| Post a new message thread
 | Canon s820 Print head error by Mill Brown (1/4/04 6:14 PM) | + / - | I have a Canon s820 printer and my indicator light blinks 7 times, indicating supposedly a print head error. Canon told me to remove the print head, and cartridges and reinstall them and then turn back on the printer. This didn't help. DOes anyone have any other ideas?? Please help!! THanks.
Mill
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by Barry (1/5/04 5:29 AM) | + / - | Replace the printhead (QY6-0040-000)
Call Canon Accessories at 800-385-2155 or your local Canon dealer.
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by nina (1/14/04 9:59 PM) | + / - | I think I'm having a problem with my print head too. My pictures have been printing excellently for about the past 2 years, all of a sudden, today, it started printing really grainy.
I did a deep cleaning, aligned the print head, did a nozzle check, everything, and it still prints really blurry and grainy.
Should I replace the print head? If so, how much does the thing cost?
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by Mill Brown (1/15/04 10:32 AM) | + / - | I called Canon last week. THe print head costs $80 + $5 shipping. There is no gaurantee that this will fix the problem and there is a no return policy. I decided to buy a new $80 printer- changed to HP. With ofoto and other services making printing digital pictures so easy, I don't need such a good photo printer anymore. GOod luck!
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by Jack (1/22/04 9:39 AM) | + / - | After two years of regular uneventful photo printing a yellowy orange is now the dominate colour. Nozzle Check shows a blank under "D" which repeated deep cleaning and printhead alignment does not alter. Yes, cartridges have been checked ! But no problem when using coloured text in Word !! A new printhead ?
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by PJ (1/24/04 12:51 PM) | +1 + / - | Is this one of the Canon printers where the printhead just lifts out? If so, soak it in warm distilled water until no more ink comes out.
Have had a similar problem with my i550, only in this case it was the cyan that either wouldn't print or flooded the printhead so that evrything came out cyan...
|
 | Re: Canon s820 Print head error by Jack (3/14/04 3:08 PM) | + / - | To PJ of 1/24/2004
A belated thank-you for your prompt recommendation of a bath in warm distilled water.
Most successful.
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by Krista (3/28/04 5:44 PM) | + / - | My Canon printer started printing with a yellow/brown tint. The colors were no longer true. Then I got the printhead error message. I didn't know about the distilled water bath. It costs $125 at an authorized Canon dealer to replace the printhead. I blame my problems on ink cartridges from Tyler Martin, or Refill ink from InkTech Enterprise.
|
 | Re: Canon s820 Print head error by Gert (4/27/04 7:43 AM) | +1 + / - | My s820 is also not printing very well and found that I am unable to align the printhead for the cyan (B) cartridge. It always has lines and therefore the pictures have lines-all other colors are fine. Did the warm distilled water method and it improved other color except for the cyan which still has lines. Is it new print head time?
|
 | Re: Canon s820 Print head error by Mike (5/7/04 11:22 PM) | + / - | Greetings all. I know this thread is a little old, but I thought I would add my comments anyway.
I've had an S820 for 14 months now and WAS pleased with it, but now it's started crapping out on me. Both the color shift problem and patterns of line segments missing on the print test.
For anyone still thinking of buying a new print head from Canon, FORGET IT! Go to www.staples.com and buy the whole darned S820 printer for only $49.99! (Part number 479908.) Don't know how long this will last, but it pays to shop around.
Cheers!
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by Jill S. (5/8/04 1:42 PM) | + / - | Same problems here. We've had the S820 since late March 2003. We replaced a 5 month old Lexmark Z23 that wasn't compatible w/ XP-- no driver for it, no plans on making one. NOT happy with Lexmark, just ask anyone who asked me what kind of printer to buy!
I was THRILLED with the photo results from my S820. In the last 2 weeks the quality has quickly went downhill. I did try some off-brand tanks. From what I've read even those that used only Canon brand have had the same problem.
I am right now soaking my printhead and keeping my fingers crossed.
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by Mike (5/8/04 11:06 PM) | + / - | Well, a deep hot soaking didn't help my s820's printhead at all. I'm afraid since there are patterns of missing segments in the test print, that it has a bad connection or open circuit somewhere. I cleaned all the little contacts, but it still didn't help.
Oh well. I've got a $15 off $75 purchase coupon from Staples, so now the only question is, what do I want to get that's close to $25 to add to my new $49.99 printer? 8^)
(Just for kicks, I'm going to take the new print head and try it on the old printer to see if that really was the problem.)
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by Anonymous (5/18/04 8:24 PM) | + / - | Im getting lines only on the black. It started doing this only when printing on Kodak premium picture paper, was ok on Epson photo paper. Then it I started getting lines on all the black regardless of paper.
I cleaned the heads with a cleaning solution that came with cosco refil ink kit which helped for 4-5 pages then lines again. Im going to try the soaking, then the Staples new printer.
|
 | Re: Canon s820 Print head error by Mike (5/18/04 10:21 PM) | + / - | Just for curious, have you done a "Nozzle Check"?
If so, what did the printout look like?
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by Keith (5/24/04 9:49 PM) | + / - | My s820 suddenly developed regular missing blocks in a step pattern in the nozzle check pattern for photo magenta. This appeared when the printer was just over 18 months old. I did a test with a friend's s820 by swapping print heads and the fault followed the print head. It looks like an open circuit or stuck signal line. It is not an ink flow problem and can't be fixed by cleaning. Bit dubious about buying a new head when the product is so unreliable. Makes for expensive printing if the head only lasts 18 months.
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by Mike (5/24/04 11:30 PM) | + / - | You're correct. Cleaning doesn't help. This is definately a signal line problem of some kind.
Thanks for reporting the results of swapping heads. I suspected the problem was in the head, but I couldn't prove it yet.
As I continue to use my printer (for non-photo stuff), I keep loosing more and more parts of the pattern. Picture the pattern as 16 larger "squares" for each color. Each square is divided into 4 smaller ones, upper-right, lower-right, upper-left, and lower-left.
Kind of like this...
----------------------------------------------------------
| 1 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 3 |
----------------------------------------------------------
| 2 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 4 | ...and so on.
----------------------------------------------------------
Mine now prints ONLY the number "1" squares for my cyan, the other 3 areas are completely gone. For the magenta, I'm missing all the number "3" squares. The other colors are fine (for now).
I think it's VERY suspicious that these things develop this problem USUALLY on the magenta and/or cyan signal lines and USUALLY between 12 and 18 months.
If you are considering buying a new head for $85, I would suggest you take that money and invest in a better printer.
If anyone else is nearing the end of their 12 month warranty period. Run a Nozzle Check and see if any segments are missing as described above. if so MAKE A CLAIM NOW.
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by Keith (5/26/04 10:30 PM) | + / - | Thanks for letting me know that the head continues to deteriorate. It helps me to make up my mind not to bother with canon again. I contacted their technical support and they said a printhead should last for 100,000 pages or between 3 and 5 years. I said I was very unhappy it had only lasted 18 monthe but they would not offer any help at all with the replacement cost which (in Australia) is $224. So I think I would be stupid to get another canon or replace the printhead.
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by Keith (5/26/04 11:25 PM) | + / - | Since yesterday, I have found that photo cyan now also exhibits the step pattern in the nozzle check pattern. Further proof that is is an electronic problem and not ink flow is shown by the fact that the missing segments are overprinted on the segments that are there. The top halves of the pattern that are printed are twice as dark as thre lower parts of the pattern. This printhead appears to be dying fast even though only 18 months old.
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by Mike (5/27/04 12:03 AM) | + / - | > ...I contacted their technical support and they said a printhead should last for 100,000 pages or between 3 and 5 years.
SHOULD? SHOULD? Yeah, right! To print 100,000 pages in 3 to 5 years, you would have to print between 55 and 90 pages EVERY DAY, 7 days a week! I KNOW for a fact, my printer has NOT printed more than 500 pages TOTAL! I bought a couple of reams of nice 104 brightness inkjet paper and I'm still on the first one! OK, I DID print a few dozen photos with it too, but I figure it should be just getting broken in, NOT broken!
Hummm... 100K pages. I'd like to see the analysis of their MTTF data. They are full of crap if they think the current head design can even do 1/100 of that number.
> ...photo cyan now also exhibits the step pattern
Yep. Once it starts, it just slowly gets worse.
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by Steve (6/5/04 7:45 AM) | + / - | My s820 now doesn't print black. New tank, done all the tests, still doesn't print black. Is this the print head problem you all are talking about?
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by Mike (6/5/04 2:39 PM) | + / - | Hard to say, Steve. You might just have something clogged up. The condition we are seeing is a slowly increasing pattern of missing segments in the Nozzle Check test.
In your case, I would suggest cleaning the head in hot distilled water, as described above. This will clear out any clogs it may have.
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by Kim (6/6/04 3:17 PM) | + / - | I'm having missing segments and the same problem as Steve above, where yellow does not print at all on the printer head alignment. When I print the nozzle check, the yellow prints a very light pattern at the top with missing segments. It does not print anything in the solid colors that print under the patterns. I'm also missing segments in 2 others colors as well.
I've had my printer about a year and 1/2, but don't print often. (Shouldn't be having issues.)
I soaked in warm distilled water until all ink was out, but that did not solve the problem. Any other ideas or is it time for a new print head or new printer?
Thanks in advance for any help anyone can provide.
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by Mike (6/6/04 5:14 PM) | + / - | Thanks for your report, Kim. Yes, it sounds all too familiar.
> I've had my printer about a year and 1/2...
Yep. Between 12 and 18 months are when they seem to fail. Yours went longer than most here.
> (Shouldn't be having issues.)
That's the understatement of the decade. Everyone of us feels exactly the same way. These VERY expensive items should NOT be wearing out so quickly. If I were you, I would NOT buy a new print head. Take the money and buy a better printer.
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by Kim (6/6/04 6:07 PM) | + / - | Mike,
Thanks for the quick reply. I remembered that I purchased with my credit card that doubles all mfg. wty time periods. I'm going to try that route first and hope it's replaced under wty. If not, then I'm inclined to buy a new printer, as you suggest. :)
Thanks,
Kim
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by Mike (6/6/04 6:11 PM) | + / - | That's an excellent idea! Please let us know the outcome.
Best wishes,
Mike
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by Steve (6/7/04 1:54 PM) | + / - | Hey Mike,
After checking further I noticed my Staus window shows my tanks at about half when actually I just changed them and they are full. Could this have anything to do with it?
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by Mike (6/7/04 4:18 PM) | + / - | I don't think so. I've read that some aftermarket tanks will do that on this printer, but it shouldn't affect the print quality.
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by Steve (6/8/04 5:45 AM) | + / - | OK... just to make sure I don't ruin this printer completely. Is the print head the plastic ink tank holder? And how long do I soak it in distilled water? It seems the little circuit board would get wrecked being soaked in water?? Sorry, I'm pretty green about this stuff!
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by Chris  (6/8/04 5:50 AM) | + / - | Warm water should do the trick. I've done it numerous times and it's sorted the problem everytime. Just leave it to soak in some warm water for a while. The water won't damage it just as long as you leave it to dry before you put it back in
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by Steve (6/8/04 12:40 PM) | + / - | That worked for my colors but my black is still screwed up.I get a blank line thru the middle of words. Any suggestions? Thanks!
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by Chris (6/9/04 1:47 AM) | + / - | hold the resume button until the light flashes once, this will perform a head clean. do two cleans, turn it off, turn it back on and do another two cleans and then print a nozzle check
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by Ed (6/13/04 10:50 PM) | + / - | Beginning to sound like a broken record. Mine lasted 18 Months and is now missing Cyan and yellow nozzles. This problem came on very quickly - have not tried the warm distilled water soak yet; my guess is, it will not help.After many cleaning cycles the same nozzle check pattern errors show up.
|
 | Re: Canon s820 Print head error by Mike (6/13/04 11:28 PM) | + / - | Join the club, Ed. I'm really sorry to hear that you too are having problems. Yes, you are probably right; it appears that once segments in the nozzle check start missing in a regular pattern, there's nothing you can do about it without reaching for a credit card.
Just for curious, does anyone know of ANYONE that has used a Canon s820 regularly (or even occasionally) for MORE than 18 months without having a printhead problem?
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by Kim (6/14/04 11:36 AM) | + / - | Hello All,
I posted earlier in June that I was going to check the warranty through my credit card company, b/c they double all mfg wtys. I did that and seeing that the print head costs as much or more than a brand new printer, I called my local Canon dealer for an estimate in hopes my credit card company would buy me a new printer all together. Here is the reply I got back from my local Canon repair center.
"I show that this specific printer is in warranty with Canon until August of 2004. So , if you were to bring it in to us for the print head it would not cost you anything at all. But if you want to wait I will give you the price quote."
You can find your local Canon dealer on the Canon site.
I hope this info helps.
Kim
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by Keith (6/17/04 7:02 AM) | + / - | The missing segments in the nozzle check pattern are the result of 2 adjacent segments overprinting and is indicative of a circuit failure in the printhead. I can get an Epson stylus photo R210 (with 6 ink tanks) for less than the price of a replacemnt s820 printhead. The unsympathetic Canon support and the unreliability of the printer has dissuaded me from ever considering the future purchase of a Canon printer
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by Kim (6/17/04 10:12 AM) | + / - | To update my situation. My print head was covered under an unpublished extra Canon wty (guess they know it's a crappy print head). I took it into the local Canon repair store, they fixed it within 3 hours (estimated fix was 24 -48 hr turnaround), I picked it up yesterday. Had no charges for the new printhead, with little fuss. At least I don't have to spend any money immediately. I'll wait until it goes out again and then consider another printer. I think we all agree we wouldn't buy Canon again!
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by Ian (6/24/04 4:58 AM) | + / - | I have a question... when you say soak the print head in water, do you mean completely immerse it? Thanks.
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by Mike (6/24/04 11:42 AM) | + / - | Yep. The electronics are completely sealed, so it wont damage them. It's recommended you use distilled water so you don't add any unwanted scale or mineral deposits. Those jets are really tiny and it doesn't take much to block them.
What I did is bring the water up to almost boiling in the microwave, then took it out and set the print head in and let it soak for about 30 minutes. Then repeated the operation one more time.
When done, make sure it's dry before using it again. I used compressed air to help blow the last of the water out.
This procedure doesn't seem to help the missing segment problem, but it does help with color shifts and other oddities.
Please let us know how it works out for you.
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by kap (6/25/04 9:27 AM) | + / - | Would reinstalling the printer "correct" some of these problems that are not related to the nozzles per se but to the electrical signals that are not getting to where they should be going on the print head?
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by Mike (6/25/04 2:34 PM) | + / - | Good thought, but I'm afraid it's more of a hardware defect rather than a software one. It seems there is something seriously wrong with the design of the print head that causes a signal "bit" to die long before it should. Once dead, I've heard no reports of any ever coming back. In fact, over time it will tend to loose more and more segments.
If it was an automobile, I'm sure they would have been forced to recall the print head long before now and replace it with a better design. As it is, I don't know if the (expensive) replacement heads are any better than the ones that shipped with it.
Too bad. When it was first working, I really liked the printer. Now I think I'm going to have to just trash it and buy something else. Maybe an HP or Epson this time.
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by Wendy (6/27/04 4:35 PM) | + / - | Hello
My canon printer 820 has been brillant. However of late images are pixellated. One time when printing I smelt slight burning smell, ignored this of course. Printer still printing but even after using Ilford professional photo paper and endless resetting and cleaning, still pixellation. Would this be printhead?
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by Mike (6/27/04 5:28 PM) | + / - | Hi Wendy!
Hard to say what's exactly wrong. Once I got a hold of some off-brand (BIP Photo Glossy Paper) paper that said on the back, "For use with Lexmark, Canon, Epson, Hewlett-Packard Printers". NOT!! The ink just beaded up on it giving this weird mosaic (crappy) look to it. I checked 3 times to see if maybe I printed on the wrong side of the paper, it was that bad.
My point is, there are a lot of factors that can make a print look bad (yes, including the print head.)
Have you run a "Nozzle Check" recently? If so were there any segments missing?
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by lisa (6/28/04 7:37 PM) | + / - | this msg board is seriously worrying me. I have had a Canon s820 printer for a year and a half and been quite pleased with the results. Lately, I have been printing many high quality photos and tonite I noticed a sudden degredation in quality. Prints I made I can only describe as looking like corduroy. I've done several cleans, nozzle checks, and print head alignments. Nothing has helped. If the problem is the print head, I don't want to keep wasting my time and ink running checks. Do you all think my printer is a goner?
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by wendy (6/28/04 10:10 PM) | + / - | Well apparently when you are using thicker grade paper you should move the blue lever inside printer to the right,envelope,so that the ink nozzels do not push against the surface of the paper.
Your problem does sound like a printhead failure. The beauty of canon printers is that they may be changed. However given the sharp descrease in price of new photo printers you have to weight up whether repair beats the purchase of a new printer.
I am dissapointed about the paper as the Ilford paper I was using is professional grade and prints with clatity on a new A3 Canon printer I also use. My technicion had not heard of Ilford and suggested I use a lighter HP paper or only Canon paper.
This cuts down the range of surfaces and images I can create.
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by Mike (6/29/04 3:43 AM) | + / - | Greetings Lisa! 18 months? That's longer than most! Seriously, when you do your "Nozzle Check" do all the segments in every color block print out, or are there any missing?
Wendy, when you DO use a different paper do you get different (better) results? What I did (when my printer was still working) is purchased a 50pk of the Canon 4x6 "Photo Paper Plus Glossy" when it was on sale, then used a sheet of that to directly compare the quality of other brands of paper. If it looked the same, I went with it, otherwise I wouldn't. I know you can "tweak" in other brand of paper using different "Profiles", but I don't have the time or patience to dial the settings in. For me, either it works, or it doesn't.
BTW, I used to use Ilford photo paper years (decades?) ago when I was into darkroom printing. It was good stuff back then. Didn't know they made paper for printers. Makes sense.
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by kap (6/29/04 10:25 AM) | + / - | Could NOT get the printhead on my S820 to work AT ALL after the "hot water" treatment recommended here.
Despite some misgivings, I could not bring myself around to purchase an HP or Epson to replace that printer. Did not want to replace the printhead at $80 either.
I really like and believe in the "think tank" system Canon uses - just replace the ink that is used, not all the colors. Less waste, less expense too, I believe.
So I bought the i960. WITH A SERVICE CONTRACT this time! (Less than $10/yr AND it covers the print head, which the salesperson acknowledged is the "first to go" with printers.) Given the Cannon rebate, a price within pennies of everyone else selling 'em including the Internet, Best Buy's "gift card," a discount on an extra set of inks, I figure I have newer technology, a quieter and FASTER printer with fresh Canon inks, a new print head, and the software that goes with it! Such a deal! Oh, did I say it prints fast AND in beautiful color?!
I took a few poorly exposed pix, the type I have difficulty printing in accurate color with all the tweaking I can do. They came out just fine with the Cannon software and printer. Who knows, I may have less and less use for Paint Shop Pro 7 as I get used to this new system.
But, we will see what things are like 2-3 years down the road....
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by Alva (7/1/04 7:31 PM) | + / - | trying to find the wessage that the guy show pictures on how to take apart a S820 if you find send to preach@1st.net
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by Mike (7/1/04 11:44 PM) | + / - | What is it that you like to remove/replace on the printer?
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by XYCO (7/3/04 8:25 AM) | + / - | Okay, so I also have owned the S820 for about a year and suddenly find the quality going to crap.
Many posts here have said that using cheap knock-off ink does NOT hut the print head. I'm not so sure because that is exactly when the clogged head printing began. Are you sure the off-brand ink doesn't have anything to do with it?
Has anyone else found Canon willing to repair/replace their printer, like Kim (posted 6/17 "My print head was covered under an unpublished extra Canon wty...")
Mike, you've been posting this thread since 05/07/04. What did you eventually do?
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by XYCO (7/3/04 8:33 AM) | + / - | By the way, I found another cleaning solution: rubbing alcohol. See: www.pcphotoreview.com
He writes:
"Summary:I have been very happy with this printer since I bought it. Recently, because of infrequent use, the print head clogged up causing degraded print quality.
I tried the "deep cleaning" function, which did not remove the clog....only depleted my ink tanks.
Cannon support suggested cleaning the head with a Q-Tip and rubbing alcohol...did not work.
Finally, I removed the ink tanks and submerged the head and ink input nipples inside the tank compartment in rubbung alcohol. Ink started to ooze from the head discoloring the alcohol. I repeated again with clean alcohol and let it soak overnight. Removed it the next AM and let it dry all day.
I'm happy to report the print quality is back to being superb!"
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by XYCO (7/3/04 8:47 AM) | + / - | ...and I've now read of others having success by adding a small amount of dishwashing liquid (small amount)...
...and also using Windex...
I've also read that the real problem is if you let the ports dry out. In our case, it's probably from not using it enough. Also during cleaning, don't let the ink inlet ports dry out. This is why the "water cleaning" is so effective.
I guess the bottom line is clean it, but don't let it dry out.
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by Mike (7/3/04 1:11 PM) | + / - | With the s820, there are 2 distinct and separate problems that have been frequently reported. They both are related to the print head and they both have different repair procedures.
1. A few nozzles gets clogged causing a color shift when printing photos. This seems to happen with both Canon and off-brand inks.
This can be corrected by a number of deep-cleaning methods outlined in previous posts. Many people have reported successfully fixing this type of defect.
2. A repeating pattern of missing segments for one or more colors start appearing in the "Nozzle Check" test.
This seems to be a permanent defect that only gets worse with continued use. There is no known repair procedure asside from ordering a replacement ($80, plus $5 ship) print head from Canon.
My s820 is still sitting here with defect #2. I refuse to spend more on a print head than I did for the original printer, so I'm waiting, watching, reading reviews, etc., to decide what my replacement printer will be. (Thanks for asking.)
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by Keith (7/4/04 8:47 AM) | + / - | A new Canon s820 printhead in Australia costs $246. I can get a new Epson Stylus Photo R210 for $200. This has 6 individually replaceable ink tanks like the s820 and the cartridges are cheaper. I am still waiting to get it and will report on its quality for you all. By the way it can also print on CD-R disks.
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by Mike (7/4/04 2:57 PM) | + / - | I've actually been lookng at that Epson, or one like it. The ability to print directly on CD's is interesting, but I understand you either have to buy special CD's that CAN be printed on, or purchase a set of blank CD labels, put them on the CD's, then print. Kind of takes the fun out of it.
A mini review on the printer after you get it would be very helpful, thanks.
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by XYCO (7/5/04 9:32 AM) | + / - | Good explanation on the 2 different issues. I've experienced both and tried all cleaning suggestions. I've also heard to try ammonia cleaning agents for the clogged ports, but haven't figured it out yet.
If you're looking at Epson, the Epson Stylus Photo R200 is suppose to be really good for the money. You can find it at NewEgg for $92 (free shipping). (you may have to search for item N82E16828103160) www.newegg.com
Might as well since the Canon nozzle is so expensive.
The most important (besides low cost) feature for me is the image quality. Has anyone found COMPARISON of inkjet photo printers that shows the quatity difference?
Good Luck
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by Steve2 Australia (7/16/04 10:01 PM) | + / - | Mike - no offence intended at all, but how else would you print onto a CD/DVD if it didnt have a printable surface? AFAIK the only ink that will effectively print onto a shiny CD surface is screen printing ink .... or I guess colour Laser toner.
I have the older Canon BJC8200 (which just developed the streaking fault again, which is why I came to the forum) and use a home-made caddy to print onto DVDs - two at a time..... it worked flawlessly for over 300 discs.... the newer Canon printers have lost the hand feed facility as well as the 8200's wonderful 550GSM paper handling capacity ...... I know of no other printer that can do this so I have to keep it and continue repairing it..... of course, the new 865/965 series can print CDs/DVDs using a front caddy, but as I print directly onto presentation folders and other thick stock for my work, I still need a printer to take thick stock.
I have this sinking feeling my printer will die shortly – and I will have to make a decision whether to buy a new print head at $230AUS!!!! or try and find one on eBay or something from the US……or buy a new i995, 7colour printer – or both….as I need it for my work as a graphic artist.
Sorry about the sermon and ranting
Decisions decisions decisions
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by Mike (7/16/04 10:37 PM) | + / - | > Mike - no offence intended at all, but how else would you print onto a CD/DVD if it didnt have a printable surface?
No offense taken. My only point was it's not easy to find packs of CD/DVD media that ARE printable and when you do, they are rarely on sale. Like I mentioned, you can always stick down a blank label on any CD and print on it that way, but then, why would you WANT to? It's easier and faster to print directly on the labels first, THEN stick them down. (Especially if you have a lot to do.)
Maybe it's just me, but rarely have I ever paid for CD-R's, except for postage on the rebates. My son is in a struggling rock band, so anytime I see CD-R's "free after rebate", I buy them. Over the past 2 years, I've probably bought over 2000 CD-R's this way and only ONCE were they the writable kind.
It's probably different here in the States. Every week the big office supply chains come out with their ads and often there are some pretty deep discounts available.
The one good thing about all this is the longer you hold out for a new printer, the better and cheaper they get!
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by Steve2 Australia (7/17/04 1:28 AM) | + / - | Holy hell! free Cd-rs?????? No such animal here in Oz. Few ppl use labels here these days because media is readily available with aprintable surface. It must be fun bein a coupon-killer! We practically have none here, other than on supermarket dockets.
Printable CDRs are around 15cents plus and the printable DVD media I buy is 90cents .... thats 10.5cents and 65cents US respectively
:)
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by Dave (7/21/04 4:59 AM) | + / - | Had a problem with my printhead after using 'genuine canon replacement cartridges' (half the price - should have known better!!) for my printer. I lost the photo magenta and followed the advice from 'Jack'. After three applications of distilled water it now works ok. Better that £62.50 for a new print head!!!!
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by Chris (7/26/04 7:26 PM) | + / - | My Canon S820 print head has stopped working after consistently perfect results for 16 months. Perfect photos one day, no black ink at all the next, so I suspect the electronics in the head rather that ink blockage, cleaning hasn't helped.
I bought this printer with a digital camera to print photos, but photos on Canon Photo Pro paper only last about 6 months, despite claims of "up to 25 years". I've ben quoted $313 AUD for the print head and as I no longer use it to print serious photos, I'm considering down-grading to a Canon I560 which I can get for $199 AUD. A print head for this printer will cost $197.50! Does anyone know if this printer has the same problems as the S820?
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by Jeff Stanley (7/28/04 4:42 AM) | + / - | Add mine to the growing list of failures. numerous deep cleanings have so far failed. Many missing columns on print head alignment, now missing segments in nozzle check. Printer less than two years old and probably never had the printhead removed for any reason for a year. Secon Canon printer, first was BJC 8200, print head failure there also. I am going to try the alcohol soaking and see if that works. But...... was that soak the printhead or me in the alcohol ?!
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by Mike (7/28/04 5:00 AM) | + / - | Yes Jeff, welcome to the club. If the Nozzle Check shows a pattern of randomly distrubuted segments, then it MIGHT help. If you see a PATTERN of missing segments, save your alcohol for something worthwhile and buy a new printer, as this one is toast.
Chris, I don't know anything about the i560, so I would recommend google and see what you can find.
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by Jeff (7/28/04 7:07 AM) | + / - | Thanks Mike and thanks for the board, any opinion on the i960. Normally I would want to steer away from a company with two failures but...... I have a dozen ink tanks and you know the cost. I have also found that Canon offers a two year extension on the one year included warranty. I figure three years( 1 2) for an additional $95. If it craps in two as they seem to, then $95 amortized down to about $32 for a new printer sounds good. What do you think? Or should I consider technological advances in the next two or more years as vastly obsoleting this product. Thn again, the i960 will surely be out of production and they will have to provide a comparable item. Advanced technology would then be allowed for.
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by kap (7/28/04 9:58 AM) | + / - | Jeff- buy the i960! I know, I had 2nd thoughts about going w/another Canon but I really like the thinktank system and just replacing the colors that need replacing. Mine prints BEAUTIFUL pictures and is sooo much faster than the S820. Quieter, too. Check for rebates, specials with BestBuy, Staples, OfficeMax, etc. AND GET A SERVICE CONTRACT!! Got a 3-year contract for about $30 at BestBuy. If it poofs within 3 years I get what will amount to a comparable (and most likely better) printer if only the print head itself goes bad (which my experience w/2 previous Canons says this will most likely happen). So I consider myself covered. Keep us posted on your experience, and I'll post mine now and then to keep everyone updated.
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by jeffs55 (7/28/04 10:38 AM) | + / - | I found one (Canon i960) at amazon for $150.54 delivered. I wont be able to get a service contract anywhere but from Canon Im afraid, there cost is $95, not the $30 you mentioned. I wonder if the price was more elsewhere to cover that low ball warranty. Or, I may have simply jumped to fast 'cause the printer is ordered. I will go back to Amazon and see if they have a warranty, thanx.
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by kap (7/28/04 7:12 PM) | + / - | Jeff,
With rebate and sale at BestBuy on the i960 my cost was just shy of $150 PLUS an additional $29.95 for BestBuy's 3 year warranty. I believe you will love the printer. Best wishes and keep us posted!
|
 | Re: Canon s820 Print head error by Owen K. (7/28/04 10:54 PM) | + / - | I have experienced the dreaded Canon printhead self-destruction as well. With mine, it failed only six months after I recieved the printer as a birthday present. The model I got was refurbished, so I don't know if the print head was new or not. I had a feeling the culprit was the Amazon Imaging ink at first, because when my photo magenta stopped printing the full step pattern, I pulled out that cartridge only to discover what looked like something growing inside the ink tank! Yuck! Maybe it's a new life form... The box for that cartridge said the expiration date had already passed (I never realized ink expired.)
However, after reading through all these posts and attempting several distilled water baths and rubbing alcohol injections into the printhead, nothing seemed to help. As stated above, most likely a circuitry issue. Luckily, my mom purchased an extended warranty on it, and I ended up buying a Canon i860 last weekend from CompUSA (with 2-year $40 extended warranty.) It's pretty darn good, and doesn't dump a quarter of a cartridge during a cleaning cycle! Prints on Canon's paper are amazing. Kodak Premium Picture Paper prints are adequate. FujiFilm Premium Paper causes banding unless you use standard mode. If anyone knows of good high-gloss paper similar to the Canon photo paper but less expensive, please let me know!
Hopefully this printer will last longer. We'll see...
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by Jeff (7/29/04 2:50 AM) | + / - | I have been using Office Depot brand paper with good results. It is specifically the 69lb high gloss their SKU # is 652-001. The number is printed on the lower right of the front of my box. UPC # 35854 98034 on the 100ct box, this number would be different on a package with different quantity. On a Canon printer experiment between the photo paper pro settings and photo paper plus glossy or glossy photo paper.
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by kap (7/29/04 9:45 AM) | + / - | Agree that Canon paper works the best but it is sooo expensive. Have had good results from Kodak Ultima on the "glossy photo paper" setting for the i960. The Canon "Photo paper pro" setting puts down what looks like too much ink and it tends to glob, especially magenta or photo magenta.
Now where did I see someone on the 'Net (this website?) who recommended a paper that appeared "as good as the Canon paper" at about 1/2 the cost??
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by Magicfrog (7/31/04 8:01 AM) | + / - | I hate to brag but I got 2 years out of my s820. This also means that I paid $250 for it when it first came out. I am getting the same cordaroy effect and tried the soaking in alcohol treatment with no effect. Canon was no help but offered me 10% discount in a canon loyalty program. Does anyone have a suggestion on a Epson on HP model.
The frog
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by Steve2 Australia (7/31/04 4:30 PM) | + / - | LONG POST - sorry .....
FWIW I have now had the BJC8200 since it was released .... it has been a brilliant printer and I feel, leader in its class.....I use it daily for producing "printer's Proofs" and more recently, DVD covers. (LOTS of both) While it needs some supervision from time to time, it usually performs very well..... I will admit changing ink tanks is a pain in the arse, as it usually means stripes for two prints afterwards, but one way around this is to replace the tanks before they are bone dry.
I use aftermarket ink exclusively, which I buy here in Australia for $7AU per. against $27AU for original!
Paper: For DVD covers I now only use TDK 120GSM "special coated inkjet paper" which I pay $16AU for 100 sheets (comes in 50s). For print proofs I use any of various Chinese made brands of Hi Res paper at around $12AU per 100.
At more than 4 years old I am happy with its performance even though a print head died within 3 months and was not replaced free. I have now bought the Canon i965, which takes the same ink tanks..... I intend to run both printers now, because the BJC8200 can take 550GSM paper without incident.....which means I can do business card and postcard proofs on it.....also, it can actually print direct onto a CLOSED presentation folder which is about 4 times the thickness of a business card….Finally: with a small modification it can also print direct onto CD/DVD discs AND 2 at a time!..... I believe no other home-inkjet-printer can match this.
Am looking forward to getting my I 965 up and running though …. I have seen an i865 in action and MAN is it fast! Quiet too!
Steve
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by Jeff (7/31/04 5:11 PM) | + / - | That is wonderful news on your BJC 8200, I did not get near that use out of it or my S 820. I may still have that old 8200 lying around somewhere. The printhead is NO good, I am looking at it as I type. Do you want me to look for the rest of it, you can have it for the cost of shipping to Australia. I dont know what you would do with it but there is the offer.
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by Owen K. (8/1/04 3:59 PM) | + / - | Thanks for the paper tip, jeff.
I was looking around at Office Depot for that paper, and did find it, though it's in 8.5x11 sheets, and I already have quite a bit of paper in that size (some Great White and Ilford stuff I found at Big Lots, of all places.) I was really looking for 4x6, so I checked out the Office Depot premium paper, and they wanted $24 for a 100 pack of that, versus $15 for a 100 pack of Epson 4x6. I ended up getting the Epson paper, and I have to say I am STUNNED with how good it works with this printer. No visible banding at all, even in the shadow areas of the photos. Canon wanted $13 for 50 pcs of their Plus Glossy stuff, so I'd say this is a bargain! Maybe the Epson paper is what they were talking about, Kap. If you try it, use Photo Paper Pro mode at high resolution.
Regards,
Owen
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by Owen K. (8/1/04 4:02 PM) | + / - | I should probably add that the package for the Epson paper says "Borderless 4"x6" Premium Glossy Photo Paper" "100 Sheet Value Pack."
Regards,
Owen
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by Steve2 Australia (8/1/04 4:06 PM) | + / - | JEFF - hiya and thanks heaps for your kind offer .... unfortunately I cant use the printer as it will be 110VAC 60Hz - we run 240VAC 50Hz. I am giving mine a good clean this week and installing the new-kid-on-the-block (office real estate is getting eaten up at a rapid rate!) - will let all k now how it performs.
Thanks again
Steve
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by Bhaskar (8/8/04 11:46 AM) | + / - | Another S820 printhead issue: Mine started showing up missing patterns (The problem seemed to have happened after using IMS Ink refilling system from COSTCO)
after about 18 months (rearely used) on two of the colors, and after multiple cleanings and I was able to get one pattern back Then I tried one more deep cleaning with some pressure on the printhead and the printer went dead. It wouldn't respond at all.
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by Jeff (8/8/04 12:01 PM) | + / - | Sorry to hear about your woes, it seems that Canon does not make a good printer. I hope that I didnt make a terrible mistake by just now buying a new i960. I did buy the extended warranty this time for $30USD. I can only hope they honor it in a couple years (if I am lucky) when this one poops out. Seems that life expectancy is 1-2 years even with moderate usage. I had trouble installing this i960 as when the head alignment was performed using the automatic alignment the black ink would not print. I tried head cleaning and nozzle pattern to no avail. After all else failed I took out the manual and read how to do a MANUAL alignment. That did the trick and I am now printing. The speed and quietness of the this printer is far better than the S820, cant comment on quality yet. I would say it is a third faster and more than half quieter, you can barely hear it. I now have a S820 for sale as junk to anyone that wants it. I also have a BJC8200 that is inoperative due to a bad printhead, same deal applies to it if anyone needs it. Whoever wants either one that will not print due to a bad printhead(s) can have it/them for cost of shipping. They are cosmetically 99% or better.
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by Mike (8/8/04 3:52 PM) | + / - | > I hope that I didnt make a terrible mistake by just now buying a new i960.
Just because Canon makes one printer that has a serious print head failure problem, doesn't mean all their printers are bad. I've heard very good reports about their i-series printers and might even get one myself.
We appreciate your initial report on your new printer and would like to hear from you again in a month or so when you have had a chance to really run it through its paces.
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by Jeff (8/8/04 5:19 PM) | + / - | Since you read so many of these posts it is entirely possible that you did not notice that this is the THIRD Canon printer that I have owned. I am just your average Joe and as such there was never a "piece count" made on how many pictures/pages were printed. My gut feeling is that I never exceeded the design platform of this machine. But, what is the design of this machine.......I have read in the 100 thousands........... no way !!! They will not do it and never could. At each purchase the one I bought was top of the line in Canons inventory............or damn close. I can only say that I am not pleased with their endurance. The only reason I bought another Canon printer is that I literally had about a DOZen ink cartridges. Further.......I weighed the idea of the printer crapping in a year and the warranty replacement. I am gambling now that when this printer dies it will be replaced by a current Canon printer. Its a game, in a year , there will be a newer, better able to jump higher printer. Im just posting it as I se it.
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by Steve2 Australia (8/8/04 7:50 PM) | + / - | BTW my friend has the i865 - he would have literally done 15000 prints with it, including onto DVD (no prizes for guessing what he is using it for) and while it is "only" a 4 col. printer, the colours are fantastic.... also, he only uses aftermarket inktanks.... no factory ink and no replacement ink - just a.m. tanks ..... I class this as stellar high-use performance.....I HOPE I get as good from my i965
cheers
Steve
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by lloyd (8/9/04 9:40 AM) | + / - | I too have been bit by the Print head problem where "A repeating pattern of missing segments for one or more colors start appearing in the "Nozzle Check" test. " Cleaning with water, alcohol, sonic cleaning did not solve the problem. I'm wondering if there are any new Canon printers which use the same ink tanks, as I have quite a few unopened yet.
Lloyd
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by Mike (8/9/04 7:15 PM) | + / - | Sorry to hear about your misfortune.
To answer your question, please read some of the earlier posts from others, like those from "Steve2 Australia".
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by Keith (8/12/04 10:39 PM) | + / - | Its been a while but I have at last got my new Epson Stylus Photo R210 printer to use instead of my now useless ( still not too bad on documents but disgusting for photographs ) Canon S820. As reported earlier, my S820 has the printhead disease which so often claims its life at an average age of 18 months. Since a new printhead was quoted as costing $246 (in Australia) and the Epson complete with 6 seperate ink tanks plus some quite nice software etc cost me $205 I decided to abandon Canon. I have not used the Epson very much yet but tested on Epson Pemium Glossy paper, it gave me results as good as anything I've seen from the Canon.
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by kap (8/13/04 5:46 PM) | + / - | Keith,
Best wishes with your new printer. Do you get as much ink and are the cartridges more/less expensive than the Canons?
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by Mercedes (8/14/04 10:15 PM) | + / - | When doing Print Head Alignment, what kind of pattern do I want for "select the pattern that shows no flaws"? Straight bars? Wavy bars? Solid color?
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by Jeff (8/15/04 2:22 AM) | + / - | Choose the pattern that is most nearly solid.
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by kap (8/15/04 2:23 PM) | + / - | Pick the solid color with no bars
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by Mercedes (8/15/04 3:29 PM) | + / - | Thanks, guys.
Did pick the most solid pattern in Print Head Alignment, tested again and was puzzled that the new test page looked the same...though my test picture was improved. Perhaps because of dried-out printer head being better lubricated with ink...
Am soaking print head in filtered water (microwaved to heat, then dropped in print head). Will rinse in rubbing alcohol (thinking this will aid drying) and will allow to dry 12 hrs. before testing.
But I see that Nozzle Check patterns are beginning to go, and thank you all for teaching me to recognize that printer is now on irreversable downhill slide. Shopping for new i960 with 3-yr. warranty as some of you have suggested.
Best Buy’s price today is $170, Staples the same, Computers 4 Sure $162, and Amazon $150. I don’t find a place on any of these sites to opt for a 3 yr. warranty. Any suggestions?
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by Jeff (8/15/04 3:48 PM) | + / - | You can buy the three year extended warranty at BestBuy for $30, BUT this warranty runs concurrent with the Canon factory 1 year warranty. In effect it is only a TWO year warranty. Yet, 1 2 does = 3, so in light of the seemingly planned obsolescence of Canon printers I bought it. In a year or two when this one dies I should get a current state of the art printer that is in line with the i960 abilities. The i960 is a good printer. You may have some trouble setting it up. There is an "automatic" print head adjustment, or was it the nozzle check, in either case all the colors were the same! Turns out that the black ink was not printing. Use the MANUAL print head test or nozzle check,I cannot remember which, if you are not getting good printing.
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by Keith (8/15/04 6:14 PM) | + / - | In reply to cap, the ink tanks appear to be about the same size externally but are not transparent. They are somewhat cheaper than the canon tanks (about 2/3 the price). I have now printed quite a few photos with the epson and the quality is excellent. Am most impressed. The ink tanks have chips on their ends which monitor ink content and appear to give a much finer monitoring of content than the canon.
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by Mercedes (8/16/04 6:16 AM) | + / - | cleaning the print head didn't help, still have banding in solid areas.
looked on Best Buy's page for rebates, found one for $30 that is good till 8/21.
Best Buy offers their 3-yr. warranty after you've indicated that you want to order.
taking the i960 plunge. Thanks for the education!
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by kap (8/16/04 3:33 PM) | + / - | Mercedes,
I think you will be happy with the i960, especially with the 3-yr. warranty. Jeff is right - the warranty with Canon overlaps with Best Buy's for the 1st year so I am paying that 1st year for the convenience of taking the printer back to Best Buy for a new one even during that 1st year (could Canon's warranty be simpler than that?!) BUT ESPECIALLY for years 2 and 3, when this thread would suggest I am most likely yo need it!
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by BeatKat (8/17/04 10:07 AM) | + / - | I have also been bitten by the print head failure on my i550. At first I noticed a slight banding, and then pictures started to come out with just oranges and yellow hues. I tried the soaking/drying and reset methods listed and now I am experiencing the seven orange flash - one green flash error message. I also believe that this is an electronic failure...I have never used any other black than Canon, but have been using Staples color cartridges. My failure came on abruptly, too..up to that point I had been thrilled with the output of this printer. It is about 14 months old and has probably printed 1,000 photos and 1,500 pages of general purpose printing. As far as paper recommendations, I use the Staples brand 4x6 Premium with great results....almost looks better than the Canon on some pictures, just as thick, and it's cheaper. The Canon paper is also on sale occasionally at Staples, last time it was two for the price of one.I am torn as to what to do now..Canon read me the prepared statement about aftermarket inks, and was unsympathetic to say the least. The local Canon service center wants $53 to just look at it...
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by BeatKat (8/17/04 10:08 AM) | + / - | Can anyone say ....Class Action Lawsuit????
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by Mercedes (8/18/04 8:45 PM) | + / - | Hooked up the new i960 tonight (after having to run out for a USB wire...duh) and am enjoying gorgeous prints. First task: print Nozzle Check and Manual Print Head Alignment sheets as a benchmark, so I'll know when to make use of the 3-yr. warranty.
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by BeatKat (8/19/04 8:13 AM) | + / - | Well I took my problem to Staples, and the manager there let me borrow the print head from a floor model there to test on my printer, and my printer did not work with the new print head...same error message. Therefore, I am convinced this must be deeper than the print head, so I bought the i560 display model, which he sold me for $58.00 with full Canon cartridges and a one year warranty. It prints beautifully and seems to handle color a little differently than my i550...richer hues and still stellar output for a printer in this price range...so I am happy once again but still wondering why I had the failure to begin with ...although I noticed that I did not have the printer plugged into the surge protector...not very intelligent..so now I have to just install the new drivers on all 3 other machines on my home network...
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by Nooner (8/26/04 10:56 PM) | + / - | I am having the same issue as everyone else. The printhead is failing after a year. Cleaning doesn't help. I called Canon as this printer is right on the edge of the warranty running out. Bought it 8/19/2003. They said it was out of warranty and I would have to buy a new head. I wrote a nasty email to Canon support and they are sending a new head for free.I am going to use it until it goes and buy a new i960 or what is comparable at the time and make sure I get extended warranty. Good luck to all!
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by Mike (8/26/04 11:12 PM) | + / - | BeatKat wrote:> so now I have to just install the new drivers on all 3 other machines on my home network...
If you are running XP on the machine that is sharing the printer, you can pre-install the drivers there for whatever OS's the other machines are running and it will automatcally make the correct driver available to them. If they are all XP, then you don't have to do anything else for the others.
Nooner wrote :> I wrote a nasty email to Canon support and they are sending a new head for free.
Way to go! I think they are aware of a serious problem and don't want anyone running off mad to their favorite lawyer to stir things up.
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by jeff (8/27/04 8:57 PM) | + / - | even better than soaking in warm water is to use an ultra sound bath. although this sounds rather esoteric, they often masquerade as spectacle cleaners and you can buy them in an opticians shop, not too much cash. distilled water is quite important I think. mine worked after just wiping the print head with a wet tissue.
canon deserve some credit for allowing the print head to be removed. I took apart an epson once to clean the print head, always the problem on bubble and jet printers, and it was soldered on! a canon will work as long as you are prepared to look after it. most problems are caused by lack of use causing ink to dry in the head so just print out any old nonsense every so often.
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by Mike (8/27/04 10:21 PM) | + / - | jeff wrote:> even better than soaking in warm water is to use an ultra sound bath
That's probably true. They are also found as "jewelry cleaners".
jeff wrote:> canon deserve some credit for allowing the print head to be removed.
Agreed. I also tore apart an Epson once to get to the head and was shocked at how hard it was.
jeff wrote:> a canon will work as long as you are prepared to look after it. most problems are caused by lack of use causing ink to dry...
Here I must strongly disagree. Yes, like any ink-squirting type printer, lack of use WILL sometimes cause the jets to clog, BUT that can be remedied. This is NOT the major issure most of us are experiencing. We are faced with print heads that have "bits" PERMANANTLY missing from being printed. As I described in detail in previous posts, you start to see a pattern of segments missing from one or more colors in the "Nozzle Check" patterns. Once this starts, we have found NOTHING short of replacement to fix the problem. In fact, if ignored, it keeps getting worse with additional segments missing over time. Once gone, they don't come back. It's like little "fuses" popping inside the head. As far as I know, it doesn't happen on other Canon head designs, just the one in the S820.
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by nooner (8/28/04 9:56 AM) | + / - | I started thinking.....I wonder if a threat of a class action lawsuit would get Canon to replace the s820 with a comparable model to remedy the ongoing printhead issue. Interesting huh.
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by Jeff (8/28/04 3:52 PM) | + / - | I doubt it as the S820 was only advertised as being a printer and that it was. There was no claim to my knowledge of it being any good. Indeed, for a limited time it was/is a good printer and then it goes bad. Canon never coerced anyone into buying the S820. If Canon gets enough bad press about its products then the ultimate court; ie the market place will cause a policy/product change. The S820 is now obsolete by two or more generations so I scarcely think Canon would be concerned. In a nutshell we would need a lot more people than appear on this site to generate cause for concern at Canon HQ. Further, this malady is not confined to just the S820 at least in my humble opinion. My BJC8200 before the S820 did the same thing. It may be endemic to Canon in general, though how they survive in the market is mystifying if that is so. I would not have a clue as to how to begin such a suit except to know that it would take lots of money. Perhaps a better solution would be to copy all 20 plus pages of this thread and send it to Canon customer service. Tell them you were considering the purchase of one of their printers until you found this. I know that I am rambling, just my 2 cents worth.
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by nooner (8/28/04 7:24 PM) | + / - | I was jusy kidding! Easy there Jeff, you sound like a lawyer.
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by Mike (8/28/04 8:10 PM) | + / - | Jeff wrote:> how they survive in the market is mystifying if that is so.
Not too mystifying, if you study marketing practices. Many of their printers actually get close to the designer's MTTF figure. The ultimate goal is to have the printer reach obsolescence before it fails. (By show of hands, how many people have old HP, Epson, etc. printers laying around that still work?)
OK, so Canon had a couple of lemons in the mix. That doesn't make their whole printer division an utter failure. They just quickly discontinue them and offer other models in their place and move on. Very few people ever find out. The S820's reviews in computing magazines STILL show them as an exceptional printer, because they do not test them for life expectancy.
BTW, on a totally different subject...
Has anyone ELSE noticed an enormous increase in spam with the email address you posted here? I don't care really because I'm moving and will be dumping this address soon. Much of it seems to be targeted specifically to my address and NOT to a long list like I usually see.
Anyway, just curious.
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by Mike (8/28/04 8:30 PM) | + / - | Just in case anyone cares, or was keeping score, this is the 105th post on this thread. I was going to comment on post #100, but I forgot.
Cheers!
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by james (8/28/04 11:11 PM) | + / - | stop being stupid sheeple and buy the three year extended waranties and service plans that retailers offer. They are so worth it, I have got a new printer every couple years for 30 bucks.
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by james (8/28/04 11:11 PM) | + / - | stop being stupid sheeple and buy the three year extended waranties and service plans that retailers offer. They are so worth it, I have got a new printer every couple years for 30 bucks.
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by Mike (8/29/04 7:24 AM) | + / - | Problem is, extended warranties are only available at a few select retailers. I purchased one just last week on my new Brother all-in-1 thingy from OfficeMax, but the place I originally bought my S820 from didn't offer one.
One question you have to ask yourself is, would I even WANT the same printer again after 3 years? Sometimes it's yes, sometimes it's time to move on to something better.
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by Jeff (8/29/04 10:08 AM) | + / - | It WONT be the SAME printer in two years or maybe even one, they obsolete too fast. It should be the latest, greatest at the same price/feature point. I bought my i960 at BestBuy because they had the warranty for $30. Canon retails this warranty for $95 on this model. Buy where the warranty is available reasonably. I cannot recommend Amazon because: they had the lowest price yet were out of stock without saying so. I ordered and waited for a week and got "shipping delay" emails. There is NO provision to cancel an order. You must await eventual delivery and then refuse/return shipment. THEN, they try to say you had a "return ticket" and hold off on crediting you an amount equal to shipping. I did get everything back but it was an unnecessary hassle.
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by Mike (8/30/04 1:47 AM) | + / - | Jeff wrote:> It WONT be the SAME printer in two years or maybe even one, they obsolete too fast. It should be the latest, greatest at the same price/feature point.
Should be?? Unfortunately it's entirely at their discretion how they want to handle it. Their choices are usually the least expensive of...
1) Repair it
2) Replace it with a model of equal or greater value
3) Refund your purchase price
If they choose door #2, their 1st choice will be to search their warehouses for a refurbished i960 somewhere and send you that. In your case, since the i960 will most likely have a far longer production run life than say the S820, they will have a much larger inventory of refurbs when it comes time to deal with warranty claims, making your chances of scoring a new model on a claim pretty slim.
Unfortunately, it's not like the annual cell phone trade-in plan some providers are offering, where you get a new model every year.
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by kap (8/30/04 9:56 AM) | + / - | You may be right, Mike, but if a new print head is all that is needed, and a "refurbished" one will work as it should even for a year, I think I am still ahead of having to purchase a head retail direct from Canon or flat out purchasing another printer. And even if I were to purchase another print head, it still may not get at the problem (refer to Beatkat entry of 8/19 above). For James (8/28) on the other hand it appears that the warranty was honored in the simplest and most straightforward way possible.
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by Jeff (8/30/04 11:05 AM) | + / - | If I do not receive a brande new printer and merely a refurbished one I cannot complain. That is, as long as it performs as well as my two months old i960 does now. BestBuy has a "no lemon" policy whereas any printer returned for the same malfunction three times will be replaced with a new one. I fully expect, based on experience with a BJC8200 and a S820 that the printhead will fail. I am referring to failure within two years. I will assure BestBuy that it is a recurring problem should that need arise. So, if I get a refurb and it works.....cool. I have not read any fine print. It is fully possible that a refurb/and/or a new unit could fail. I wonder what the warranty covers then?????
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by Mike (8/30/04 1:26 PM) | + / - | Good question. I think there are two options (according to the policy I just got)...
1) If the unit is being serviced at the time the contract expires, the warranty will be extended until it is repaired. (Duhhh...)
2) You have the option of paying for the warranty to be extended an additional number of years.
Other than that, I think if a recent replacement failed soon after the original contract expired, you're out of luck.
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by Paul (9/5/04 1:21 PM) | + / - | Well, I'll ante-up for the month of September.
Bought mine thru Dell, Christmas 2002. Guess what just happened? Have always liked Canon products so this one hurt a bit. Will stay tuned to judge results in the "replacment printer" contest. I'm big into photo work so looking for a good "next one"
Remember when it was worth it to get a piece of electronic equipment repaired?
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by Magicfrog (9/5/04 6:29 PM) | + / - | Paul
I think I have selected the canon I9900 as my "next one". Although I was very disappointed that the S820 only lasted 2 yrs. but from the due diligence I did the I9900 looks pretty good, and I'm ready for a large format. Any opinions?
Good Luck
|
| Re: Re: Canon s820 Print head error by Anonymous (3/30/05 11:29 AM) | + / - | how did you you soak your printhead? did you totally submerge it in water? it has electrical contacts, is it safe? could you please describe in more depth how to unclog printhead. Mine is starting to clog up in just under a year of use. Thanks
Reg
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by meck (7/12/05 3:52 AM) | + / - | !!!!It's not the Printhead!!!! If the 'indicator light blinks 7 times' it's not really a problem of the printhead. It's the problem of a full inktank. The inktank ist the place where the ink used for the printhead-cleaning will end. After 2 years this error occures and cannon offered only e revision of the whole printer, very expensiv. If you are used to works like that the inktank can be emptied by yourself so te printer would not be blocked anymore. THIS PROCEDURE DOESN'T HELP IF YOUR PRINTER HAS PROBLEMS WITH SOME COLORES. I hope this will help other users.
Good luck Martin
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by Anonymous (8/4/05 9:06 AM) | + / - | Can you go into more detail about the full tank? Because my problem began after I added some full tanks to my printer, but I am not clear on what you are saying???
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by functionchef (8/7/05 1:56 AM) | + / - | I have an i550 which must have similar print heads. It had clogged nozzles . So i followed the imerse in warm water instructions but for 24 hours. I then went into my work shop and blew out the old ink with compressed air . I was surprised how much ink was inside heads after so much soaking and cleaning. I then resoaked the heads for another hour and the repeated blowing out the nozzles with compressed air @80psi . I blew the air through each of the ink pads till everything was dry. I took this risk as Canon wanted $150 for new heads and was more concerned as to why i had no extended warranty.Canon can get**************************. This cowboy repair of mine worked perfectly and printer is A1 .
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by Anonymous (8/8/05 7:34 PM) | + / - | Thanks, I will have to try this too!!!!!!
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by mal - Australia (8/12/05 5:55 PM) | + / - |
I just stumbled across this site last night whislt look at reviews for a new printer an Epson R210 incidently.
Yep we also have an S820.
It has been idle for some months and late last year started to print very streaky photo quality prints. We thought it just needed a thorough clean as it had had some heavy use.
I needed to run some pics off yesterday and i ran a head alignment and nozzle check and 3 of the 6 colors don't print. Have now done the water clean and along with many others who have posted to this site now have a re-cycleable pile of plastic on our work desk !!
I contacted my computer supplier and even he said "BIN IT" and by an Epson. He also said if he knew they were going to be such a failure he would have NEVER sold them. In fact he now DOES NOT sell canon printers AT ALL. Reckons they are a pile of S..T !!! Only Epson or Lexmark.
Cost of new print head $225 cost of new Epson R210 $165 (on special) WITH 3 year extended warranty !!! I know what I am going out to a) dump b) buy
Good to hear I am not the only one with a "recycleable printer".
For all those Epson R210 owners if you want to know how to clean your printer heads go to :-
http://inkjetprinterhelp.us/printhead.html
For all those S820 owners just go to the recycle bin then the Epson reseller............it is easier !!
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by aliwat (8/14/05 5:55 AM) | + / - | I have a Canon i550 which died all of a sudden with the 7 orange flashes. I have soaked the printhead overnight in hot distilled water but this seems to have had no affect. When I put in the printhead and switch the printer on I immediately get the 7 orange flashes - how can it tell so quickly that there is a problem with the printhead? Could this mean its burnt out? I have tried running the deep cleaning cycle, realining the print head etc but none will work. Do you have to reset the printer in anyway after removing the print head. I fear I will be investing in a new printer......
|
 | Re: Re: Canon s820 Print head error by Anonymous (9/9/05 3:15 AM) | + / - | In reference to your tip on soaking the print head in warm distilled water; to soak it, do you mean submerge it in the water or just pour water and let it come out as the ink would? I'm just worried I'll screw something vital up. Thanks.
|
| Re: Re: Re: Canon s820 Print head error by Anonymous (9/9/05 4:22 AM) | + / - | HI Just submerge the head up to and over the pads for the ink tanks . do this for 24hrs and then follow what i did . Good luck no guarantees.
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by etorres (12/15/05 6:54 AM) | + / - | I have an i860 with the same problems discussed here. Nozzle check shows steaks/horizontal banding in black only. Text print quality is degrading fast. Plenty of ink in the black tank. I'd like to do the head cleaning in distilled water as most everyone has had success with. Simple question: It's not obvious to me how to get the head(s) out. I can see them when I pull out the ink cartridge but it's not clear to me how to get it out. Is any disassembly of the carriage required?
Any guidance would be appreciated.
This is a great thread. Lots of excellent experiences (and some not so good ones too)
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by azhar (5/13/06 3:57 AM) | + / - | I use i865 printer for a year. But now the problem is my printer can't print colour. Only in black colour so i ask technical support for advise and they said you should replace the head. Fine, i replace a head but it still doesn't solve my problem. To order print head is about a week and the price is same as a normal printer so what i had here is wasting time wasting money before that i thought its problem came from catridge and i have done to bought all the 5 new catdrige and all this now include printer jump into the dustbin.
|
| Re: Re: Canon s820 Print head error by GS (8/23/06 9:18 PM) | + / - | Have you stopped using aftermarket ink? I have used IMS and had good luck with first purchase. Second purchase is not going so well with the Canon i850. Worked for awhile then nothing. Get 7 yellow flashes as an error code. Can't make a reset happen. Canon prints great quality when it prints. Not sure if the head is the weak link. Don't know what is a good printer to buy. Anything reliable?
|
| Re: Re: Canon s820 Print head error by Anonymous (9/22/06 8:47 PM) | + / - | How do I best dry my Canon i850 print head after it has soaked in warm water? How can I tell that's it's dry?
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by Anonymous (10/11/06 7:45 AM) | + / - | Wanted to know if you ever resolved this problem with your printer. I have the exact same problem and wanted to know how you fixed it. Please email me back please and let me know what to do. Thank you so much.
|
| Re: Canon s820 Print head error by =dg= (11/26/06 5:03 PM) | + / - | Woohoo! I only just arrived here 11/26/06, snooping the Web for clues re: why I've been having such mixed printing results with my Canon S280.
I've had this machine for almost 3 years now, and of course have been perplexed with its printing quality since the spring. I've used the more economical ink solutions in the past, and I just surmised that that effort to save ink cartridge cost was the mainspring of my problem with waning print quality (yours, mine, and ours).
Well folks, I just so happened to have repaired my problem, just now! It's so damn easy, you're gonna kick yourself. :-]
Open the cover with the printer powered up, and remove the print head, with cartridges. Have a single clean, dry paper towel ready, and while holding the head in its natural vertical position, first wipe off the elctronic contact panel. Then: again, with a clean upspoiled portion of your paper towel, daub (NOT laterally rub!) the inkjet contact points a few times. I also looked on either side of the inkjet outlets to see some old ink buildup, which I wiped clean.
Replace the print head assembly, lock it in, and test print. I'M PRODUCING PRINTING RESULTS LIKE WHAT I HAD THE FIRST DAY I USED THIS MACHINE. Yippeekaiyay...=dg=
|
| Re: Re: Canon s820 Print head error by Anonymous (11/27/06 10:58 AM) | + / - | Has anyone looked at the tape that seems to tell the head carriage where it is? What happens with my S820 is that when it goes through the "clean" process on initializing it is not over the cleaning port and when it goes to the left it bangs before returning then, of course, the notorious 7 yellow flashes.
Just food for thought - that tape looks like a magnetic recording but who knows what is actually on it. When unhooked and moved while holding down the door button (top of case is off) the head will diligently follow the movement and it is totally confused and bangs hard to one side or the other when it is removed. Perhaps this tape is simply woreout and portions of it are no longer readable. Does anyone think Canon would replace such an item? Wouldn't it be ironic if something that simple could be the cuase of all the persistant issues?
I've also had the same printing issues as well as "stripeing". (spell) It does seem to get worse with age. Perhaps it's just the tape that causes misfires, or no-fires, of the print head. HMMMM!
Replacement cost - probably about $5.00US "Real" cost but, Canon would likely charge $20.00US+. HA! HA! And they no doubt would not have it as a replacement part. HMMM again!
LAWSUIT - Go for it! I bought mine new for $85US at Shopko in 2003. Included was ink, cables, pack of 4x6 photo paper (yet to be used up), software, manuals and of course the printer itself and the printhead (and packaging too!). Now, how can they justifiy, legally, charging $80US for the printhead alone when the entire value of the included items with a new printer is $85US? With a known printhead cost of 80$US that would leave only $5US for everything else - The packaging would cost that much alone!
I also have alot of ink left (I buy bulk from InkSell.com, about a years worth) and I purchased the S820 simply because of the seperate color tanks. Great feature, saves ink costs, now if they could only get the engineering right!
Just my thoughts and a little whining. Sorry for Rambling on.
|
| Re: Re: Re: Canon s820 Print head error by bogart219 (11/27/06 11:35 AM) | + / - | yellow all,
Don't mean to hijack this thread, but this seemed like the proper place to pose my question.
I havn't used my S820 in probably six months. The last time I used it it worked fine. My computer took a crach and I had to reload windows xp. (what a lot of work!). Anyway I loaded the software again for the canon S820, (file called S820xp161us.exe),
and that seem to go fine. (USB hookup). When I turned the printer on I got the seven yellow flashes follwed by the one green flash.
Read these forums and all I could find on the subject. Took the printhead out and cleaned the heads. Tried the different reset procedures. Nothing worked. I guess my question is When I go in to the canon software and click on status monitor, I have to wait about five minutes before an error message comes up and says that the printer is not responding. Now is it not responding because of the seven orange flashes I get when I turned it on OR is it not repsonding because there is a problem with my software and/or
operating system? The seven flashes indicate a bad printing head but before I throw it away I would like to make sure. I've had this printer for over two years and never really did a lot of printing with it. Would not using it for a long period of time cause the printing head to go bad all of a sudden? I see some people here get the seven flashes but can still print things out.
I cannot print anything. Keep getting errors. Thanks for any input!
|
| Re: Re: Re: Re: Canon s820 Print head error by Anonymous (11/27/06 12:10 PM) | + / - | bogart219
Does it seem to bang during initalization?
|
| Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Canon s820 Print head error by bogart219 (11/28/06 4:41 AM) | + / - | No, it doesn't bang at all. It seems to start up normally, then the seven yellow flashes. when I go into status monitor it comes back after a while saying it can't communicate with the printer.
As I said in my previous post, is the reason it can't communicate because of the printer flashing the orange light seven times OR is it a problem with the software? Forgot to mention running service pack 2. Thanks again!
|
| Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Canon s820 Print head error by Anonymous (11/28/06 8:15 AM) | + / - | bogart219
The seven flashes will cause it to refuse communications becuase the printer cannot do anything if the head is dead. Sorry. Mine reports the same. Basically, signals sent to the printer are not verified by the printer back to the computer as it is in a "fatal shutdown" mode.
Contact Canon at colorbj@cits.canon.com and do some complaining as many others here have done. Good luck!
|
| |
