Printers

[101RRS]

I have had a Canon MX870 multifunction printer for a number of years and it has been great. Dont use it a lot but quality has always been good and the ability to scan and print the medicare accounts has been great.

I went to print something yesterday but I was not aware that some clothing was drapped over the printer stopping the side door opening so paper built inside, and there was some crunching noises from inside. Printed OK and paper came out ok.

Unfortunately I got the B200 code which is a generic code which can mean a range of issues, ranging from voltage issues to print head issues.

Looked on youtube for fixes but nothing works - cleaned the printhead but doesnt work so time to throw it.

My use is just occasional home use, normally only a few pages at a time. Must be able to scan, and print direct from the printer. so a domestic grade cheaper machine is required.

Looking for suggestions - probably Canon as I have stacks of inks. Looked at lasers but too expensive.

So appreciate suggestions for a cheaper injet that has worked well for you [thumbsupbig]

Thanks

Garry

[Tombie]

B200 Error on Canon:

1. Open printer
2. Remove ink cartridges
3. Un-install printhead
4. Clean back of the printhead (electronic pins) with alcohol (isopropylen cleaning alcohol if possible). Make sure the pins are 100% clear.
5. Turn off the printer (do not close it!) by plugging-off power cord (do not use power button).
6. Clean electronic pins in printer (the pleace where you install printhead). Make sure its 100% clean.
7. RE install printhead, then install ink cartridges.
8. Plug in power cord.
9 Turn printer ON normaly.
10. Check if printer is working normaly (no errors).

[101RRS]

Thanks but that is one of the many solutions offered on Youtube and does not work in my case.

[superquag]

Buy another one, if you like the CANON. Same-Same or equivalent model. Obviously compatible to you !

Personally, my old ones rarely if ever mishandled paper, any paper. Wouldt have worked with dunny paper, so reliable it was. Printed nicely too, genuine and RIHAC bulk inks. Last was a PIXMA series. We understood each other.

Foolishly, I replaced it with a BROTHER. all in one - which several months later ended up hurled into the wheelie bin...made satisfying crunchy noises ! Could not handle all paper, often would fold with reflex brand. guaranteed to misbehave with anything of a lesser grade.... Or just to spite me.

Currently have a EPSOM. Workforce Pro WF-3725 from Good Guys.

Lots of critici$m. around ink-life.... Tanks "declare" when I darn well know there's enough still there, - can hear the dregs slosh when shaken - but it will catch you with it's software if you ('IV') manually re-fill a tank.
Even a software - Re-Setter does not always work, and biggest insult is having to pay $80 for a patch / download to enable it to use a RIHAC system.

(My personal recommendation based on past experiences with RIHAC. )

For me, maybe another few sets of ink from evilBay - around $75 per set - and if or when i'm financial (?) replace with a factory-bullk tank machine.

Print quality etc [B] is quite good, and since 'run in' it's mangling only an occasional page. Can live with that.

Again, better paper IN = smoother OUT. I don't use the multi-feeder, though scanner is works great for 'input' and pics. Epsom Perfection v700 IS better, but rarely fired up. Getting lax and slax with age.

One teensy-weensy niggle, -- It's desperate desire for "LETTER" as default size... I THINK I've pushed it back into A4 land again, but need to check EVERY TIME. Being the arforesaid Grump, I'd like to see ANY printer sold in Oz as being factory-locked to A4, with 'LETTER" etc being a single-use, obnoxiously impossible option only.
- Could easily be done in the software, perhaps an overall tab "USA" and "AU" which would set language AND paper size. A4 for us and Letter and otheres for them.


Put the next one on a stand or pedestal... where you can't drape clothes over... Just a thought ![bigwhistle]

[JDNSW]

For years now I have been running a remarkably cheap HP. Prints very well (photo quality), scans very well, unlike some, does not worry if unused for months. Excellent Linux support. Does not have software to disallow refilled cartridges etc.

That is the good. Downsides - won't handle thick paper, is a bit fussy about paper quality, cartridges are expensive and don't last all that long. Its old enough that it is getting hard to find cartridges.

I keep thinking about replacing it, but worry about whether the replacement will be as good - even if I pay a lot more!

The determination of your printer to stick to "Letter" rather than A4 is more likely to be the software on the computer, not the printer. I have heard that there is a tendency for MS to reselt locale to US on every update, but I have no experience myself as I do not use it.

[disco gazza]

Been using canon for years and upgrade every 5 or so years.

Last model I have is a MG5760,had it for quite a few years now and still works good.

Dont know what the latest versions are like tho.

I,ll be using this one until it dies as it does what I need for now and is easy to use.

The ink I get for it comes from the inkstation.com.au as its cheaper than the canon brand and works fine.

cheers DG

[PhilipA]

Make sure you get one with "airprint" even though you think you do not need it.

One day your SWMBO will want to print something from her iPhone. Ask me how I know. It Isn't pretty.

Regards PhilipA

[101RRS]

Thanks for all the comments. I have used Epsom before but was not very reliable -still got some of the inks and the cartridge resetter.

Not used HP printers - did have them at work and they seemed OK so might have a look at them - issue will be getting cheap but good aftermarket inks.

Looked online, and like toilet paper the zombies seem to have made a run on printers - many places are out of stock. I have spotted a couple of Canon multi tank multifunction printers for under $100 so might look at one of these - dont use my current inks so will have to look at good aftermarket replacements.

A trick for new players - some real cheap "brand" name printers out there, but the trick is that they do not come with cartridges and these can be twice the price of the actual printer.

Still not understanding why my current one played up - while the paper door could not open, the printer still printed all the pages and it did not jam - the paper just rolled up at the door - there were crunching noises so I suspect the carriage might have jumped some teeth on the drive.

As per Tombies Post - I have tried every solution that Youtube has offered up but none have worked.

Thanks for the input - much appreciated.

Garry

[101RRS]

To close down this tread with an unexpected twist.

As it looked like my old Canon was dead I said to me housemate that he would have to hold off any printing until I got a new printer.

He said no problem and in the interim he would get his printer out from storage that we could use - he said it was too big for him and will be too big when he finally moves out into his own place (yeah rite when do they ever move out).

Anyway this is what turned up.

159530

OMG is big arse full colour lazer printer [thumbsupbig].

So the deal is that it is now mine as long as I buy my housemate a basic black only lazer for when he moves out (yeah rite).

Oh and it prints A4 full colour prints in literally 2 secs [bigsmile].

A full set of new toner cartridges cost more than the printer but he tells me each toner cartridge can be filled for $10 each and it does not use toner anywhere near the rate of an inkjet uses ink.

Thanks for the input

Garry

[JDNSW]

Sounds like that beats any new printer!

[BradC]

I moved to a colour laser in 2005. Toner doesn’t dry out, it doesn’t waste toner doing a periodic self clean and it’s always ready to go. The only downside is the colour isn’t as good as ink for photos, but I can live with that for the rest of the advantages.

In 2009 I swapped the A4 laser for an A3 laser and that one is on it’s 3rd set of cartridges. For the rare times I want photo colour accuracy I get them printed outside. I also keep an old A4 b/w for bulk and draft, as at $30 a cartridge it’s a lot cheaper to run than the A3 jobbie.

For “AirPrint” they are networked to a Linux machine that offers them up over the network.

[loanrangie]

Our printer decided to die just after buying 2 sets of cartridges, error 1403 which is the print head and did the usual google tricks but nothing has worked.
Looking at the current canon printers and none have a similar 5 ink setup like the old one did, also was able to use generic ink which saved a fortune with kids printing stuff all the time.
I think the new one will just be a replace each time the ink runs as the replacement cartridges are about the same price.

[BradC]

I've heard (third-hand) the current Epson models that have bulk ink-tanks get good reviews. Yeah, they're expensive to buy but then you can use generic ink to fill the tanks.

I've looked at a couple. Had to buy a printer/scanner while in Vic and picked up a $99 HP jobbie. We've spent $250 in Ink so far averaging about $0.80/page. When I get home it's going on the kerb. I knew what I was getting into though being bought for size & convenience of getting consumables delivered by the bandits in blue.

[Graeme]

159530


A full set of new toner cartridges cost more than the printer but he tells me each toner cartridge can be filled for $10 each and it does not use toner anywhere near the rate of an inkjet uses ink.

This looks very similar to our Brother MFC-L8600CDW. I don't refill cartridges but always use non-genuine.

[loanrangie]

I've heard (third-hand) the current Epson models that have bulk ink-tanks get good reviews. Yeah, they're expensive to buy but then you can use generic ink to fill the tanks.

I've looked at a couple. Had to buy a printer/scanner while in Vic and picked up a $99 HP jobbie. We've spent $250 in Ink so far averaging about $0.80/page. When I get home it's going on the kerb. I knew what I was getting into though being bought for size & convenience of getting consumables delivered by the bandits in blue.

Our printer is 5 years old and cost $59 and been using generic ink at about $10/set so its been a cheap to run printer, they dont seem to have large tanks anymore and i'm not spending more than $80 on one.
Been using Canons for over 10 years but might look at what else is out there for similar price.