canon i9900 - waste ink, what did you do?

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM

12/09/2009 07:29:29 PM · #1

So I was first getting the print head error (some number of flashing orange lights) and now it has changed to the waste ink absorber error.

My first concern is: which error do I really have? Do I actually have both, or is it just confused?

Second, has anyone tried fixing the waste ink absorber themselves? Was it actually successful? Am I going to completely mess up my printer?

I print out calendars for both sides of the family, and while this is pricey doing it yourself, it's still cheaper than walmart or ritz.

thanks!

Ristyz

Apple iPhone 12 Pro

12/09/2009 07:36:04 PM · #2

More info here

Well sort of. I know people that have cleaned them themselves. 2200s anyway.

Message edited by author 2009-12-09 19:37:12.

12/09/2009 07:37:28 PM · #3

Originally posted by Ristyz:

More info here

yup, I was just reading through that, but it doesn't sound like anyone has tried it themselves at that point... (other than the reset)

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM

12/09/2009 07:37:51 PM · #4

Originally posted by Ristyz:

More info here

Well sort of. I know people that have cleaned them themselves. 2200s anyway.

did they just wash out the pad, or did they buy a new one?

FourPointX

Canon EOS-60D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

12/09/2009 07:39:38 PM · #5

google it, there's a key sequence to reset the waste ink counter. the only way to clean it is with a special tool. it's not worth the service on the device, i would reset the counter and get another year out of it.

Ristyz

Apple iPhone 12 Pro

12/09/2009 07:42:33 PM · #6

It was an Epson 2200 and he didn't say. he only mentioned that it was a waste to send it off when he could do it just fine.

jbsmithana

Nikon D300

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom Nikkor 12-24mm f/4.0G IF-ED

12/09/2009 07:50:22 PM · #7

Time for a new printer. I have an old i9900 also and have been waiting for mine to give me that error so I can upgrad to a newer model Canon. So far it keep s purring along.

12/09/2009 07:50:35 PM · #8

Originally posted by jmulvihill:

I found a reset sequence, but it didn't do anything. It's still just blinking away orange. I've tried it twice, but I'll go look elsewhere--perhaps that sequence wasn't the right one.

12/09/2009 07:59:45 PM · #9

ARGH!!!! I haven't bothered working with the printer for about 3 weeks. I decide I'm going to try to fix it tonight, and now it won't even turn on! Somehow this is not looking too good. And now is NOT a good time to be spending money on a printer. *sigh*

12/09/2009 08:17:09 PM · #10

Yeah, I had this happen a year or so ago - I was on deadline, and boy was I unhappy.

first: Congratulations for using your printer a lot. You probably got your money's worth so far.

Second: Um, no you can't fix it yourself. There is a very large pad under your printer's innards someplace that has become saturated with waste ink. This is 'normal' for the I9900.

Like you, I consulted the DPC forums and somewhere in the archives, there is the thread that helped me.

After fantastic advice from DPC, I looked and found that here in San Francisco there is a Canon dealer who services the 19900. He didn't have the new pad in stock so it took a couple of days for that part to arrive. total cost: about $150 and the I9900 is good to go for another 50,000 or so copies. They also check everything over and all that.

So, if you have a Canon dealer nearby that actually services these appliances, my suggestion is to take your machine there. The outfit that I found does not service cameras, but does a whale of a nice job on printers. I hope you have one like that in your neighborhood.

12/09/2009 08:20:18 PM · #11

I found one listed about 40 miles away, which isn't that bad. I'm just concerned that this started out as a printhead error, then the waste ink error (even though nothing was done about the printhead) and now it won't even turn on. If I really have 3 problems, I assume that it's not worth saving...?

12/09/2009 08:41:38 PM · #12

Originally posted by vawendy:

Yeah, I'd be determined (read stubborn) enough to take the printer for a 40 mile drive to get an answer - and besides I like the thing. It produces the colors I want on the paper I want it printed on, and acts as a workhorse besides for straight printing.

Still: If you're done with the i9900 and want something else, well that's another part of the equation.

12/09/2009 08:50:31 PM · #13

It's not that. I'm just irritated that its dead, and that it might be dead for 3 different reasons. I hate wasting my money having them check it out just to tell me that it's $400 to fix it.

(can you tell that I'm not happy that I'm sending my 40D in for a second time?)

12/09/2009 09:12:51 PM · #14

Originally posted by vawendy:

Yes, I can read your frustration, loud and clear. It sounds like mine when 'just like that' my printer stopped. Period. No wiggle room. One quick warning, and then it just stopped. I went out and bought a cheap printer just to get through the mess I was in trying to get my work done for the deadline. (That cheapo-printer, a PIXMA, is now the equivalent of a doorstop. Crappy, thirsty thing.)

I wish you luck

vawendy. 40 miles to me is about 1/2 hour (one way). To you it may be lots longer. In any event, you'll work it out.

12/09/2009 09:23:19 PM · #15

thanks for the input! I'll call them and find out how much they'll charge to tell me how much they'll charge to fix it!