HP printer and Drivers

[SIW2]

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. :sarc:



(Installed Vista drivers and all is well )

 

[The Howling Wolves]

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

 

[SIW2]

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.

 

[The Howling Wolves]

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.

 

[Sardonicus]

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.

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.

 

[SIW2]

Well, you are very trusting.

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

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.

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.

 

[Britton30]

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.

 

[dogbert2]

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...

 

[theog]

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

 

[TVeblen]

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.

 

[SIW2]

No.

Because it works fine with earlier drivers.


Only the new drivers cause the problem - the machine says the cartridge is empty and refuses to do anything.

Reverting to Vista drivers all is ok.

HP have done something to the new drivers.

The point is - it is a refill cartridge.

My guess is there is something identifying it as having been refilled which the new drivers are picking up.

 

[dogbert2]

well, IMO, if the existing drivers (for printers/scanners) work fine, don't upgrade 'em.

On the other hand, stuff like LAN/Video, etc...that might be more of a benefit...

 

[SIW2]

Nobody seems to understand the point of this thread.

I must not have been very clear.

There are a couple of issues

1. Anyone having similar issues should be able to sort it out by using Vista drivers ( if it hadn't already crossed their mind )

2. Why is it that the new drivers cause this issue with refill cartridges, I wonder.

Anyone else having problems with refill cartridges and the new HP drivers?

 

[DeaconFrost]

I had that printer for a while, and gave it to a friend who's using it with Windows 7 and the Windows Update drivers. The cause is your refill cartridge. I worked for HP for 5 years in the past, and I can tell you honestly the ink they use is different than any other manufacturer, and isn't duplicated by anyone. Refills on HPs are always a crap shoot because of this, and I've seen far too many printers ruined (even non HP ones) by faulty or cheaply made refills. It just isn't worth the risk, in my opinion. Try using another refill or returning the one you got.

If it was a refill injection kit....stop using that all together. If you insist on buying refills, get the factory guaranteed ones.

It isn't a driver issue at all, but a quality of refill issue.

 

[SIW2]

It's a proper one - not refilled by me .

It isn't a driver issue at all, but a quality of refill issue.

Works fine with all except the most recent drivers.

The cause is your refill cartridge

Yes, that is the point of the thread.

This model ( and presumably the other models too ) - work fine if you buy the HP branded cartridges - as you point out.

However, in spite of the fact that they worked fine up till now with decent quality refills - the new drivers prevent it.

 

[DeaconFrost]

Do your cartridges have a small circuit board on them?

 

[SIW2]

Yes, they are original HP that have been refilled by Cartridge World (well known company here ) - they sell them like that.

The new drivers seem to be picking up that they are not brand new HP - that seems to be the issue.

The previous drivers don't mind.

From Wiki page

some inkjet printers will refuse to print with a cartridge that declares itself empty, to prevent consumers from refilling cartridges

If a 5ml cartridge retails at $15 , that is $8000 a gallon.

Official cartridges in this country are about three times that price.

 

[DeaconFrost]

Then they didn't reset the counter or reprogram the chip properly.

 

[SIW2]

Properly enough for everything - except the latest drivers - that is the entire point.

The new drivers are better at picking up if it is a regular new cartridge or not.

Perhaps there will be a way round that.

Cartridge World world don't know it yet.

I have had this cartridge for sveral months - hardly ever turn my printer on. Probably print a few dozen pages a year.

The ink business is interesting to say the least. Tens of billions of dollars at stake.

 

[DeaconFrost]

The ink is where the companies make their money. I wouldn't be surprised to see these "refill" houses go under in the coming years.