brother printer - full ink cartridge but does not print

[Anna Lück]

Good morning,

I have a "brother DCP -115C" printer.
So far I was happy with it.
Now, I'm getting really upset with it:
Althought the ink cartridge for black is full I cannot
print a simple black and white document.
Its display is showing "Ink Empty Yellow" and "Replace Ink".

I do not want to buy new yellow ink because I simply
do not use colours. It really annoys me that brother tries
to make me wasting money and ink.

Does anyone know how to make the printer print WITHOUT
replacing the empty yellow ink cartridge (it is actually
not empty, maybe 1/5 left)?

Thank you very much,
Anna

 

[Mary]

Good morning,

I have a "brother DCP -115C" printer.
So far I was happy with it.
Now, I'm getting really upset with it:
Althought the ink cartridge for black is full I cannot
print a simple black and white document.
Its display is showing "Ink Empty Yellow" and "Replace Ink".

I do not want to buy new yellow ink because I simply
do not use colours. It really annoys me that brother tries
to make me wasting money and ink.

Does anyone know how to make the printer print WITHOUT
replacing the empty yellow ink cartridge (it is actually
not empty, maybe 1/5 left)?

Thank you very much,
Anna

I've had a Canon IP4000 for two years. It has 3 colours and two black
cartridges, and if any of the colours run out, it won't work at all. I can't
print black by itself. I think most newer printers are like that as far as I
know,though there may be some which allow you to print black only. I find it
annoying too, as lots of times I might still want to print black only. Its a
way for the manufacturer to get you to buy cartridges as far as I can see. I
also have a Canon IP 1500 which has one black and one tri colour cartridge,
and when the tri colour cartridge runs out, you can still print with black.
So sometimes I use it if I have a lot of black to print. I don't know about
your yellow cartridges having 1/5 left though. My printer gives a warning
first like "ink is low" when you can still print a couple more printings,
then shows "ink is out" and the printer is disabled..

Mary

 

[measekite]

Good morning,

I have a "brother DCP -115C" printer.
So far I was happy with it.
Now, I'm getting really upset with it:
Althought the ink cartridge for black is full I cannot
print a simple black and white document.
Its display is showing "Ink Empty Yellow" and "Replace Ink".

When you buy trash is does not take long to be unhappy with it. It looks
like you found that out.

I do not want to buy new yellow ink because I simply do not use colours.
It really annoys me that brother tries to make me wasting money and ink.

Go get a BW Laser. I hear Brother does not make a real bad one of those.

 

[measekite]

I've had a Canon IP4000 for two years. It has 3 colours and two black
cartridges, and if any of the colours run out, it won't work at all. I
can

That information is simply INCORRECT. I have an IP4000 and it does print
when a color runs out. But you can burn out your printhead. Be sure to
check your color monitor and use Canon OEM ink for best results.


't print black by itself. I think most newer printers are like that

as far as I know,though there may be some which allow you to print black
only. I find it annoying too, as lots of times I might still want to
print black only. Its a way for the manufacturer to get you to buy
cartridges as far as I can see. I also have a Canon IP 1500 which has

That is not true. The Canon IP1500 is such junk that I think one should
put tape over the Canon name if they want to use it.

one black and one

tri colour cartridge, and when the tri colour

Tri color carts are a waste. Just like in the Kodak printers when one
color runs out you need to throw the rest of the ink away.

cartridge runs out, you can still print with black. So sometimes I use
it if I have a lot of black to print. I don't know about your yellow
cartridges having 1/5 left though. My printer gives a warning first like
"ink is low" when you can still print a couple more printings, then
shows "ink is out" and the printer is disabled..

Only if you use Canon Oem ink.

 

[Mary]

That information is simply INCORRECT. I have an IP4000 and it does print
when a color runs out. But you can burn out your printhead. Be sure to
check your color monitor and use Canon OEM ink for best results.

Well, I've never been able to get it to run when it says any of the
cartridges are "out of ink" and I've used OEM cartridges a lot of the time.
So I don't know how you can get it to work and I can't. The printer is not
burned out. Once that sign appears on the status detector, the printer won't
run at all.

't print black by itself. I think most newer printers are like that

That is not true. The Canon IP1500 is such junk that I think one should
put tape over the Canon name if they want to use it.

The Canon IP1500 is a great printer. put tape over yourself.

tri colour cartridge, and when the tri colour

Tri color carts are a waste. Just like in the Kodak printers when one
color runs out you need to throw the rest of the ink away.

Tri color works fine. Everybody is entitled to their own opinion, the same
as you like to give yours.

Only if you use Canon Oem ink.

Of course. >

 

[Anna Lück]

Well, I've never been able to get it to run when it says any of the
cartridges are "out of ink" and I've used OEM cartridges a lot of the time.
So I don't know how you can get it to work and I can't. The printer is not
burned out. Once that sign appears on the status detector, the printer won't
run at all.



The Canon IP1500 is a great printer. put tape over yourself.



Tri color works fine. Everybody is entitled to their own opinion, the same
as you like to give yours.



Of course. >

Thank you for your answers.

Is there a way of getting my current brother printer to print rather
than
considering buying other printers? I don't want to spend money on a
new resp. other printer.

I would like to know of how to get my brother printer print.

 

[Don Phillipson]

. . .
Is there a way of getting my current brother printer to print rather
than considering buying other printers? I don't want to spend money on a
new resp. other printer.

It would be cheaper to replace the colour cartridge(s).
Brother DCPs appear to accept unbranded replacement
cartridges (at least my DCP 330C and DCP 540CN do.)
Many brands of printer will not function with a single
empty ink cartridge.

 

[measekite]

Well, I've never been able to get it to run when it says any of the
cartridges are "out of ink" and I've used OEM cartridges a lot of the time.
So I don't know how you can get it to work and I can't. The printer is not
burned out. Once that sign appears on the status detector, the printer won't
run at all.

That is because you do not ask the right questions.

An Example:

What operating system are you using?

What driver are you using?

These are just two questions.

 

[Anna Lück]

That is because you do not ask the right questions.

An Example:

What operating system are you using?

What driver are you using?

These are just two questions.

Well, I'm just a silly Windows XP user.
The driver is the standard one which was also delivered with the
printer:
It's version 5.01 for Windows2000/XP, date: 28 April 2005.

Shall I update it?

Please let me know what other information you need.

 

[Mary]

That is because you do not ask the right questions.

An Example:

What operating system are you using?

What driver are you using?

These are just two questions.

In my case, are you saying that if I used a particular operating system
and/or a particular driver, I could get my printer to print black text only
even if one of my colors say the status detector says I have to replace
yellow cartridge as it is out of ink. Not just low on ink but out of ink.

Just for information, I use Win XP and drivers that came with the printer.

Mary

 

[Mary]

Well, I've never been able to get it to run when it says any of the
cartridges are "out of ink" and I've used OEM cartridges a lot of the time.
So I don't know how you can get it to work and I can't. The printer is not
burned out. Once that sign appears on the status detector, the printer won't
run at all.



The Canon IP1500 is a great printer. put tape over yourself.



Tri color works fine. Everybody is entitled to their own opinion, the same
as you like to give yours.



Of course. >

Thank you for your answers.

Is there a way of getting my current brother printer to print rather
than
considering buying other printers? I don't want to spend money on a
new resp. other printer.

I would like to know of how to get my brother printer print.

Some of the others here might be able to give you the answer to what you are
asking. There are some pretty experienced and helpful people here who have
helped me in the past. If most of your printing is black text only and you
do very little color printing, you might be better off with a black only
laser printer. If it was me, I would look into the cost of the maintaining
it. I don't know how expensive cartridges (or toner) is for a laser
printer. I think its a good idea to look into the maintenance cost of
different printers before buying one. Its not something I thought about too
much myself, but I would now. I used to use Staples compatible ink
cartridges and they were ok, but now they are not much cheaper than brand
name.

Mary

 

[Mary]

Mary
If that is what he is saying then he is wrong.
The status of the ink cartridge in an ip4000 is determined solely by the
printer, it has nothing to do with the driver or the operating system. If the
printer determines that a cartridge is empty it will refuse to print and will
report that to the driver.
With this printer I know of no way to make it print without installing a
cartridge that has ink in it. If there was a way to do it you would be putting
your printhead at risk.
I believe the person to whom you responded is being deliberately mischievous or
worse. He has never got his ip4000 to print with a truly empty cartridge unless
his printer is faulty or modified.
Tony

So I guess there is no way to get my IP 4000 printer to print black only
when any other cartridge is empty and reports it is empty, right? I didn't
think so because when my printer says its out of ink, it becomes disabled
and won't print at all. I was just making sure. Even though I know measekite
from the past, very occasionally he says something correct, but doesn't last
till he rambles again. Deliberately mischievous is right. I hate having to
replace color carts as I could still use black only till I can get the
needed cartridge. I sometimes go back to my old IP1500 which WILL work with
black only. Too bad the new printers weren't like that, but then the
manufacturers are hoping you will buy more carts. Argghhhhh. Thanks Tony.
You are always helpful. Nice talking to you again. Happy new year.

Mary

 

[measekite]

In my case, are you saying that if I used a particular operating system
and/or a particular driver, I could get my printer to print black text only
even if one of my colors say the status detector says I have to replace
yellow cartridge as it is out of ink. Not just low on ink but out of ink.

Just for information, I use Win XP and drivers that came with the printer.

Mary

Yes

The status detector is part of the driver. The driver tells the printer
what to do. I have to watch by ink supply since I am using a Japanese
driver that does not support an ink detector under Linux and my IP4000
will print even thought a color is out. That could burn the printhead if
I was not careful.

 

[measekite]

Mary
If that is what he is saying then he is wrong.
The status of the ink cartridge in an ip4000 is determined solely by the
printer, it has nothing to do with the driver or the operating system. If the
printer determines that a cartridge is empty it will refuse to print and will
report that to the driver.

That is what you think.

With this printer I know of no way to make it print without installing a
cartridge that has ink in it. If there was a way to do it you would be putting
your printhead at risk.

I NEED TO WATCH MY INK SUPPLY TO ENSURE THAT IT DOES NOT RUN DRY AND BURN
THE HEAD.

I believe the person to whom you responded is being deliberately
mischievous or worse. He has never got his ip4000 to print with a truly

YOU ARE FULL OF CRAP.

I will bet you know nothing about Linux and foreign drivers.

 

[Arthur Entlich]

Although I do not know the specifics, many inkjet printers with
permanent heads require all the ink cartridges be installed and contain
enough ink or they will not print. The reason is because the heads can
clog if left without ink in them, and with some semi-permanent thermal
heads, the head can burn out if run without ink.

I think Brother inkjet printers use piezo printheads, meaning the head
isn't likely to burn out if run without ink, but it very well might clog
the head quite badly.

Art


If you are interested in issues surrounding e-waste,
I invite you to enter the discussion at my blog:

http://e-trashtalk.spaces.live.com/

 

[Arthur Entlich]

The Canon printer you mentioned uses semi-permanent heads and it can
indeed be damaged by running the printer with no ink running through one
or more colors.

To protect the head from damage, it simply won;t print without all inks
in place.

Art

If you are interested in issues surrounding e-waste,
I invite you to enter the discussion at my blog:

http://e-trashtalk.spaces.live.com/

 

[Arthur Entlich]

A few considerations:

A number of inkjet printers are capable of printing black and white, or
even greyscale documents with just the black ink (some Epson printers
offer this option, as do some HP). Some Canon printers use a pigment
ink black cartridge just for use with text or black and white only
documents.

I believe some models of HP printers can continue printing in black only
even if the color cartridge is run out or removed from the printer.
These printers have "disposable" cartridges with the head incorporated.
Some older Canon can do the same. I don;t know about other thermal
products like Lexmark.

Art




If you are interested in issues surrounding e-waste,
I invite you to enter the discussion at my blog:

http://e-trashtalk.spaces.live.com/

 

[Mary]

Mary
Be very careful. This man is deliberately trying to mislead you. The printer
will indicate ink out even if it has never been connected to a computer. Any
driver, Japanese or otherwise, cannot possibly overide the printer; that is
simply not possible. This is deliberate design by the manufacturer to prevent
damage to the printhead if one of the cartridges is dry.
I think you would be wise to ignore this person, his history in this and many
other newsgroups is one of deliberately doing harm. A weasel of a man and
unfortunately clever enough to mislead 0.0001% of the people who read his posts.
I wish you a happy and fulfilled year and lots of great prints.

Tony, don't worry. I know him from the times I've been around here before.
He's got nothing better to do. I know his reputation. I don't always
download this group, but sometimes I check here. I would like a printer
which would let me print back only like the original OP, as I use black more
than color, but I sometimes print photos so want color as well,
but besides possible damage to the printhead, I think manufacturers want you
to buy lots of ink carts where they make their profit. I always hoped they
would make printers which cost more to buy but have cartridges much cheaper
than now. A lot of people buy new printers rather than pay for cartridges
for old printer, but when you think of it, if you do that, you are back to
the same position once the new printer is out of ink. Also, its very bad for
environment to throw so many printers. I ordered compatible cartridges from
Abacus which Lou from this group told me about a while back. They seem to be
OK for now. I've been thinking about those 4 in 1 printers, but wouldn't a
multifunction printer take even more ink cartridges for printing,
photocopying, faxing,scanning than a regular printer. I wouldn't use a fax
or copy much anyway, and I have a scanner, but those multifunction printers
have come down a lot in price. Its just a thought.

Mary

 

[Mary]

The Canon printer you mentioned uses semi-permanent heads and it can
indeed be damaged by running the printer with no ink running through one
or more colors.

To protect the head from damage, it simply won;t print without all inks
in place.

Yes, you can't run my printer without all cartridges in place even if you
wanted to. It becomes disabled if not all inks are in place and refuses to
budge.

Mary

 

[measekite]

Mary
Be very careful. This man is deliberately trying to mislead you. The printer
will indicate ink out even if it has never been connected to a computer. Any
driver, Japanese or otherwise, cannot possibly overide the printer; that is
simply not possible. This is deliberate design by the manufacturer to prevent
damage to the printhead if one of the cartridges is dry.
I think you would be wise to ignore this person, his history in this and many
other newsgroups is one of deliberately doing harm. A weasel of a man and
unfortunately clever enough to mislead 0.0001% of the people who read his posts.
I wish you a happy and fulfilled year and lots of great prints.
Tony
Tony
MS MVP Printing Image

All I can say is that I ran out of yellow. The tank was empty and bone
dry. I still was able to print. Fortunately I did notice it as I check
the tanks on a schedule and change the yellow tank. I am still printing
and did not burn the head.

I do not know about other models that have chips.