Printers

[granny grump]

I have an Epson Stylus DX3800 printer asnd for some reason the print is coming out uneven. When I print a page of text every few lines is feint and /or only prints the bottomhalf of the letters. I have defragged- guided by my 12 year old grandson over the phone and also replaced the black cartridge. I am not using genuine epson cartridges - and never have since I gort the printer about 8 years ago with out any problem - what is going wrong now?

[Count-A-Strong]

Have you carried out a print head clean. Usually found if you right click on the printer icon and select properties from the drop down menu.

[granny grump]

Thank you Count-A-Strong I have just tried that thank you but it does not fix it completely. (I meant head cleaning when I said defrag - I'm not very computer literate)

[Wak]

I believe the print head of some Epsons are built into the printer whereas other printers like H.P., Canon and Lexmark have the print head built into each individual cartridge.
The Epson ones, therefore, can be more difficult to clean or to get clean if built-in.
That's why I've never bought an Epson.
If your cartridges have a built-in print head then stand them in a 1/4" of hot water (not boiling) in a saucer until cold and then dab onto a paper tissue to try and clean the print head.

[granny grump]

Thank you wak
I will try that

[granny grump]

I have carried out a head clean several times and it hasn't made any difference but it has 'eaten' my cartridges and I have had to replace them and stil no joy. I can 'hear' ink in them when I shake the cartridge but the computer tells me that they are empty.

I have also got an icon which I haven't had before PCeye 2000 - what is this for?

[Wak]

Hi Gran, From what you say I am assuming that the print head is built into the printer otherwise you would have a print head on each separate cartridge. I also assume that you have four cartridges, 3 colour and 1 black???
Doing a print head clean in the printer always uses a lot of ink and ink indicators are only guessing at how much ink you have left, usually by the number of times you print and can be quite inaccurate.
I think you will have to speak to or contact another Epson user regarding cleaning the internal print head. Or even the Epson web site?
Regarding the PCeye2000 icon? It's a parental control sort of program, Google for it and there are plenty of information sites listed.
Hope this helps.

[granny grump]

Thank you kindly Wak. The system is now telling me that the coloured cartridges are ok but the black is empty eventhough I have just put a brand new one in. I know that if I contact Epson they will say that it's because I'm not using Epson cartridges. I have had the printer for a long time perhaps it's time for a change.

I haven't requested PCeye - why has it suddenly popped up and is it ok just to leave it?

[Count-A-Strong]

Granny, Epson printers are notorious for not working with non Epson cartridges. You say you've had it a few years, maybe it's built in obsolescence has kicked in.

[granny grump]

Thank you Count-a-strong point taken

[Wak]

Hi Granny, It's done well lasting 8 years with no blockage.
I found the following web site which sells a suitable head cleaning fluid for Epsons with no dismantling to be done.
It's priced in dollars but should be available from a UK Epson supplier or web site.
Could be worth a try if not too expensive
http://www.fixyourown...er.com/kits/Epson/K70
I tried Googling for Epsons but I think they had gone to bed.
Maybe someone else can help in this direction???

[Wak]

Forgot to mention. If you don't want PCeye 2000 you should be able to go to Start, Settings, Control Panel, Add or Remove Progs and remove it altogether.
If it doesn't take the icon with it, just drag it into the Recycle Bin.