DEP%SLACVM.BITNET@wiscvm.wisc.edu (11/23/85)
Date: 23 November 1985, 07:39:28 PST From: Don Pelton (415) 854-3300 x2901 DEP at SLACVM To: INFO-IBMPC at USC-ISIB.ARPA Subject: HP Thinkjet Has anyone had a problem with a clogged jet, so that characters appear to have a horizontal line of dots uniformly missing? We've heard a rumor that there may be a home remedy for this problem. Does anyone know what it might be? *-------------------------------------------------------------------* * Don Pelton, Stanford Linear Accelerator Center, Stanford, Calif. * * Bitnet: DEP@SLACVM Arpa: DEPS%SLACVM.BITNET@wiscvm.ARPA * *-------------------------------------------------------------------*
ins_ayjk@jhunix.UUCP (Young Je Koh) (11/25/85)
> Date: 23 November 1985, 07:39:28 PST > From: Don Pelton (415) 854-3300 x2901 DEP at SLACVM > To: INFO-IBMPC at USC-ISIB.ARPA > Subject: HP Thinkjet > > Has anyone had a problem with a clogged jet, so that characters appear to > have a horizontal line of dots uniformly missing? We've heard a rumor that > there may be a home remedy for this problem. Does anyone know what it > might be? > > > *-------------------------------------------------------------------* > * Don Pelton, Stanford Linear Accelerator Center, Stanford, Calif. * > * Bitnet: DEP@SLACVM Arpa: DEPS%SLACVM.BITNET@wiscvm.ARPA * > *-------------------------------------------------------------------* On the rear or the ink cartridge, you'll notice a small hole. Take a paper clip, push it into the hole, and pump the black sack inside the plastic shell until some ink comes out the front end. Then take a tissue and dry off the front. This trick should work. I had the same problem and called up an authorized dealer. That was the solution given by them. ---------------------------------------- Young Koh at Johns Hopkins University Bitnet: ins_ayjk@jhunix ----------------------------------------
abm@ptsfa.UUCP (Al Margolis) (11/25/85)
> Has anyone had a problem with a clogged jet ...
Unfortunately, this is a standard problem with the thinkjet. The solution is
inelegant but simple: (1) remove the cartridge, (2) use an unfolded paper
clip to squeeze the ink sack (there is a hole in back for this) until ink
flows through the jets, (3) wipe the jet surface with an absorbant tissue
until relatively clean (note: one direction of wiping seems to smear, while
the other direction cleans with one or two wipes), and (4) replace the
cartridge. My last order from HP included these general directions.
DISCUSSION: Is this an indication of a design flaw, or a necessary
trade-off in producing an ink-jet at this price? I hear that Epson has
a self-priming cartridge ... any experience out there?
Al Margolis {dual, ihnp4} !ptsfa!abm
Pacific Bell 415-542-2073
Disclaimer .. Disclaimer .. [ I don't even represent me anymore ! ]farren@well.UUCP (Mike Farren) (11/26/85)
In article <12@brl-tgr.ARPA>, DEP%SLACVM.BITNET@wiscvm.wisc.edu writes: > Has anyone had a problem with a clogged jet, so that characters appear to > have a horizontal line of dots uniformly missing? We've heard a rumor that > there may be a home remedy for this problem. Does anyone know what it > might be? > Well, hoping this gets to the right place...... The solution is simple, just remove the cartridge and <<GENTLY>> wipe the face of the cartridge with a piece of soft tissue. This has cured my clogged jet problems every time. -- Mike Farren uucp: {dual, hplabs}!well!farren Fido: Sci-Fido, Fidonode 125/84, (415)655-0667 USnail: 390 Alcatraz Ave., Oakland, CA 94618
cjn@drune.UUCP (NetterCJ) (11/26/85)
1) (After you have unplugged your cartridge, ) try not leaving the printer
on all the time. When the printer powers up, it will run a test "squirt"
of the jet onto the blotter at the far left of the carriage. Mine works
great in the morning, but by mid-afternoon, it needs a half a line to
clear up.
2) To unclog your jet.
a) remove it.
b) using a blunt object, push on the back of the ink bladder until ink flows
from all the openings in the front.
c) wipe ink from the front
d) replace cartridge.
e) go wash your hands.
Hope this helps
Chris Netter
AT&T
Denver, Colorado
drune!cjnjabusch@uiucdcsb.CS.UIUC.EDU (11/26/85)
There are two things you can do for this. The first is to wipe
the face of the cartridge carefully with a damp paper towel. This
should soften up the dryink that's clogging the tiny jets. If this
doesn't work, the next step is to straighten out a paperclip and stick
one end of it into the back end of the cartridge and press on the
bladder while holding a paper towel against the front of the cartridge
to avoid spilling ink. You don't have to press too hard, but if it
doesn't work the first time, try it again... The bladders in the
Thinkjet cartridges are relatively sturdy.
In my experience I don't usually have to resort to the paperclip,
but on a few occasions I have, and it always works. By the way, these
methods were recommended to me by our HP Rep! Apparently they have run
into the asme problem themselves. It only happens to me when the printer
sits for several weeks without being used.
John W. Jabusch
U.S. Mail:
Department of Computer Science
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Room 230 Digital Computer Laboratory
1304 West Springfield Avenue
Urbana, IL 61801
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ARPA: jabusch@uiuc.arpaspear@ihopb.UUCP (Steven Spearman) (11/28/85)
Sometimes when wiping the face of the inkjet cartidge does not do the trick, you can insert a paper clip end or other thin pole into the hole in the back of the cartridge and gently push the ink sack until some ink comes out of the face. This has saved several cartidges for me - it is shown in the manual but is not mentioned in the troubleshooting section. Steve Spearman ihnp4!ihopb!spear
johnl@ima.UUCP (12/01/85)
A friend with a ThinkJet makes the following suggestion: If you poke a paper clip or something in the hole in the back of the ink cartridge, there is some danger of poking a hole in the ink sack. Just blow firmly into the hole, then wipe the ink off the front -- works fine with less danger of damage. John Levine, ima!johnl PS: Note that the ink is blown away from your face.