Re: [ql-users] Printer Problem
hitchies wrote: [Third attempt :( - 2 previous returned. Why??!] == Re Robert's: durabrite...is that the same as the coating that goes on Ally [coach] wheels so that you don't need to polish them to keep them shiny? I've managed similar unblocking by sparingly using warm water with old cartridges - until normal service was resumed (via invocation (!) of ROM auto-head-cleaning routine). ;) What technique do you mean? Removing an bathing head in warm water, or injecting it into an old cartridge and installing that? = Hi Robert! DURAbrite = [One of?] Epson's **waterproof** inks! Place the catridge(s), head down, in lookwarm water - just enough to cover its head only. Wait for a colour show. Dab dry with tissue. Insert to printer. Run test with scrap paper(s) until you have a dry product. The printer I was given has the head jets in a carriage on the printer (which I removed when I last directly tried to clean it) and the cartridges have a plastic seal which is pierced to allow ink to flow to the heads...I'll have a look to see if warm water works (with the ink directly) before dismantling the head carriage again. ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [ql-users] Printer Problem
In message [EMAIL PROTECTED], hitchies [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes Re Malcolm's: Umm ... so you are still around then, John ? . :-) Hi Malcolm ! Not as round as I used to be. But, luurkingly reading the much erudition on this list. ;-) Glad to know that you haven't lost your sense of humour . :-) -- Malcolm Cadman ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [ql-users] printer problem (OT)
- Original Message - From: John Gilpin To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Thursday, April 13, 2006 10:36 PM Subject: Re: [ql-users] printer problem - Original Message - From: Robert Newson [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Thursday, April 13, 2006 8:52 PM Subject: Re: [ql-users] printer problem According to the bottle I have it contains the following: Virgin Caster Oil BP 2.5%v/v, methyl salicylate BP 0.5%v/v, Diethyl Phthalate BP 2.0%v/v, industrial methylated spirit BP 95%v/v. So it's mainly Industrial Methylated Spirit. Actually you can also drink it (but don't try that at home!) One of the first jobs I ever had was in an experimental residential project for skid row drunkeness offenders. It was a crazy job. One moment you were dealing with a violent drunk and the next helping a government minister with a speech. I even got a mention in an official House of Commons report. I was the most junior member of the team that mainly consisted of top psychiatrists and other experts. I learnt a lot in 18 months in that job that was valuable in later life. I still remember coming back from holiday to find my colleagues had placed all the confiscated bottles of jack, as it was known, by my bedside, Best Wishes, Geoff PS Try diluting it with water - then it looks just like milk. ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [ql-users] printer problem
Phoebus R. Dokos (Φοίβος Ρ. Ντόκος) wrote: Την Thu, 13 Apr 2006 19:20:51 -0400,ο(η) Jeremy Taffel [EMAIL PROTECTED] έγραψε: As I got it for nowt, I'm not too worried about replacing it - especially as I intend to get one that is Linux compatible. Is Linux able to drive those control-code-less Windows printers, or does Linux have the same sorts of problems that QL has with those? afaik, there are Linux printer drivers available for [some of] the WinPrinters...there's a site [somewhere - got the url somewhere] which lists which are compatabile (aka been reverse engineered/specs provided and drivers written?) and which are not. AFAIK all HP inkjets are Linux compatible. Their set up over USB is quicker and simpler than under windows. The only problem seems to be that for photo quality, they don't have the equivalent of photoRET (variable drop size), so you have to get the resolution by sheer force of dpi - which makes photo printing slower, (and generally slightly lower quality) than under Windows. For all other use, print quality and speed is as good under linux as it is under windows. No, not ALL HP inkjets are compatible with Linux. There's a few whose drivers only offer basic compatibility and are at best quick hacks. The same applies for HP's cheap LaserJets as well... The rule of thumb with HP printers is: If it has a parallel port it is DEFINITELY supported by Linux. If it doesn't and it is also cheap, chances are it doesn't. You can find a list of Linux compatible HP printers at http://www.linuxprinting.org/printer_list.cgi?make=HP (or navigate the site to investigate any other manufacturer) The list includes lasers as well as ink jets. The linuxprinting site has advice over which printers to use, driver limitations..., has all the major manufacturers databased, and links with extremely detailed information to all the models. So you do not have to make guesses about compatibility based on interfaces or cost. Jeremy Cheers, Phoebus ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.385 / Virus Database: 268.4.1/310 - Release Date: 12/04/2006 ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [ql-users] printer problem
David Tubbs wrote: ... But that pre-supposes a handleable cartridge and not mounted in the printer itself, had that problem years ago with an Epson, what a bugger that was, endlessly cycling it through it's nose wipe routine, even used a solder sucker over the feed tube, but at the time it was within a 3 year warranty so back to maker, Never again. hmmm...solder sucker...might try that (but that needs replacing as the spring has got weak/plunger has got sticky)... I suggest that for both types one keeps an old cartridge to fill with solvent of choice for these occasions. I have never managed myself to follow another of my recommendations, namely a small daily print exercise that uses all jets. Got a 1/2 used cart with the rest of the black ink in it! ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [ql-users] printer problem
John Gilpin wrote: ... I successfully use Surgical Spirit (Obtainable from any chemist shop) and a cotton bud to clear the jets on my HP printer. Alternatively, HP used to provide strips of adhesive backed velcro type material which you stick onto a test page provided using the software provided. It seems as though the heads are cleaned by a scrubbing motion against the velcro. - Sounds as though it is ripping the printer to bits but the results are - so far - 100% effective. Usually the surgical spirit and cotton bud is sufficient to clean the jets and provide a satisfactory test page. I attacked the jets directly (after removing head assembly) with iso-propyl alcohol (aka propan-2-ol) and cotton buds - the colour jets leeched wonderfully, the black steadfastly refused. Out of interest...what is surgical spirit? On retrying with setting the quality higher last night I seemed to get more of the black jets working for a short period before petering out. Perhaps I just need to keep on trying, but as the printer keeps getting itself lost (wrt where the head is), I'm still in favour of scrapping it for a replacement. ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [ql-users] printer problem
- Original Message - From: Robert Newson [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Thursday, April 13, 2006 8:52 PM Subject: Re: [ql-users] printer problem John Gilpin wrote: ... I successfully use Surgical Spirit (Obtainable from any chemist shop) and a cotton bud to clear the jets on my HP printer. Alternatively, HP used to provide strips of adhesive backed velcro type material which you stick onto a test page provided using the software provided. It seems as though the heads are cleaned by a scrubbing motion against the velcro. - Sounds as though it is ripping the printer to bits but the results are - so far - 100% effective. Usually the surgical spirit and cotton bud is sufficient to clean the jets and provide a satisfactory test page. I attacked the jets directly (after removing head assembly) with iso-propyl alcohol (aka propan-2-ol) and cotton buds - the colour jets leeched wonderfully, the black steadfastly refused. Out of interest...what is surgical spirit? According to the bottle I have it contains the following: Virgin Caster Oil BP 2.5%v/v, methyl salicylate BP 0.5%v/v, Diethyl Phthalate BP 2.0%v/v, industrial methylated spirit BP 95%v/v. So it's mainly Industrial Methylated Spirit. JG. On retrying with setting the quality higher last night I seemed to get more of the black jets working for a short period before petering out. Perhaps I just need to keep on trying, but as the printer keeps getting itself lost (wrt where the head is), I'm still in favour of scrapping it for a replacement. I somrtimes find that a period of regular use after cleaning gradually improves the output and once it's producing an acceptable quality, regular use helps to maintain that quality. Only longer periods of no or very low usage tends to cause the jet blockages again. JG. ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [ql-users] printer problem
John Gilpin wrote: ... Out of interest...what is surgical spirit? According to the bottle I have it contains the following: Virgin Caster Oil BP 2.5%v/v, methyl salicylate BP 0.5%v/v, Diethyl Phthalate BP 2.0%v/v, industrial methylated spirit BP 95%v/v. So it's mainly Industrial Methylated Spirit. Interesting; according to http://www.wbateman.demon.co.uk/gcse2003/gcsesums/chemsums/organic/organic.htm hospitals use a 95% ethanol/5% water solution, but adding methanol makes it IMS and cheaper (no tax as poisinous)...I was advised against using [ordinary] meths to clean the tape heads for the company for which I was the computer dept as it left residue (from the colourant?) and to use propan-2-ol instead - also available from your local friendly neighbourhood chemist. ... I somrtimes find that a period of regular use after cleaning gradually improves the output and once it's producing an acceptable quality, regular use helps to maintain that quality. Only longer periods of no or very low usage tends to cause the jet blockages again. Not really surprising: regular use prevents the ink drying in the jets... ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [ql-users] printer problem
Την Thu, 13 Apr 2006 19:20:51 -0400,ο(η) Jeremy Taffel [EMAIL PROTECTED] έγραψε: As I got it for nowt, I'm not too worried about replacing it - especially as I intend to get one that is Linux compatible. Is Linux able to drive those control-code-less Windows printers, or does Linux have the same sorts of problems that QL has with those? afaik, there are Linux printer drivers available for [some of] the WinPrinters...there's a site [somewhere - got the url somewhere] which lists which are compatabile (aka been reverse engineered/specs provided and drivers written?) and which are not. AFAIK all HP inkjets are Linux compatible. Their set up over USB is quicker and simpler than under windows. The only problem seems to be that for photo quality, they don't have the equivalent of photoRET (variable drop size), so you have to get the resolution by sheer force of dpi - which makes photo printing slower, (and generally slightly lower quality) than under Windows. For all other use, print quality and speed is as good under linux as it is under windows. No, not ALL HP inkjets are compatible with Linux. There's a few whose drivers only offer basic compatibility and are at best quick hacks. The same applies for HP's cheap LaserJets as well... The rule of thumb with HP printers is: If it has a parallel port it is DEFINITELY supported by Linux. If it doesn't and it is also cheap, chances are it doesn't. Cheers, Phoebus ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [ql-users] printer problem
Norman Dunbar wrote: Dilwyn Jones wrote: Wonder if anyone knows anything about this printer problem. I have my son's Epson Stylus C64 set up here at the moment and it has developed a problem - both indicators are blinking which indicates (according to manual) print head unable to return to home position, but it seems to be parked in the home position! I was recently given a PC (with a dead HD - replaced and it's now live and kicking) along with an Epsom stylus Colour 460. There would be times when I first got it and switched it on that it would attempt to start up (with some odd head movements - presumably cleaning the jets) eventually ending with both cartridge indicators flashing. It just seemed to fix itself; it seemed to get out of sync with itself. However, I've been unable to use it as it was put away with a black cartridge open in it. Once I had downloaded the correct drivers for it, I eventually got the CMY jets working, but the black has steadfastly refused to work - I eventually got it to product a single (dot) line for about 2 lines and that peters out to nowt; ink appears to have dried in the jets...any suggestions how to clear (trying propan-2-ol seems to have had little effect (other than to get one dot working for minimal time), though it does collect the other colours quite well - I dismantled the head unit to get direct access to the jets...the C460 has a small sponge for the lifetime of head cleaning, along with a rubber block that pops up to scrape along the jets.). As I got it for nowt, I'm not too worried about replacing it - especially as I intend to get one that is Linux compatible. -- Outgoing mail certified virus free... It has gone nowhere near a Windwos machine before my ISP. I am the ILOVEGNU signature virus. Just copy me to your signature. This email was infected under the terms of the GNU General Public Licence. ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [ql-users] printer problem
In message [EMAIL PROTECTED], Malcolm Cadman [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes In message [EMAIL PROTECTED], John Gilpin [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes Hi Dilwyn, Try Viking Direct for your printer cartridges. They do a full range of compatible units and the Epson stylus 880 Colour is on their list. Go to www.viking-direct.co.uk or ring free on 080042 I can vouch for Viking as being a useful and good supplier of printer cartridges. They are low cost, yet not always the cheapest. Then again, can they find Wales when they deliver to the door ... :-) Just to add, too . The compatible cartridges are £9.99 for Black, or any of the 3 colours. Although. Looking at the overall range available for Epsom machines the costs range from £3.49 up to £14.99 per cartridge. -- Malcolm Cadman ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [ql-users] printer problem
Try Viking Direct for your printer cartridges. They do a full range of compatible units and the Epson stylus 880 Colour is on their list. Go to www.viking-direct.co.uk or ring free on 080042 I can vouch for Viking as being a useful and good supplier of printer cartridges. They are low cost, yet not always the cheapest. Then again, can they find Wales when they deliver to the door ... :-) He he, they used to backin DJC days, I bought all my stationery needs from Viking in those days, and damn good service it was too. -- Dilwyn Jones -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.385 / Virus Database: 268.4.1/308 - Release Date: 11/04/2006 ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [ql-users] printer problem
I have my son's Epson Stylus C64 set up here at the moment and it has developed a problem - both indicators are blinking which indicates (according to manual) print head unable to return to home position, but it seems to be parked in the home position! Hmm, Dilwyn + Hardware = Problems :o) Might have known Mr Dunbar would say that. Actually, it was my son wot broke it and me who fixed it after that suggestion from Roy. Sorry, I can't help. I recently too my old Stylus 740C to bits as the cartridge was empty but it wouldn't let me change it. A very interesting and messy afternoon was spent. Did you know, for example, that the vast part of the base of an inkjet is a huge sponge built to take a lifetime's supply of head cleaning and so on. I was most surprised. Some printer manuals do say that when you first set up an inkjet, it is charged with ink and that is why the cartridges supplied with the printerseem to last a lot less than new cartridges you install if you have to soak up this sponge the first time! I don't remeber much in the way of electrical connections in the parking zone though. Mind you, I did find that it was possible to manually move the head along the steel bar that it rides on. There's a catch under the print head (on mine) that you could press to release it - this allowed the head to be moved out from the park position. It might just be that your's isn't seated properly when it is parked - there might be a bit of paper (probaly well inked by now) stuck somewhere ? It was a slightly bent or loose piece of spring-like plastic which was preventing the sensor plastic moving properly. The head seemed to approach the plastic faster than the sensor could move. Between reseating the plastic and cleaning around it, it seems to work now although I'm not 100% sure of the exact reason. Have you tried refilling them? I have a kit from 'FillJet' which comes in a nice round plastic box and has a set of black, plus cyan. magenta I did consider that - Tesco here sell the kits, as do PC World. It was interesting, I tried to get ink cartridges for my son's Epson C64 too. PC World did the 3 colour ones at about £7 each for compatibles but not the black! I asked a salesman and he thought they must be out of stock at first, then realised there was no PEG to hold them, in other words, they stocked the colour compatibles but not the black compatibles. The little guide ont he shelf confirmed this! Seems it really was the cheap far-east imports situation. All of the really cheap ones seem to have disappeared. Companies which stock the slightly more expensive european compatibles are still selling them. -- Dilwyn Jones California - oops. Still, I've had no problems with mine. I actually refill my fountain pen with the same ink - works a treat. Someone still uses fountain pens :o) -- Dilwyn Jones -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.385 / Virus Database: 268.4.1/308 - Release Date: 11/04/2006 ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [ql-users] printer problem
However, I've been unable to use it as it was put away with a black cartridge open in it. Once I had downloaded the correct drivers for it, I eventually got the CMY jets working, but the black has steadfastly refused to work - I eventually got it to product a single (dot) line for about 2 lines and that peters out to nowt; ink appears to have dried in the jets...any suggestions how to clear (trying propan-2-ol seems to have had little effect (other than to get one dot working for minimal time), though it does collect the other colours quite well - I dismantled the head unit to get direct access to the jets...the C460 has a small sponge for the lifetime of head cleaning, along with a rubber block that pops up to scrape along the jets.). I've had this happen with an inkjet before. 4 or 5 attempts to clean the heads failed, the nozzle test pattern always showing the same part not printing. Some of the Epson drivers have options for presetting print quality. I set it to maximum quality in an attempt to maximise ink flow through all jets. Might have been coincidence, but it worked straight away! As I got it for nowt, I'm not too worried about replacing it - especially as I intend to get one that is Linux compatible. Is Linux able to drive those control-code-less Windows printers, or does Linux have the same sorts of problems that QL has with those? -- Dilwyn Jones -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.385 / Virus Database: 268.4.1/308 - Release Date: 11/04/2006 ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [ql-users] printer problem
In message [EMAIL PROTECTED], Dilwyn Jones [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes Anyone got any suggestions or experience of this? In my experience this is usually the end of the printer. It is probably the sensor on the rod that the print head moves on but is too expensive to repair You are right. I located the mechanical part of the sensor and could make it work by pressing on it briefly as the head approaches it. I worked out how to get the clip-together case apart so that I could see the sensor mechanism better. A little piece of plastic which seems to act as a spring seems to have got slightly out of place. I gently eased it back with tweesers and cleaned around it as best as I could. The printer seems to print OK now. Thanks for that suggestion. And thanks to everyone else who responded with so many suggestions, on and off list. On another note: just been online to try to order some ink cartridges for my own Epson Stylus 880 and Choice Stationery have discontinued them, describing the Epson Stylus 880 as obsolete. I'll be trying other suppliers of course (like those who advertise in the back of ComputerActive). Wonder if this is general or just one supplier discontinuing compatible cartridges? What are the Epson codes? We may have a few. Strangely enough, I've just found two shops in Bangor (Tesco and Currys) which sell both compatibles and original Epsons (though the original Epson ones are too expensive). I also found a couple of other suppliers in Computeractive. Part numbers are TO19 (black) and TO20 (colour). -- Dilwyn Jones -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.385 / Virus Database: 268.4.1/308 - Release Date: 11/04/2006 ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [ql-users] printer problem
Robert said - ...any suggestions how to clear (trying propan-2-ol seems to have had little effect (other than to get one dot working for minimal time), though it does collect the other colours quite well - I dismantled the head unit to get direct access to the jets...the C460 has a ... -- The Epsom [racing !] stylus Colour 460 is (I believe) 'NonDURAbrite' inked. I've managed similar unblocking by sparingly using warm water with old cartridges - until normal service was resumed (via invocation (!) of ROM auto-head-cleaning routine). ;) HTH. Regards to all, John, in the Wales they can find when they deliver to the door ... :-) -- Internal Virus Database is out-of-date. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.385 / Virus Database: 268.3.5/301 - Release Date: 04/04/2006 ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [ql-users] printer problem
hitchies wrote: Robert said - ...any suggestions how to clear (trying propan-2-ol seems to have had little effect (other than to get one dot working for minimal time), though it does collect the other colours quite well - I dismantled the head unit to get direct access to the jets...the C460 has a ... -- The Epsom [racing !] stylus Colour 460 is (I believe) 'NonDURAbrite' inked. oops...typo...(well that's ny excuse). durabrite...is that the same as the coating that goes on Ally [coach] wheels so that you don't need to polish them to keep them shiny? I've managed similar unblocking by sparingly using warm water with old cartridges - until normal service was resumed (via invocation (!) of ROM auto-head-cleaning routine). ;) What technique do you mean? Removing an bathing head in warm water, or injecting it into an old cartridge and installing that? (I've got a black page I use for testing and getting the printer to think the cartridge is empty by thinking it has printed all that ink). ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [ql-users] printer problem
Try Aktiv Direct or Ebay Derek - Original Message - From: Dilwyn Jones [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: QL Users List [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, April 11, 2006 9:44 PM Subject: [ql-users] printer problem Wonder if anyone knows anything about this printer problem. I have my son's Epson Stylus C64 set up here at the moment and it has developed a problem - both indicators are blinking which indicates (according to manual) print head unable to return to home position, but it seems to be parked in the home position! I've checked for visible signs of obstruction, that ink cartridges are correctly seated etc. When switched on, the cartridge seems to move in the normal way and returns to the home position, but the error remains. Anyone got any suggestions or experience of this? On another note: just been online to try to order some ink cartridges for my own Epson Stylus 880 and Choice Stationery have discontinued them, describing the Epson Stylus 880 as obsolete. I'll be trying other suppliers of course (like those who advertise in the back of ComputerActive). Wonder if this is general or just one supplier discontinuing compatible cartridges? -- Dilwyn Jones -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.385 / Virus Database: 268.4.1/308 - Release Date: 11/04/2006 ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm -- This email has been verified as Virus free Virus Protection and more available at http://www.plus.net -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.385 / Virus Database: 268.4.0/306 - Release Date: 09/04/2006 ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [ql-users] printer problem
Hi Dilwyn, Try Viking Direct for your printer cartridges. They do a full range of compatible units and the Epson stylus 880 Colour is on their list. Go to www.viking-direct.co.uk or ring free on 080042 Regards, John Gilpin. - Original Message - From: Dilwyn Jones [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: QL Users List [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, April 11, 2006 9:44 PM Subject: [ql-users] printer problem Wonder if anyone knows anything about this printer problem. I have my son's Epson Stylus C64 set up here at the moment and it has developed a problem - both indicators are blinking which indicates (according to manual) print head unable to return to home position, but it seems to be parked in the home position! I've checked for visible signs of obstruction, that ink cartridges are correctly seated etc. When switched on, the cartridge seems to move in the normal way and returns to the home position, but the error remains. Anyone got any suggestions or experience of this? On another note: just been online to try to order some ink cartridges for my own Epson Stylus 880 and Choice Stationery have discontinued them, describing the Epson Stylus 880 as obsolete. I'll be trying other suppliers of course (like those who advertise in the back of ComputerActive). Wonder if this is general or just one supplier discontinuing compatible cartridges? -- Dilwyn Jones -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.385 / Virus Database: 268.4.1/308 - Release Date: 11/04/2006 ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
