Windows 7 - HP printer and Drivers

Anybody using an HP printer with refill cartridges.?

If you are - did you use the HP drivers offered by Windows update?

On my HP psc1210 - they claim the cartridge is empty.

It is not empty - it is a quite new refill cartridge.

I wonder why that is.



(Installed Vista drivers and all is well )

SIW2,
I have an old reliable HP deskjet 6122 and get all my cartridges from 1ink.com.
When I went to Vista then to Windows 7, I downloaded the new driver 990c that worked ok but lost the tool box with told me my ink level.
Now I can only check the levels by opening and closing the lid when the power is on.
It prints a page showing me how each color is working.

Looks like you have you problem solved.
THW

I was curious if that was a deliberate move by HP.

Trying to make it hard to use refill cartridges.

Wouldn't be in the least bit surprised.

The ink business is enormous.

Buying ink is almost as expensive as the printer itself...Especially the HP Ink!
That's why I went to 1ink.com....Probably other cheaper outlets but I am happy with the quality where I am at.

I think it has more to do with the software. Vista software from manufacturers retained much of the features that were included in the XP versions. However the transition from Vista to Windows 7 has seen more scaled down software. Things you'll normally expect in the XP and Vista software may not be found in the Windows 7 versions.

Regarding the refill cartridges, it matters what type of printing you do. There can be a big cost betweeen monochrome versus color printing......inkjet versus laserjet.

Well, you are very trusting.

I am not at all convinced - knowing what the ink business is like.

I read a PC Magazine article about how printesr are not at all near accurate when it tells you a cartridges is emprty. Worse yet is some printer will stop working unless your replace the ink, and the cartridge may have as much as 40% of original fill left in it.
It is a "game" to sell ink. I have a HP printer too, bleah.

This is nothing new, as printers have taken the 'razors and blades' approach to marketing. I happen to own a Epson Stylus CX4200 (which is a few years old), has drivers for XP/2003/Vista/Win 7 (I use the scanner more than the printer). I recently installed refilled cartridges from Cartridge World (cost me $35.44 for 4 cartridges), and since I have the printer set for 'black ink only' and use draft printing (I can always change it), it works pretty well (prints fine, no smearing/lines, etc).

Wal-mart wanted between $62-68 for new ink (the cartridges hold a whopping 17ml of ink) whereas most cartridges today hold 10ml (or less). Given a choice, I'll save 40-50% on refills, than on brand new ink, thank you... :P

Same Problem with HP printer on Windows 7 x64, seems to be OK on x86

My understanding is that many ink cartridges have a chip on them that simply "counts" the amount of ink that is dispensed, and this is how ink levels are determined. And I believe (if I understand correctly) that these level counts are kept tallied on the cartridge but read in the printer. That counter should reset when you replace a cartridge, but if it doesn't (generic cartridge, poor contacts) then it will continue to read empty when it is actually full.

Canon, Dell, and HP cartridges are normally not a problem though.
Epson cartridges have a built-in counter chip, however it is possible to purchase a "chip resetter" to make the level indicator functional.
Lexmark cartridges employ a built-in counter chip that can't be reset.
Brother cartridges generally lack any chip and are just a box of ink.

Maybe your particular HP model has a counter chip and it needs to be reset.