Digital BW, The Print

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@y..., "rich8155" <richard@c...> 
wrote:
<snip>

> However, I thought maybe I saw a flaw on one and as a precaustion 
> decided to print a nozzle test page.  After doing so I saw that one 
> of the black areas had a gap.  So I ran a head cleaning cycle and 
> printed the nozzle check again---gap still there.

Okay, your first problem sounds like it was indeed a clog sice it was 
localised to one line/gap. It still could have been air, but that 
would be my guess-clog.


 One more cleaing 
> cycle,

so this would be your second cleaning cycle. I usually don't do more 
than two in a row myself....maaaybbbe 3 if I get daring.

 print the nozzle check once more and now only the black 
> nozzle patterns printed, no color nozzle patterns at all (!?), so I 
> tried to print again a nozzle check pattern

you did two nozzle checks without a cleaning in-between? Anyway, at 
this point I would have stopped everything and done one of two things: 
either put a solution of 40% ethanol to 60% distilled water on the 
pad, a few drops. I also would have inspected the pad to see if it 
wasn't torn, dried out, gummed up with ink, etc. Remember this is a 
refurb you just got. Or, I would have called Epson back up since I 
coudn't get it to print with Epson inks. If this is so and it doesn't 
clear, there's something wrong with printer, right? Be it the pad, 
someone else's pigment ink residue in the head, improper seating of 
the cart due to muck around the nipple, whatever- that refurb is 
definitely not handling even Epson ink. I don't like that. Epson 
should give you another if it doesn't work with their ink... Then 
again if it clears with the solution on the pad, well, all in good.


---this time a blank 
> sheet of paper, nothing printed at all!  Try again, same---blank 
> sheet!  Head cleaning cycle, try again, blank sheet!

Head cleanings can actually make more lines in a pattern disapear 
after about 2-3 cleanings. Give it a rest and try again overnight. Or 
call Epson. Excessive cleanings gets you in a viscious circle you see- 
you lose more and more lines.

Look inside the printer with a flashlight. What is overall condition 
of printer. Is it fairly clean, or dirty? Could give you an idea if 
it's had the heck run out of it or not.


  
> I searched the archives here and it seems I either have a clog (of 
> ALL heads?)

No you don't have that.

 or air bubbles.

That's a real possibility.

  Is my assumption right?

You can't prove anything after more than three cleanings. Resting with 
solution on the pad is the way to go-or call Epson.

  Anyway, I went 
> ahead and just dropped some Windex on the felt pads,

I've used this too with good sucess, some people don't like it. I 
prefer the 40% alcohol. Not that big a deal. 

 pushed the 
> heads back to their proepr place and am waiting overnight.

And gave the printer time to wake up when you plugged it back in 
before pushing the off button? This is important of course, because 
the pad must have time to seal against the head or the head will dry 
out fast. Plugging the printer in does this- you probably know this, 
I'm just being certain.

 Jim H