• AppleCentral Network:
  • Tech Support
  • |
  • Open Source
  • |
  • Apple News
  • |
  • Register Domains
  • |
  • SSL Certificates
  • |
  • iPod Deals
  • |
  • Mac Deals
  • |
  • Mac Book Shelf
  • AppleCentral Home
  • MacTech Magazine
    • About MacTech in Print
    • Issue Table of Contents
    • Subscribe
    • Risk Free Sample
    • Back Issues
    • MacTech DVD
    • MacTech Archives
    • MacTech Print Archives
    • MacMod
    • MacTutor
    • FrameWorks
    • develop
  • MacNews.com
    • MacNews News
    • Blog
    • MacTech Reviews and KoolTools
    • Whitepapers, Screencasts, Videos and Books
    • News Scanner
    • Rumors Scanner
    • Documentation Scanner
  • Apple Expo
    • by Category
    • by Company
    • by Product
  • MacForge.net
  • Job Board
  • Advertising
    • Benefits of MacTech
    • Mechanicals and Submission
    • Dates and Deadlines
    • Submit Apple Expo Entry
  • User
    • Register for Ongoing Raffles
    • Register new user
    • Edit User Settings
    • Logout
  • Contact
    • Customer Service
    • Webmaster Feedback
    • Submit News or PR
    • Suggest an article
  • Connect Tools
    • MacTech Live Podcast
    • RSS Feeds
    • Twitter
You are not logged in. [Log In] AppleCentral » Forums » Mac » Hardware » Short trip to wit's end
Register User    Forum List        Active Topics    FAQ
Page 1 of 2 1 2 >
Topic Options
Hop to:
#448347 - 10/05/09 03:23 PM Short trip to wit's end
Lea Offline
LoneStar

Registered: 08/18/06
Posts: 10539
Loc: Texas

My ancient HP 970Cse has never let me down ~ till now. And it may be me, not the printer.

1. It's been chugging away without a problem for years.

2. It suddenly began printing anything that isn't black text in a pukey shade of pale sea green

3. Tried printing form various apps, all with the same results.

4. Downloaded and reinstalled the drivers.

Here's where it may be me ~

Little Sister gave me a bunch of cartridges, because she got a new printer last year. I've traded these out a couple of times this weekend, same result. So ~ Is my little workhorse just giving up the sea green ghost? Or do cartridges actually go nasty over time? I sure hope it's the latter. These cartridges are easily 3-4 years old.

Before I go waste bucks on brand new ones only to find that some how my little HP is just too sick to work anymore, figured I'd check in here.

Irony ~ For all the page layout and design work I do, I'm obviously ignorant about anything beyond the basics concerning my home printer.

TIA.





Is my printer just dieing of
_________________________
I always deserve it. Really.

Top
#448381 - 10/05/09 10:00 PM Re: Short trip to wit's end [Re: Lea]
MacBozo Offline
Nut Dood

Registered: 04/21/02
Posts: 17704
Loc: Pinellas Park, Florida
Is there a printer utility that will let you run a cleaning cycle or print a test page?
_________________________

Top
#448387 - 10/05/09 10:47 PM Re: Short trip to wit's end [Re: MacBozo]
Lea Offline
LoneStar

Registered: 08/18/06
Posts: 10539
Loc: Texas

Tried both. No joy. I just went ahead and turned in our latest project in a brown paper bag. laugh



_________________________
I always deserve it. Really.

Top
#448389 - 10/05/09 11:19 PM Re: Short trip to wit's end [Re: Lea]
carp Offline
Dino's are Babe magnets

Registered: 04/19/02
Posts: 27021
Loc: Hawaii
I did have ink cartridges go bad , both Epson and they were new so I just return them . I believe that it was that little interface chip thats on the cartridge side that meets the printer side .

Anyway - the sort answer is YES cartridges can go bad with or without age .

I would not recommend you run out and buy new cartridges and still find out thats not the problem ? Weigh the difference of buying new cartridges and from buying a new printer that comes with ink ? ?

Then again could be a simple setting ?
I had a problem with my HP , printing PDF files , it would grab paper and wrinkle it and or jamb the printer , however printing other files like MS Word or Text Edit I had no problems <-- Kinda perplexing . Anyway I stubbled upon changing the setting from ""Auto paper feed" to "Choose printer paper tray"" worked great <-- go figure

I think programers do these things as a inter office JOKE just to piss people off laugh
_________________________

Top
#448395 - 10/06/09 12:44 AM Re: Short trip to wit's end [Re: Lea]
NucleusG4 Offline
Master•Blaster

Registered: 04/20/02
Posts: 12486
Loc: Miami, Fl.
Hey, some inks are pigment based encapsulated droplets, such as those in the higher end Epsons/UltraChrome inks or whatever they are called. They have an exp. date but usually last waaay past that.
Then there are color printers that have inks that are organic vegetable dyes and these can and do go bad.
_________________________
http://davidbearphotography.com/



Top
#448398 - 10/06/09 12:50 AM Re: Short trip to wit's end [Re: Lea]
NucleusG4 Offline
Master•Blaster

Registered: 04/20/02
Posts: 12486
Loc: Miami, Fl.
Are the carts OEM?

Ran across this..


What follows is the internal test for the 900 series printers.

HP Deskjet 916c, 920c, 930c, 940c, 950c, 970c, 960c, 980c, and 990c series
printers

Running a sample page
NOTE: This test does not work with the HP Deskjet 6840 series.
Turn the printer on.
Press and hold the RESUME button until the printer starts printing.
Release the RESUME button.

Running a self-test
Turn the printer on.
Press and hold the POWER button.
Press the RESUME button four times.
Release the POWER button.

Running a diagnostic test
Turn the printer on.
Press and hold the POWER button.
Press the X (Cancel Print) button eight times.
Press the RESUME button four times.
Release the POWER button.

Two-sided printing module (duplexer) test
Press and hold down the POWER button.
Press the CANCEL (X) button three times.
Press the RESUME button once.
Release the POWER button.

If the test works then you have a driver and or PC problem (maybe a cable
failure in rare cases), if the test does not work (ie black fails to print)
then you have a bad black cartridge or a failed logic board in the printer. If
the test works then I suggest you completely remove all traces of the 970
drivers and re-install them.




Also, here's a site I have used from time to time....

http://www.fixyourownprinter.com/forums/inkjet/13694

_________________________
http://davidbearphotography.com/



Top
#448399 - 10/06/09 12:52 AM Re: Short trip to wit's end [Re: Lea]
MacBozo Offline
Nut Dood

Registered: 04/21/02
Posts: 17704
Loc: Pinellas Park, Florida
I know your budget is limited, but new printers are really cheap at the moment. I recently saw a Brother color laser printer at Office Depot for $149.00 and my HP Photosmart 8250 inkjet was $129.00 at Sam's Club several years ago. I don't think my Brother monochrome laser printer is going to die anytime soon, so I'm not contemplating having to buy a new printer.
_________________________

Top
#448400 - 10/06/09 12:52 AM Re: Short trip to wit's end [Re: NucleusG4]
NucleusG4 Offline
Master•Blaster

Registered: 04/20/02
Posts: 12486
Loc: Miami, Fl.
Also...

http://forums11.itrc.hp.com/service/foru...threadId=836139
_________________________
http://davidbearphotography.com/



Top
#448407 - 10/06/09 01:03 AM Re: Short trip to wit's end [Re: NucleusG4]
Lea Offline
LoneStar

Registered: 08/18/06
Posts: 10539
Loc: Texas

Oh, wow, I don't think I'd have ever stumbled across all that info! Nuc, thank you so much. I'm too tired to mess with it tonight, but I'll jump on it in the AM and let y'all know.

I know, new printers are cheap. But breathin' life back into my old baby is cheaper. wink

And thanks again, mucho much, all y'all.

smile
LL



_________________________
I always deserve it. Really.

Top
#448411 - 10/06/09 01:24 AM Re: Short trip to wit's end [Re: Lea]
NucleusG4 Offline
Master•Blaster

Registered: 04/20/02
Posts: 12486
Loc: Miami, Fl.
On one of those links pages I read that running the self diagnostic bypasses the OS and drivers so you can do a process-of-elimination.
_________________________
http://davidbearphotography.com/



Top
Page 1 of 2 1 2 >
Previous Topic
View All Topics Index
Next Topic

Tweet

Preview

Moderator:  Acumowchek 
Print Topic
Switch to Threaded Mode
Publications, Articles and Industry Discussion
   »MacTech/MacNews Article Discussions
   »Apple World
Marketplace
   »Deals and Special Offers
      »Expired Offers
   »Trading Warehouse
Mac
   »Hardware
   »Software
   »Servers, Security, and Networking
   »Programming, Web Dev & Scripting
   »Windows and Virtualization
   »Cloud and Online Services
Mobile Technologies
   »iPhone Apps, AppStore, and iTunes
   »iPad, iPhone, iPod and Apple TV Hardware
Mods and Hacks
   »General Mods
      »Techniques
      »Miscellaneous
      »Mod Logs
   »Laptop Mods
      »Case Mods
      »Hardware Mods
      »Misc. Mods
   »Desktop Mods
      »Case Mods
      »Hardware Mods
      »Misc. Mods
   »Peripheral Mods
      »iPod Mods
      »Misc Mods
   »Software Hacks & Mods
General Discussion
   »Site Feedback & Issues
   »Stan's Lounge
   »Soapbox
Now Software Support
   »Announcements
   »Now X
      »FAQs
      »Discussion
   »Now Up-to-Date & Contact
      »Community Help
      »Tips and tricks
View profile
Send a PM
View homepage
Add to your Watched Users
View posts
View profile
Send a PM
Add to your Watched Users
View posts
View profile
Send a PM
View homepage
Add to your Watched Users
View posts
View profile
Send a PM
Add to your Watched Users
View posts
View profile
Send a PM
View homepage
Add to your Watched Users
View posts
View profile
Send a PM
View homepage
Add to your Watched Users
View posts
View profile
Send a PM
Add to your Watched Users
View posts
View profile
Send a PM
View homepage
Add to your Watched Users
View posts
View profile
Send a PM
View homepage
Add to your Watched Users
View posts
View profile
Send a PM
View homepage
Add to your Watched Users
View posts
Board Rules · Mark all read
Contact Us · AppleCentral · Top

MacTech Only Search:
Community Search:

 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
  • SPREAD THE WORD:
  • Slashdot
  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • Reddit
  • Newsvine
  • Generate a short URL for this page:



AppleCentral. www.applecentral.com
Main office: 805-494-9797
Xplain's use of MacNews, AppleCentral and AppleExpo are not affiliated with Apple, Inc. MacTech is a registered trademark of Xplain Corporation. AppleCentral, MacNews, Xplain, "The journal of Apple technology", Apple Expo, Explain It, MacDev, MacDev-1, THINK Reference, NetProfessional, MacTech Central, MacTech Domains, MacForge, and the MacTutorMan are trademarks or service marks of Xplain Corp. Sprocket is a registered trademark of eSprocket Corp. Other trademarks and copyrights appearing in this printing or software remain the property of their respective holders.
All contents are Copyright 1984-2010 by Xplain Corporation. All rights reserved. Theme designed by Icreon.
Generated in 0.040 seconds in which 0.022 seconds were spent on a total of 14 queries. Zlib compression enabled.
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.5.8