Can I trust the Epson status monitor when it says a service is required?

Question

My RX500 printer seems to work fine except that I get messages from the status monitor that "parts inside your printer are nearing the end of their service life - service required", and sometimes it gets stuck on this message and doesn't do what I requested (e.g. second scan). Is this really detecting a fault or is it just a scam to get me to pay out more than the price of a new printer for a routine and un-needed service ... some kind of built in obsolescence (indicator)?

Answer 1

It's telling you that the ink pads are becoming staurated, and the printer will start to smudge print shortly. The pad needs to be replaced & the notification reset.

You can reset it manually;

Press and HOLD all following buttons: Power, Load/Eject, Stop, B&W, Color. RELEASE BUTTONS. After this printer turns on, you'll see "Init eeprom" on printer screen. Press Color button to clear protection counter

You may have to continue to hold the buttons intil "Init Eeprom" appeared, but anyway.

Answer 2

I have had several Epson printers and they do not necessarily need a service. The chip count faults, including failing to print due to lack of ink, paper jams etc. when it reaches a certain number of faults, it tells you a service is required. A chip resetter (at the link below) will reset the chip and the ink so you can use the last drop, not Epson’s idea of an empty tank.

Make sure you read the notes. There is an overflow reservoir that may need emptying or you may find ink leaking.

Not all Epson printers are supported, but those that are will be listed.

Use at your own risk, but it extended the useful life of my Epson printers way beyond their opinion of need for service.

An Epson engineer will check for underlying problems causing the faults. If he finds none, he will reset the counter, clean the reservoir and charge more than the cost of a new printer to do it.

If you're printer is still under warranty, get it done free. Using this utility will void your warranty, as will using alternative inks.

Answer 3

You can reset the number and play games to soak up the excess ink but you are running the risk that one day you will find ink spilled all over your desk. You can get a newer and better printer today for $22.

The C120 (printer only - no scanner) is on sale at Ritz Camera free after rebate but you must also buy a digital camera. The cheapest is $15. With $7 shipping you pay $22 for printer and camera.  It uses 3 colors and 2 of the SAME black cartridge.

http://www.cheapstingybargains.com/55740...

A set of 5 cartridges are $25 at http://ccs-digital.com/ink.asp

The CX8400 scanner/copier/printer was on sale at circuitcity.com for $60 with free shipping. It uses the same 3 colors plus one black.

The NX400 all-in-one which uses the same cartridges is on sale at Staples for $75.

The RX595 scanner/copier/printer also prints on DVDs. It uses 5 colors plus black and has even higher photo quality. It's on sale for $80 after $55 instant rebate.

http://www.cheapstingybargains.com/54342...

Answer 4

you are sort of right about the obsolescence thing.

What it means is a specific number has counted down and it thinks the waste ink sponges need changing

A way round this is to use the epson service utility to reset this number

http://www.ssclg.com/epsone.shtml

I reset my r300 stuck some kitchen paper in onto the sponges for half an hour to soak up the excess ink and its been fine

its explained more here http://myprinter.altervista.org/simplefa...