Digital BW, The Print

Thank you Gary for that detailed info!  I really appreciate that.

I passed it on to the owner and we'll see what he says, but it certainly illustrates to me how tricky it can be to keep these printers up and running.  
A few years back a client offered me his Iris printer free, but mentioned that even when not in use, it would cycle through $300 worth of ink every month.  I didn't go for that printer either.

Eric

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "photog0946" <photog0946@...> wrote:
>
> Hello Eric,
> I tend to agree with most of the replies so far concerning the probability that this machine will still be in working order. As Mark as mentioned, I think the main problem would be the fact that the inks will have at least gelled, both in the lines and dampers as well as in the print head itself. If you want to run a couple of quick tests you can do so from the Control Panel at the right end of the printer. Just use plain letter type paper for this, it's all I ever use for nozzle checks. Assuming that the printer does actually power up, find the button on the Control Panel marked "Select Type" at the right end. Push that button and the display will now read "Printer Setup". Push the "Paper Feed" button with the down arrow. The display will read "Test Print". Push the "Select Type" button again and the display sub heading will read "Nozzle Check". Push the "Select Type" button and the display sub heading will read "Print". Push the "Enter" button and the machine will print a nozzle check pattern, although in this case I imagine you're going to be looking at a blank sheet of paper. I rather doubt this will do any good at all, but you could run a few cleaning cycles as well. To do this, find the button named "Cleaning" at the top far right. Hold that button down for at least three seconds and the printer will start a cleaning cycle. As I said, I really cannot imagine that you will have much success with this when it has been sitting for so long without fresh ink installed. I would think that you'll probably have to use a syringe on the dampers and draw all of the ink through the lines to clear them completely before you install newer cartridges. As far as the print head is concerned, you could remove the right end cover and put some lint free paper towel pieces soaked with a cleaning solution onto the capping station and then park the head again. Leave this for intervals of at least a half hour and then check to see how much ink has collected on the towel. You will probably have to repeat this procedure many times in order to clear the head, or at least free up the existing ink enough to push it through with the newer inks. 
> 
> There are of course several other procedures that can be followed as well, and there's still no guarantee of success. However, if you have the time and patience, there is a possibility of resurrecting this machine. I am including two URLs for downloading the Service Manual. I know one of these will work. Good luck Eric.
> 
> http://www.feedroller.com/Store/epson_manuals.php
> 
> http://www.inkjetprintpaper.com/manual.htm
> 
> Gary
>   
> 
> 
> --- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Eric Nelson" <emanmb@> wrote:
> >
> > I've come across a used Epson 9600 for a little under $500 and was looking for advice as to whether this item would be a good gamble.
> > 
> > The owner says he took the inks out 7 years ago and hasn't used it since.  Obviously there will be no way to test the thing before buying short of buying a complete ink set and starting from there.  He didn't do any kind of flushing of the lines before putting it in storage.  
> > 
> > Am I just asking for trouble here or are there other questions to ask before one can comment?
> > 
> > Thanks for any advice.
> > 
> > Eric
> >
>