Printer Ink Problem

[Vikefantam]

We bought a Kodak "all in one printer" when I started working frome home. Now we're having an issue with the ink and I found out why. It's an inkjet printer. What happens is that the ink is on a timer, so even if you print very little, like me, it will still show after a certain amount of time that you're out of black ink. Now, you replace the black ink and it still won't print because even though you've never used your color cartridge, it says that you're out of color too (I've tried pulling out the cartridges, shaking them and putting them back in, doesn't work). Is anyone aware of a way to bypass this?

Thanks in advance!

[DeeEss57]

Is anyone aware of a way to bypass this?

Buy an HP?



Dawn
Remind me not to buy a Kodak printer
http://mn-duluth.myminicity.com/

[Cliff]

Before doing any of this you should know this article doesn't necessarily apply to you since you didn't say what model printer you actually have (I'm sure kodak has more than one "all in one" model). This problem sounds like yours though so I bet even if it's not the same model it's the same problem.

We bought a Kodak "all in one printer" when I started working frome home. Now we're having an issue with the ink and I found out why. It's an inkjet printer. What happens is that the ink is on a timer, so even if you print very little, like me, it will still show after a certain amount of time that you're out of black ink. Now, you replace the black ink and it still won't print because even though you've never used your color cartridge, it says that you're out of color too (I've tried pulling out the cartridges, shaking them and putting them back in, doesn't work). Is anyone aware of a way to bypass this?

Thanks in advance!

I googled it for ya and came up with this article. Looks like your printer has some bad software.

http://www.fixya.com/support/t346115-ko ... _ink_error

Problem from that site:

Error says "COLOR INK CARTRIDGE EMPTY. REPLACE COLOR INK CARTRIDGE". I did that....the error won't clear from the printer.

I went online to Kodak's site to troubleshoot. It suggested removing and reinserting the cartridge. Did that. Error still won't clear.

Then is said to remove both ink cartridges and the print head. Clean with soft damp cloth. Let all dry and then reinsert. Did that and Error still won't clear.

I can't even turn it off unless I unplug it. I've tried that to see if it would recalibrate and of course not.

The other troubleshooting suggestion was to update the software/drivers/whatever technical term should be. I tried that and still no luck.

PLEASE HELP ME!!! I actually do LOVE the quality of my photos from this printer.

I appreciate your help.

Possible Solution #1:

OK so i found some new information that should solve the problem. The version of firmware you originally had on the printer when you changed the ink cartridge was bad. There is a known issue that when you put in a new ink cartridge when the printer is in the error state "COLOR INK CARTRIDGE EMPTY. REPLACE COLOR INK CARTRIDGE" the unit writes that value to the new ink cartridge so you will continue to have that error. So to fix your problem First Remove the ink cartridges and download and install the new Firmware. Then sadly you have to go get another new ink tank and install it.

If you can get through to kodak you should request reimbursement of some sort like a free set of ink tanks.

Possible Solution #2:

I contacted Kodak by email and eventually they suggested sending us a new print head. And it worked! So stay persistent and if they don't respond to you, tell them that you're going to return the printer to them and never buy any other Kodak products. Seemed to be the magic words.

If all that sounds like too much trouble to you I suggest getting a Brother. I've had mine for over a year. Ink is pretty cheap and I haven't had any problems at all with it. Whatever printer you buy (if you buy one) if I were you I'd do more research on it. It sounds like you bought a printer designed for printing photos when you primarily print documents ... it's not that it's terrible or anything that you did that ... but you can find printers that will use less ink and print documents faster if that's specifically what it's designed for.

[Vikefantam]

Thanks, everyone for the information. It's an Easyshare 5100. My neighbor is the one who told me about the problem. We usually do research stuff before we buy, but kind of needed the printer at the last minute and didn't look into it. I'll contact Kodak with my complaint.

Thanks again!

[DeeEss57]

Thanks, everyone for the information. It's an Easyshare 5100. My neighbor is the one who told me about the problem. We usually do research stuff before we buy, but kind of needed the printer at the last minute and didn't look into it. I'll contact Kodak with my complaint.

Thanks again!

Good luck with the printer. There's nothing more annoying than to have constant technical problems with anything.

I've had pretty good luck with most of the printers I've owned. The only exception was an Epson. Never had any problems with the Canon or HP I've had. And the HP I have now prints pictures really well, even with regular ink on regular paper.


Dawn
http://mn-duluth.myminicity.com/

[glg]

Inkjets are a bit of a scam. They're sold as a "loss leader". The company sells you the printer for less then it costs them, because you're then locked into buying their ridiculously overpriced cartridges, so they make their money back that way. (kinda like how grocery stores will sell pop at a loss, figuring you'll buy chips with it)

I switched to a b&w laser fax/copier/printer earlier this year and it's been great. Toner carts don't dry up if not used fast enough like inkjet carts do. I do have the benefit of not needing a picture printer, I just upload to Walgreen's and walk over there in an hour.