Help! Epson 2200/2100 only printing big black smudges...

[dave_in_gva]

I've got a major problem.

I've got an Epson 2100 which after my using Windex to fix a nozzle
clog that didn't give good test patterns despite 5 cleaning cycles is
now only giving me black smudges about a half inch high when I run a
nozzle check or try and print anything. So picture two half inch high
bands of black ink bleeding onto the page in the place of a nozzle
check.

I've put the printhead in replacment position, disconnected the power
and manually ran the printhead back and forth over warm water
dampened paper towels but the problem remains.

I note that if I print a black and white photo through a RIP (i.e. not
through the Epson driver) I get a recognizable image but the quality
is much diminished over my standard output from that RIP and there
are pizza wheel tracks all over.

This looks grim and I am suspicous the printhead is shot. Is there
anything else I should try? It seems weird that if I print without
going through the Epson driver I at least get something recognizable,
even if the quality is not sufficient. How much should it cost to get
a new printhead if that's what people think it is? I mean is a new
printhead 80% or more of the purchase price of a new model (like the
R2400)?

Thanks for any insight on this....desperate here.


Best wishes,

Dave M

 

[measekite]

Are you now and have you always used Epson Pigmented ink?

 

[Shooter]

Could do with a few more details on how you used Windex, have you tried to
print a Purge sheet, have you got the black carts in the correct slots ie
black and light black, if you have run a Purge sheet what are the colours
like, have you tried cleaning carts. Have you changed the black cart. As you
suggest it may well be the head that is knackered but try the above first..

 

[dave_in_gva]

I've used the UT7 inkset from MIS Associates. Basically this is a
black and white specialty inkset (it is only black and shades of
grey) with extremely high quality pigment inks -more archival than
Epson inks, better lightfastness, deeper DMax for blacks. Clogging of
a nozzle might occur periodically but clogs have been pretty few and
far between.

DaveM

 

[Alan Justice]

I used those inks (all 7) in my Epson 2200. What a mistake! I had constant
clogs and scuff marks, pizza wheel marks. Ultimately it ruined the printer
and it had to be replaced. Yes, it cost 80% less than what Epson inks cost,
but was ultimately more expensive. Cut your losses, move on back to Epson
ink. Just my $0.02.

 

[measekite]

There are a bunch of crankies on this ng that will dispute what you are
saying. They will claim that generic ink is great, does not fade, does
not clog and the results are even better than factory ink. I think they
must work for or be associated with the ink relabelers.

I believe everything that you are saying. Did you read this post church
goers. These poster do not want to accept what you are saying. They do
not want to believe what you say. They want to turn a blind eye to
this. I keep telling them there are hundreds of posts over a year of
people complaining about the same thing.

Yes generic ink, in many cases except for the rare ones, does in fact
cost more than OEM ink. And then there is the fading and lower quality
results.

 

[frank]

I used those inks (all 7) in my Epson 2200. What a mistake! I had constant
clogs and scuff marks, pizza wheel marks. Ultimately it ruined the printer
and it had to be replaced. Yes, it cost 80% less than what Epson inks cost,
but was ultimately more expensive. Cut your losses, move on back to Epson
ink. Just my $0.02.

Oh how very prophetic...I'm sure our resident loser will gladly champion
your cause.
P.S. why do I find your post not believable and the timing suspect?
Frank