[thor7]

We just set up our 777i. The documentation was very clear about not removing the blue label on top of the ink cartridges, but said nothing about the clear tape on the bottom, over the nozzles. My 11-yr-old son and I figured they were like the Stylewriter cartridges we were used to, and removed the tape.

After failing to print *anything,* we checked the Epson web site to leart that we should not have removed that tape. Our printer prints... nothing. We've tried cleaning the nozzles, and running the Printer Check, succeeding only in making the ink levels go down dramatically.

I've posted this to Epson support through their web page form, but thought maybe one of you could help in the meantime. I'd like to salvage the cartridges ("Dear, we just trashed $50"), but am most concerned about the printer. Did we just dump a bunch of ink into it, and if so, where? The bottom of the nozzles is slightly damp, and there's some ink in the cartridge carrier that I can see, but it doesn't seem to be excessive. For now, I've removed the cartridges, and am waiting for further instructions.
(Even without the tape, shouldn't all that expenditure of ink produce *something* on paper?)

Thanks for any help!

Regards,
thor7

[giantmike]

Well, go through your manual again (check the one on the CD too), and make sure there is nothing at all mentioning the clear (not really tape) stuff on the bottom. If you cannot find anythign at all, contact customer service, and tell them exactly what happened. Explain to them that because of their failure to include that warning, you should get brand new cartridges, plus two more, for free. If the first person you talk to doesn't comply, demand to speak to someone higher. Go as high as you can, but do not give up. This is their mistake, not yours.

------------------
The Mac Information Depot. Why go anywhere else?

[PeteWK]

Hi. Sorry this happened to you. That "tape" forms a seal for the tubes that stick inside to draw out the ink. The reality is that you screwed up bigtime and have no recourse that I can tell. I have a 777 (and 900 and 740 Epson). My guess as to where the ink went is under the cartridges. You'll need to remove them and clean around the tubes as best you can. Carefully inserting a paper towel and letting it soak up the ink is the best I can think of to clear it out. YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SALVAGE THE CARTRIDGES so don't even think of it.

PeteWK

[heydt]

I have little to add except to say that Pete has it right on the money.

Unfortunately, Epson, in its technological wizardry (IMHO simply the BEST print per dollar - bar none), leaves the cartridges a queer combination of tolerance and delicateness.

Ripping the tabbed tape at the top is easy enough and hard to get wrong. Popping the carts in and out will soon become a chore you can handle in about a half minute.

I want to add that once that bad boy is in (correctly) do NOT pop open again until it is time to replace. The seal that you had (this time) erroneously removed from the bottom will be broken and the cart will be rather useless then as well.

I would reccomend just taking a life lesson from this. But, then to go one step further and reutrn it to the store from where you bought it - if they'll take it. Why shouldn't they?

I suppose it will depend upon how much responsibity you're willing to assume.

My feeling is that Epson already has your money - they stand only to gain by replacing your cartridge.

Good luck.

[thor7]

Originally posted by heydt:
I have little to add except to say that Pete has it right on the money.

I would recommend just taking a life lesson from this. But, then to go one step further and return it to the store from where you bought it - if they'll take it. Why shouldn't they?
Good luck.

The cartridges I inadvertantly trashed were the ones packaged with the printer itself, so I assume they'd have to be replaced directly by Epson, if at all. If/when Epson gets back to the message I posted via their support site, I'll see if I have any recourse. As it seemed I just did the equivalent of burning $40+ (?- how much do these things cost?!)) cash, I'm not beyond begging. What an awful feeling.

[any links/suggestions to a good place to buy replacements are welcome. At this point, I think I'd best stick with Epson-brand cartridges, at least until I know the printer's okay!]

I'm still surprised that no ink made it to paper. Are those tape seals necessary to provide suction / draw?

Thanks for your response, as well for everyone else's.
regards,
thor7

[Indigo Boy]

If you're wanting to stay with Epson brand cartridges (probably a wise move at least until the warranty expires), try Sam's Club. I get the cartridges for my Epson 740 there for quite a bit less than the prices I have seen at other places.

[PeteWK]

I was just at a Target store out here in Orange County and saw the 777 Carts. for 23.99. I'll be headed there in a few weeks when mine run dry.

PeteWK

[thor7]

Resolution:
I heard from Epson, confirming that
1) my printer should be okay
2) the cartridges are shot.

Now, in the light of day (and after the initial panic has receded),I noticed there are "soak pads" inside the printer, over to the right; one is anchored just under where the carriage rests, and there's a sizeable one covering the bottom of the printer. I'll bet that's where my ink went. Anyone every heard of these pads needing to be replace? If so, I probably just reduced their effective life by half!

Decent news: Epson's sending me a new black ink cartridge (I had asked if they would consider showing mercy to an "Epson Newbie"). It would have been great to get the color one replaced as well, but under the circumstances (I screwed up) I'm grateful to get the one.

Thanks again for the input. I don't know if we have a Target nearby, but we're Sam's Club members and have gotten ink for our Stylewriter there at considerable discounts. I hadn't thought of looking for Epson products there (no need, before now). Thanks for the tip!

Regards,
thor7

[PeteWK]

In any case Thor7, the Epson 777 is a great printer for the money. You'll be very pleased to own it.

PeteWK

[thor7]

Originally posted by PeteWK:
In any case Thor7, the Epson 777 is a great printer for the money. You'll be very pleased to own it.

PeteWK

Thanks for the encouragement— that's my hope! I had read that the 777 can go through ink rather quickly, but it seems I exceeded even the most generous estimates on my first "try." :-(

The replacement cartridge is on the way, and we hope to pick up more at Sam's this week end. I am looking forward to seeing the printer up and running (we've only ever had a black-ink Stylewriter up till now). I will also be most *relieved*.

Um, anything else I should know?! I'd like my next post to be entitled, "WooHoo" or "awesome" or even just "sweet" or "phew," not a sheepish, "um, guys, I, uh, think I'm doing something else wrong [help]...."

Seriously, any tips on ink usage/settings/etc. would be most appreciated!

Best regards,
thor7

[Paul S]

The only tip I can give you is the higher the dpi you print at, the more ink used. For text, stick with 360dpi. For pictures, go at 720dpi unless you need a professional looking print. Go at 1440 for that. No need to ever go to 2880 in my book. My Epson maxes out at 1440 and on photo paper looks perfect.