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Topic: Interesting issue with RX700s.... |
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Dodgy
New Member
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Posted on: Mar 12, 2008 - 8:39am
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I hit the dreaded 'printer parts need servicing' message a week ago. The counter was about 35000
So I used my copy of SSC 4.30 to reset the protection counter. Worked like a dream - counter set to zero. I had to click OK on the 'Have you changed the waste pad' window, but in fact I did not change it.
Everything worked for a few days, but then the 'servicing' message came back! I have done little or no cleaning in the last few days, so is there an ink detector inside the pad? Or some kind of pressure detector?
I have now installed a waste bottle outside the printer, and reset the counter again, but if the message comes back again I will probably have to disassemble the printer to clean the pad.
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Dodgy
New Member
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Posted on: Mar 13, 2008 - 3:55am
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Well, after I reset it, the message came back a day later, with a counter number of about 27000.
SSC Admin, does this mean that I need to do something more than a protection counter reset?
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ruswis
New Member
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Posted on: Apr 1, 2008 - 5:07am
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Hi Dodgy (or anybody):
I hope you're still tuned in to this thread. I too have the Epson Stylus Photo RX700, and have just hit the 'Printer Needs Servicing' error. I have only had the unit 2 years, and it has only had a moderate amount of use, so I feel that the error has occurred prematurely. On another thread, someone suggested that maybe Epson design the printer to produce this error message much sooner if you use non-Epson ink cartridges (the 'Protection Counter' counts up twice as fast?), and I suspect this may actually be the case.
Anyway, this is all by-the-way. From information gained elsewhere, I opened up the small 'service door' on the rear of the unit. There can be seen the two 'drain pipes', and beneath them a thick felt-like pad - I presume this is one of the (I read somewhere that there are actually two pads) 'Waste ink pads' that supposedly require replacing. Curiously, I pressed my finger down on the pad, and it appears perfectly dry - no sign of any surplus ink (another reason why I suspect the error message has occurred prematurely!). Whatever, I downloaded the SSC 4.30 program and reset the 'Protection Counter' from some high-ish number (didn't take much notice of the actual figure at the time), and sure enough, it now read '0' and the printer began working again. However, after printing just 4 CD labels I rechecked the count, and it was up to 40,000 (approx), and when the printer was turned off/then back on, the error message was back.
I find it hard to believe that there is some sort of 'sensor' in the 'Waste ink tray', or the actual 'ink pads', so presumably you have to do something other than just 'reset' the Protection Counter to make it begin counting up normally again.
Has anyone ever achieved 'lasting resetting' (if that's a suitable term) of the Protection Counter on a RX700, or does anyone have any ideas on how it can be done? (How have you gone on with yours, Dodgy?).
Thanks in advance to anyone who can advise.
Ruswis.
'The light at the end of the tunnel - it's a train!!' |
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ruswis
New Member
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Posted on: Apr 1, 2008 - 5:21am
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Sorry - orginal message was posted twice by accident!
Ruswis |
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SSC
Administrator
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 Posted on: Apr 4, 2008 - 4:06am
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No sensor is present in your printer.
May be just Epson checks become harder and harder :-)
We'll review your problem.
Sincerely Yours,
Members of SSC Localization Group. |
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Dodgy
New Member
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Posted on: Apr 8, 2008 - 1:33pm
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Ruswis (and SSC Administration!)
1 - Thanks, SSC, for noticing this thread and planning to look into the problem. We will help in any way we can.
2 - I had been running with the printer constantly setting the recount to high, and using the SSC utility to set it back to zero again. However, the printer has now reached the position where it no longer warns, and just halts its turn-on sequence with a message saying that parts inside need attention.
In this state I can use the SSC utility to set the counter back to zero, turn the printer off, and it will then not halt when I turn it on again. However, if I use the head cleaning utility to clean the heads, it will refuse to clean them and display the message. So I am unable to clean the heads, and the printer is becoming unusable, since the colour heads need cleaning.
I understand that in America a law case has forced Epson to tell customers what the key depressions to reset this counter are. So if you go to an Epson web page and type in an American serial number they will ive you this information. Unfortunately, I do not have an American printer, so unless someone can give me am American serial, or tell me what the printer key depressions for an RX700 are, my printer will become useless...
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Dodgy
New Member
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Posted on: Apr 8, 2008 - 4:24pm
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Has anyone had any experience of this resetting program?
http://printer1.blogspot.com/2008/02/resetter-printer-epson-rx700.html
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ruswis
New Member
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Posted on: Apr 10, 2008 - 10:51am
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Hi Dodgy (and whoever else):
I've seen that article before: 'Switch on printer - Set the date to 10 may 2005' Uh? My printer hasn't got a date on it! LOL Presumably they mean on your computer. MMMM, sounds to me more like an April Fool joke.
Anyway, I'm currently in the process of negotiating a replacement printer (for a reasonable price) with Epson, so messing with my own printer has gone on hold for a while. However, you may like to take a look at this item:
http://www.the-inkstore.co.uk/frame/pages/Epson%20printer%20resetting.htm
It babbles on about these 'stand-alone' printers being controlled by two sets of software, and therefore need a 'Soft reset'. It goes on to tell you how to do this with the SSC 4.30 program. Apparently this TOTALLY RESETS EVERYTHING in the printer, which may mean that you'll lose track of where you are with your currently installed ink cartridges; but anyway, I reckon this definitely sounds worth trying, and I'll try it with mine if I get back to trying to sort it out.
On another point, if you feel like you may be able to get the top cabinet part off your printer, take a look at this item:
http://www.ianwillis.co.uk/c42/
it doesn't refer specifically to the RX700, but things may not be THAT different, and it seems to suggest that its not that difficult to get out the 'waste ink pads' and clean them (gives detailed, and pictorial, instructions on how to do it) - thus avoiding all the pratting about with this 'external ink bottle hanging on the back' business.
Anyway, if you do have a go at any of the above, please be sure to report the results back here.
For now,
Regards,
Ruswis.
'The light at the end of the tunnel - it's a train!!' |
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Dodgy
New Member
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Posted on: Apr 10, 2008 - 3:06pm
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Ruswis,
Tried the 'soft reset' - it did nothing.
My printer is in a worse state than yours now - after every print the protection counter locks and the printer stops working. It has to be turned off and on again for every print.
I have already opened up a CX6400 to replace the waste pad, so I anticipate no problems with the RX700. But since I am using a CIS system I thought I would use an overflow as well, to lower any maintainence requirement. Unfortunately, Epson have decided to punish me for this...
Have you seen this page? If you live in America Epson will tell you how to reset the printer, but not otherwise! I'm suprised the data hasn't leaked out onto the net by now - perhaps the SSC admins will find out about it...
Why are you negotiating for a new printer - is it because of the locking? Report back if Epson provide any real support!
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Dodgy
New Member
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Posted on: Apr 18, 2008 - 8:01am
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Wow, Ruswis,
I see what you mean! I have also been offered a refurbished replacement for a few pounds!
Are Epson so scared of SSC that they will effectively give people a new printer when the waste pads fill up, rather than reveal the secret code? Their revenue stream from overpriced ink must be what's keeping Epson afloat!
If I were an stock analyst I would be keeping a close eye on the ink market, and would sell Epson the minute it looks like their little scam has been rumbled....
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