OT--Epson 777 problem

Well, I posted this on a couple of newsgroups, but no response yet, so I'll
try here:

A friend is having a printer problem as outlined below. Any suggestions




Mel,
System: Dell Computer ME
Ink Jet Printer: Epson Color 777
Printer Cartridges : Generic Sold by My Inks.com
Black : CL ET 17
Color : CL ET 18
Have been using their cartridges since ~ 2002 and the only problem up to
this point has been rate of ink consumption which I hadn't been used to
because my previous printer was a Panasonic KX - P 1123 dot matrix.

System: Computer & Epson Printer are connected. Each are turned on
separately with separate controls.
Normal Scenario :Computer on, turn printer on:
There are some humming sounds, the ink cartridges are carried back and
forth across the runner while loading and eventually they end up where they
started and the green power light above the power button is on and it is
ready to print.
Currently Common but abnormal Scenario:
Now, at times (often but not always), the printer will make a ratcheting
sound, sometimes the ink cartridges move back and forth, sometimes they
don't but do produce the ratchet sound in place. Now many times the red
error light will be on and the printer doesn't work. If I turn the printer
off and on again either the printer sets up properly or there is additional
ratcheting and the error light might activate. The Epson book states that
this problem is generally related to jammed paper and visual inspection
indicates such is not the case. At times I have disconnected the cord
connecting the printer and the computer after ratcheting and every thing
sets up properly.
The printer appears to be consuming much more ink than it did. At times
the sounds associated with the ink filling process continue for an
abnormally long time.
We have run the "Printer Check" and it Prints Properly. At this point the
book states: the problem may lie in the software settings, the interface
cable, or your computer - big help.
Larry


---------------------------------

"MZB" <> wrote in message
news:BPrsh.38$...
> Well, I posted this on a couple of newsgroups, but no response yet, so
> I'll try here:
>
> A friend is having a printer problem as outlined below. Any suggestions
>
>
>
>
> Mel,
> System: Dell Computer ME
> Ink Jet Printer: Epson Color 777
> Printer Cartridges : Generic Sold by My Inks.com
> Black : CL ET 17
> Color : CL ET 18
> Have been using their cartridges since ~ 2002 and the only problem up to
> this point has been rate of ink consumption which I hadn't been used to
> because my previous printer was a Panasonic KX - P 1123 dot matrix.
>
> System: Computer & Epson Printer are connected. Each are turned on
> separately with separate controls.
> Normal Scenario :Computer on, turn printer on:
> There are some humming sounds, the ink cartridges are carried back and
> forth across the runner while loading and eventually they end up where
> they
> started and the green power light above the power button is on and it is
> ready to print.
> Currently Common but abnormal Scenario:
> Now, at times (often but not always), the printer will make a ratcheting
> sound, sometimes the ink cartridges move back and forth, sometimes they
> don't but do produce the ratchet sound in place. Now many times the red
> error light will be on and the printer doesn't work. If I turn the printer
> off and on again either the printer sets up properly or there is
> additional
> ratcheting and the error light might activate. The Epson book states that
> this problem is generally related to jammed paper and visual inspection
> indicates such is not the case. At times I have disconnected the cord
> connecting the printer and the computer after ratcheting and every thing
> sets up properly.
> The printer appears to be consuming much more ink than it did. At times
> the sounds associated with the ink filling process continue for an
> abnormally long time.
> We have run the "Printer Check" and it Prints Properly. At this point the
> book states: the problem may lie in the software settings, the interface
> cable, or your computer - big help.
> Larry
>
>
> ---------------------------------
>
>

The printer has lived a long life. Put it out of its misery. A new printer
has significantly better quality and can be had for almost nothing.
Printers are razors. Ink is the razor blade.

the epson printer is a piece of crap.
it uses ink like crazy, and the ink dries in the chambers when not being
used, and it makes crazy sounds, and it is just terrible. most models
are like that. only the high end business models are better.
get rid of it. buy a nice HP or Canon.

MZB wrote:
> Well, I posted this on a couple of newsgroups, but no response yet, so I'll
> try here:
>
> A friend is having a printer problem as outlined below. Any suggestions
>
>
>
>
> Mel,
> System: Dell Computer ME
> Ink Jet Printer: Epson Color 777
> Printer Cartridges : Generic Sold by My Inks.com
> Black : CL ET 17
> Color : CL ET 18
> Have been using their cartridges since ~ 2002 and the only problem up to
> this point has been rate of ink consumption which I hadn't been used to
> because my previous printer was a Panasonic KX - P 1123 dot matrix.
>
> System: Computer & Epson Printer are connected. Each are turned on
> separately with separate controls.
> Normal Scenario :Computer on, turn printer on:
> There are some humming sounds, the ink cartridges are carried back and
> forth across the runner while loading and eventually they end up where they
> started and the green power light above the power button is on and it is
> ready to print.
> Currently Common but abnormal Scenario:
> Now, at times (often but not always), the printer will make a ratcheting
> sound, sometimes the ink cartridges move back and forth, sometimes they
> don't but do produce the ratchet sound in place. Now many times the red
> error light will be on and the printer doesn't work. If I turn the printer
> off and on again either the printer sets up properly or there is additional
> ratcheting and the error light might activate. The Epson book states that
> this problem is generally related to jammed paper and visual inspection
> indicates such is not the case. At times I have disconnected the cord
> connecting the printer and the computer after ratcheting and every thing
> sets up properly.
> The printer appears to be consuming much more ink than it did. At times
> the sounds associated with the ink filling process continue for an
> abnormally long time.
> We have run the "Printer Check" and it Prints Properly. At this point the
> book states: the problem may lie in the software settings, the interface
> cable, or your computer - big help.
> Larry
>
>
> ---------------------------------
>
>

That's just, well, so wrong, I don't even know where to start.

Epson makes, by far, the best archival photo printers. No one else is even
close.


"Jay B" <> wrote in message
newsivsh.141$...
> the epson printer is a piece of crap.
> it uses ink like crazy, and the ink dries in the chambers when not being
> used, and it makes crazy sounds, and it is just terrible. most models are
> like that. only the high end business models are better.
> get rid of it. buy a nice HP or Canon.
>
> MZB wrote:
>> Well, I posted this on a couple of newsgroups, but no response yet, so
>> I'll try here:
>>
>> A friend is having a printer problem as outlined below. Any suggestions
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Mel,
>> System: Dell Computer ME
>> Ink Jet Printer: Epson Color 777
>> Printer Cartridges : Generic Sold by My Inks.com
>> Black : CL ET 17
>> Color : CL ET 18
>> Have been using their cartridges since ~ 2002 and the only problem up
>> to
>> this point has been rate of ink consumption which I hadn't been used to
>> because my previous printer was a Panasonic KX - P 1123 dot matrix.
>>
>> System: Computer & Epson Printer are connected. Each are turned on
>> separately with separate controls.
>> Normal Scenario :Computer on, turn printer on:
>> There are some humming sounds, the ink cartridges are carried back and
>> forth across the runner while loading and eventually they end up where
>> they
>> started and the green power light above the power button is on and it is
>> ready to print.
>> Currently Common but abnormal Scenario:
>> Now, at times (often but not always), the printer will make a
>> ratcheting
>> sound, sometimes the ink cartridges move back and forth, sometimes they
>> don't but do produce the ratchet sound in place. Now many times the red
>> error light will be on and the printer doesn't work. If I turn the
>> printer
>> off and on again either the printer sets up properly or there is
>> additional
>> ratcheting and the error light might activate. The Epson book states that
>> this problem is generally related to jammed paper and visual inspection
>> indicates such is not the case. At times I have disconnected the cord
>> connecting the printer and the computer after ratcheting and every thing
>> sets up properly.
>> The printer appears to be consuming much more ink than it did. At times
>> the sounds associated with the ink filling process continue for an
>> abnormally long time.
>> We have run the "Printer Check" and it Prints Properly. At this point
>> the
>> book states: the problem may lie in the software settings, the interface
>> cable, or your computer - big help.
>> Larry
>>
>>
>> ---------------------------------
>>

i never said their ink technology wasnt good for archival. but not all
their printers are at that high end of quality. i have a bunch of their
printers here in my basement that i gave up on. are you telling me the
inks dont dry out the nozzles? or the pritner doesnt make all the noise
the OP stated? then perhaps you havnt experienced the lower end printers.

Tom Scales wrote:
> That's just, well, so wrong, I don't even know where to start.
>
> Epson makes, by far, the best archival photo printers. No one else is even
> close.
>
>
> "Jay B" <> wrote in message
> newsivsh.141$...
>> the epson printer is a piece of crap.
>> it uses ink like crazy, and the ink dries in the chambers when not being
>> used, and it makes crazy sounds, and it is just terrible. most models are
>> like that. only the high end business models are better.
>> get rid of it. buy a nice HP or Canon.
>>
>> MZB wrote:
>>> Well, I posted this on a couple of newsgroups, but no response yet, so
>>> I'll try here:
>>>
>>> A friend is having a printer problem as outlined below. Any suggestions
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Mel,
>>> System: Dell Computer ME
>>> Ink Jet Printer: Epson Color 777
>>> Printer Cartridges : Generic Sold by My Inks.com
>>> Black : CL ET 17
>>> Color : CL ET 18
>>> Have been using their cartridges since ~ 2002 and the only problem up
>>> to
>>> this point has been rate of ink consumption which I hadn't been used to
>>> because my previous printer was a Panasonic KX - P 1123 dot matrix.
>>>
>>> System: Computer & Epson Printer are connected. Each are turned on
>>> separately with separate controls.
>>> Normal Scenario :Computer on, turn printer on:
>>> There are some humming sounds, the ink cartridges are carried back and
>>> forth across the runner while loading and eventually they end up where
>>> they
>>> started and the green power light above the power button is on and it is
>>> ready to print.
>>> Currently Common but abnormal Scenario:
>>> Now, at times (often but not always), the printer will make a
>>> ratcheting
>>> sound, sometimes the ink cartridges move back and forth, sometimes they
>>> don't but do produce the ratchet sound in place. Now many times the red
>>> error light will be on and the printer doesn't work. If I turn the
>>> printer
>>> off and on again either the printer sets up properly or there is
>>> additional
>>> ratcheting and the error light might activate. The Epson book states that
>>> this problem is generally related to jammed paper and visual inspection
>>> indicates such is not the case. At times I have disconnected the cord
>>> connecting the printer and the computer after ratcheting and every thing
>>> sets up properly.
>>> The printer appears to be consuming much more ink than it did. At times
>>> the sounds associated with the ink filling process continue for an
>>> abnormally long time.
>>> We have run the "Printer Check" and it Prints Properly. At this point
>>> the
>>> book states: the problem may lie in the software settings, the interface
>>> cable, or your computer - big help.
>>> Larry
>>>
>>>
>>> ---------------------------------
>>>
>

"Tom Scales" <> wrote in message
news:45b28338$0$9480$...
> That's just, well, so wrong, I don't even know where to start.
>
> Epson makes, by far, the best archival photo printers. No one else is even close.


Every Epson I've used has constantly clogged and had paper feed problems.

I'm using Dell and Lexmark (same printers, different labels) now and have
had none of the ink and paper problems I've had with Epsons.

Tom Lake

"Tom Lake" <> wrote in message
news:45b2fcab$0$7718$...
> "Tom Scales" <> wrote in message
> news:45b28338$0$9480$...
>> That's just, well, so wrong, I don't even know where to start.
>>
>> Epson makes, by far, the best archival photo printers. No one else is
>> even close.
>
>
> Every Epson I've used has constantly clogged and had paper feed problems.
>
> I'm using Dell and Lexmark (same printers, different labels) now and have
> had none of the ink and paper problems I've had with Epsons.
>
> Tom Lake

Mine don't, but I use Epson inks. I've gotten very rare clogs, but the
cleaning cycle works.

FWIW I have an Epson 440 (or maybe 400, can't remember and I'm too lazy to
get off my ass and go to the basement and look).

Mine has to be about 7 years old. I've had NO problems whatsoever and I use
it a LOT. However, I always buy genuine Epson cartridges (often via Ebay). I
have found they work fine even well past their expiration date.

Mel


"Tom Scales" <> wrote in message
news:45b36d9e$0$9523$...
>
> "Tom Lake" <> wrote in message
> news:45b2fcab$0$7718$...
>> "Tom Scales" <> wrote in message
>> news:45b28338$0$9480$...
>>> That's just, well, so wrong, I don't even know where to start.
>>>
>>> Epson makes, by far, the best archival photo printers. No one else is
>>> even close.
>>
>>
>> Every Epson I've used has constantly clogged and had paper feed problems.
>>
>> I'm using Dell and Lexmark (same printers, different labels) now and have
>> had none of the ink and paper problems I've had with Epsons.
>>
>> Tom Lake
>
> Mine don't, but I use Epson inks. I've gotten very rare clogs, but the
> cleaning cycle works.
>

After monitoring the printer newgroup I have found that it is primarily the
pigmented blacks that Epson uses that have clogging problems. This is
especially true of their DuraBrite inks. The dye-based inks are better about
not clogging, although I don't know about the archival quality.

Mike


"Jay B" <> wrote in message
news:FSCsh.183$...
>i never said their ink technology wasnt good for archival. but not all
>their printers are at that high end of quality. i have a bunch of their
>printers here in my basement that i gave up on. are you telling me the
>inks dont dry out the nozzles? or the pritner doesnt make all the noise the
>OP stated? then perhaps you havnt experienced the lower end printers.
>
> Tom Scales wrote:
>> That's just, well, so wrong, I don't even know where to start.
>>
>> Epson makes, by far, the best archival photo printers. No one else is
>> even close.
>>
>>
>> "Jay B" <> wrote in message
>> newsivsh.141$...
>>> the epson printer is a piece of crap.
>>> it uses ink like crazy, and the ink dries in the chambers when not being
>>> used, and it makes crazy sounds, and it is just terrible. most models
>>> are like that. only the high end business models are better.
>>> get rid of it. buy a nice HP or Canon.
>>>
>>> MZB wrote:
>>>> Well, I posted this on a couple of newsgroups, but no response yet, so
>>>> I'll try here:
>>>>
>>>> A friend is having a printer problem as outlined below. Any suggestions
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Mel,
>>>> System: Dell Computer ME
>>>> Ink Jet Printer: Epson Color 777
>>>> Printer Cartridges : Generic Sold by My Inks.com
>>>> Black : CL ET 17
>>>> Color : CL ET 18
>>>> Have been using their cartridges since ~ 2002 and the only problem up
>>>> to
>>>> this point has been rate of ink consumption which I hadn't been used to
>>>> because my previous printer was a Panasonic KX - P 1123 dot matrix.
>>>>
>>>> System: Computer & Epson Printer are connected. Each are turned on
>>>> separately with separate controls.
>>>> Normal Scenario :Computer on, turn printer on:
>>>> There are some humming sounds, the ink cartridges are carried back
>>>> and
>>>> forth across the runner while loading and eventually they end up where
>>>> they
>>>> started and the green power light above the power button is on and it
>>>> is
>>>> ready to print.
>>>> Currently Common but abnormal Scenario:
>>>> Now, at times (often but not always), the printer will make a
>>>> ratcheting
>>>> sound, sometimes the ink cartridges move back and forth, sometimes they
>>>> don't but do produce the ratchet sound in place. Now many times the red
>>>> error light will be on and the printer doesn't work. If I turn the
>>>> printer
>>>> off and on again either the printer sets up properly or there is
>>>> additional
>>>> ratcheting and the error light might activate. The Epson book states
>>>> that
>>>> this problem is generally related to jammed paper and visual inspection
>>>> indicates such is not the case. At times I have disconnected the cord
>>>> connecting the printer and the computer after ratcheting and every
>>>> thing
>>>> sets up properly.
>>>> The printer appears to be consuming much more ink than it did. At
>>>> times
>>>> the sounds associated with the ink filling process continue for an
>>>> abnormally long time.
>>>> We have run the "Printer Check" and it Prints Properly. At this point
>>>> the
>>>> book states: the problem may lie in the software settings, the
>>>> interface
>>>> cable, or your computer - big help.
>>>> Larry
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> ---------------------------------
>>>>
>>

MZB wrote:
> Well, I posted this on a couple of newsgroups, but no response yet, so I'll
> try here:
>
> A friend is having a printer problem as outlined below. Any suggestions
>
>
>
>
> Mel,
> System: Dell Computer ME
> Ink Jet Printer: Epson Color 777
> Printer Cartridges : Generic Sold by My Inks.com
> Black : CL ET 17
> Color : CL ET 18
> Have been using their cartridges since ~ 2002 and the only problem up to
> this point has been rate of ink consumption which I hadn't been used to
> because my previous printer was a Panasonic KX - P 1123 dot matrix.
>
> System: Computer & Epson Printer are connected. Each are turned on
> separately with separate controls.
> Normal Scenario :Computer on, turn printer on:
> There are some humming sounds, the ink cartridges are carried back and
> forth across the runner while loading and eventually they end up where they
> started and the green power light above the power button is on and it is
> ready to print.
> Currently Common but abnormal Scenario:
> Now, at times (often but not always), the printer will make a ratcheting
> sound, sometimes the ink cartridges move back and forth, sometimes they
> don't but do produce the ratchet sound in place. Now many times the red
> error light will be on and the printer doesn't work. If I turn the printer
> off and on again either the printer sets up properly or there is additional
> ratcheting and the error light might activate. The Epson book states that
> this problem is generally related to jammed paper and visual inspection
> indicates such is not the case. At times I have disconnected the cord
> connecting the printer and the computer after ratcheting and every thing
> sets up properly.
> The printer appears to be consuming much more ink than it did. At times
> the sounds associated with the ink filling process continue for an
> abnormally long time.
> We have run the "Printer Check" and it Prints Properly. At this point the
> book states: the problem may lie in the software settings, the interface
> cable, or your computer - big help.
> Larry
>
>
> ---------------------------------
>
>

Sounds like a lot of other printers I have had. What has happened is
that on the side of the printer that the head stops on has built up with
ink from the cleaning cycles over the years. It is causing the head to
stick and that makes the stepper motor balk when it tries to move the
head. Only two good solutions for the problem.

One - Repair the printer by taking it apart and cleaning out the built
up ink. It is not real hard but it is VERY MESSY. I do this every couple
of years with my HP 970.

Two - Replace it with a new printer. This will be my next step with mine
because I want a new printer that can also print on CD/DVDs.

--
Steve W.