Hacking the Canon cartridge chip

[John Smith]

There are 4 pins on the chip: Vcc, GND, CLK and Data. The GND pin is the
longest one, the second from the left. I put a tape on this GND pin to make
it not contacted, but the cartridge still works fine. The cartridge is
recognized; the red light is on; the printer is still able to write to the
chip (yes, I confirmed this).

I also tried to cut off all the traces to this GND pin (see the picture),
the same.

What's going on? How could any electronics work without a return ground?

http://lh4.google.com/fixup77/R8tZNofu6zI/AAAAAAAAAN0/Sb27A3OO4Q0/s800/IMGP0221.JPG

 

[Tony Hwang]

There are 4 pins on the chip: Vcc, GND, CLK and Data. The GND pin is the
longest one, the second from the left. I put a tape on this GND pin to make
it not contacted, but the cartridge still works fine. The cartridge is
recognized; the red light is on; the printer is still able to write to the
chip (yes, I confirmed this).

I also tried to cut off all the traces to this GND pin (see the picture),
the same.

What's going on? How could any electronics work without a return ground?

http://lh4.google.com/fixup77/R8tZNofu6zI/AAAAAAAAAN0/Sb27A3OO4Q0/s800/IMGP0221.JPG

Hi,
In digital logic if ground is lifted, other signal pins float = logic
high signal.

 

[John Smith]

But you need some current to write an EEPROM, right? Are these new CMOS
chips such good now, just voltage is enough to write?

There are 4 pins on the chip: Vcc, GND, CLK and Data. The GND pin is the
longest one, the second from the left. I put a tape on this GND pin to make
it not contacted, but the cartridge still works fine. The cartridge is
recognized; the red light is on; the printer is still able to write to the
chip (yes, I confirmed this).

I also tried to cut off all the traces to this GND pin (see the picture),
the same.

What's going on? How could any electronics work without a return ground?

http://lh4.google.com/fixup77/R8tZNofu6zI/AAAAAAAAAN0/Sb27A3OO4Q0/s800/IMGP0221.JPG

simple really - the Vcc provides the reference just as reliably as the gnd.

you'll probably find that reinstating gnd and isolating Vcc will behave
similarly.

 

[rebel]

There are 4 pins on the chip: Vcc, GND, CLK and Data. The GND pin is the
longest one, the second from the left. I put a tape on this GND pin to make
it not contacted, but the cartridge still works fine. The cartridge is
recognized; the red light is on; the printer is still able to write to the
chip (yes, I confirmed this).

I also tried to cut off all the traces to this GND pin (see the picture),
the same.

What's going on? How could any electronics work without a return ground?

http://lh4.google.com/fixup77/R8tZNofu6zI/AAAAAAAAAN0/Sb27A3OO4Q0/s800/IMGP0221.JPG

simple really - the Vcc provides the reference just as reliably as the gnd.

you'll probably find that reinstating gnd and isolating Vcc will behave
similarly.

 

[John Smith]

It is not just logic here, some current is needed to write the chip. So, the
CLK or Data lines, when logically low, provided a current return?

There are 4 pins on the chip: Vcc, GND, CLK and Data. The GND pin is the
longest one, the second from the left. I put a tape on this GND pin to
make
it not contacted, but the cartridge still works fine. The cartridge is
recognized; the red light is on; the printer is still able to write to the
chip (yes, I confirmed this).

I also tried to cut off all the traces to this GND pin (see the picture),
the same.

What's going on? How could any electronics work without a return ground?

http://lh4.google.com/fixup77/R8tZNofu6zI/AAAAAAAAAN0/Sb27A3OO4Q0/s800/IMGP0221.JPG

Hi,
In digital logic if ground is lifted, other signal pins float = logic
high signal.

 

[Tony Hwang]

It is not just logic here, some current is needed to write the chip. So, the
CLK or Data lines, when logically low, provided a current return?

John Smith wrote:



Hi,
In digital logic if ground is lifted, other signal pins float = logic
high signal.

EEPROM needs write enable, data, clock signal to erase/rewrite data into
it. Clock and data is external to the chip.

 

[John Smith]

Then where it gets the current to write?

It is not just logic here, some current is needed to write the chip. So,
the
CLK or Data lines, when logically low, provided a current return?

John Smith wrote:



Hi,
In digital logic if ground is lifted, other signal pins float = logic
high signal.

EEPROM needs write enable, data, clock signal to erase/rewrite data into
it. Clock and data is external to the chip.

 

[Tony Hwang]

Then where it gets the current to write?

John Smith wrote:



EEPROM needs write enable, data, clock signal to erase/rewrite data into
it. Clock and data is external to the chip.

Hi,
Current flows from Vcc to ground. Some logic gate is hi enabled some are
lo enabled.

 

[John Smith]

The guy who posted about the pin layout must be wrong.

Seems to me this chip is not a I2C device but a 1-wire EEPROM (e.g. Maxim
DS2430A). Such a 1-wire chip only needs 2 pins to work: data and ground.
Power is provided through the data line and there is no clock line.

If this is the case, then the longer contact (2nd from the left) is not a
return or reference ground but a shielding ground. That's why I can tape
this contact and the cartridge still works fully.

The Vcc contact then does not provide the power to the EEPROM; it just light
up the red LED.

So, the 4 contacts must then be: Vcc, shielding, data and GND.

Then where it gets the current to write?

John Smith wrote:



EEPROM needs write enable, data, clock signal to erase/rewrite data into
it. Clock and data is external to the chip.

Hi,
Current flows from Vcc to ground. Some logic gate is hi enabled some are
lo enabled.

 

[Richard Steinfeld]

Here's my viewpoint:

The behavior of these corporations (like my President) only grows
steadily worse in the face of exposure. Like him, they dig in their
heels and become increasingly egregious. The major printer makers are
engaging in monopolistic or cartel practices and blatant restraint of
trade. This second point is of particular interest here. And it is
illegal, at least in the US. It's of no concern when those who are
supposed to protect the populace from such predation are doing the
opposite. But what else is new in BushMerica?

I've just spent a few hours reviving three "defective" HP cartridges. I
simply un-clogged them with a cartridge sucker. I "earned" about $110
worth of ink at discount HP price. None of the printer's internal
cleaning routines worked, but the little sucker did the trick instantly.
Thanks to InkTec: suckers are part of their HP refill kits.
Two of the clogs that my HP printers couldn't fix were in cartridges
filled with genuine HP ink. HP's recommendation in such a situation is
to replace the cartridge...with one, in this case, that's $55 at Costco.
So, my hands have a little ink stain, and I "earned" about $35 per hour.

All of this is insane.

For the time being, instead of dealing with the craziness of resetting
Canon chips at the pin level, I have a different personal approach. It's
to buy used printers at the thrift shop. Good, older, faithful products
that use refillable cartridges. When the printer fails, and if the
failure is difficult to fix or a part can't be had, get another one: let
it just croak. And I speak from the standpoint of someone who has worked
in electronics repair.

Alternatively, I ask about the new generation of Kodaks. What is _their_
chipping practice? Do they do it?

Note that I'm not calling you folks crazy. You have reasons of your own
for trying to beat the system -- there's a fine human satisfaction in
this, and it's cool from a hobbyist point of view. I don't print photos,
so I'm not devoted to Canons; if I did, my viewpoint might be different.

Perhaps the most galling thing about cartridge chipping is this: guess
who is paying extra for those chips and their embedded R&D? So, you're
actually paying to screw yourself.

Richard Steinfeld

 

[measekite]

Here's my viewpoint:

The behavior of these corporations (like my President) only grows
steadily worse in the face of exposure. Like him, they dig in their
heels and become increasingly egregious.

The major printer makers are engaging in monopolistic or cartel
practices and blatant restraint of trade. This second point is of
particular interest here. And it is illegal, at least in the US. It's
of no concern when those who are supposed to protect the populace from
such predation are doing the opposite. But what else is new in
BushMerica?

They may be overcharging for ink but they are not engaging in
monopolistic or cartel practices and blatant restraint of trade

I've just spent a few hours reviving three "defective" HP cartridges.

At that rate you time is worth a little more than the minimum wage

I simply un-clogged them with a cartridge sucker. I "earned" about
$110 worth of ink at discount HP price. None of the printer's internal
cleaning routines worked, what did you expect
but the little sucker did the trick instantly. Thanks to InkTec:
suckers are part of their HP refill kits.

Oh, I think they are all of their customer base.

Two of the clogs that my HP printers couldn't fix were in cartridges
filled with genuine HP ink. HP's recommendation in such a situation is
to replace the cartridge...with one, in this case, that's $55 at Costco.

Costco will replace defective carts for free.

So, my hands have a little ink stain, and I "earned" about $35 per hour. $10 per hour if that

All of this is insane.

For the time being, instead of dealing with the craziness of resetting
Canon chips at the pin level, I have a different personal approach.
It's to buy used printers at the thrift shop. Good, older, faithful
products that use refillable cartridges. When the printer fails, and
if the failure is difficult to fix or a part can't be had, get another
one: let it just croak. And I speak from the standpoint of someone who
has worked in electronics repair.

Alternatively, I ask about the new generation of Kodaks. What is
_their_ chipping practice? Do they do it?

Note that I'm not calling you folks crazy. You have reasons of your
own for trying to beat the system -- there's a fine human satisfaction
in this, and it's cool from a hobbyist point of view. I don't print
photos, so I'm not devoted to Canons; if I did, my viewpoint might be
different.

Perhaps the most galling thing about cartridge chipping is this: guess
who is paying extra for those chips and their embedded R&D? So, you're
actually paying to screw yourself.

if all of the generic fly by niters went out of business then the mfg
would not need chips to protect their investment. But it is nice for
Canon to have leds on their carts since some OS do not use their drivers
and you do not have the benefit of easily knowing the ink level.

 

[John Smith]

Well said.

In these days, customers become enemies of the sellers, how stupid is this.
CD labels have been fighting with their customers for years, so have
Hollywood (DVD)..., now ink cartridges.

They can never prevent 3rd-party companies from defeating. For example,
Cartridge World is still refilling/selling/resetting chipped Canon carts.
They just screw up their dear customers.

message Here's my viewpoint:

The behavior of these corporations (like my President) only grows
steadily worse in the face of exposure. Like him, they dig in their
heels and become increasingly egregious. The major printer makers are
engaging in monopolistic or cartel practices and blatant restraint of
trade. This second point is of particular interest here. And it is
illegal, at least in the US. It's of no concern when those who are
supposed to protect the populace from such predation are doing the
opposite. But what else is new in BushMerica?

I've just spent a few hours reviving three "defective" HP cartridges. I
simply un-clogged them with a cartridge sucker. I "earned" about $110
worth of ink at discount HP price. None of the printer's internal
cleaning routines worked, but the little sucker did the trick instantly.
Thanks to InkTec: suckers are part of their HP refill kits.
Two of the clogs that my HP printers couldn't fix were in cartridges
filled with genuine HP ink. HP's recommendation in such a situation is
to replace the cartridge...with one, in this case, that's $55 at Costco.
So, my hands have a little ink stain, and I "earned" about $35 per hour.

All of this is insane.

For the time being, instead of dealing with the craziness of resetting
Canon chips at the pin level, I have a different personal approach. It's
to buy used printers at the thrift shop. Good, older, faithful products
that use refillable cartridges. When the printer fails, and if the
failure is difficult to fix or a part can't be had, get another one: let
it just croak. And I speak from the standpoint of someone who has worked
in electronics repair.

Alternatively, I ask about the new generation of Kodaks. What is _their_
chipping practice? Do they do it?

Note that I'm not calling you folks crazy. You have reasons of your own
for trying to beat the system -- there's a fine human satisfaction in
this, and it's cool from a hobbyist point of view. I don't print photos,
so I'm not devoted to Canons; if I did, my viewpoint might be different.

Perhaps the most galling thing about cartridge chipping is this: guess
who is paying extra for those chips and their embedded R&D? So, you're
actually paying to screw yourself.

Richard Steinfeld

 

[Frank]

measekite wrote: