Fish that Epson printer out of the bin - it might not be broken!

Until recntly I've used HP printers and plotters exclusively. Then along came the marvelous and cheap Epson Photo R200 and I joined the moaners re: ink cartridge life/costs. Like everyone else, Epson sells its printers cheap and its inks expensive [make that very expensive] not only that but the bu**ers have chipped them to stop the use of aftermarket replacements.

And now it transpires there's another crafty and underhand Epson trick Epson - built in obsolecence.

You'll be aware that as your Epson goes about its daily business it automatically cleans itself down so you get a nice clear non-fuzzy non-smudged out-put. It cleans its print heads and bungs its waste in a little reservoir.

With longterm use of course this reservoir, measured by an internal counter, becomes full; your Epson detects this shuts itself down for good and issues an error message.

So you're now faced with an expensive repair or replacement. Not anymore!
Visit here to download their "SSC Service Utility allows you to do many amazing things with Your Epson printer".
And here for help instructions

Good Luck.

PS this may work for Canon printers too!

Been using this for about a year now on me old 740
A handy little tool JW

Nice one JW, I also use the 740 with the XP native drivers, this helps.

Yes, been using the SSC for quite a while with various Epson printers. Sadly it don`t work with the R300

I have been advising against Epson printers for ages due to the above.

Which? magazine ran a series of tests and found that on average the Epson printers indicated no ink when there was between 33% and 50% left.

They do this by assuming that every page you print is a full colour photograph. Epson say that by doing this the cartridge will not run dry which would cause problems.

Which? stated that HP printers are just as bad but the figure was more like 20% to 33% but they do not stop, it's just a helpful warning.

Canon came out top with far more accurate results leading to cheaper running costs.

Something to keep in mind when I need a new printer. On my 740, SSC shows 2% black when it finally stopped.

Greatly heartened by all your replies Guys.

Can't say I'm really THAT bothered as I love buying new kit so much!!!

What about the popup I now get with Jet-Tec inks warning me that it`s not Epson ink and do I wish to continue... This means I can`t click "Print" and walk away!! Any ideas on getting shut of this annoying development??
Ta <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="santasmile.gif" />

I'm using Jet-Tecs but I only get the warning at time of replacement, I just click on something like "accept - do not warn again" and that's it. You could try 'avin' a word with Jet-Tec as it's in their interests to sort out users probs - innit?

Emailed Steve at SVP and he`s no idea. I`ve now emailed Jet-Tec and will let you know if I hear anything. Up to now I know of one other person with the same printer (R300) who`s getting this annoying popup at EVERY print job. I reckon it`ll spread.
Out of 6 installed ink cartridges, only the black is a jet-tec and that`s the one mentioned in the popup.
Wotapaininthebum!

Well mines an R200 so is basically the same[albeit cheaper!] machine.
I have had to send a faulty Jet-Tec back to SVP, my printer wouldn't recognise it when it registered another cart ok so it was obvious the JT cart was no good.
So I suggest you swap out the the JT cart for another. If that don't work I can only suggest a total um-install/re-install of all the Epsom drivers and progs.