Lexmark Z52 color problems

[Rover]

I posted sometime ago about on this topic but have not resolved the
problem. I was pleased with the photo quality prints from my Lexmark
Z52. I moved connections from the PC's usb port to a USB hub. The
color no longer works correctly. Namely it seems as though red is not
mixing properly. I've re-connected back to the PC's usb port. I've
even downloaded and reinstalled printer drivers. I've cleaned and
aligned heads. I bought new color and photo cartridges. Everything
looks good until you print. It doesn't have to be photo quality. I've
used "Paint" to just print line in different shades of various colors
and the only one that looks correct is yellow.

I'm running under Win XP Pro Service Pack 2

Any ideas to correct the problem? (note I didn't say "Any suggestions" -
please skip the replies about various configurations of boat anchors -
thanks)

Jim

 

[Dave]

do a self test on the printer first to make sure the HW is working
properly before chasing interfaces and the PC...

 

[Rover]

Sorry I should have mentioned that. Done that.

 

[Todd H.]

I posted sometime ago about on this topic but have not resolved the
problem. I was pleased with the photo quality prints from my Lexmark
Z52. I moved connections from the PC's usb port to a USB hub. The
color no longer works correctly. Namely it seems as though red is not
mixing properly. I've re-connected back to the PC's usb port. I've
even downloaded and reinstalled printer drivers. I've cleaned and
aligned heads. I bought new color and photo cartridges. Everything
looks good until you print. It doesn't have to be photo quality. I've
used "Paint" to just print line in different shades of various colors
and the only one that looks correct is yellow.

I'm running under Win XP Pro Service Pack 2

Any ideas to correct the problem? (note I didn't say "Any suggestions"
-
please skip the replies about various configurations of boat anchors
-
thanks)

SEems like you've eliminated this as a problem, but I will mention
that I recently got a defective, brand new, color catridge for my
Lexmark that had me scratching my head for a while. The colors
looked all screwy on all my printouts.

My printer uses Lexmark Color 88 carts, OEM, from a tri-pack.

 

[Rover]

The colors are muted. The interesting part is the "clean nozzles" and
test page look good.

 

[Todd H.]

The colors are muted. The interesting part is the "clean nozzles" and
test page look good.

Some of the Lexmarks have paper sensors in them that sometimes make
bad judgements as to what paper is in them.

The driver adjusts color profiles, and ink intensities and stuff
accordingly.

The Lexmark driver help might shed some light. Any change in paper
stock recently?

 

[measekite]

I RECOMMEND AFTERMARKET GENERIC INKS (THE ABSOLUTE CHEAPEST YOU CAN FIND
FOR LEXMARK PRINTERS. REMEMBER THE LOWEST COST IS THE KEY WORD

 

[Rover]

Thank you one and all for your suggestions.

I've solved the problem. Although I had thought I had changed all print
cartridges, the photo cart I was using was old. When I replaced it
everything worked! In my defense, the nozzle cleaning output always
looked good and so did the head line-up but I guess the colors had "gone
bad" if there is such a thing. This was a Lexmark cart, not a refurbish.

The sad part is I bought a Canon iP6600D to replace the Lexmark.
Unneeded! It gives me a problem when printing photo quality on
non-Canon paper (I use Ilford). Where there are heavy colors, the ink
"clots" on the paper. Yes, I've selected "glossy Photo paper" but still
no joy. I've only gotten it to work on their paper.

Anyway, the moral of the story is verify, verify, verify you've checked
all the possible variables.

Jim

 

[measekite]

I USE COSTO KIRKLAND PAPER (ILLFORD) AND IT IS GREAT. I ALSO USE OEM INKS.

 

[Taliesyn]

Thank you one and all for your suggestions.

I've solved the problem. Although I had thought I had changed all print
cartridges, the photo cart I was using was old. When I replaced it
everything worked! In my defense, the nozzle cleaning output always
looked good and so did the head line-up but I guess the colors had "gone
bad" if there is such a thing. This was a Lexmark cart, not a refurbish.

The sad part is I bought a Canon iP6600D to replace the Lexmark.
Unneeded! It gives me a problem when printing photo quality on
non-Canon paper (I use Ilford). Where there are heavy colors, the ink
"clots" on the paper. Yes, I've selected "glossy Photo paper" but still
no joy. I've only gotten it to work on their paper.

Well, hold your horses! I get great joy when I use the "Photo Paper
Pro" setting on my Canons. I use Costco Glossy paper which a lot of
people here are guessing is made by Ilford. Have you tried the Photo
Paper Pro setting? It works beautifully for me on ALL my papers - dollar
store, Epson, Costco, you name it!

-Taliesyn

 

[Todd H.]

Well, hold your horses!

Naaaaaaay!


(and... while we're at it, may I ask: Why the long face? )