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 | epson c42 parts error by Buzz (3/2/04 10:43 AM) reply | + / - | Hello. I'd be really grateful for any advice!
I have an Epson C42UX, which has always been a bit touchy to say the least, but today when we tried to print it came up with a message to the effect that some parts in the printer were beyond their service life and prompting us to contact a service engineer!
In all my years of printers I've never seen such a strange message before! The printer is not much more than a year old.
When I tried to replace the cartridges (just in case) it told me it couldn't move the print head!
Is this terminal? Has anyone else ever got a message like this?
Help!
Thnaks,
Buzz
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 | Re: epson c42 parts error by Denny Conway (3/2/04 11:44 AM) reply | +1 + / - | Buzz: A Service Error where all LED's/Lights are blinking at the same time, or where you get an "Unknown Error Message", or a "General Error Message", is normally a Maintenance Request Error. The maintenance request error is actually a Waste Ink Ink Pad Error and normally your remedy is to replace the Waste Ink Pad/Pads with a new one/ones and then reset the Internal Waste Ink Pad Counter. If you just reset the counter and don't replace the pads, then your printers old pads will eventually overflow and normally start leaking ink out the bottom of your printer. Some people actually wash the ink out of the old pads and then dry them out and simply reinstall them back into their printer. The choice on what to actually do, is yours to make. I would at least recommend getting that Waste Ink Counter reset procedure and performing it first, to make sure your printer will then work...Good Luck! Denny Conway...P.S. THIS ADDITIONAL INFO POSTED BY "WES" MIGHT HELP: Wes 12/07/2003 13:57:30 To see what's involved in servicing the waste ink pads try this http://www.epsonhelp.web1000.com/wip.html ... or ... Tim H 12/10/2003 2:46:24 Subject: Epson Reset Program Download Location. after a long search for a reset program for waste ink, without paying, i found it. goto: http://inkjetprinterhelp.us/sscserve.exe ...please check that your printer is compatible goto: http://inkjetprinterhelp.us/epsonSSC.html . this program has other features as well...HERE'S SOME INFORMATION POSTED FROM OTHER PEOPLE, THAT MAY HELP YOU TRY TO LOCATE A SERVICE MANUAL OR A RESET PROCEDURE, IF YOU NEED ONE: "Master 10/05/2002 03:22:56 Re: Epson stylus adjustment programs. You can find any service manual or service adjustment program for EPSON inkjet printers at www.otd.com.ua ". [OR] "Eva 2/14/2003 23:31:11 Re: Epson Color Stylus Error Codes. See http://www.2MANUALS.COM - they have all service manuals and service programs. Due to them I fixed the same error on me C20! They are friendly!"
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| Re: epson c42 parts error by Buzz (3/2/04 11:55 AM) reply | + / - | Thank you Denny, I'm very grateful!
And thanks to anyone else who contributed to the stop-hair-coming-out cure. Unfortunately none of the links shown seem to work, but then maybe my computer is also breaking down. They always come in threes!!
Thanks again for the advice.
Buzz
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| Re: epson c42 parts error by Buzz (3/2/04 2:49 PM) reply | + / - | Denny,
Please don't apologise!! I'm just grateful there are still folk prepared to help!
Thanks for these links. I actually did a Google search and came up with which target=_blank>http://pages.infinit.net/rickliz/page1.htm
which gave me an excellent run down of this problem and how to deal with it.
I followed this chap's instructions to the letter, prising the cover off and finding the 2 ink pads (they're actually accessible through one of the large slots right at the back of the printer), which I hoiked out with a penknife, washed, dried with a hair dryer and replaced. I then downloaded and installed the service program and thought all was well...
However, the problem then (if not before?) was that the print head wouldn't move (it actually told me that) and while messing the whole %$£*& little white cradle thing which it moves on and off "exploded", losing the spring somewhere inside and displacing the little white plastic lever (which I can't figure out how it goes back!).
So, nice clean soak-up pads and potentially good bit of useful software, but b&%%$£*d printer!!!
I will go into retreat for a while and then see if I can figure out how the lever goes back (and find the spring which is almost bound to be in the back garden if things go as normal!).
Thank you once again. When I've had the therapy, and IF I put it back, and IF it works again, I'll post a (hopefully) useful guide to the whole thing. Don't hold your breath.
All the best,
Buzz
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 | Re: epson c42 parts error by Buzz (3/2/04 2:53 PM) reply | + / - | Sorry Denny,
That link came out all skew-whiff.
It was meant to be
pages.infinit.net/rickliz/page1.htm
with the http:// in front of it
and if that doesn't work I give up!
Buzz
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| Re: epson c42 parts error by Buzz (3/2/04 2:58 PM) reply | + / - | Oh dear, me again.
Being a total prat it didn't occur to me to paste in the chap's advice (hopefully not transgressing any messaging conventions!), which is here (hopefully):-
I recently had problems with my Epson C42UX printer, the red and green light began flashing and a window popped up, saying, take it to your services center because some parts have reached the end of their life. Instead I did a bit of reading and I was successful. You see printer companies set a “protection counter” on all printers , it’s an internal counter measuring the amount of ink wasted by head cleaning. I needed to reset the "protection counter" as well as clean the “waste ink pad overflow”. Following is the procedure that I used:
Unplug the power and USB cables from the printer. I pried open my C42UX printer, careful not to break anything. I use a flat blade screwdriver to pry it apart; there are two-three tabs at the back and two at the front. Gently push them in, and then using a bit of force pry apart the cover.
Next I removed the two (2) waste ink pads. They are located at the back on the left hand side. I used the flat blade screwdriver to lift up the ink pads (they were soaked). Please use rubber gloves as it gets very messy.
Next I took the pads to the kitchen skin and washed them with just plain hot water until they were white again. I just let the hot water run on them (the pads are about three inches long).
Once washed I dried them using a hair drier. (you could place it the sun for a few hours or on top of your heater or maybe in a heated oven; (make sure you do not set it on fire with too much heat).
Once dried I placed the pads back in the ink waste bin at the back of the printer.
I closed the printer cover and put back all the pieces and plugged in the USB & power cable and turned it on. (Yes the lights are still flashing).
Go to this link and download this software: http://inkjetprinterhelp.us/epsonSSC.html
Install the software and run it.
Select your printer and model number ( It only says C42 there is no UX, choose it anyway).It will ask if you replaced with new pads; say “YES”. Then close the window.
Now right click on the SSC service utility, it looks like a printer icon near your clock in the task bar.
Then click on reset counters. You can do all other stuff with this utility too.
Turn off the printer power and then turn it on again. If necessary un-plug the power cord from the back of the printer, wait 20 seconds. Plug it back in.
THERE YOU GO! IT WORKS AGAIN.
By the way I use generic ink and I fill my own cartridges. I use ink from www.atlanticinkjet.com. Great stuff.
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| Re: epson c42 parts error by Buzz (3/2/04 3:10 PM) reply | + / - | Denny,
I don't know if it's just me. Maybe I've finally gone barmy.....
Whenever I try for those links (or the one inside the chap's advice I pasted it), I get taken to www.paysforsurveys.com
Could there be some kind of bug on this message board? Or maybe it's just that I am barmy...
Buzz
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| Re: epson c42 parts error by jon  (3/2/04 5:36 PM) reply | + / - | Barmy! There was a missing colon in the updated linkomizer! All fixed folks..
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 | Re: epson c42 parts error by Buzz (3/3/04 12:22 AM) reply | + / - | Blimey Jon.
Thanks for that. I thought my faithful Norton was dealing with this, but I've run the spy killer and it seems to have dealt with a few nasties.
Now when I click on the links here I actually go where I'm meant to, and not to la-la land.
Thanks Jon! (By the way, I assume there's no way I could put any images up here -if I take some shots of my attempts to repair my printer, I'd like to use them to identify parts and procedures?)
Buzz
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 | Re: epson c42 parts error by Buzz (3/3/04 2:00 AM) reply | + / - | Denny,
Done it!!
I finally managed to figure out how the little white plastic cradle thing, lever etc. went together (it's the part which channels the ink onto the soak-up pads), though as always I've ended up with a tiny spring about a quarter of an inch long, which I found lying under this cradle, and I have no idea where it's meant to go!
Still, the head is now free to move, and I've reset the soak-up pads bit through the software. (I'd assumed I could "fool" the machine, using that software, into thinking the (chipped) cartridge was full, but it seems not -I've had to replace a brand new black cartridge because it thinks it's empty!!).
One glitch worth noting for those like me not quick on the uptake - I couldn't for the life of me work out why the computer refused to recognise the usb port, which was permutation 67 in the printer refusing to work scenario. Then realised my (Norton) firewall was refusing to allow traffic to and from the port!!
I didn't in the end photograph my faffing, because it suddenly worked before I was ready. I had imagined hours more of faffing! But I reckon I could "talk" someone through the process of rebuilding the cradley thing.
Anyway, printer up and running again, fingers black, cat no longer hiding behind the sofa. So thanks Denny and all for your help!
Buzz
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| Re: epson c42 parts error by Denny Conway (3/3/04 9:07 AM) reply | + / - | Buzz: The credit goes to you for fixing your own printer, but I'm happy if I was able to be of some help...Good Job! Denny Conway
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| Re: epson c42 parts error by peter0101 (6/13/05 2:24 AM) reply | + / - | Hi i have had same problem on my epson c46 and lights still flash after cleaning ink waste pads and used the ssc utility but the only thing is the ssc util won't let me use reset counters for some reason only the protection counter,an show main window, extras and help appears the rest is faded please can you help as i don't want to throw a 3rd epson away cause of thie problem thanks pete....
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| Re: Re: epson c42 parts error by Anonymous (6/21/05 2:51 PM) reply | + / - | Go here for reset tool(downloads.guru3d.com/download.php?det=644)
uninstall ssc utility first run drtool to reset...works on c44ux..good luck.
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| Re: epson c42 parts error by CraigS (11/15/05 9:32 PM) reply | + / - | Thanks Buzz for posting the details as any of the other links were not working. For what it's worth you don't have to go digging for the pads. The dark grey part that's blocking access is easily removed with 3 screws (x head) and replaced without interfering with any of the gearing meachanisms.
Oh, and the cover came off easily with a sharp rap on the upper portion of each side and front. No messing with screwdrivers and prying. Old school on this one mates.
Thankfully the link for the SSC utility explained the "right-click on the tray icon" method or I never would have gotten the actual reset done even after everything else went smoothly.
What a stupid design. The whole ink pad thing coulld have been handled by a removable plate and build the reset into the drivers. Ah well, new life for my little printer.
Now if I could just get this ink off my fingers ;-(
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| Re: epson c46 parts error by boume (9/7/06 11:47 PM) reply | + / - | the light clignotes
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| Re: Re: epson c42 parts error by Anonymous (3/17/07 5:27 AM) reply | + / - | Hi Buzz
I just want to thank you for explaining what to do when the message came up that some parts were worn in my Epson 830U printer. I have a few of these printers and this is the first time I have experienced the problem - this particular printer is about four years old and quite well used. I downloaded the software and my husband cleaned and replaced the waste ink pads. I then re-set the counter with the aid of the SSC Service Utility and, hey presto, it works again. I am really pleased because I love these printers - they give good quality prints and are very inexpensive to run. I do lots of printing, making greetings cards, posters, etc. Thanks again for explaining it so well.
Angela
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| Re: Re: epson c42 parts error by Anonymous (5/3/07 12:04 PM) reply | + / - | HI I am at my wits end with my epson c42 printer have downloaded software inkjetprinterhelp.us/epsonSSC.html washed ink pads and replaced
but still get parts error HELP PLEASE
JOHN
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| Re: epson c42 parts error by Keely144 (11/1/07 1:24 PM) reply | + / - | Thankyou, Thankyou, Thankyou i have just followed instructions on how to fix my printer and is now working hoorah!
Cheers for the instruction
keely
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| Re: epson c42 parts error by Anonymous (3/15/08 5:01 AM) reply | + / - | Thank you everyone for this incredibly useful thread. I used Ian Willis instructions and had just one problem (well apart from breaking one of the locking tabs - fragile wee things aren't they!). I had a message box saying I'd successfully reset the Protection Counter but when checked the Current Value it said 'Some error has occurred'.
Tried a couple of times but was still getting the problem. So I switched off *after* resetting and *before* checking value. This did the trick!
Thanks again everyone.
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| Epson C46 parts error by x10dit (3/31/08 3:13 AM) reply | + / - | Hi Denny,
Thanks for starting this great post. I've been able to save my trusty C46 from am early grave because of your advice!
The reset tool worked a treat and I now know where the waste ink pads are in my machine (bottom left looking at the BACK of the printer). Interestingly these pads were quite clean and servicable.
Removing the cover on the C46 goes like this. Look at the back of the printer first, a little below dead centre is a single screw, remove it. Then push in the tabs in the bottom left AND right corners, at this point the back will become free. I removed the front clips by pressing HARD on the front left and right of the machine just above the line between the base and the cover, with a bit of force the cover popped off.
I'm a bit miffed with Epson who not only recommended that I buy a new machine but also tried to sell me one there and then. Not much of a commitment to the environment is it?
Rgds
Chris
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| Re: epson c42 parts error by Anonymous (11/18/09 9:51 AM) reply | + / - | Buzz - thank you! Works fine.
qbert - thank you for detailed pictures! It helped me a lot.
Rgds,
Andre
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