Pond Boss Forums GENERAL QUESTIONS Pond Boss Any computer geeks here? Printer Issue

Any computer geeks here that can help me out on something related to a printer?

I just received a reconditioned black ink cartridge for my HP Deskjet 840C. Removed the plastic tab, peeled off the tape and installed. The printer still won't print and the indicator lights seems to indicate it still thinks it's out of ink. There is also a tri-color cartridge which feels empty but I don't use any color with this printer and I don't believe it's been an issue before but could be wrong.

Could the fact that tricolor cartridge may be empty cause the printer to not want to engage?

I've tried several things such as turning the printer on and off, checking connections, etc etc. to no avail.

My computer geek is in Germany for a month with students and I can't reach her at the moment.

Thoughts?

I originally was set to buy both cartridges locally but the Walmart wanted over $70.00 for both and I didn't think I needed both. So I got two of the black ones for about $8.00 reconditioned on Ebay.

We had a couple of 1220C (11x17 capable for plans) that used the #78 tricolor cartidges...they get pricey.

Try to print a test page from the printer itself (not using the computer). The manual will tell you how. This will tell you for sure if it's the printer/cartidges or the computer/software/cable.

Oh yeah, did you snap down the little plastic hold down thing?

Yeah I did snap down the plastic hold down thing.

I'll see what I can do with the manual.

The second cartridge works fine. It's obviously the cartridge is defective or poor in quality. I see HP doesn't think much of the refills for reliability.

I'm not 100% but after looking at some forums it seems it's an HP issue. They want to make you buy as much ink as possible, so certain models won't print unless all cartridges have at least some ink in them. You can try to make sure your printing preferences are set to black and white but from what I read this doesn't help. Maybe someone else will have a better answer.

Thanks Jason. It's apparently the cartridge as the second one I bought works fine. At $8.00 for two I still came out ahead of what Walmart wants for both a tri-color and black and white. ($70.00 plus) I'll be sending it back for an exchange.

You might clean the contacts on the cartridge and printer. It also could be due the printer remembering the empty cartridge since each cartridge has its own number. You could try a different cartridge, maybe a couple of them. They don't have to be new. Sometimes it can take up to 3 different cartridges to get the printer to lose its memory.

Yeah they used the Polaroid/Henry Ford business plan...which works for awhile.

Re-filled cartridges are used. In most cases they aren't reconditioned even though the advertising asserts that they are. Understanding that, you certainly can use them but can expect an occasional clinker.

Oh, you already know that.

I bought a 1220C for a backup printer. I only used it for one project. It would not work if either cartridge is empty. I stored it at my sisters house (out in the garage) for a while, and a mouse filled it up with dog food, now it don't work . Still has the original color, and only on the second black cartridge.

The cartridge in my Laserjet 5000 (11x17) lasted over 6 years with everyday use. My Laserjet 5200 is going on 5 years, with not so heavy use.

I usually only print out drawings, and I hate waiting for printers