Printer problem - urgent!

[tiggerblue10]

My printer is printing but its not printing well at all. On some of line the top half is showing and the rest is missing and some lines are missing altogether.

Is there anything I can do as I need to print off some letters urgently. Both colour and black cartridges are full so its not that.

[Old_Geezer]

Blocked jets ?
See if there is a clean option in the printer control menus somewhere.

[ChuckFickens]

Clean the print heads, there will be an option to do it somewhere in the printer driver properties.

[tiggerblue10]

Where do I find the printer driver props/option?

[tiggerblue10]

Its ok - I've located it.

[douglas9401]

I had a similar problem last night, ink monitor showed very low black ink so I changed it. Gave the new cartridge a shake and the ink went everywhere.
I know it doesn't help with your problem but maybe laughing at me will make you feel better. :)

[ChuckFickens]

You may have to run the clean process a few times.

[tiggerblue10]

I've done that a few times myself at work Douglas! No laughing matter.

I'm having to run a deep clean Chuck as it appears to be clogged.

[tiggerblue10]

I've tried cleaning and deep cleaning several time and nothing has worked. Its still doing the same thing. I have also changed the cartridges and nothing. I think my printer is bu@@ered!

[ChuckFickens]

Try the head alignment too.

[scotman]

What is the make and model of the printer?

[tiggerblue10]

Doing that now.

[tiggerblue10]

Canon Pixma JP 1500

[tiggerblue10]

I've done the alignment thing but there are still loads of streaks in it. I have wasted so much paper.

[Wak]

I don't know your printer model but have you tried cleaning the electrical contacts to remove any grease, dirt, etc???
Remove the cartridge and then clean the metal contacts on the cartridge and also inside the printer with a small artist's paint brush and methylated spirits.
Switch the printer off before doing this and also give the meths plenty of time to evaporate before replacing the cartridge.
Standing the cartridge print head in a saucer of hot (not boiling) water until cool can also help to unblock a clogged print head. Gently wipe with a dampened paper tissue.

[tiggerblue10]

Its a Canon Pixma IP 1550 Wak. Its a few years old and it was a pretty cheap when I got it. My brother had a look at it earlier on and he says that I'm going to need a new printer.

[tiggerblue10]

Ooops! I mean 1500 not 1550.

[tiggerblue10]

He also tested the cartridges as I had a few new ones but he reckons its the printer.

[Wak]

Hi Tigger, Well, they are not made to last for ever, are they?
My last HP printer was three years old when it died on me (after very much use) and I reckon that the flexible strap which feeds info to the cartridges was simply worn out with all the continuous movement.
Best of luck with the new printer.
Wak.

[tiggerblue10]

Hi Wak, I rarely use it which is why I got a cheap one in case I needed it. I think the last time I used it was to print off a walkthrough for a DS game and that was about 2 years ago.

Guess I'll just get a new cheap one again but only when I need it.

[Jemisa]

I just started my new printer up I had for xmas, HP Deskjet 3050 Print/Scan/Copy got it in Waitrose £38.75. nice, neat compact.
If it lasts 3 years I'll be happy.

jem