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 | epson 1280 printer problem by Bob (8/10/04 3:22 PM) reply | + / - | I get OK nozzle check. I have a niagara 11 system for ink supply. Have no leaks in system, but using I-Photo(I-Mac osx 10.3.4) get brown, red, orange speckles in prints, especially in shadow areas, but also in hair, dark clothes, but mostly on skin in shadow areas.
Niagara says that from information I have given them, problem is encoder on the printer or something in way print drive is reading picture. Epson was stumped. Said send it in for repair of printer , which is what media street is saying. What do you suggest. Printer is in very good condition as far as I can tell.
I hooked up a HP inkjet printer and printed same pictures which come out speckled on epson, but are beautiful on HP.
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| Re: epson 1280 printer problem by Denny Conway (8/10/04 4:18 PM) reply | + / - | Bob: Its either being caused by the Ink System you are using, or by a possible Hardware/Parts Problem [such as a failing Printhead Assembly or Main Board Assembly] in the printer itself, but no way to really know for sure. Epson Ink Jet Printers are one of the few printers on the market that seem to have so many problems with non-manufactors inks, especially the newer models made in the last couple of years. Its because the Epson Printers use a completely different printhead inking system than most other brands of printers. Most, if not all of the other manufactors, use thermal or bubble jetprint heads and because the other brands use a totally different system, they don't seem to have as many problems using refilled inks or non-manufactor's ink cartridges. Printer manufacters do not make available their ink formulation and in most cases, the formulation is patented. Any difference in the ink formulation can clog the small printhead nozzles or damage other critical components. One individual printhead nozzle is so tiny, that it will not accept a human hair, so you can see why they can get clogged so easily, or even why the nozzles can be so easily damaged...At this point about all you can try, is to do some in-depth cleaning of the underside area and backside area of the Printhead Assembly and see if it makes any difference. If that does not help, then I would guess that its a parts problem. Check for a couple of e-mails from me that should help in that area, in case you want to do the cleaning and at least eliminate that possibility...Good Luck! Denny Conway
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| Re: epson 1280 printer problem by Bob (8/10/04 8:28 PM) reply | + / - | Denny, Exactly how do you do in-depth cleaning of the underside area and backside area of the printhead assembly? Or refer me to some instructions? The company I bought this particular continuous ink system, niagara11, is mediastreet.com
The problem definitely seems to be the printer. What printer do you recommend? I'm fed up because this has been going on for 8 months. I picked up a HP at apple store for $30. and makes beautiful prints, but the cartridges run $80. for all 3. Is there a printer that you can use "generic" cartridges? What do you use and do you use the manufacturer's cartridges? I can send it into epson, but I am out of warranty now. I would be willing to get another printer if you have a good suggestion and some way of not using the expensive manufacturer's cartridges.I imagine it will cost $150 or $200 at epson. Can put that toward a new printer. Or I guess send the digital prints to snapfish or one of the mail order digital places. what do you recommend? Frustrated Bob Thank you.
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| Re: epson 1280 printer problem by Bob Essak (8/10/04 9:02 PM) reply | + / - | is the printhead assy the "box" that holds the cartridges? I know what you mean about the parking station to the left side. You know I am getting speckles, not smears or lines or streaks. Almost like enlarged pixles. Shooting at 5 meg and fine. 2592x1994 But if you think it's worth a try, I'll try. Bob
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| Re: epson 1280 printer problem by Denny Conway (8/11/04 9:26 AM) reply | + / - | Bob: That in-depth cleaning is explained in detail, on those two e-mail messages that I sent to you. There's no way for me to know if that in-depth cleaning will actually help or not. It could very possibly be a waste of time, but thats the only thing, other than an actual parts type failure, that causes strange copy quality type problems. All you would be doing is eliminating that possible problem, if you want to invest the time and effort, but again it may not actually help...The Printhead Assembly is underneath the actual Print Cartridge Holder Assembly...I'm sorry, but I don't make recommendations on new printers, because I don't sell printers and seldom see any new prinmters, to even be framiliar with them. I use an HP Deskjet printer at work and at home and only use HP Ink Cartridges, but thats my choice. If you want to use Non-Manufactor's ink cartridges, then stay away from the Epson Printers, because they have the most problems with Generic or Third-Party inks. People have reported that the HP Printers seem to be able to use the non-manufacter's cartridges pretty well...To my knowledge, your "1280" cannot actually be sent back to the Epson Repair Facility for repair. It can be repaired by an Epson Authorized Service Dealer, but considering that a new "1280" is around $400 and a REFURBISHED "1280" is around $325, it will probably cost you more than that or close to it, to actually have it repaired...Denny Conway
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| Re: epson 1280 printer problem by Bob Essak (8/11/04 9:35 AM) reply | + / - | Denny, Thank you very much, you have been very helpful. I will do the steps you suggested to clean epson and not waste any money for repair and considereing my experience with the mediastreet continuous flow inks, stick with the manufactureres cartridges with new printer. But as i said I will try and go through the steps you sent and maybe it will work. thanks again, bob
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| Re: epson 1280 printer problem by Denny Conway (8/11/04 9:53 AM) reply | + / - | Bob: You are welcome and I hope it actually helps...Again, Good Luck! Denny Conway
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| Re: epson 1280 printer problem by Bob Essak (8/11/04 10:18 AM) reply | + / - | Denny, Sorry I forgot to ask you as far as epson goes, they told me it could be an encoder on the printer that could be causing the problem. Besides doing as you have suggested, do you know if the encoder is something that can be cleaned or in a siimple way be checked? I have no idea what the encoder looks like or if I can do anything to fix it? Thanks again, Bob
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| Re: epson 1280 printer problem by Denny Conway (8/11/04 11:09 AM) reply | + / - | Bob: If you go to the "Compass Micro Inc" web-site, at www.compassmicro.com , you can see an EXPLODED DIAGRAM of your Epson Stylus Photo 1280. On page #3 of 7, item reference #605 is a "Scale, CR" [CR = Carriage], which is the Encoder Strip/Sensor Strip, that relays printhead assembly positioning information to the printers Main Board Assembly. There are tiny Encoder Dots on that almost see threw plastic strip, that is read by a Sensor Assembly mounted on the backside of the printhead assembly. Sometimes ink splatters, spots or dots, can get on that encoder strip and they can then be read by that sensor as actual encoder dots. Incorrect reading can mess up the printhead assemblies actual positioning and even sometimes cause an actual Service Error Condition. I have never seen it cause actual printing problems like you are having, but its worth cleaning that encoder strip, just to eliminate that possibility. In case you need it, or can't open that previous LINK that I gave you, the actual Compass Micro web-site is located at http://www.compassmicro.com/parts_select.cfm and you then click-on EXPLODED DIAGRAM. I will e-mail you some instructions on how to clean that Encoder Strip, as well as a second encoder wheel for the Paper Feed Assembly. The second encoder, called "Scale, PF", can be seen on page 2 of 7, reference #606...Denny Conway
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| Re: epson 1280 printer problem by tony (8/11/04 11:24 AM) reply | + / - | epson 5000
5 beeps
no head movement
shuts down when you hand load paper
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| Re: epson 1280 printer problem by Denny Conway (8/11/04 11:42 AM) reply | + / - | Tony: On an Epson DFX-5000 or DFX-5000 plus, 5 beeps indicates ABNORMAL VOLTAGE. It normally means that the voltage of the Power Supply Assembly is to low and that its possibly failing. You may need to try and locate an actual Service Manual, or Reset Procedure on-line, to buy and download for reference in disassembly, troubleshooting and servicing. I have not checked, but you can normally find Service Manuals for most Epson Printers, from 2manuals.com, at http://www.2manuals.com/index.php?cPath=2_18 (most Service Manuals can usually be downloaded for around $10 /- )...Good Luck! Denny Conway
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| Re: epson 1280 printer problem by Bob Essak (8/11/04 1:10 PM) reply | + / - | Denny, the exploded diagram (compassmicro.com) #s all the parts but does not tell what parts are? Bob
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| Re: epson 1280 printer problem by Denny Conway (8/11/04 1:44 PM) reply | + / - | Bob: Reread my previous reply, because I listed those two parts for you. On page #3 of 7, item reference #605 is a "Scale, CR" [CR = Carriage], which is the Encoder Strip/Sensor Strip that runs thru the actual Print Cartridge Holder Assembly. The second encoder, called "Scale, PF", can be seen on page #2 of 7, reference #606. PF = Paper Feed and it is the encoder wheel for the Paper Feed Assembly...Denny Conway
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| Re: epson 1280 printer problem by Bob Essak (8/11/04 3:14 PM) reply | + / - | Denny, You are right. Thanks, Bob
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| Re: epson 1280 printer problem by Denny Conway (8/11/04 3:42 PM) reply | + / - | Bob: You're welcome! Let us know how it finally turns out and if any of the cleaning actually helped or not...Denny Conway
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| Re: epson 1280 printer problem by Bob Essak (8/11/04 3:47 PM) reply | + / - | Denny, If you have time please e-mail me the instructions on how to clean the encoder strip and wheel. I have the "top" off and am going to start cleaning with distilled boiled H2O and cut coffee filter strips. Thanks, Bob Worth a try!
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| Re: epson 1280 printer problem by Denny Conway (8/11/04 4:37 PM) reply | + / - | Bob: I thought I had already e-mailed that info to you, but just in case I forgot, or you did not actually receive it, I'll send it again...Denny Conway
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| Re: epson 1280 printer problem by Bob Essak (8/12/04 11:15 AM) reply | + / - | Denny, I went through all the steps, but no work. The heads took a lot of repetitions to clean. Everything else looked very clean, the encoders, the grey rollers. I guess I'll just use it for the black ink and regular paper and no photo prints. I have the $30. HP photosmart 7550 I got at apple store. Had 3 bags of new cartridges in it, so I'll use it for awhile. The cartridges are very expensive. Sticking with HP cartridges do you know of anyplace for the best price? I haven't checked at costco, but they may be as good as anywhere. Thanks for the help. It was worth a try. Bob PS HP uses 56, 57, 58 cartridges
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| Re: epson 1280 printer problem by Denny Conway (8/12/04 12:47 PM) reply | + / - | Bob: I'm sorry that it did not actually work out better for you, especially after all that cleaning. My first thought, was that it was probably an actual Hardware/Parts problem and at least it seems like you narrowed it down to that possibility...Unfortunatly, the smaller sized HP ink cartridges just don't hold much ink and are expensive. Costco is usually has the best prices, but its normally a set of ink cartridges that you have to buy...Denny Conway
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| Re: epson 1280 printer problem by Keith May (9/2/04 12:24 PM) reply | + / - | My problem: random cyan lines/streaks on print (not all the time, but seems to be getting more frequent). I have not tried all the cleaning strategies yet (will do this weekend). But I read somewhere that this might indicate the head is going bad... So I thought I would try you experts to see what you think... All feedback is appreciated!
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| Re: epson 1280 printer problem by Denny Conway (9/2/04 1:03 PM) reply | + / - | Keith: When I see horizontal lines or colored lines [side to side on page] being printed across photos, its usually do to either a failing "Printhead Assembly", or a failing "Main Board Assembly", but no way to really know for sure. Generally speaking, cleaning will not usually help if it is a hardware/parts problem, that is actually causing those types of lines. There's a slight possibility that a build-up of dried ink, dust, dirt, lint and hair, that has possibly built-up on the bottom side and backside areas of the Printhead Assembly, can sometimes cause the "Printhead Nozzles" to fire crooked and that can cause a colored line to appear. The only way to find out, is to clean those two areas, just to eliminate that possibility. If you clean those areas and the lines are still there, then you can assume that its a Hardware/Part Failure thats causing the line problem...If those lines are more like "Void Lines" or "White Lines" running across photos, then it could be a bad ink cartridge, a possibly clogged Printhead Assembly, or even an actual Hardware/Parts Failure [failing Printhead Assembly or Main Board Assembly]. With void lines or white lines, there's also a possibility that your problem is being caused by that same build-up on the bottom side and backside areas of the Printhead Assembly, because it sometimes causes the "Printhead Nozzles" not to fire at all...If those lines are actually more like ink smears or drag type marks on the paper, then its possible that the same build-up is sticking to the wet ink on the bottom side area of the printhead assembly and its hanging down far enough, to act like a small paint brush. That build-up [hanging down] can transfer wet ink to the paper, as it passes under the printhead assembly, during the actual printing process. Sometimes that build-up will simply smear the wet ink thats being placed on the paper, as that "Print Cartridge Holder Assembly" moves back-n-forth. If its more like an ink smearing problem, then once that area is thoughly cleaned, that problem will normally go away. If its a problem possibly caused by crooked firing nozzles then you can soak those nozzles in the Epson Printhead Cleaning Solution thats "Puddles" on top of the felt Cap Assembly for 48 hours or so. Usually that will cause the dried ink and build-up to dissolve and it can usually then be cleaned off the face of the printhead assembly. If both of those cleaning procedures don't help, then I would guess that its a good chance that the line problem, is actually being caused by a hardware/parts type failure. Check for a couple of e-mails from me that should help in that area, in case you want to do the cleaning and at least eliminate that possibility...Sometimes if that build-up gets bad enough [on the backside of that printhead assembly], it can act like a small paint brush and transfers wet ink to those small white or grey relay type rollers, that the paper passes under, just prior to going under the Print Head Assembly, during the actual printing process. Those small rollers then act like tiny paint rollers and roll the wet ink onto the paper as it passes below those rollers. Those type of lines, will be running in a verticle type direction [top of page to bottom of page]. Once you clean those two previously mentioned areas, be sure and check to see if those small rollers also need cleaned...Good Luck! Denny Conway
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 | Re: epson 1280 printer problem by Keith May (9/2/04 1:23 PM) reply | + / - | Thanks for the quick and thorough reply. I will go through the cleaning drill this weekend. Just curious... if it is the printhead... can it be replaced? Do you know the cost? Is it an DIY job or do I have to send it in for repair?
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| Re: epson 1280 printer problem by Denny D. Conway (9/2/04 6:00 PM) reply | + / - | Keith: You would probably need a Service Manual to use for reference in disassembly, possible troubleshooting and for any Factory Settings that may have to be changed, if you do replace that Printhead Assembly. There is a "Stylus Photo 890, 1280, 1290 Printers
Service Manual", available from 2manuals.com, that can be downloaded for around $10.00. You can see the available info on that manual, at http://www.2manuals.com/product_info.php?cPath=2_18_39&products_id=155 ...For Exploded Diagrams of most Epson Ink Jet Printers and possible parts ordering, or prices of parts, by Compass Micro Inc, go to " http://www.compassmicro.com/parts_select.cfm "...Denny Conway
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| Re: epson 1280 printer problem by Zolt (9/2/04 6:56 PM) reply | + / - | I seem to have a related problem: my 1280 is printing random magenta lines across the page. I have replaced the carts and run head clean; nozzle check shows all OK. Epson tells me to get it serviced. Can someone explain the "in-depth" cleaning procedure to me too? At least I can maybe try that before I shell out for service...or buy a 2200.
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| Re: epson 1280 printer problem by Denny Conway (9/3/04 12:35 PM) reply | + / - | Zolt: Be sure and read my reply to KEITH, dated 9/02/2004 @ 13:03:07. Also check for a couple of e-mails from me that should help in that area, in case you want to do the cleaning and at least eliminate that possibility...Good Luck! Denny Conway
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| Re: epson 1280 printer problem by Anonymous (6/15/08 8:57 AM) reply | + / - | Danny I also have an Epson 1280 with problems. I use a CIS ink system which I have been using for the past 3 years on this current ( 1 year) and past 1280 printer. The first one died and went to heaven and I began having cleaning head problems with the current one. There are times that I have to run cleaning head program 10 to 15 times before I can get picture without lines.This I am sure has probably filled up my resorvior. I get flashing back and forth (red and green)and no printing. I was told this might also have something to do with number reset?.I cannot find any service people in my area, any suggestions???
Daryl Smith....
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| Re: epson 1280 printer problem by Rick Lombardo (6/15/08 10:38 AM) reply | + / - | I'm using the Epson 1280. My original file in Photoshop CS is in color, then converting it to B&W. My first B&W print on Epson's Glossy Photo paper (Advanced:high speed, 720dpi) was in color ink and this was a disaster. It turned out with a blue cast but NO banding in photo. Same photo, I switched to Black Ink and NO color cast but banding throughout the entire photo. Cleaned the print head using the utility several times and then started printing the next day and same problem occurred. Any suggestions, please.
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