Refilled printer cartridge

[easg]

What do you think about refilled printer cartridges (cartridges for a Lexmark Z35 to be specific)

Will they damage the printer?

How much time can I store an empty cartridge until it is refilled?

How much time can an installed cartridge in the printer been without use?

[raftero]

i have had good results with refilling the black on my lexmark z32 just don' overfill as it runs over and fouls up the contacts. use alcohol to clean the contacts on the printer and the surfaces on the catrage before reinstalling. I have had mixed results on color refills. you may have to go through the head cleaning process several times if the cartrage has been setting for a good while.

[easg]

I think I will refill the black first and give it a try. this is for home use only, college homework and course jobs.

[glc]

Lexmark has started to use "chipped' cartridges to prevent users from refilling them. As long as you refill them before they are empty, you should be OK - but if it runs dry, that's all she wrote.

[RayH]

Check your owner's manual, there is a proper way to shut down a printer to lock the cartridge to seal the ink. It'll make them last longer.