Ink Cartridges

[Quizmonster]

A short time ago, we bought a new Epson printer and just a few days back my partner fitted a (supposedly) "compatible" black ink cartridge. Now any request to print anything gets the message, "Ink cartridges cannot be recognised." It goes on, "Epson recommends..."
The thing is...this is no longer Epson's printer, it's OURS! As far as I'm concerned, what we choose to put in it is no business of theirs. If I buy a car from Ford, I do not expect them to insist I use BP fuel or to immobilise the vehicle if I don't. So, what can be done about it?
As the lady is away at the moment and I am a technology cretin, nothing will be done meantime about any advice I get here, but I would still be grateful for it anyway and thank you in advance.

[sara3]

I understood that Epson printers are chipped to only accept Epson cartridges.

[Count-A-Strong]

Yep, like me, you've found out the hard way that Epson printers only work with Epson refills.

[kayakamina]

QM1 I also have an Epson printer and had the same problem until I found THINK INK
cartridges for a third of the price and compatible with my printer.

[pauln90]

I have read that running the head cleaning utility a couple of times can sometimes help with this problem

[angiep429]

I have an epson printer and use Rymans cartridges in it, only ever had one cartridge that didn't work, I rang the helpline number they gave me a code, I went back to Rymans and they replaced it, the printer then ran with no problems.

[collette62]

Epson Printers only take Epson ink cartridges so the recommened price for the ink would be £15 - £20

[Charlie911]

Is this real? lol, okay in case it isn't.

The printer may belong to you but Epson is the manufacturer. The answer is obvious. Remove the suspicous cartridge and replace with and Epson one. It will then work. Unless of course, you know different!! ;-)

[Quizmonster]

Believe me, Charlie, it's real! As you can see, three answers above yours say Epson printers will work ONLY with Epson ink in them and two say OTHER cartridges also work.
Accordingly, I cannot imagine why you might think the question is some sort of joke. Obviously, putting Epson ink in will do the trick, but it's relatively expensive and the word, compatible, actually means something. Presumably those selling "compatible" cartridges which aren't compatible are doing so under false pretences.

Thanks to the rest of you for your responses. (I'll tell madam about your suggestion, K.)

[defenstrate]

you could try using ssc utilities, it replaces epson meglomanic power allowing you to freeze ink level so the printer can permanently think if full, very useful utilitie and i have never had a fault with it.
you will have to check if it compatable with your printer though

[defenstrate]

link for ssc utilities
http://www.ssclg.com/epsone.shtml

[TTG]

If you use refilled or recycled cartridges you run the risk of the printer system not detecting when the cartridge is empty. The system can begin to suck air in if the cartridge is left to completely empty. This can permenantly damage the system.

My HP printer went this way. I've learnt my lesson!

[eddiek]

I have used Epson printer for nearly 4 years & have used cheap compatibles from various online sites As long as the site states compatible / chipped etc I have had no problems. Printer is dx4400

[The Builder]

I had an Epson printer that did that Quizman ................ I threw it on the fire ........ it burnt well though :o)

[Quizmonster]

The blessed thing cost only about 30 quid, so I don't really care much if using compatibles wrecks it. I can't remember the exact technical words used, but we got rid of the previous printer because a message kept appearing saying that the "excess ink-collector was full" or some such problem before it just packed up. Why was it impossible for me just to empty the thing?
I think Epson would be perfectly within their 'rights' if they told me that using compatibles would invalidate my warranty or whatever, but I think they've got a darned cheek trying to PREVENT me from using them!
Thanks for the recent replies; all will be passed on to my resident technician tomorrow.

[postmanthe]

Like EDDIEK i have an Epson Dx4000 and have used compatible from INKREDIBLE for more than 4 years without any problem, so have my family and friends at about £28.00 for 4 full sets it's worth a punt. You can of course buy a Single set

[Hugh Spencer]

I have an Epson Stylus SX415 printer and I can buy original set of Epson cartridges through Amazon for £23.02 p&p free. I have had trouble with compatibles in the past so I decided to pay a little bit extra, hopefully, to avoid trouble.

[squarebear]

I found it cheaper to buy a new printer than get more ink when my last one dried out.

[Quizmonster]

That's precisely what annoys me, Squarebear, the modern tendency simply to chuck things away, even though there's nothing desperately wrong with them. We found that a technician could easily have repaired the earlier printer (ink tank problem) I mentioned above...at a cost of about £90.00! Hence the purchase of the new one for a third of the price and the original headed for landfill. Why aren't there little guys up and down the land FIXING such things at reasonable cost? They'd make a fortune.

[Quizmonster]

Obviously, I don't know whether any of you are still following this thread, but here is the final dénouement!
My partner returned today, had a look and suggested that the problem was probably just that the black cartridge had run out of ink. So, she replaced it with another compatible one and it worked...beautifully!
You'll be pleased to hear, K, that the replacement she already had to hand was a Think Ink one from Choice Stationery, who had charged us £6.75 for three cartridges. Those of you who said Epson would accept ONLY Epson cartridges need to think again, as there is definitely money to be saved.
Anyway, my thanks to all of you for your assistance.