HP PSC multifunction printer won't function

Hoho, I'm back and with goodies to share.

Came across this letter by Saradhi Motamarri. He saw an ad for a HP PSC printer, liked what he read, and bought the gizmo. And that's when his fantasy ended. In order for the printer to work, he needs to have both black and colour cartridges inserted. If either cartridge is missing, the thingamajig absolutely won't work, not even the fax or scan functions.

I didn't know that you need ink to fax or scan!!!

Mr. Motamarri, may I suggest that you take a look at some awesome non-HP alternatives, like those refill kits. Heck, if you can afford those pricey cartridges, you can also probably afford that new-fangled machine by Inké. It'll refill your cartridge and keep you chugging away, while HP sobs at its lost revenue.

Take back the power, man!

Tags: inkjet, inkjet cartridge, inkjet refill, HP, Epson, Canon, Lexmark

HP's new printers

Associated Press reports that HP has launched a new line of inkjet printers.

The first printer with a printing head made with the new technology will be a $199 machine that can print a 4-by-6-inch photo in 14 seconds. It goes on sale later this month.

HP is following up this fall with a heavier-duty printer intended to supplant color laser printers for office use and a multifunction machine that also scans and faxes.

Later, the article states:

HP also addressed the price issue Monday, saying a 4x6 print can cost as little as 24 cents for customers who buy its "value packs," which combine paper and ink. That makes it competitive with Main Street photofinishers who print on traditional silver halide paper.

Really? That cheap, huh? I'll wait and see. I wonder how much of that 24 cents goes into the ink alone. And how did they come to that magic number anyway?

Tags: inkjet, inkjet cartridge, inkjet refill, HP, Epson, Canon, Lexmark

Choosing your Printing Medium

Most inkjet and laser printers can print on a variety of surfaces, including labels, photo paper, business cards, stickers, and t-shirt transfers. However, most of your printing probably involves old-fashioned white paper and, when it comes to this medium, you may have more options than you realize. One of the advantages of laser printers is their ability to print well on almost any paper; if you own an inkjet printer, though, you should choose your paper carefully.

Inkjet printer paper
Although standard all-purpose paper will do the job, your results will probably be better if you use paper specifically made for inkjet printers. The quality of your printout is affected by two major factors: brightness and absorption.

Brightness
When a type of paper is advertised as being brighter than average, that really means that the surface of the paper is smoother than average: it’s the smoothness of the page that determines how much light is reflected from it, which, in turn, determines how bright your images appear on the page. The brighter (or smoother) the printer paper, the better your printout will look.

Absorption
Similarly, the less ink that is absorbed by the printer paper, the better your document will look: as the paper absorbs ink, the tiny dots on the page feather, or spread outside of their borders. This causes the edges of images and text on the page to look fuzzy and soggy. To counteract this problem, better printer papers are coated with a waxy substance that prevents the ink from being absorbed by the paper. Since coated paper allows for much more precise detail in a print job, some printers will print at a higher resolution on coated paper than on standard paper.

Courtesy from inkject cartridge world
Tags: inkjet, inkjet cartridge, inkjet refill, HP, Epson, Canon, Lexmark

Different Types of Inkjet Printers

Inkjet printers

Advantages:

• Small
• Inexpensive
• Quiet
• Good for personal use
• Able to print in color

Disadvantages:

• Slow (might be a thing in the past)
• Pages can smear if handled too soon.

Laser Printers

Advantages:

• Fast
• Sharp printouts
• Professional quality
• Many have built in memory for fancy graphics and fonts

Disadvantages:

• Expensive
• Most cannot print in colour

Multifunction Printer:

Advantages:

• Convenient
• Relatively inexpensive
• Save desk space
• Efficient

Disadvantages:

• Don't do any single task particularly well
• Whole machine can become useless if one element malfunctions

Portable printers

Advantages:

• Lightweight
• Very small
• Travel easily

Disadvantages:

• Ink cartridges need replacing frequently
• Expensive batteries need charging after about 90 pages

Tags: inkjet, inkjet cartridge, inkjet refill, HP, Epson, Canon, Lexmark

Continuous Ink Supply System

For other people which are thinking of using the Continuous Ink Supply System, Here is some unbiased advise from an end use like me.

Continuous Ink Supply System. (Advantages)
- The Cost of printing will go cheaper the more you print.
- Suitable for large and continuous printout.
- Decrease the downtime for changing the cartridge

Continuous Ink Supply System (Disadvantages)
- Initial installement cost is high.
- You must be technical savvy and have a good knowledge of your printer mechanisms.
- Good priming is needed for the tubing for the initial installation and the re-inking if the bulk ink tank is finished.

Anyway, all this is up to the end-user to see if they would be interested to use the continuous ink supply system. but for me, personally i would not be getting this type of printer. unless i am printing a lot of photos, which i dont need it anyway.

Tags: inkjet, inkjet cartridge, inkjet refill, HP, Epson, Canon, Lexmark

Inkjet Cartridges Recycling Program

Hello, just came to wonder who really does recycle their original inkjet cartridge (either laser or inkjet) after they have use finish it. This is what i have found out from a source that there are a few programs out the by the Original Manufacturers

Epson_-_cooperation with Funding Factory, recently launched a free recycling program for its customers. Schools and businesses can get points for collecting and remitting empty cartridges to Epson. However, the cartridges are not remanufactured or refilled. They are incinerated. To be fair, mention must be made that the incineration is at an environmentally friendly waste-to-energy plant; however, it’s easy to see that Epson is the big winner in this recycling effort. Their recycling plan takes cartridges out of the hands of remanufacturing plants that can offer less expensive remanufactured compatible cartridges to the consumer.

Hewlett Packard_-_More than 1.8 million HP inkjet cartridges were recycled in 2003. Unfortunately, for the consumer, plastics and metal from the HP cartridges are also disassembled and made into new products. Other components are “used to generate energy or are disposed of in an environmentally responsible manner.”

Canon_-_They have several options for recycling toner cartridges, including a single return option, an up-to-eight multiple return option, and a bulk return option. Whichever you choose, a shipping label can be downloaded directly from their website. Return shipping via UPS is pre-paid by the company. It appears from many recycling and other eco-friendly programs displayed on their website, that Canon is a leader in environmental stewardship, however to date they have no recycling program in place for inkjet cartridges.

Lexmark_-_Their recycling program is 100% free, as are the other printer manufacturer recycling programs. Customers request a kit using an online order form. Lexmark pays the postage both ways.However, there is one major difference between Lexmark’s program and the programs of the other print giants. Lexmark works with Planet Ark and Close the Loop in Australia to ensure every collected cartridge is remanufactured or recycled. In addition, they have similar recycling programs in Latin American and South Africa. In Europe, every purchase of a Lexmark high-volume cartridge comes with a postage-paid recycling bag included.

Although all these big companies have great programs for recycling the cartridges and save our big O Mother nature. But i think they are just wasting their resources. Their cartridges are still good to use for another dont know how many round for god sake.

From my point of view, everyone must do their part in helping to save the enviroment. Re-use the original cartridges and use it till the cartridges is not able to perform. Then you will be looking into how to recycle that useless piece of plastic.

Just a 2 cents of my views


Tags: inkjet, inkjet cartridge, inkjet refill, HP, Epson, Canon, Lexmark

Cost per Print for Inkjet & Laser Printer

Dear All,

After i have done all this information search on the pros and cons on the net regarding Laser printer. It has come across my mind whether Laser printer is really that good or not. Therefore, i have done a research between HP laser Printer and HP Inkjet Printer to see whether which is more viable for me.

Since i will be mostly using black and white printout for my work. For my convenience, i will be looking around the same specs and price.
Situation 1
HP LaserJet 1020 Printer_-_Cost $USD $179.99/-
Black print speed_-_Up to 15 ppm (Page Per Minute)
Black print resolution_-_Up to 600 x 600 dpi (1200 dpi effective output)=============================================
Cartridge_-_HP LaserJet Q2612A Black Print Cartridge_-_Cost $USD $69.99/-
Average cartridge yield (letter)_-_2,000 standard pages (Based on 5% coverage)
Cost per Print_-_USD $0.034995/-


Situation 2
HP Deskjet 6840 Printer_-_Cost USD $179.99/-
Black print speed_-_Up to 30 ppm (Page Per Minute)
Black print resolution_-_Up to 1200 rendered dpi black
=============================================
Cartridge_-_HP 96 Black Inkjet Print Cartridge with Vivera Ink (C8767WN)_-_USD $29.99/-A
verage cartridge yield (letter)_-_800 standard pages (Based on 5% coverage)
Cost per Print_-_USD $0.0374875/-

Therefore, after i have done a research like this, the only think i have found that, the cost of printing is roughly the same for both type of printer. The difference is laser printer can print more paper. But it also cost more to buy one laser toner cartridge.

So, for the inkjet wise, to print 2,000 standard pages, the cost will be USD $74.975/-
hmmm....given a situation like this. the costing will be somehow the same. but that is in theory. In Practical terms, i would have to get 3 HP 96 cartridges in order to get 2,400 pages of standard printout. Which means my cost will be USD $89.97/-

Given another senerio, i would buy 3rd party ink and pump it into my original cartridge. (Which i believe the printhead wouldnt gave up on me so easily)

hm....after checking through the net, searching for a better alternative that can give me the best "value" for money.So...i bought an automatic refill system (one time cost) which it will couple an ink tank which can roughly fill my original cartridge 2.476 time. This will cost me around USD $50/-So with this, i calculate my cost.

1 Original HP 96 Cartridge cost_-_USD $29.99/-
The Auto Refill System cost_-_USD $50.00/-
Total costing_-_USD $79.99/-

Total ink i have HP 96 (21ml) + refill ink Tank (52ml) = 73mlML (mililitres per standard page)_-_0.02625
Therefore, i could print 2,780 pages

Cost per Print_-_USD $0.028763527/- (!!!!!!WOW!!!!!!)

In this aspect, i would have save much much more per printout as compared to the laser printer. As usual, i would say that this is from my personal view on how i could try to save on my own cost. If you have a better ways to get around to a problem. Feel free give me feedbacks. I would love to hear from you. As you know, who wouldn't want to save cost?

Tags: inkjet, inkjet cartridge, inkjet refill, HP, Epson, Canon, Lexmark

InkCycle gives HP some money

Read this from ZDNet:

InkCycle said it has paid HP an undisclosed sum as part of the settlement. The patents cover the ink found in refurbished cartridges that are compatible with HP cartridges numbered 49, 57 and 78. HP initially filed the lawsuit in March after it discovered that refilled inkjet cartridges sold under the Staples brand contained patent-infringing ink.

The article lists the following numbers of HP-owned patents:

• 9,000 patents related to imaging and printing
• 4,000 of them for consumable supplies such as ink and cartridges
• 200 patents with specifics on ink

This is an amazing number of patents! And all along, I thought that carbon + water + color pigment = ink.

Tags: inkjet, inkjet cartridge, inkjet refill, HP, Epson, Canon, Lexmark, InkCycle, patent

What bad is there in when using Laser Printer?

I am using Laser Printer in the office and found that while printing, there's a smell coming out from the printer. Wondering whether it is good for health. i done a search through the net and this is what i found. (up to individual to believe)

The smells is classified into 3 things:

(a) mutagenic and/or carcinogenic compounds contained (and thereby released into the atmosphere) in the toner;

"Material Safety Data Sheets" from one particular Printer company. (i do not wish to name) These list under "hazardous ingredients" Ferrosoferricoxide, Styrene Acryic resin, "dye" and carbon black.

The toxicity of the oxide is described as zero. That of the resin as being rendered biologically inert by the polymerisation process. The "dye" is not discussed. Carbon black has been subject to toxicity and carcinogenic exposure experiments. One view is that while carbon black particulates contain some molecules of carcinogenic materials, the carcinogens areapparently held tightly and are not eluted by water, gastric juices orblood plasma.

Using a bacterial assay technique, extracts from several different photocopies were shown to be mutagenic. The evidence, they suggest, is that compounds in the toners used are responsible for this mutagenic activity.

(b) poisonous compounds on the drum; and

Not much on the drum compounds. Describes thepossible hazards associated with the use of photocopiers, and presentsrecommendations. Among subjects considered is the photoconductor (selenium).

(c) toxic gasses generated by the high electrical discharges involved.

Several people pointed to the dangers inherent in the production of ozone and oxygen radicals. Someone mentioned that the CaXXX LBP-8 engine uses a copper wool catalytic filter. Besides warning of the possible health hazards of chemicals used in toners (carbon black with aromatic polycyclic hydrocarbons and nitropyrenes,thermoplastic resins) and the evidence for mutagenic and carcinogeniceffects of these toners, also covers the effects of ozone, seleniumand organic solvents on health.

God Bless to all Office Worker and Users

Tags: inkjet, inkjet cartridge, inkjet refill, HP, Epson, Canon, Lexmark, laser printer

Mozilla Firefox

Been using Firefox, check on their uses and decided to think that it is much much betther than using the microsoft version.

Similarities:

1. Using about the same stuff (interface is roughly the same, the function is also the same)

Why Switch?

1. Security - Microsoft Internet Explorer is the main target for hackers and virus writer. Therefore, microsoft has been issuingpatches after patches,updates after updates to upgrade its security loopholes and it vulnerabilities. What this will post for the end-users is the constant upgrade is needed. (Which most of them do not have the time or the awareness to do that.)
2. Focus - This doesnt means that Firefox browser is safe. Just that the hackers do not focus their attention on it. But if Firefox ever comes to be popular, this situation might be different.
3. Tabbed Browsing - Most noticeable difference for the Firefox. Minimise the desktop space. Very good
4. Built-in pop-up blocker - This is also a very niche features for the Firefox. This has become so good that microsoft also copy their concept and have put it up on the patches in the window updates section.
5. Cross-platform application - Can use with any Operating System. Good ley!
6. Firefox extensions - This means the browser has an almost unlimited number of features. (Upgradeable)
7. No security zones, no digital signatures, no active X controls. ha...isnt it good?

Tags: inkjet, inkjet cartridge, inkjet refill, HP, Epson, Canon, Lexmark, Mozilla, Firefox

Lenovo: Dell talks trash

Lenovo hit back at Dell for something that one of Dell's employee said:

According to China Daily, an English-language newspaper based in Beijing, a Dell account manager named "Chris" sent an email to a customer saying that sales of IBM machines are "directly supporting/funding the Chinese government."

Apparently, every Chinese and their toddlers got into a frenzy over this.

Lenovo receives subsidies from the Chinese government, Dell receives trade favors from the U.S. government. I think it's all a case of the pot calling the kettle black, but I'm not saying who's the pot and who's the kettle.

All I'm saying is this:
I WANT MY FRIGGIN' CHEAP INKJET CARTRIDGES!!!

Tags: inkjet, inkjet cartridge, inkjet refill, HP, Epson, Canon, Lexmark