Digital BW, The Print

I recently installed the UT2 inks for my Epson 1280.  After about 5-7 
prints, I started getting thin black lines on the prints.  Sometimes 
it's one long line, other times it's several thin lines in a 
grouping.  Has anyone experienced this type of problem before and if 
so, what did you do to resolve it?

--Joel Turner

Do your lines look like they could be smears or one nozzle that fires
continously? If it looks like one nozzle firing, do they extend
outside the print area on one side? In either case it probably has
nothing to do with the ink but I'd try putting color dye carts back in
to be sure. 

If it's a smear, you need to clean the bottom of the heads with a
windex soaked paper towel. 

If it's a nozzle firing, you're really out of luck as it's an
electrical connection problem between the printer and the heads and is
unrepairable. I had this and got Epson to do a warranty replacement.
This problem was discussed quite a bit recently over on the Epson
priter Yahoo group. 

Bob Michaels

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "jturner4210626"
<JTurner421@a...> wrote:

> 
> I recently installed the UT2 inks for my Epson 1280.  After about 5-7 
> prints, I started getting thin black lines on the prints.  Sometimes 
> it's one long line, other times it's several thin lines in a 
> grouping.  Has anyone experienced this type of problem before and if 
> so, what did you do to resolve it?
> 
> --Joel Turner

No they are not smears.  I guess the best way to describe it would be 
if I print an image there are thin black lines that appear over it. 
So the image prints out as if there is no problem except for the 
lines.  I've had the printer for two years and have never had this 
happen until I put in the carts from MIS last week.

I'm going to try and put the color ones back and see if it disappears.

--Joel Turner

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Bob Michaels" 
<bob@b...> wrote:
> 
> Do your lines look like they could be smears or one nozzle that 
fires
> continously? If it looks like one nozzle firing, do they extend
> outside the print area on one side? In either case it probably has
> nothing to do with the ink but I'd try putting color dye carts back 
in
> to be sure. 
> 
> If it's a smear, you need to clean the bottom of the heads with a
> windex soaked paper towel. 
> 
> If it's a nozzle firing, you're really out of luck as it's an
> electrical connection problem between the printer and the heads and 
is
> unrepairable. I had this and got Epson to do a warranty replacement.
> This problem was discussed quite a bit recently over on the Epson
> priter Yahoo group. 
> 
> Bob Michaels
> 
> --- In 
DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "jturner4210626"
> <JTurner421@a...> wrote:
> > 
> > I recently installed the UT2 inks for my Epson 1280.  After about 
5-7 
> > prints, I started getting thin black lines on the prints.  
Sometimes 
> > it's one long line, other times it's several thin lines in a 
> > grouping.  Has anyone experienced this type of problem before and 
if 

> > so, what did you do to resolve it?
> > 
> > --Joel Turner

I had the same problem 2 weeks after I installed the UT2 carts on my 
1270. To resolve it, I cleaned the under-head area of my printer 
(don't know if it matters, but it's very dirty anyway), put the OEM 
carts back, printed some stuff, and put the UT2 back. 

Don't know why it works or exactly what's happening, but so far it's 
printing fine again.. 

M

> I recently installed the UT2 inks for my Epson 1280.  After about 
5-7 
> prints, I started getting thin black lines on the prints.  
Sometimes 
> it's one long line, other times it's several thin lines in a 
> grouping.  Has anyone experienced this type of problem before and 
if 
> so, what did you do to resolve it?

I have had this problem, on and off, with my 1280 with
the MIS CIS UT2 inkset.  For the first six months it
was great and I was finally getting the kind of prints
I had been looking for.  Then it started putting those
narrow black/grey lines in a print.  I tried the clean
cycles and the PURGE6 images from CIS.  Sometimes it
actually got worse.  Right now, if I print at 360dpi
it will print without the lines, but if I try 720 or
1440 the lines are back.  I am currently working
around the problem by printing in BO as I get no lines
there.

I have read somewhere that this is caused by a failure
in the PC board inside the printhead which results in
one or more nozzles being always on and not being
controlled by the driver.  If true, it means the head
is toast and the printer will have to be replaced. As
a last effort I am going to remove the CIS and replace
with the OEM inkset and see if this fixes the
problem..... we shall see.

Jerry in Houston

I think mine comes from the black cart since I am getting those lines
with BO too. In fact I am getting to like the BO prints so much I may
 switch back to epson dye carts until the 1270 die (or when I have
$$$$ to get a 4000). And I really need some b/w prints done before the
end of the week.

If you print a nozzle check, you might see all lines being fine.. BUT,
the vertical lines between the check patterns and the numeric code
printed after the nozzle check lines are not perfect. This indicates
to me that the nozzles are not firing correctly all the time. They are
firing, but slightly wrong timing. With Epson OEM ink everything is fine. 

So I guess if the 1280 and CIS has the same problem.. There're really
some problems with the ink. I may as well start saving towards a 4000.. 

Michael

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, Jerry in Houston
<glewis4457@y...> wrote:

> I have had this problem, on and off, with my 1280 with
> the MIS CIS UT2 inkset.  For the first six months it
> was great and I was finally getting the kind of prints
> I had been looking for.  Then it started putting those
> narrow black/grey lines in a print.  I tried the clean
> cycles and the PURGE6 images from CIS.  Sometimes it
> actually got worse.  Right now, if I print at 360dpi
> it will print without the lines, but if I try 720 or
> 1440 the lines are back.  I am currently working
> around the problem by printing in BO as I get no lines
> there.
> 
> I have read somewhere that this is caused by a failure
> in the PC board inside the printhead which results in
> one or more nozzles being always on and not being
> controlled by the driver.  If true, it means the head
> is toast and the printer will have to be replaced. As
> a last effort I am going to remove the CIS and replace
> with the OEM inkset and see if this fixes the
> problem..... we shall see.
> 
> Jerry in Houston

Jerry, if it is in fact the circuit board failure that Arthur Entligh
(sp?)referred to, it will also show printing BO. When I had that
problem, the color inks would randomly fire even when I selected BO in
the driver. Like you, I never saw it at lower rez. Fortunately, mine
was still under warranty. Moved everything over the the replacement
printer and the problem never came back. 

Bob Michaels

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, Jerry in Houston
<glewis4457@y...> wrote:

> I have had this problem, on and off, with my 1280 with
> the MIS CIS UT2 inkset.  For the first six months it
> was great and I was finally getting the kind of prints
> I had been looking for.  Then it started putting those
> narrow black/grey lines in a print.  I tried the clean
> cycles and the PURGE6 images from CIS.  Sometimes it
> actually got worse.  Right now, if I print at 360dpi
> it will print without the lines, but if I try 720 or
> 1440 the lines are back.  I am currently working
> around the problem by printing in BO as I get no lines
> there.
> 
> I have read somewhere that this is caused by a failure
> in the PC board inside the printhead which results in
> one or more nozzles being always on and not being
> controlled by the driver.  If true, it means the head
> is toast and the printer will have to be replaced. As
> a last effort I am going to remove the CIS and replace
> with the OEM inkset and see if this fixes the
> problem..... we shall see.
> 
> Jerry in Houston

Michael, when I had that problem I eventually concluded it was
unrelated to the ink. I had the same problems with original Epson
carts. I'm back to using MIS ink exclusively. 

I'm convinced the 1280 is a rock solid printer. It's just that we are
using them to a critical level that 99% of the users never reach. I've
had four of them. The first I broke by unknowingly inserting a cart
without a chip (thanks to a supplier other than MIS but still replaced
by Epson), the second lasted several years, the third developed the
referenced bad connection problem (replaced by Epson) and the fourth
I'm using now. 

Bob Michaels

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Michael Hung"
<mhkhung@y...> wrote:
> 
> I think mine comes from the black cart since I am getting those lines
> with BO too. In fact I am getting to like the BO prints so much I may
>  switch back to epson dye carts until the 1270 die (or when I have
> $$$$ to get a 4000). And I really need some b/w prints done before the
> end of the week.
> 
> If you print a nozzle check, you might see all lines being fine.. BUT,
> the vertical lines between the check patterns and the numeric code
> printed after the nozzle check lines are not perfect. This indicates
> to me that the nozzles are not firing correctly all the time. They are
> firing, but slightly wrong timing. With Epson OEM ink everything is
fine. 

> 
> So I guess if the 1280 and CIS has the same problem.. There're really
> some problems with the ink. I may as well start saving towards a 4000.. 
> 
> Michael
> 
> --- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, Jerry in Houston
> <glewis4457@y...> wrote:
> > I have had this problem, on and off, with my 1280 with
> > the MIS CIS UT2 inkset.  For the first six months it
> > was great and I was finally getting the kind of prints
> > I had been looking for.  Then it started putting those
> > narrow black/grey lines in a print.  I tried the clean
> > cycles and the PURGE6 images from CIS.  Sometimes it
> > actually got worse.  Right now, if I print at 360dpi
> > it will print without the lines, but if I try 720 or
> > 1440 the lines are back.  I am currently working
> > around the problem by printing in BO as I get no lines
> > there.
> > 
> > I have read somewhere that this is caused by a failure
> > in the PC board inside the printhead which results in
> > one or more nozzles being always on and not being
> > controlled by the driver.  If true, it means the head
> > is toast and the printer will have to be replaced. As
> > a last effort I am going to remove the CIS and replace
> > with the OEM inkset and see if this fixes the
> > problem..... we shall see.
> > 
> > Jerry in Houston

I could guess problems in b/w prints are easier to see.. But I am
quite puzzled by why printing with OEM carts seems to be fine
(although I haven't printed enough with OEM carts recently)

My 1270 is of course quite old. I am just not sure if I should get a
new 1280 (and CIS) given that the 1280 model is close to the end of
it's life. Too bad my R800 couldn't print BO so I can get by for a
little while.

Michael

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Bob Michaels"
<bob@b...> wrote:

> 
> Michael, when I had that problem I eventually concluded it was
> unrelated to the ink. I had the same problems with original Epson
> carts. I'm back to using MIS ink exclusively. 
> 
> I'm convinced the 1280 is a rock solid printer. It's just that we are
> using them to a critical level that 99% of the users never reach. I've
> had four of them. The first I broke by unknowingly inserting a cart
> without a chip (thanks to a supplier other than MIS but still replaced
> by Epson), the second lasted several years, the third developed the
> referenced bad connection problem (replaced by Epson) and the fourth
> I'm using now.

Sigh.. spent an entire evening trying to fix/clean it to no avail. I
guess the printer is basically hopeless. The difference is huge
between prints right now. Some with less visible "lines", some with more. 

So.. my question is.. What to do? I have a print job to deliver by
Monday (only 8 8x10s)..

1, Get a new 1280
2, Get a smaller one like C86 and new ink.. and wait for the next
larger printer..
3, Take the prints out to a lab for now.. anyone knows the b/w quality
of Frontier or 7600(UC ink)? (My friendly usual lab has both)
4, Other printers.. HP? 2200/4000 (Not that I can afford it)..
5, Other options?

Thanks
Michael

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Bob Michaels"
<bob@b...> wrote:

> 
> Michael, when I had that problem I eventually concluded it was
> unrelated to the ink. I had the same problems with original Epson
> carts. I'm back to using MIS ink exclusively. 
> 
> I'm convinced the 1280 is a rock solid printer. It's just that we are
> using them to a critical level that 99% of the users never reach. I've
> had four of them. The first I broke by unknowingly inserting a cart
> without a chip (thanks to a supplier other than MIS but still replaced
> by Epson), the second lasted several years, the third developed the
> referenced bad connection problem (replaced by Epson) and the fourth
> I'm using now. 
> 
> Bob Michaels

Michael- one other option is having the head replaced, or doing a 
complete refurb. Here's one place that will do the refurb for $239. 
You'll have to judge if it's worth it, considering shipping and the 
price of a new one with the $100 rebate;

http://www.arditos.com/

> 5, Other options?
> 
> Thanks
> Michael
> 
> --- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Bob Michaels"
> <bob@b...> wrote:
> > 
> > Michael, when I had that problem I eventually concluded it was
> > unrelated to the ink. I had the same problems with original Epson
> > carts. I'm back to using MIS ink exclusively. 
> > 
> > I'm convinced the 1280 is a rock solid printer. It's just that 
we are
> > using them to a critical level that 99% of the users never 
reach. I've
> > had four of them. The first I broke by unknowingly inserting a 
cart
> > without a chip (thanks to a supplier other than MIS but still 
replaced
> > by Epson), the second lasted several years, the third developed 
the
> > referenced bad connection problem (replaced by Epson) and the 
fourth

> > I'm using now. 
> > 
> > Bob Michaels

That's exactly the decision I looked at when my original 1280 seemed
to be just wearing out. I concluded the small increase to get a new
Epson refurb was worth it. It proved to be a good decision as the new
one was the printer that developed this problem and was replaced under
warranty. 

Basically these printers are disposable because of the low replacement
price. 

Bob Michaels

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Steven
Karafyllakis" <steve@s...> wrote:

> 
> 
> Michael- one other option is having the head replaced, or doing a 
> complete refurb. Here's one place that will do the refurb for $239. 
> You'll have to judge if it's worth it, considering shipping and the 
> price of a new one with the $100 rebate;
> 
> http://www.arditos.com/
> 
> > 5, Other options?
> > 
> > Thanks
> > Michael
> > 
> > --- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Bob Michaels"
> > <bob@b...> wrote:
> > > 
> > > Michael, when I had that problem I eventually concluded it was
> > > unrelated to the ink. I had the same problems with original Epson
> > > carts. i'm back to using MIS ink exclusively. 
> > > 
> > > I'm convinced the 1280 is a rock solid printer. It's just that 
> we are
> > > using them to a critical level that 99% of the users never 
> reach. I've
> > > had four of them. The first I broke by unknowingly inserting a 
> cart
> > > without a chip (thanks to a supplier other than MIS but still 
> replaced
> > > by Epson), the second lasted several years, the third developed 
> the
> > > referenced bad connection problem (replaced by Epson) and the 
> fourth
> > > I'm using now. 
> > > 
> > > Bob Michaels

But I still have to wonder about the "refurb" process... perhaps the 
one you got that went bad was the same one I semi-trashed a few 
months before? (g) Do we know if Epson replaces heads even if they 
don't neccessarily malfunction? -just playing 'devil's advocate', 
not really serious...

Steve K

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Bob Michaels" 
<bob@b...> wrote:
> 
> That's exactly the decision I looked at when my original 1280 
seemed
> to be just wearing out. I concluded the small increase to get a new
> Epson refurb was worth it. It proved to be a good decision as the 
new
> one was the printer that developed this problem and was replaced 
under
> warranty. 
> 
> Basically these printers are disposable because of the low 
replacement
> price. 
> 
> Bob Michaels
> 
> --- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Steven
> Karafyllakis" <steve@s...> wrote:
> > 
> > 
> > Michael- one other option is having the head replaced, or doing 
a 
> > complete refurb. Here's one place that will do the refurb for 
$239. 
> > You'll have to judge if it's worth it, considering shipping and 
the 
> > price of a new one with the $100 rebate;
> > 
> > http://www.arditos.com/
> > 
> > > 5, Other options?
> > > 
> > > Thanks
> > > Michael
> > > 
> > > --- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Bob 
Michaels"
> > > <bob@b...> wrote:
> > > > 
> > > > Michael, when I had that problem I eventually concluded it 
was
> > > > unrelated to the ink. I had the same problems with original 
Epson
> > > > carts. i'm back to using MIS ink exclusively. 
> > > > 
> > > > I'm convinced the 1280 is a rock solid printer. It's just 
that 
> > we are
> > > > using them to a critical level that 99% of the users never 
> > reach. I've
> > > > had four of them. The first I broke by unknowingly inserting 
a 
> > cart
> > > > without a chip (thanks to a supplier other than MIS but 
still 
> > replaced
> > > > by Epson), the second lasted several years, the third 
developed 
> > the
> > > > referenced bad connection problem (replaced by Epson) and 
the 

> > fourth
> > > > I'm using now. 
> > > > 
> > > > Bob Michaels

The price for a new 1280 minus the rebate is pretty much the same as
the cost for refurb right now.. 

Michael

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Steven
Karafyllakis" <steve@s...> wrote:

> 
> But I still have to wonder about the "refurb" process... perhaps the 
> one you got that went bad was the same one I semi-trashed a few 
> months before? (g) Do we know if Epson replaces heads even if they 
> don't neccessarily malfunction? -just playing 'devil's advocate', 
> not really serious...
> 
> Steve K

Steve: I considered that exact point. Yes, it's possible I got your
reject and someone else will get it after I exchanged it. I suspect
Epson keeps sending them back out if they can't find any
non-intermittent major problems. Someone who won't use it to the
extent we would will probably end up keeping it and never know any
better. But since Espson pays the freight both ways and it's no
problem to put it back in the box, I really don't mind having to
return one for one that really works as it should. Fortunately you and
I have backup printers. I feel sorry for those otherwise. 

I guess in the end you still end up getting what you paid for. At
least I saved $100 and got a set of Epson dye ink carts plus a roll of
 that skinny paper for my hassles of buying a refub and later
exchanging it. 

Bob Michaels

 --- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Steven
Karafyllakis" <steve@s...> wrote:

> 
> But I still have to wonder about the "refurb" process... perhaps the 
> one you got that went bad was the same one I semi-trashed a few 
> months before? (g) Do we know if Epson replaces heads even if they 
> don't neccessarily malfunction? -just playing 'devil's advocate', 
> not really serious...
> 
> Steve K
> 
> --- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Bob Michaels" 
> <bob@b...> wrote:
> > 
> > That's exactly the decision I looked at when my original 1280 
> seemed
> > to be just wearing out. I concluded the small increase to get a new
> > Epson refurb was worth it. It proved to be a good decision as the 
> new
> > one was the printer that developed this problem and was replaced 
> under
> > warranty. 
> > 
> > Basically these printers are disposable because of the low 
> replacement
> > price. 
> > 
> > Bob Michaels
> > 
> > --- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Steven
> > Karafyllakis" <steve@s...> wrote:
> > > 
> > > 
> > > Michael- one other option is having the head replaced, or doing 
> a 
> > > complete refurb. Here's one place that will do the refurb for 
> $239. 
> > > You'll have to judge if it's worth it, considering shipping and 
> the 
> > > price of a new one with the $100 rebate;
> > > 
> > > http://www.arditos.com/
> > > 
> > > > 5, Other options?
> > > > 
> > > > Thanks
> > > > Michael
> > > > 
> > > > --- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Bob 
> Michaels"
> > > > <bob@b...> wrote:
> > > > > 
> > > > > Michael, when I had that problem I eventually concluded it 
> was
> > > > > unrelated to the ink. I had the same problems with original 
> Epson
> > > > > carts. i'm back to using MIS ink exclusively. 
> > > > > 
> > > > > I'm convinced the 1280 is a rock solid printer. It's just 
> that 
> > > we are
> > > > > using them to a critical level that 99% of the users never 
> > > reach. I've
> > > > > had four of them. The first I broke by unknowingly inserting 
> a 
> > > cart
> > > > > without a chip (thanks to a supplier other than MIS but 
> still 
> > > replaced
> > > > > by Epson), the second lasted several years, the third 
> developed 
> > > the
> > > > > referenced bad connection problem (replaced by Epson) and 
> the 
> > > fourth
> > > > > I'm using now. 
> > > > > 
> > > > > Bob Michaels

I'm not sure the $100 rebate does not apply to the refurb units as
well. I know I've gotten the rebate on an Epson refurbs. I bought my
backup refurb 890 for little more than the cost of the included ink
carts after I got the rebate. 

Bob Michaels

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Michael Hung"
<mhkhung@y...> wrote:

> 
> The price for a new 1280 minus the rebate is pretty much the same as
> the cost for refurb right now.. 
> 
> Michael
> 
> --- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Steven
> Karafyllakis" <steve@s...> wrote:
> > 
> > But I still have to wonder about the "refurb" process... perhaps the 
> > one you got that went bad was the same one I semi-trashed a few 
> > months before? (g) Do we know if Epson replaces heads even if they 
> > don't neccessarily malfunction? -just playing 'devil's advocate', 
> > not really serious...
> > 
> > Steve K

As I said Bob, just playing 'devil's advocate'... A new one at these 
prices is the safer way to go, though I've had no trouble at all 
with my Epson refurbed 7600. Unless you count the fact that at the 
present it isn't earning its keep, but that is another issue.

Steve K

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Bob Michaels" 
<bob@b...> wrote:
> 
> I'm not sure the $100 rebate does not apply to the refurb units as
> well. I know I've gotten the rebate on an Epson refurbs. I bought 
my
> backup refurb 890 for little more than the cost of the included ink
> carts after I got the rebate. 
> 
> Bob Michaels
> 
> --- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Michael Hung"
> <mhkhung@y...> wrote:
> > 
> > The price for a new 1280 minus the rebate is pretty much the 
same as
> > the cost for refurb right now.. 
> > 
> > Michael
> > 
> > --- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Steven
> > Karafyllakis" <steve@s...> wrote:
> > > 
> > > But I still have to wonder about the "refurb" process... 
perhaps the 
> > > one you got that went bad was the same one I semi-trashed a 
few 
> > > months before? (g) Do we know if Epson replaces heads even if 
they 
> > > don't neccessarily malfunction? -just playing 'devil's 
advocate', 

> > > not really serious...
> > > 
> > > Steve K

Steve: the upside is that with the price of printers, your pocket
can't get hurt too bad. I suspect most of us have at least one lens
that costs 2x what we paid for a printer yet it sits unused most of
the time and not justifying it's cost. 

Bob Michaels

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Steven
Karafyllakis" <steve@s...> wrote:

> 
> As I said Bob, just playing 'devil's advocate'... A new one at these 
> prices is the safer way to go, though I've had no trouble at all 
> with my Epson refurbed 7600. Unless you count the fact that at the 
> present it isn't earning its keep, but that is another issue.
> 
> Steve K
> 
> --- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Bob Michaels" 
> <bob@b...> wrote:
> > 
> > I'm not sure the $100 rebate does not apply to the refurb units as
> > well. I know I've gotten the rebate on an Epson refurbs. I bought 
> my
> > backup refurb 890 for little more than the cost of the included ink
> > carts after I got the rebate. 
> > 
> > Bob Michaels
> > 
> > --- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Michael Hung"
> > <mhkhung@y...> wrote:
> > > 
> > > The price for a new 1280 minus the rebate is pretty much the 
> same as
> > > the cost for refurb right now.. 
> > > 
> > > Michael
> > > 
> > > --- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Steven
> > > Karafyllakis" <steve@s...> wrote:
> > > > 
> > > > But I still have to wonder about the "refurb" process... 
> perhaps the 
> > > > one you got that went bad was the same one I semi-trashed a 
> few 
> > > > months before? (g) Do we know if Epson replaces heads even if 
> they 
> > > > don't neccessarily malfunction? -just playing 'devil's 
> advocate', 
> > > > not really serious...
> > > > 
> > > > Steve K