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General discussion

Printer mystery

Sep 22, 2006 8:06AM PDT

Let me say thanks in advance to all that take their time to answer my question.
The problem symptoms are as follows.
When I request my Epson Stylus CX5400 color printer to print, it sounds just like it is actually printing but a blank sheet comes out.
I am running Windows XP pro version 2002 W/SP2 with a 3.2GHz Pentium 4 with hyperthreading. 3.19 GHz 512 MB RAM
This is how it appears in My Comp properties.
I have an Epson Stylus CX5400 and the ink cartridges are not empty. As a matter of fact, it will not do ANYTHING if one is out of ink. I do not have any error messages on the computer or the printer.
I had this problem 6 months ago and stopped using this printer, never got it to work again. I just reformatted my PC and reinstalled this EPson to no avail. I tried to run the alignment test and it sounded like it was printing but shot a blank out. I wanted to get your assistance before I begin the usually long, long ,long game of e-mail tag with Epson. Again thanks for your help.
Jim

Discussion is locked

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My CX62 did the same.
Sep 22, 2006 9:47AM PDT

I traced it down to some circuit failure which means the end of the line. I then made a mistake of freecycling it and the cartridges and instantly was besieged on how to fix the printer. I had asked that only a 62 owner take it for the spare parts and the remaining spare carts. A sad ending in my book. But I'm wiser now about freecycling.

Bob

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etc...
Sep 22, 2006 9:56AM PDT

Mr. Proffit, you always seem to know your stuff ever since I first began to come here. What did you do about it? What is the actual problem? software, hardware, or me somehow?

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It was a failure on the printer controller.
Sep 22, 2006 1:29PM PDT

Since a new printer cost less than repair or parts I freecycled the printer and cartridges and got a new printer.

How did I know? I own an oscilloscope and know how to use it.

Bob

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The usual suspects...
Sep 22, 2006 11:56AM PDT

Can you do a "self test"? You sure the ink levels are active and true? Do you have any warranty? If yes, then use it. If as Robert mentioned it was a h/w fault, more than likely nothing you can do to correct it. But, if a h/w failure and possible a wide spread issue, then even if no warranty, some consumer resolution maybe allowed, presue it. Alas, any true h/w fault maybe more than the printer is worth to repair, replace. Visit the Epson support website for possible action if common problem and/or actions required on your part before calling Epson.

tada -----Willy Happy

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Same problem with Epson Stylus CX5400 - prints blanks
Oct 26, 2006 12:56PM PDT

I recently changed the ink cartidges on my Espson Stylus CX5400 all-in-one. One photo printed okay, then the next document was very light. The third document was almost invisible and after that it printed only blank pages. I followed the printer manual's trouble shooting methods - cleaned print head, running nozzle check, aligning print head, nothing worked. I called Epson technical support - they gave me phone numbers of repair shops. I called one, was told, sometimes when the cartidges are changed the pump gets clogged up & it would cost $80 to $100 to repair. Has anyone ever tried taking the printer apart to attempt such a repair job? I don't want to waste the $50 I just paid for the new ink cartridges.

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OH! those Epson's
Oct 26, 2006 10:41PM PDT

Because the inkhead remains with the printer when replacing the ink carts, Epson's tend to be prone to clogs. Your problem as the tech suggested seems to have introduced air and/or if you used non-Epson ink, may have started the problem. Doing what you did, is about the only action typical an user can take. I suggest, if you can, place a damp swatch of cloth below the ink carriage under the jets themselves and allow to sit, overnight. Use the "letter" lever to gap the space below the inkjets in order to place swatch. If no recovery is found, hey s*** happens. I know the repair is high, thus a new replacement of your liking is often the fix. You can use your warranty is still active.

tada -----Willy Happy

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did use Espson ink
Oct 27, 2006 5:00AM PDT

I did use Espson ink cartridges. Thanks for the suggestion of using damp swatch of cloth below cartridges - I'll let you know if it works.