Carol,

Big business (i.e., the printer companies) in it's infinite wisdom $$$ has
decided to make printers that won't function unless you have both the B&W
and color cartridges filled with ink in fine working order. If either one
is out the printer ceases to function. Yes it is a deceit and a rip off,
but then if no one complains loud enough they win! The way to win this
battle is to be informed before you buy. A few of the printers out there
will function when one or more cartridges are empty. The best ink jet
printers are the expensive ones that use separate cartridges for each
color. They are more media cost effective. This is a "Polaroid" type
product. You know, they give away the camera to sell the film - so it is
with ink jet printers and cartridges. Do you think that you could buy a
high quality ink jet for under $100.00 if they couldn't recoup the
development and manufacturing costs by their ridiculous cartridge pricing?

Good luck

J. Dent

At 09:07 AM 5/6/2004, you wrote:
>Well, I've since found out that the colors are not empty like the program is
>telling me, they're just dried up.  But still,  I've replaced the black ink
>recently and it's just fine, so why won't it still print?  It used to be
>that you could ignore the colors completely for years and the printer would
>still print in black.  Not so anymore.  If the printer senses that no color
>ink can come out of the sponges, (for whatever reason), it won't print at
>all.  I personally think it's a scam to make us buy their color cartridges,
>which are expensive.  (Of course Canon cartridges are more expensive, that's
>part of the whole picture.)  They try to make us think we need to buy their
>brand, then they make the printer so it won't work without moist color ink
>in the machine, and that gives them a little regular income from us through
>constant cartridge purchasing.  I'm looking for a way around this, because I
>don't like to feel like I'm being herded into a scam situation. (Thanks to
>William for all his help.  I haven't had a chance to use it yet, but believe
>me, I will here shortly.  Obviously, what I have to print isn't urgent, but
>it's only a matter of time until it will be.)
>Carol Hanson
>
>
> > How did you run out of colors if you don't print in color at all? The
>newer color inkjets are designed to run with full cartridges, and I don't
>think there is a way around that since it could ruin the printer.  If you
>don't use colors a cartridge ought to last a long time, and would overall be
>cheaper than messing with the printer and ruining it. Besides, you can
>either buy a refill kit or remanufactured cartridges, both of which are way
>cheaper than Canon stuff.  Check the Internet for compatible clones.
> >
>
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