Printer won't print!

[Alfie]

This is an Epson 580 printer.
The cartridges are new,the printer responds to software commands and acts as though it's printing,but no ink is coming through,any suggestions?
TIA

[TwoRails]

Hi Alfie,

Where are you?? I ask because I did a quick search to see what I could find. I found lots of sites selling ink, but every site that seemed technical was in a foreign language !?

Anyway, I don't have a good answer for you. The few times I've had a printer drop a color, I've used that for an excuse for an upgrade :D But I've never had a printer that wouldn't put anything on a page....

TwoRails

[Cricket]

Hi Alfie,

I know HP printers have the jets built into the cartridge so everytime you replace the cartridge, the jets are replaced too.

On Epson printers, I think the jets are built into the printer itself and if the printer is sort of old, the jets could be clogged. I don't know how you would go about cleaning them though. Have you checked the Epson website yet?

:) Cricket

[glc]

http://fixyourownprinter.com sells the Epson factory head cleaning fluid for $9.95 plus shipping.

[GaryRouth]

Hi Alfie

Did you run a cleaning cycle from the "Utilities" in the Epson printer driver? If it's old dry ink from previous cartridges (or worse, the void-your-warranty refills), then the cleaning cylcle might unclog them for you. Sometimes takes several tries.

You may have an icon in the system tray for the printer which will open a window with all the utilities there. Or go to the Printers folder and then to the Epson's Properties, and find the Utilities menu there.

(And of course when you install the cartridges you need to take off the tape that keeps the ink fresh while in storage/transit.)

Then there's the cleaning fluid that glc posted the link for.

Good luck, I've had great luck with Epsons. I still have their 1st Stylus Color that could print 720x720 dpi from back in 1994 - still works great.
. . . Gary

[Alfie]

The clogged jets seem to be the logical conclusion,as the printer goes through the full motion of printing from any source,no error messages,etc.
I've reinstalled the drivers and software program and have attempted to clean the jets externally and have used the Epson jet cleaning program,but to no avail.
glc's link with the cleaning solution is about the only alternative left.
Thank's for the advise,all.
TwoRails,I'm in the USA(Pa.)

[TwoRails]

Hi Alfie,

I've got family in PA, west side of the state! Over by Johnston (Johnstown?).... It's been 30 years since I've been there, I'm sorry to say. I'd be funny if we were related, ah?

glc's link does sound worth a try. If you try it, please post back with the results!

:D

TwoRails

[Alfie]

Thoroughly cleaned the head and still no go,checked for a replacement head checked here,great company,if you ever need printer parts or help check them out,
http://www.compassmicro.com/parts.cfm
The replacement part and software needed to realign the head costs more than the printer!
Go figure.
Had bought a bunch of ink for it and couldn't find a duplicate printer 'til now,so may get the same model,loud ,slow but when it worked it did well.
If anyone can find a printer in the $30.00- $50.00 range let me know.
BestBuys had a floor model Compaq(Lexmark) for $20.00 but the ink cartridges totaled nearly $60.00

TwoRails,
I live in the Eastern part next to New Jersey,originally from N.Y.,
so we may not be related except for our kinship to AMD:)

[TwoRails]

I think you're right, Alfie! Since everybody is on the West side of the state, our connection is indeed AMD!

:D

TwoRails

(Still waiting for the 333 / 400 fsb version of the XP.....)