Printer: My Epson C64 series Photo Edition printer, at least 5 years old, is kaput so I'll need a new one, but not an all singing/dancing one, just mainly for printing documents, so can anyone suggest a new Epson or Hewlett Packard model? Ta Muchly.

[woodelf]

[Count-A-Strong]

Hi again woodelf. Have you heard about the new kodak printers. Apparently the replacement inks are less than £20 for both the colour and black and White ones. Hope this link works:
http://www.kodak.com/...rint/en_gb/index.html

[woodelf]

Hi to you again too Count and Many Thanks for your info, but I've been advised to get either an Epson or HP, so if you or anyone can help in this....?

[Hymie]

If you haven’t taken a hammer to the printer attempting to fix it – check out ebay for available software to resurrect the printer.

I had the same problem with my old C64 printer and chucked it in the bin – I later discovered that the printer has a ‘time-out’ within its software (so that you need to purchase another).

Of course the printer may have developed a genuine fault – but it would be worth paying £2 or £3 to try and get it to work again.
[A colleague managed to find the software free on the web, using it with success on his Epson printer]

Epson should be ashamed of themselves, in these environmentally sensitive times. The EU should make such features illegal within equipment sold within the EU.

[Hymie]

Otherwise - check out either of these two on ebuyer – before purchase, ensure that compatible cartridges are available on ebay at under £1 each.

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/178529

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/184765

[wildwood]

As the Count hinted, look out for the ink prices first and that the printer is compatible with your needs.

Hymie - where/how did you learn about the "time out" within the software for a printer?
Nothing surprises me anymore but it doesn't make sense to me as the manufacturers are heavily discounting the price of standard printers so that consumers keep buying their ink.

[Hymie]

Here is an example of the software available on ebay – before buying, ask what ‘**’ indicates.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk...N&hash=item3ef168439a

I think the reason that Epson and possibly others use software to end machine life is to encourage you to buy a new printer. Although there is very little (if any) profit in selling printers, it takes some time before cheap compatible inks become available – allowing the company to maximums profits on the consumables.

[woodelf]

Many Thanks for all your info guys. Isn't there a kind of restart procedure I could do? Ebay is a minefield of horrors for me, so I never go anywhere near it, as it's too difficult. And as for compatible inks, although they aren't as cheap as less than a quid, I buy mine from Pricestorm; good inks, good price and a very good service. Thanks again.