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General discussion

Refilling Inkjet Carrtidges, and resetting level indicator

May 12, 2005 3:50AM PDT

I have found that refilling inkjet cartridges can save a lot of money, provided you can stand a small risk of problems. (My own experience with this sort of technology goes back to the ''Ribbon Re-inker'' device for the IBM 40x series mechanical accounting machines).
However, some printers (such as my HP 7660) have a way of signalling that ink is low, and the message keeps coming up after the cartridge is refilled. I suspect there may be a circuit in the cartridge body that triggers when it is first used and measures usage after that, up to some threshold.
My questions: a) am I right about how this works, and b) is there a way to reset the level indicator?

Perry Bowker

Discussion is locked

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What I've been told...
May 12, 2005 5:35AM PDT

Is to rotate among 3 or 4 cartridges. It can't remember that many and starts it off fresh. Only makes require a chip reset tool.

I leave you to google what method your printer used.

Bob

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Reset HP ink levels
May 18, 2005 11:23AM PDT

Most of HP's newer printers have built-in memory that records the serial numbers of the last 3 cartriges used, as well as their ink levels. However, after the initial installation, they work by adding up how much ink you've used and subtracting it from the whole instead of just reading the level each time. That's why the printer doesn't recognize that the cartridge is full.

As Bob said, you can rotate between 3-4 cartridges to solve the problem. However, the same feat can be accomplished by placing a piece of tape over a couple of contacts, one at a time, on the back of the cartridge. The exact contacts vary by model, but they are usually the end ones, or where it looks like they form a point. You can experiment around with this to find out which ones your model uses, or try googling for it (though it took me around 350 results before I found the combo for mine).

This method fools the printer into thinking it is a different cartridge. Since the printer only stores the last three serial #s, the "fakes" will replace the serial number of the cartridge you have, making it usable again. However, the usage of tape may also damage the contacts over time, causing the cartridge to be unusable. (I haven't had a problem with it, but you may want to use acid-free tape to prevent the possible damage.)

Finally, there is an expiration date on the cartridge. After that date, the cartridge will cease to function...another anti-tampering method used by many printer manufacturers. To my knowledge, this cannot be bypassed.

NOTE: HP's policy is that refilled cartridges, including those professionally done, are not covered under the warrenty. In addition, any damage caused by using refilled cartridges is not covered.

Hope this helps,
John


P.S. Epson printers are even more difficult...many of their models require you to purchase a special "chip resetter" in order to refill the cartridge. At least you don't have to purchase anything with the HP...yet.