JKAsiege

I replaced the ink cartridges without the printer releasing the old ones first, the printer was off at the time because I am an idiot (it says in the manual that the printer should be turned on so that the cartridges can be released when you open the door/lid thing).

Now the little LCD screen says

"Printer Cartridges
Refer to printer documentation"

I think I've broken something and my dad isn't best pleased about it and I can't afford to pay for a new one.

I've tried updating drivers, switching on and off, taking cartridges out, replacing them, restoring to default settings, but that bloody orange exclamation mark just keeps blinking and I can't do ANYTHING with the printer!

Help?

Try unplugging it totally and let it reset for a few minutes.

~archi

It sat overnight unplugged.

How long have you had this printer? I've had printers die on me too after some years...

About 21 months...

Just tried loading the spent 'hp official' cartridges, same thing happened.

Apparently most HP printers have batteries which, if removed, can help reset the cartridge problem. However, removing it can be a problem because you need to find the battery (requires some printer disassembly) and, even if you manage to find the battery, it may be soldered on.

You could cut your losses and never buy a printer that has chipped cartridges again (or at least ones that auto reset and can be refilled). It's really annoying when you buy a printer for <$100 just to find out you almost have to pay more for 'genuine' cartridges than the printer itself.

Oh ya....

Forgot about that.

Some printer cartridges cannot be refilled.

This might be worth a go:

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read. ... ge=3150971

~archi

Laser tbh

laser printer that is, like my Brother HL-2170W. There may be newer models now, but something in that class I've found to be the most reliable and least painful type. Doesn't do color I'm afraid; color models are around $300 US, but I'd expect over the course of 5 years or so you'd save the cost in ink for the inkjets. After half a dozen inkjets over the years, I'm sick of the clean every yews, replace every other month, $30 per cartridges and all their issues.

I go to Walgreens to get my cartridges refilled for $12 a piece.

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