Digital BW, The Print

Hello,

I started a thread a few days ago, asking if I could use QImage with
my recently purchased Epson 1280 and its accompanying Piezography
BWICC inks. Paid $100 for the works, seemed like a good deal. Got
several good comments, thanks to all of you.

But it turns out the carts are dated as expiring in June 06... will
this be a problem?

Also, I fired up the printer for the first time yesterday, it has
installed in it a set of non-OEM carts, both black and color. They
register as 3/4 full but I get absolutely no printout with them, in
either the nozzle check test or a six color test TIFF print. The
printer is practically new, shows no signs of stray ink anyway, very
clean all around. But that's the problem, it hasn't been used for
months, perhaps even a year, and the heads may be clogged. A friend
thinks otherwise, thinks the heads may be ok, and that even if the
carts show 3/4 full, that the ink has gelled.

What's my plan of attack here? Should I first try and unclog the
heads, get some inexpensive color carts from MIS to see if I can at
least get a print of some kind? Should I try the MIS cleaning carts?

Also, am thinking I'm not wedded to these Piezography carts,
especially if they're expired. May want to go the MIS route, one
reason being I can refill those and my expenses will be less in the
long run.

As always, I appreciate the helpful people here!