godawski@usceast.UUCP (04/03/87)
A while back, I posted to the net that I was having problems with my parent's Epson FX-80 printer. I am summarizing what was sent to me by all of you great people out there in Net Land. I received many replys that told me about the little silver lever on the left side of bars that the printer head travels on--the one that adjusts the distance between the head and the paper. Well, this is the first thing that I tried--my printer head was as close to the paper/ribbon as it could possibly go! I have tried moving the lever to various positions (back and forth), and nothing was improving the print). Remember, I was using a new ribbon. Thus, the obvious was not my problem. bgsuvax!denbeste (WC DenBesten) suggested that I remove the print head and clean it. This is how he described how it could be done: Remove the head by moving the silver lever located on the left side of the head and under the ribbon (to the left). You can lift the print head up. Gently remove the cable to the mother- board (remembering how it came off so that you can put the damned thing back on). The tip of the head can be cleaned by soaking that end (and ONLY THE TIP) in isopropyl alcohol. I have not yet tried cleaning the head--Since my mother is using it with her tax business, she has requested that I not touch the thing until after tax season (april 15). I understand her point--I don't want to break the thing when it is in such dire need. lznv!psc (Paul Chisholm) suggested that I replace the print head. I don't know where he gets his figures from, but he said that it is a low cost item and should cost around $10-20. I asked somebody at Bob's Computer Warehouse in Charleston, and he said around $50-$80 would be the cost for a new head (though they do not sell it). This would be WITHOUT installation. I'd do that myself. If I can get a head off, I'm sure I can put one back on. One good thing that Mr. Chisholm suggested is that If you reink your ribbons, you should put a little oil in the ribbons along with the ink. The print head can use the extra lubrication. Thank all of you for your responses. I am sorry it took me so long to get this out to you. -- <--> Mike Godawski <--> USMail : 1907A Wheat Street; Columbia SC 29205 <--> BITNET : T170139 @ UNIVSCVM <--> ncr-sd!ncrcae-\ <--> E-mail : akgua-->!usceast!godawski <--> ihnp4-/