Printer ink

i thought you could go into the control panel, then printer settings and set something so that you could get a status on ink level. i can't seem to find that right now, though.

the other thing i've done is simply pull them out and shke them a bit. if they feel or seem empty, then they're empty. a full one will be heavier and you should be able to tell pretty easily.

it's very possible that one of the compartments is empty and the other two still relatively full. this happens a lot, especially when printing documents and text together. i'm a big fan of HP printers, but this is one area where i fell they could use some improvement. separate cartridges for each color would be nice.

i'll poke around and see if i can find out anything else. you might also try re-installing the printer software, if you still have the CD (or you can download it at hp.com). the ink level monitor, now that i think about it, is probably found somewhere in there.

>>>The manual says to look in the HP 950C Toolbox to see how to clean the  heads, but when I follow directions to get to the tool box, it ain' there.<<<

i'm at work now and networked to a laser printer, but i'll check mine at home tonight. if i remember, it might be necessary to go through a couple of boxes (advanced options or maintenance, something like that) to get there.

I've got an HP it has a color cartridge and a black cartridge.  Windows word print instruction let you print with color of black cartridge (on gray scale).  If you print documents that have both color and black, like a blue inbeded INTERNET site, then the printers all default to color and generate the black by using multiple color spray.  I always use Grey scale.

Now, regarding the ink left in the cartridge.  Many software packages do this.  Unfortunate it is a software thing, that means it is not accurate.  The software on your word processor package or on you ink jet printer, will "count the pages" that you printed.  It knows about the number of pages that you can print, and keeps that ratio up to date.  So when it says your printer cartridge is 1/4 full, it means that you printed enough pages that most people would use to spray 75% of the ink.

Routinely I get twice the amount of pages as I use "fast draft" and print in "Grey scale".

You only know it is dead when the print quality starts to drop.

By the way HP is the only printer to buy for home use.  It is not announced but they have a 100 percent guarantee.  If it fails and you call they will send you a brand new one free.  They also send you  an apology for the breaking and a thank you  note.  It just doesn't get better, sort of the Leupold of printers.

BEAR

SS -

my apologies - i can't seem to find it now either. i'll keep looking, but unfortunately i am not hopeful.

the only thing left that i can think of is to re-install the software that came with the printer. my cd was lost long ago and i think that the driver downloaded from the website did NOT have any of the extras like the ink monitor etc.

p.s. - sorry about your wife losing her job to "outsourcing."

 

guys -if anyone else has any ideas, post them here!

I have an HP Desk Jet 3940. With my old computer (Widows XP) it had a pop up that monitored ink level with every printing. Now that it's connected to the reviled Vista I never see it. RD

Edited by Rockydog

I have worked in the construction industry and heavy industry all my life, when NAFTA was ratified and came into effect I said then and will say it now in MY opinion it is the ruin of middle class America, it allowed large companies to move operations outside the US i.e. Mexico where labor is cheap and the enviromental regulations are much more relaxed, what it really did was allow large corporations to bring the products back into the US without having to pay any dutiy or import fees. IMOP there has been for years and still is a governmental plan to reduce the middle class in our country, I have come to the opinion that the plan is for us middle class working folks to be on par with all the rest of the worlds working class which is much lower incomes and a far lower standard of living. My point of this rant is the outsourceing thing going on, here in Florida if I need to make a change that involves my Personel records I call a 800 number and talk to someone in INDIA. WTF is happening here? American workers are expected to be first class employees, loyal and hard working, IMOP outsourcing kills all that, I dont have the answer to this, But I will vote for FRED! I do think he sometimes displays the fact that he does have some common sense and I will support him on those grounds if for no other reason.

SS I am sorry about your wifes job loss and I HAVE done the INDIA thing, even been reprimanded for being rude and hanging up on one none english speaking B*#!h that had no idea of what I needed or was tring to convey to her, can you feel my frustrations? I do know your feelings.

 

OK I am done.

 

Rick