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From: lotion on 7 May 2005 16:02
Hi guys!
I have an old HP DeskJet 420 printer which hasn't been turned on for
years. I'm thinking of using it again. There seems to be ink in the
cartridge, but when i try to print, the "change cartridge" button
starts flashing. I pulled out the cartridge and tried to clean the
bottom part from where i assume ink is sprayed. However nothing seemed
to change. Is there a way to save the cartridge?

From: Tony on 7 May 2005 18:01
I suggest that you buy a replacement cartridge. If I remember correctly this is
a monochrome printer so only one cartridge needs to be replaced.
From the symptoms you describe the cartridge may have failed electronically in
which case no amount of attention will repair it. The cartridge used in this
printer is non-foam filled so if you shake it you will hear the ink sloshing
about unless it is empty.

If you really do want to try cleaning it, wash the printhead under a drizzling
cold water tap (just the printhead itself not the whole cartridge), gently
press the head down onto some kitchen towel lying on a bunch of newspaper (to
protect the bench). If there is any ink coming through it will show on the
towel, you should get a well defined rectangle of really black ink, if not
repeat several times. If this does not work then only special equipment will
fix it (not worth it for such a low cost cartridge). Some people have reported
good results after soaking the head in warm water, or steaming it from the
kettle, do this with extreme care.

Just some comments, it is extremely unwise to try to clean the printhead as you
described unless you know exactly what you are doing. Printheads can be
seriously damaged with the oils from your fingers, with minute particles from
cleaning material etc. Wiping the head itself is very likely to damage it, just
dry it after washing as described above on the towel. I don't think cleaning
will fix this cartridge but you could try.

Note: The above procedure should not be attempted with any cartridge other than
the type used in certain HP printers with cartridges that have printheads built
in; using this procedure on Canon, Epson or any other printer components is
more likely to result in you buying a new printer than anything else...

Tony


lotion(a)mail.bg wrote:
>Hi guys!
>I have an old HP DeskJet 420 printer which hasn't been turned on for
>years. I'm thinking of using it again. There seems to be ink in the
>cartridge, but when i try to print, the "change cartridge" button
>starts flashing. I pulled out the cartridge and tried to clean the
>bottom part from where i assume ink is sprayed. However nothing seemed
>to change. Is there a way to save the cartridge?
>

From: lotion on 8 May 2005 09:59
I forgot to mention that when i rub the cartridge on a piece of paper
ink does come out! Doesn't that mean that it should be fine?

From: Tony on 8 May 2005 15:53
Unfortunately not. The cartridge has some electronics in it, sounds like they
have failed.
There is no way to fix that.
Tony

lotion(a)mail.bg wrote:
>I forgot to mention that when i rub the cartridge on a piece of paper
>ink does come out! Doesn't that mean that it should be fine?
>

From: Davy on 8 May 2005 23:58
As mentioned above one has to be careful with cleaning the print head.
If the cartridge is that bad there aint' that mnuch damage you can do
to it.

First of all I would suggest getting a peice of kitchen pwper towel.
don't use fluffy cloth ot tissue paper. you can moist the peice of
kitchen roll in either CLEAR windowlene (windex I believe itrs
called in USA) or isopropanol another good thing is the stuff you use
to clean video heads.

Don't rub. dab until you start to see the ink run and then very gently
wipe NOT RUB. Another cause is the ink on the side contacts to the
head holder (assuming the print head is on the cartridge), these also
need to be cleaned.

Not ever owning one of those printers I was told it was a common fault
with them. Having said that if the tanks have been stood a long time
the ink has gotta have suffered inside the tank.

If the head surface is scratched in any way then it's a waste bin job.

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