Another Printer Problem

[Lynn Coleman]

Hi all,

Has anyone ever had the can't print because you don't have a printer head installed?

I have had the printer for a long time but purchased a new Mac this week and it that is the message I get after installing the drivers.

Also, I tried it on the old Mac and got the same message.

I took out the printer head and washed it. yup it was real dirty. But I'm thinking that after 6 or 7 years the printer is just too old.

What's your opinions?

Lynn

[Podunkfla]

Lynn... It sounds to me like maybe the printer head isn't making good electrical contact? It seems like the printer isn't telling your PC it has a printer head installed? It would help to know what printer you have? Yep, 7 years is getting a bit old. But, some of the old printers were very good too. They are still popular because you can refill your own ink cartridges without any problems. Now, HP, Lexmark and others are getting sneaky (and greedy) so the printer won't accept a refilled cartridge without a lot of software tricks. Shoot, they practically give away the printers to get you hooked on their expensive ink. Is why I have two printers hooked up; an old HP that I refill with cheap ink and a newer HP that does great on photos, but the ink is $29. a cartridge... So I only use it for pics occasionally. A pint of ink for the old one cost about $12. and will refill it hundreds of times.

[Lynn Coleman]

Lynn... It sounds to me like maybe the printer head isn't making good electrical contact? It seems like the printer isn't telling your PC it has a printer head installed? It would help to know what printer you have? Yep, 7 years is getting a bit old. But, some of the old printers were very good too. They are still popular because you can refill your own ink cartridges without any problems. Now, HP, Lexmark and others are getting sneaky (and greedy) so the printer won't accept a refilled cartridge without a lot of software tricks. Shoot, they practically give away the printers to get you hooked on their expensive ink. Is why I have two printers hooked up; an old HP that I refill with cheap ink and a newer HP that does great on photos, but the ink is $29. a cartridge... So I only use it for pics occasionally. A pint of ink for the old one cost about $12. and will refill it hundreds of times.

The printer is i320 from Canon. At the time I paid 29.99 for it. It's selling for 129 at Amazon now for the same printer. I purchased another canon a i350 but I liked the i320 better and gave hubby the i350.

The contacts were what I thought and I cleaned them real well but it still didn't work.

Lynn

[Podunkfla]

Hmmm... I'm kinda stumped? I'm also not much of a Mac guru any more since I switched to the dark side about 12 years ago. Maybe Ira or one of the other Mac wizards cut help more?

[Kevin A]

Maybe the printer cable is defective.

[asianflava]

Printers are so cheap anymore. Fry's gives them out free sometimes when you purchase something else (that costs more of course). I bought a Canon about 4 years ago for $99. It works like a champ, plus ink for it is cheap.

[Ira]

You didn't get that message on your old Mac, you're getting in on the new one, and then NOW you're getting it on the old one?

And you're still using an inkjet?

I agree with above-stated opinions--buy a new printer. A laser one.

[Lynn Coleman]

I agree with above-stated opinions--buy a new printer. A laser one.

LOL, yeah that would be nice but I'm putting out 600 to repair the laptop, just spent 12 on the new one, I'd really prefer not to spend anymore this week. I know hubby would prefer that I don't either. Sooooo, maybe I'l buy it next week. Do you think he'll notice?

Lynn

[Jiminsav]

Lynn, does a Mac give you the choice of what protocal to use on the printer port?

there is SCP, ECP, and EPP. if it's EPP, see if ECP will work.

[Lynn Coleman]

Lynn, does a Mac give you the choice of what protocal to use on the printer port?

there is SCP, ECP, and EPP. if it's EPP, see if ECP will work.

HI Jim,

I"m not aware of any choices on the protocol but upon further inspection I believe while we were away last week, the house was hit by lightening. And I think the printer was hit. The power cord to the computer in the same surge protector was browned. It's a clear cord. So, I'm guessing the printer is fried.

[Jiminsav]

ahhhh, that will do it..