

Now the interesting part, the divisions are further divided to include an airspace with a MUCH SMALLER SPONGE. LESS INK. YES, you are buying about one third of airspace for each color with this cartridge.

This makes an already costly ink cartridge prohibitive.

Peter.

[Steve Cifra]

Don't forget that new printers come with starter cartridges. Open up a replacement cartridge (when empty) and it should hold more than the first one.

[haiki]

All that being said, however, I don't mind HP. I don't use my printer a lot, but the HP's I have owned (we currently have three in the family) have performed flawlessly for me and seem to suit my needs. I wish I could say the same about their scanners, but that's another subject![/QUOTE]

It is apparent that you use your HP printer alot, and you have no problem with cost, buying new HP cartridges. Yes, the printer runs smoothly. However, personally for me, if I can find ink cartridges costing less, I'll go that route. However, as you will see I have a problem, that you are not aware of, and probably will not experience.

Think about any ink cartridge, for example, HP ink cartridge that has a warranty. Bad ink cartridge, color bad, light ink which appears watery, what-ever, they give you another one. That's the way a warranty works. You buy a recycled ink cartridge, with no HP warranty. It may work momentarily, but then you get these same messages, remove cartridge. Why should my printer shut down after purchasing a recycled ink cartridge? But then if you buy an HP ink cartridge, your printer is up and running again. Or until that time HP thinks you have printed long enough, even if you have plenty of ink. HP forces you, according to HP predetermined usage, in order for your printer to work, to buy their ink cartridges, or HP will shut your printer down.

Don't focus on the ink cartridge, focus on the fact HP, and other printer manufacturers, stop your printer from working, because of some silly game they are playing of cheating customers before the ink runs out, or wrong ink standards, or what-ever. I say, go ahead send these stupid messages, but don't stop my printer from working. This is anti-competitive, and in violation of anti-trust laws.

To be perfectly clear

Hewlett Packard recycles their ink cartridges by promoting that HP cartridges be returned for recycling, using a self addressed, stamped envelope. Allowing HP, through their “refurbishing and reselling” effort to conserve resources, using the various recycling facilities of manufacturers around the world contracted by HP. Thus, the mere fact that there also are other recyclers available to refurbish, and recycle ink cartridges, but except for lower cost, and the free choice of the consumer, HP has restricted the consumer the full use, and the operation of HP printers.

Smith and Roberson’s Business Law, ninth edition. West Publishing. Chapter 43; ANTITRUST.
“Characterizing a type of restraint as per se illegal therefore has a significant effect on the prosecution of an antitrust suit. In such a case, the plaintiff need only show that the type of restraint occurred, she does not need to prove that the restraint limited competition.....Tying arrangements. A tying arrangement occurs when the seller of a product, service, or intangible (the "tying" product) conditions its sale on the buyers purchasing a second product, service, or intangible (the "tied" product) from the seller....Because tying arrangements limit buyers' freedom of choice and may exclude competitors, the law closely scrutinizes such agreements.”

Hewlett Packard has, unbeknownst to customers who purchased HP printers (tying product), tied as a condition, the purchase of new HP ink cartridges (tied product), or HP recycled ink cartridges, through the use illegal anti-competitive consumer practices.

After all, what are we talking about, it's a ball point pen refill morphed into a printer ink cartridge. It’s a recycled auto part! Again, I say Hewlett Packard, and the rest of the conspirators, play your silly games by cheating consumers on ink cost, and supplies. I say go ahead! But don’t stop me from the use of my printer.

[CptOfGondor]

I agree. I have one of those Z series all in ones with the print, scan, photocopy thing. The cartridges (b/w + colour) run a hefty bill. So one day, my dad decides to try the ink refill kits. The Canon BJC-2100 works fine.

The Lexmark cartridges took the ink but on the second refill, there was this really aweful smell that came out of the printer and smoke was seeping out of the openings..lol. Turns out the electronics fried and partially melted the cartridge. Kinda similiar to that time trap that Haiki was talking about. Stupid lexmark. We already have enough trash on this planet as it as.

Speaking on the matter of cartridges. Thumbs up to Canon. The BJC-2100 (yes its old and very basic) readily accepted other brands like those KO REC Type and even recycled. The BJC2100 cartridge is basically a sponge or a series of three sponges encased in a plastic shell. Very simple and readily accepts ink refill kits. The ones that come in a bottle and you squirt ink back into the sponge. Much more efficient cost wise and less cartridges in the landfill.

[ReF]

i read that epson has recently lost a class action lawsuit - their cartridges were indicated as being empty while still containing a "significant" (whatever that means) amount of ink. maybe HP's next

[CptOfGondor]

What the hell? I'm sure Epson can wait an extra week before making the customer go to the tech store for more ink. Corporations nowadays are just too dishonest.

[bloomer]

The expiration problem doesn't apply to all modern HP printers. I have a deskjet 5160 - about 2 years old - and there is no cartridge expiry, plus you can print in pseudo-black from the colour cartridge if the black has run out. I'm not sure if there is a site which tells you which models use the date-chip cartridges and which ones don't... would certainly be useful. My cartridges are the 56/58 and 57 models. I'm still using the cartridge the printer came with, refilled five times.

[ryanbrancel]

The expiration problem doesn't apply to all modern HP printers. I have a deskjet 5160 - about 2 years old - and there is no cartridge expiry, plus you can print in pseudo-black from the colour cartridge if the black has run out. I'm not sure if there is a site which tells you which models use the date-chip cartridges and which ones don't... would certainly be useful. My cartridges are the 56/58 and 57 models. I'm still using the cartridge the printer came with, refilled five times.

All HP OEM Cartridges from the last ~10 years have had date stamping. As you stated, you are using refill cartridges, not the HP supported inks.

[bloomer]

All HP OEM Cartridges from the last ~10 years have had date stamping. As you stated, you are using refill cartridges, not the HP supported inks.
I am refilling the HP OEM cartridges. Any date-stamp mechanism designed to reject the cartridge must presumably not be employed on my Deskjet, as the black OEM cartridge is now 2 years old.

[Cinney]

Hi Rex914, I also have just refilled and still have the low ink level, can you please email me the pdf.... Thanks :)

[codrync]

Hi Rex914 I have a HP photosmart 7960 & 930c both of which I refill :) I have a pdf that came with refill inks that tells you how to cheat the fill level in the cartridge if this is your problem? I would be happy to E-mail it to you:)
please email me that pdf at codrync@yahoo.com .i need it. thks. pls

[ashutoshj]

please email me that pdf at codrync@yahoo.com .i need it. thks. pls
I would be grateful if you email me too at ashutoshj@hotmail.com Thanks in advance

[pjconsultware]

I have owned a business since 1992, and excellent print quality is important to us. In that time, I have tried HP, Epson, Canon, Lexmark, and a few others. I have had ink jet and laser printers from these companies.

The worst, by far, is the Lexmark - especially their ink jet printers. There are simply too many problems with those to describe in a short posting. Keep in mind that Dell printers are just repackaged Lexmark printers.

Canon and Epson are about the same in my book. Canon printers tend to be less durable in construction, and Epson printers have worse print head durability. Both companies have used less-than-honest means to try to sell us their printers.

It has gotten to the point, where I now simply look for the right HP printer to buy. They all have lasted so long, that I only need to buy new printers when I need new features. The HP printers that I have replaced are still so good that I usually donate them to some worthy organization.

If you want the best print quality, durability, and long life in a printer, you gotta buy HP.

[JTL]

If you want the best print quality, durability, and long life in a printer, you gotta buy HP.That was true a while ago, but I don't think it's true any more. Something has happened at HP...it started a few years ago...but now I wouldn't take one for free. I had an old HP Laserjet that lasted 10-years...my last HP MFP bought two years ago lasted 18-months. My last HP photo printer lasted...18 months (and, by comparison to Epson and Canon, the photo quality sucked). So now I have a Brother MFC and a Canon photo printer and life is good again...

[Vladislav]

ink is a gold for a HP. just look to first range of printers - price a 50$. there a color + black cost around 50$. Someone sell gasoline - HP sells ink.

[cerron]

Could any one of you forward me a copy of that .PDF file on how to reset the printer to use recycled ink cartridges? I would certainly appreciate it. My email is in my profile... Thanks!

[jodern]

HI , can anyone or Rex914 can forward me a copy of the PDF you guys have talking about on hoe to reset the HP printer to accept the refilled cartridge ?

my mail box is :

jodern"at"gmail.com

please change the address to appropriate address , I do this inorder to prevent to be spamed by the spam bot ..

Thanks in advance .

The printer that I currently wated to be refilled is Deskjet 3745 , wih the ink of 27 (black) and 28 (colour) .

[Conde]

:D Originally Posted by Spot focus
Hi Rex914 I have a HP photosmart 7960 & 930c both of which I refill I have a pdf that came with refill inks that tells you how to cheat the fill level in the cartridge if this is your problem? I would be happy to E-mail it to you

please email me that pdf at conde210@yahoo.es .i need it. thks. pls.

[BUTL950]

I got away from HP a long time ago and it had nothing to do with cartridges. I bought an HP and some trouble with it. I called the service number and after about 15 prompts and god-knows-how-long a wait, I finally got to the last prompt and was told it would cost me 25.00 just to speak to a technician, not even to fix any problem should I have to have it fixed. that would cost extra.. I trashed the HP and I've been using epson ever since.

I do mostly photo printing and wide format photo printing. I currently use an
R1800 and an old 1280 with a media street CIT system.. the inks from media street are nice and it cost me 68.00 for a set..I got 2 years from one set of inks and that was printing approx. 5 photo's (none smaller than 8x10) a day damn near everyday (< slight exaggeration) but seriously I did print alot of photo's some as big as 13x19"

I'm waiting for media street to fine tune the new inks for the R1800 and then I'm going to add a CIT system to that printer as well...

[Rex914]

As a little update, I bought and installed a new cartridge that is slated to expire December 2007. I haven't used it much at all (< 100 pages of plain text), and it's just giving me problems from "Install new cartridge" to unacceptable blotchy quality. I tried shaking the thing around, cleaning the cartidges, but nothing seems to work. It either gives me that unhelpful message or gives me awful print quality.

Is there a warranty on these things that lets me bring it back? It's not due to die for another year. http://www.dcresource.com/forums/images/icons/icon13.gif

[dougworm]

Hey imaybe it's not right but if a company really does screw a bunch of us over and over simply hiring lawyers to enable the practice for a long and profitable time, having in place of moral consicence, marketing analysts that assure CEOs and CFOs that the losses from customers who abandon the brand will not significantly impact the profits from said crappy practices ... and if then you the consumer are left supposedly "helpless" to stop them any time soon or made unable to exact any recompense for their THIEVERY, then at least take some comfort in what SOME people do to get even with the likes of these. For instance certain brave souls might buy a high priced product from said company (from a vendor with a great return policy to be sure), and then getting into the privacy of their own home through being not so careful they manage to muck up the product to the point where it's no dang good anymore ... "Darn it! the defect of something not being able to absorb the normal use of only a day or two use NORMAL to someone with a 'tude!" So then it's "Well back it goes", no doubt making certain that the service counter clerk notes that the product is clearly defective and sub standard of poor design probably! Out comes the label or rubber stamp RETURN TO MANUFACTURER DEFECTIVE ITEM rather than putting back on the shelf. Now these occurances can end up hurting everyone that buys these products down the line becuase if enough folks encounter the same weaknesses in the products then the costs would have to rise or even worse for the company perhaps the retailers would not even wish to carry so much of such an unreliable brand's product anymore! Who could blame em?

Smells of dirty pool you say? Smacks of low morals and lack of ethics?

I can see why one might think that ... then again I sense beauty and poetry there too along with the unsavory attitude. and poetry can can offset so much bad in the world ... it can bring smiles to others and enrich their day, People feeling vindication vicariously through the work of a poet. Yes poetry, poetry in motion as an old song lyrics praised.

So smile or better yet consider authoring some of your own poetry.

[roofie]

bit of a dead thread, but I just wanted to say of all the 7 ink-printers I've used over the years the only two that weren't breaking/malfunctioning every day were/is my two HPs. never had a problem, cost may be a bit higher than the rest but at least they work.

[lilianacsantos]

Does anybody knows how to cheat an HP Printer regarding to the cartridges?
I have one and I only want to print bw but since I don't have a colour cartridge, the printer doesn't work.

[JLV]

In the software, under preference, color, select gray scale, black only. I don’t know if this will work if the other cartridges are missing.

[Riley]

cheaper printers often have "No Color" posted on the box
meaning, there is no colour cartridge

just for fun, Google "I hate printers" someday :)

[mditlove]

I just came accross this thread, I've just learned the following:

My wife has an HP 3820 with two cartridges, one black and one tri-color.

After a few years of complaining about the cost of ink, I tried a cheaper refill from Staples and found that the ink was as good as HP and a touch cheaper.

But still too expensive.

So the last time, I decided to try to refill it, and lo and behold, there was a thing covering on top that exposed refill holes when I peeled it back.

I refilled them with ink that I purchase from Inksupply.com, this is professional ink that is as good or better than the manufacturers and that I've used for over 6 years, great color, no fading, etc.

And a lot cheaper, since a 4 oz bottle only costs $8.00 and that will refill each color 10 to 20 times depending on the size.

That's a huge savings and better ink, all you need is a refill syringe with a 1- 1/2" needle that you can order with the ink.

Michel Ditlove
www.ditlove.com

[Rex914]

Does anybody knows how to cheat an HP Printer regarding to the cartridges?
I have one and I only want to print bw but since I don't have a colour cartridge, the printer doesn't work.

If you do some web searches, you will find out about that, and the short answer is "yes." Now whether it's worth it to go through the trouble is a different story.

I'm surprised that this thread is still going on. Guess it's something that gets people riled up...

[Kateri]

I love my HP DeskJet 9650. It prints up to 13"x19" poster size. Pictures come out great even after I darn near broke it...............
I tried to put too thick of paper in it - some extra stiff card stock - and it got jammed.
I yanked the stuff out from the backside and screwed up the rollers and who knows what elses and I just kind of sort of forced everything back into place. The printer made some really wierd noises when I used it but after awhile everything got back into sync and now no noises.
Thank goodness. I bought it years ago when it was on a really good sale for $450.00 and now you can something like for about $250 on sale.

I've been refilling my own cartridges for it since I bought it and no problems.

Screw the expiration dates. Just keep printing until you see that the ink is starting to run out............you can tell.

I can tell when I need to buy a new cartridge - black or coloured. After so many times refilling, the cartridges do get "tired" and it's time to buy new ones. So I maybe buy new ones after I've refilled maybe 5 or 6 times or more. Just depends. I can tell.
A friend of mine tried to refill his own cartridges but couldn't do it and he tried many different kits. He finally gave up and gave me all the ink bottles from the kits that he had. So it hasn't cost me a thing to refill and I've gotten really good at it too.

And the "old" ink in the bottles is just as good as the ink in the new cartridges too; quality wise, durability wise, etc.