COMPAQ TECHNICAL SUPPORT
Q: When printing with my color cartridge the colors are all wrong or are off.
A: When Compaq color cartridges are overfilled the excess ink has to come out and when you print the excess ink is forced out by the cartridge. The ink is forced out even though there is no need for that specific color.
Reduce the amount of ink in the overfilled chamber by either printing several pages of full color photos or manually removing the ink with the injector. When removing the ink with the injector remove about 1 - 2 mls from the chamber and then run several cleaning cycles.
To determine which chamber is overfilled you can either create blocks of colors in any graphics program or later version word process. Make a block of Yellow, a block of Magenta and a block of Cyan. Make sure to use the primary color names. (ie: Cyan not Blue, and Magenta not Red).
Q: After attempting to reduce the amount of ink in the cartridge the printing is still is off.
A: Occasionally if the sponge in the cartridge is over saturated there is a cross contamination of the colors at the print head.
Usually clears up after a few pages of printing.
A: Or sometimes when a color cartridge is refilled a little too quickly, a little ink will ooze from the print nozzles and because of capillary action cross contamination will occur with one or more of the other colors.
Blot the print head with a paper towel and the contaminated ink will be drawn out.
Remove the contamination by printing blocks of colors such as a block of Yellow, a block of Magenta and a block of Cyan. Make sure to use the primary color names. (ie: Cyan not Blue, and Magenta not Red) until the colors come true. When refilling, if you blot the print head with tissue after each chamber is filled the problem should not occur.
Q: After refilling my Compaq color cartridge it will not print.
A: While printing you realized that you were out of ink after 2 or more pages were printed with no print on them. When the cartridge runs out of ink and is not immediately stopped from printing the print head will overheat and melt. The print head operates at over 730º fahrenheit and must have ink running though it to prevent it from overheating.
You need a new cartridge.
A: You ran out of ink and noticed immediately or the printing started to lighten when you stopped to refill the cartridge. The ink needs to migrate to the print head at the bottom of the cartridge.
Let the cartridge sit for 5 - 6 hours to let the ink settle to the bottom of the cartridge.
Q: After refilling my Compaq black cartridge will not print.
A: When the Compaq black cartridge is completely run out of ink it takes an extra amount of ink to get it primed and working again.
Add up to 30 mls. of ink and try printing again.
A: While printing you realized that you were out of ink after 2 or more pages were printed with no print on them. When the cartridge runs out of ink and is not immediately stopped from printing the print head will overheat and melt. The print head operates at over 700º fahrenheit and must have ink running though it to prevent it from overheating.
You may need a new cartridge
Q: After refilling and installing the cartridge into my printer the ink gauge still reads empty.
A: The printer software should ask if the cartridge you are installing is a new cartridge or the old one. If you answer the cartridge is the old one the computer will not reset the gauge.
Either remove and reinstall the cartridge and answer the question with a "new cartridge" has been installed or go to the printer properties and reset the gauge manually. See your printer documentation for the proper procedure.