Expert: Rundletech - 10/10/2006

Question
After sitting idol for a few weeks, the printer would not print any colors other than blue.  The power is okay, communication to PC is okay, scan function works okay.  Some of ink cartridges were low, but with ample ink.  Tried head cleaning function, head alignment, multiple times with no success.  Replaced ink cartridges with a full set of new ink, charged ink system and tried again, but same problem - only blue.   Acts as though the print head may be clogged, but reluctant to get into the printer for fear of damage.
Any suggestions?  Thanks  

Answer
Hello Bob,
These printers Epson and Canon have peizo printheads which have two micro screens. What happens is the ink builds up over the screens and dries thus clogging the ink from flowing through. The older Epsons and Canons you could drip alcohol down the nozzles to desolve the dried ink. But the problem is the chiped cartridges on the Epsons you can not remove them because they will not reactivate when you put them back in. So the best way to solve the problem is to replace the printheads. This is costly of course.  Canon in fact their printheads once clogged and use while they clog purposely burn out. To prolong the clogging of these machines you have to run clean cycles after each use (costly).
My recommendation is get rid of it and buy an HP. I have found the HP's give less grief then any other printer on the market.