Comments on: Epson messes up my day http://architectures.danlockton.co.uk/2006/10/21/epson-messes-up-my-day/ How do people use products, systems and environments? How can designers influence interaction? How can we design for sustainable behaviour? Sun, 12 Oct 2008 02:09:36 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v= By: eddie http://architectures.danlockton.co.uk/2006/10/21/epson-messes-up-my-day/#comment-291653 eddie Sun, 05 Oct 2008 06:00:18 +0000 http://architectures.danlockton.co.uk/?p=147#comment-291653 Ink Chip haters, I reverse engineered the ink-chip protocol for the epson 2100p in 2002 and published the details. I made a little circuit to reset the chips (sort of) in the printer so I could build a CIS (fake chips were available then). Even so I had a lot of trouble with the chip sockets. This resulted in the printer being broken for 4 years and requiring a head replacement and other parts. I was so sick of chip problems that I eliminated them by programming a micro-controller to supply the printer with data as if it was coming from ink-chips - I hacked into the printer mother-board to do it. I realize this is a bit beyond most people but if you are curious the project is here - http://nerdipedia.com/tiki-index.php?page=Intellidge+Extermination Eddie.M eddiem.com nerdipedia.com Ink Chip haters,
I reverse engineered the ink-chip protocol for the epson 2100p in 2002 and published the details.
I made a little circuit to reset the chips (sort of) in the printer so I could build a CIS (fake chips were available then).

Even so I had a lot of trouble with the chip sockets. This resulted in the printer being broken for 4 years and requiring a head replacement and other parts.

I was so sick of chip problems that I eliminated them by programming a micro-controller to supply the printer with data as if it was coming from ink-chips - I hacked into the printer mother-board to do it.

I realize this is a bit beyond most people but if you are curious the project is here -
http://nerdipedia.com/tiki-index.php?page=Intellidge+Extermination

Eddie.M
eddiem.com nerdipedia.com

]]> By: Ay Uaxe http://architectures.danlockton.co.uk/2006/10/21/epson-messes-up-my-day/#comment-278322 Ay Uaxe Thu, 18 Sep 2008 17:09:21 +0000 http://architectures.danlockton.co.uk/?p=147#comment-278322 Just tried to start using a Lexmark x2580 all-in-one I got with a notebook at Circuit City and discovered it didn't ship with a black cartridge and despite running on generic x2500 series drivers, won't work with generic/genuine Lexmark x2500 series cartridges. I demands not only that I buy Lexmark #2 and #3 cartridges, but also that I buy them solely at Circuit City. Apparently there is a EU seller with a similar monopolistic deal with Lexmark. This smacks of anti-trust, unfair business practices, restraint of trade and good ol' illegal "tying". I'd like to sue the bastards, but would rather just find a way to hack this unjust crap. Already tried using another generic Lexmark printer driver, to no avail. Any tips anyone? Just tried to start using a Lexmark x2580 all-in-one I got with a notebook at Circuit City and discovered it didn’t ship with a black cartridge and despite running on generic x2500 series drivers, won’t work with generic/genuine Lexmark x2500 series cartridges. I demands not only that I buy Lexmark #2 and #3 cartridges, but also that I buy them solely at Circuit City. Apparently there is a EU seller with a similar monopolistic deal with Lexmark. This smacks of anti-trust, unfair business practices, restraint of trade and good ol’ illegal “tying”. I’d like to sue the bastards, but would rather just find a way to hack this unjust crap. Already tried using another generic Lexmark printer driver, to no avail. Any tips anyone?

]]> By: Kandy Garner http://architectures.danlockton.co.uk/2006/10/21/epson-messes-up-my-day/#comment-263269 Kandy Garner Sun, 07 Sep 2008 15:26:58 +0000 http://architectures.danlockton.co.uk/?p=147#comment-263269 I can't get my EpsonCX7400 to print letters in color. Can anyone help me with this? My printer is new. Kandy I can’t get my EpsonCX7400 to print letters in color. Can anyone help me with this? My printer is new.

Kandy

]]> By: Kandy Garner http://architectures.danlockton.co.uk/2006/10/21/epson-messes-up-my-day/#comment-263257 Kandy Garner Sun, 07 Sep 2008 15:16:56 +0000 http://architectures.danlockton.co.uk/?p=147#comment-263257 I can't get my Epson CX7400 to print letters in color. Can anyone help me with this? My printer is new. Kandy I can’t get my Epson CX7400 to print letters in color. Can anyone help me with this? My printer is new.
Kandy

]]> By: Nick http://architectures.danlockton.co.uk/2006/10/21/epson-messes-up-my-day/#comment-222537 Nick Mon, 28 Jul 2008 07:23:46 +0000 http://architectures.danlockton.co.uk/?p=147#comment-222537 I will never, ever buy another Epson product, even if i live to 100. Im going to throw away mine right now and get a NON Epson one. This type of resource rape should be made illegal, i believe a colour printer should print more than 10 pages before screaming at you that its empty when it obviously is not. Epson has ensured that it will go bust in the next few years. Bye Epson, and good riddance. I will never, ever buy another Epson product, even if i live to 100. Im going to throw away mine right now and get a NON Epson one. This type of resource rape should be made illegal, i believe a colour printer should print more than 10 pages before screaming at you that its empty when it obviously is not. Epson has ensured that it will go bust in the next few years. Bye Epson, and good riddance.

]]> By: Doug in Lewes http://architectures.danlockton.co.uk/2006/10/21/epson-messes-up-my-day/#comment-218803 Doug in Lewes Tue, 22 Jul 2008 22:36:07 +0000 http://architectures.danlockton.co.uk/?p=147#comment-218803 Reset your empty cartridge with this piece of hardware that resets the chip http://www.ink-cartridges-uk.co.uk/products.php?cat=2049 The chip measures what ink is used rather than what's in the cartridge and gives a calculated figure for the cartridge. It's really useful if a cleaning cycle uses the last of one colour cartridge and you just want to print a text document in black. But do remember that the cleaning cycles will eventually exhaust the cartridge completely if you reset the chip. Reset your empty cartridge with this piece of hardware that resets the chip http://www.ink-cartridges-uk.co.uk/products.php?cat=2049

The chip measures what ink is used rather than what’s in the cartridge and gives a calculated figure for the cartridge.

It’s really useful if a cleaning cycle uses the last of one colour cartridge and you just want to print a text document in black.

But do remember that the cleaning cycles will eventually exhaust the cartridge completely if you reset the chip.

]]> By: Bloggers’ letters to EPSON CEO: A lot of people hate Epson printer! http://architectures.danlockton.co.uk/2006/10/21/epson-messes-up-my-day/#comment-203388 Bloggers’ letters to EPSON CEO: A lot of people hate Epson printer! Tue, 10 Jun 2008 18:58:29 +0000 http://architectures.danlockton.co.uk/?p=147#comment-203388 [...] Epson messes up My Day, http://architectures.danlockton.co.uk/2006/10/21/epson-messes-up-my-day/ [...] [...] Epson messes up My Day, http://architectures.danlockton.co.uk/2006/10/21/epson-messes-up-my-day/ [...]

]]> By: John http://architectures.danlockton.co.uk/2006/10/21/epson-messes-up-my-day/#comment-201830 John Fri, 06 Jun 2008 22:38:27 +0000 http://architectures.danlockton.co.uk/?p=147#comment-201830 I've found a solution to dampen my Epson headache somewhat. Go on Ebay and buy a resetter (kind of what Mike Lynch mentioned) This small device connects to the chip on an ink cartridge and will reset the ink level. Even if your cartridges become empty you can use them when you run a cleaning cycle to save ink that doesn't have to be wasted, just keep the defective colour in the printer. Also on Ebay are loads of people selling cheap ink, I got 2 complete sets of six colours (for R265) paid and delivered to my home within days for less than £20, this saved me over £40!!!! I've now got my printer up and working again!! Good luck I’ve found a solution to dampen my Epson headache somewhat. Go on Ebay and buy a resetter (kind of what Mike Lynch mentioned) This small device connects to the chip on an ink cartridge and will reset the ink level.

Even if your cartridges become empty you can use them when you run a cleaning cycle to save ink that doesn’t have to be wasted, just keep the defective colour in the printer.

Also on Ebay are loads of people selling cheap ink, I got 2 complete sets of six colours (for R265) paid and delivered to my home within days for less than £20, this saved me over £40!!!!

I’ve now got my printer up and working again!!

Good luck

]]> By: Anonymous http://architectures.danlockton.co.uk/2006/10/21/epson-messes-up-my-day/#comment-201015 Anonymous Thu, 05 Jun 2008 02:52:04 +0000 http://architectures.danlockton.co.uk/?p=147#comment-201015 I was hoping to find a way to circumvent this problem here but I see the Epson owners share my contempt and anger. It's 11pm and I need documents printed for work tomorrow! Hey Epson, eat my ass!!!! I was hoping to find a way to circumvent this problem here but I see the Epson owners share my contempt and anger. It’s 11pm and I need documents printed for work tomorrow! Hey Epson, eat my ass!!!!

]]> By: Dawn http://architectures.danlockton.co.uk/2006/10/21/epson-messes-up-my-day/#comment-200901 Dawn Wed, 04 Jun 2008 20:43:13 +0000 http://architectures.danlockton.co.uk/?p=147#comment-200901 Oh--- EpsonCX7400-- what a scam. I keep buying and buying ink, and I never use it. I just keep feeding my printer with color ink so it will print in black and white! I did just discover that if I take the cartrige out and shake it really good and put it back in, it will sometimes register as having ink. I guess the catriges themselves are also part of the scam! Never again will I get taken by Epson! Oh— EpsonCX7400– what a scam. I keep buying and buying ink, and I never use it. I just keep feeding my printer with color ink so it will print in black and white! I did just discover that if I take the cartrige out and shake it really good and put it back in, it will sometimes register as having ink. I guess the catriges themselves are also part of the scam!
Never again will I get taken by Epson!

]]> By: Mike Lynch http://architectures.danlockton.co.uk/2006/10/21/epson-messes-up-my-day/#comment-200629 Mike Lynch Wed, 04 Jun 2008 00:09:57 +0000 http://architectures.danlockton.co.uk/?p=147#comment-200629 Just hit the same problem myself - how frustrating! And I totally agree, it is very bad design. There is a utility "SSC Service Utility" which allows you to re-program the ink counters in your epson printer. Unfortunately my model is not supported, you might have better luck though. Mike Just hit the same problem myself - how frustrating! And I totally agree, it is very bad design.

There is a utility “SSC Service Utility” which allows you to re-program the ink counters in your epson printer. Unfortunately my model is not supported, you might have better luck though.

Mike

]]> By: Marina http://architectures.danlockton.co.uk/2006/10/21/epson-messes-up-my-day/#comment-194455 Marina Fri, 16 May 2008 13:50:21 +0000 http://architectures.danlockton.co.uk/?p=147#comment-194455 Epson is completely rubbish. I have a C64 and the same problems, even with the SSC service utility which used to work. Completely fed up and hate Epson will never buy another. Epson please read this and take notes ... you seriously need to do something about this, if you don't I hope you go out of business! Epson is completely rubbish. I have a C64 and the same problems, even with the SSC service utility which used to work. Completely fed up and hate Epson will never buy another.
Epson please read this and take notes … you seriously need to do something about this, if you don’t I hope you go out of business!

]]> By: John (who now hates Epson) http://architectures.danlockton.co.uk/2006/10/21/epson-messes-up-my-day/#comment-193442 John (who now hates Epson) Mon, 12 May 2008 12:21:42 +0000 http://architectures.danlockton.co.uk/?p=147#comment-193442 I am well f*/ked off now with my printer!!!! Two of my colours ran low and was unable to replace them for over a month due to money problems. When I finally replaced them I replaced all but the black as they were nearly all low apart from the black which was half full. For some strange reason after changing all the other colours the black would not print at all. After running the cleaning cycle several times all of my new colours had run to 1/4 full and there was still nothing with the black. I switched it all off and came back to it 1 day later. Run a print job through it and the black was printing again but missing some lines, so I once again run the cleaning process... next the black ink ran out!!! I then went and bought another one to which the printer told me was incompatible!!! I then turned off all power and switched it back on again, the black was now working but the blues were now missing lines!!! So I ran another nozzle clean and now the printer is telling me 4 of my new colours have run out of ink!!!!! I will never but another Epson ever again, I've just wasted £30 on ink and have got nowhere... What a rip off.. I don't understand why when running a cleaning cycle it has to use ink on the colours that aren't defective, also why tell me that the ink has run out when previously there were no signs of it fading.. plus why stop me from using the printer altogether when just one colour has run out. This printer although new is headed for the skip... And I am not a happy chap... Epson.. you suck bug time. I am well f*/ked off now with my printer!!!! Two of my colours ran low and was unable to replace them for over a month due to money problems. When I finally replaced them I replaced all but the black as they were nearly all low apart from the black which was half full. For some strange reason after changing all the other colours the black would not print at all. After running the cleaning cycle several times all of my new colours had run to 1/4 full and there was still nothing with the black. I switched it all off and came back to it 1 day later. Run a print job through it and the black was printing again but missing some lines, so I once again run the cleaning process… next the black ink ran out!!! I then went and bought another one to which the printer told me was incompatible!!! I then turned off all power and switched it back on again, the black was now working but the blues were now missing lines!!! So I ran another nozzle clean and now the printer is telling me 4 of my new colours have run out of ink!!!!! I will never but another Epson ever again, I’ve just wasted £30 on ink and have got nowhere… What a rip off..

I don’t understand why when running a cleaning cycle it has to use ink on the colours that aren’t defective, also why tell me that the ink has run out when previously there were no signs of it fading.. plus why stop me from using the printer altogether when just one colour has run out. This printer although new is headed for the skip… And I am not a happy chap…

Epson.. you suck bug time.

]]> By: ty http://architectures.danlockton.co.uk/2006/10/21/epson-messes-up-my-day/#comment-186594 ty Wed, 23 Apr 2008 14:37:24 +0000 http://architectures.danlockton.co.uk/?p=147#comment-186594 I have got an epson c46 printer and suffer the same problems as you guys are getting, but i've had this printer for 4 yrs now and while its very cheap on ink refills £ 12 for both carts then im happy putting up with it. my main use is for document printing only and have a hp printer for doing the photos. I have got an epson c46 printer and suffer the same problems as you guys are getting, but i’ve had this printer for 4 yrs now and while its very cheap on ink refills £ 12 for both carts then im happy putting up with it. my main use is for document printing only and have a hp printer for doing the photos.

]]> By: Roni Zogrus http://architectures.danlockton.co.uk/2006/10/21/epson-messes-up-my-day/#comment-183135 Roni Zogrus Sun, 06 Apr 2008 14:46:33 +0000 http://architectures.danlockton.co.uk/?p=147#comment-183135 I have the same problem, I think EPSON uses this as a "revenue spreading strategy" something like the software licensing fee, but at a more primitive, rubbish level. I'd join action against EPSON, i feel cheated after buying a Stylus DX7400, cartriges run out accurately once a week with very little printing, cost a fortune to replace and printer won't pring with just the cartridges it needs. What a SCAM, never buy EPSON products! I have the same problem, I think EPSON uses this as a "revenue spreading strategy" something like the software licensing fee, but at a more primitive, rubbish level. I’d join action against EPSON, i feel cheated after buying a Stylus DX7400, cartriges run out accurately once a week with very little printing, cost a fortune to replace and printer won’t pring with just the cartridges it needs. What a SCAM, never buy EPSON products!

]]> By: jason z http://architectures.danlockton.co.uk/2006/10/21/epson-messes-up-my-day/#comment-149267 jason z Wed, 30 Jan 2008 06:25:40 +0000 http://architectures.danlockton.co.uk/?p=147#comment-149267 I can't say for sure if all Canon's behave nicely, but my 4200 will print B&W if a color tank is dry. I believe it even gives you the opportunity to continue printing a document in progress if a tank runs out during the print cycle, though it warns you that you might damage your printer by doing so. I can’t say for sure if all Canon’s behave nicely, but my 4200 will print B&W if a color tank is dry. I believe it even gives you the opportunity to continue printing a document in progress if a tank runs out during the print cycle, though it warns you that you might damage your printer by doing so.

]]> By: salehin http://architectures.danlockton.co.uk/2006/10/21/epson-messes-up-my-day/#comment-138891 salehin Sat, 05 Jan 2008 14:18:12 +0000 http://architectures.danlockton.co.uk/?p=147#comment-138891 because there is a stupid cleaning cycle programmed each time you turn on your printer. the printer clean the head each time you turn it on. and this causes color loss. @ Angela Chadwick I got a Epson C59. and I cant reset the ink cartridges with the SSC utility 4.30. It would be very helpful if anyone can tell me step by step what and how to do it. help plz. anyone. because there is a stupid cleaning cycle programmed each time you turn on your printer. the printer clean the head each time you turn it on. and this causes color loss. @ Angela Chadwick

I got a Epson C59. and I cant reset the ink cartridges with the SSC utility 4.30.
It would be very helpful if anyone can tell me step by step what and how to do it.

help plz. anyone.

]]> By: Angela Chadwick http://architectures.danlockton.co.uk/2006/10/21/epson-messes-up-my-day/#comment-138599 Angela Chadwick Fri, 04 Jan 2008 22:56:14 +0000 http://architectures.danlockton.co.uk/?p=147#comment-138599 Glad I've taken a look here. I have spent hours trying to figure out why my printer wont work. I am trying to print a letter. I now see the reason it wont print is because my Magenta Cartridge is emply - I mean who writes a letter in Magenta? That said I don't know how my colour cartridges run out in any event because I rarely print anything in colour. This is a mystery! Glad I’ve taken a look here.
I have spent hours trying to figure out why my printer wont work. I am trying to print a letter. I now see the reason it wont print is because my Magenta Cartridge is emply - I mean who writes a letter in Magenta? That said I don’t know how my colour cartridges run out in any event because I rarely print anything in colour. This is a mystery!

]]> By: Anonymous Poster http://architectures.danlockton.co.uk/2006/10/21/epson-messes-up-my-day/#comment-137392 Anonymous Poster Tue, 01 Jan 2008 04:20:53 +0000 http://architectures.danlockton.co.uk/?p=147#comment-137392 i have the same problem with my epson cx3500. it is only the printer driver which is the problem. if there is some hack out for the driver, you will be able to print with the cartridges which have ink. hurray to lexmark and canon, they let you print without other cartidges installed (if black is) in b&w. i have the same problem with my epson cx3500. it is only the printer driver which is the problem. if there is some hack out for the driver, you will be able to print with the cartridges which have ink. hurray to lexmark and canon, they let you print without other cartidges installed (if black is) in b&w.

]]> By: cam http://architectures.danlockton.co.uk/2006/10/21/epson-messes-up-my-day/#comment-123441 cam Sat, 24 Nov 2007 02:16:39 +0000 http://architectures.danlockton.co.uk/?p=147#comment-123441 I am as angry as I have been in a long time. My Epson stylus cx5000 has just stopped me twice in one day to replace color cartridges when I have always had my printer set for black only. I have found out now after the window of returnabality at office depot has closed that even when I print in black only, the printer cleans the color heads into a diaper. No one offered that info when I bought it and I talked long and hard to the salesman when I bought it. I have spent sixty dollars on color cartridges that I have not used. I have never believed in pirating or infringing on intellectual property but this is not inellectual. This is pure and simple pillaging of my resources and I will not let it happen. I am going to hack. I am going to look for a class action suit to join against Epson. I am going to tell everyone I know. I am going to promise support to the first printer company that will build their own refillable printer well. Somebody is going to make millions by doing this. We need a publicly owned printer protocol like an old Ford Tractor with lots of replaceable parts that will run forever. I will not apologize for my rant. I am angry enough to make a project out of this. I am as angry as I have been in a long time. My Epson stylus cx5000 has just stopped me twice in one day to replace color cartridges when I have always had my printer set for black only. I have found out now after the window of returnabality at office depot has closed that even when I print in black only, the printer cleans the color heads into a diaper. No one offered that info when I bought it and I talked long and hard to the salesman when I bought it. I have spent sixty dollars on color cartridges that I have not used. I have never believed in pirating or infringing on intellectual property but this is not inellectual. This is pure and simple pillaging of my resources and I will not let it happen. I am going to hack. I am going to look for a class action suit to join against Epson. I am going to tell everyone I know. I am going to promise support to the first printer company that will build their own refillable printer well. Somebody is going to make millions by doing this. We need a publicly owned printer protocol like an old Ford Tractor with lots of replaceable parts that will run forever. I will not apologize for my rant. I am angry enough to make a project out of this.

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