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Program forces Epson printers to use "empty" carts until they run out

Cory Doctorow at 5:08 am Fri, Apr 14, 2006

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AV sez, "This is a free program (apparently made in Russia?) that will allow you to actually use your Epson ink cartridges until they truly run out, vs when the digital management chip on it stops you and forces a replacement." No idea if this works or not, but given how dirty the printer business is when it comes to forcing you to buy overpriced consumables, it seems plausible. Link, Link to guide for HP printers (Thanks, AV!)

Update: Broccoli sez, "it does work, I've saved a couple of non-functioning printers from the scrapheap with that trick. Here's a photo tutorial on the Epson ink trick."

Update 2: K sez, "I got a mailing today about a class action suit being settled by Epson. It is in regards to programming that indicates that ink cartridges are empty when they are not."

Update 3:Andrew sez, "While it is true that cartridges stop printing before they are empty, it is to prevent the printer from forcing air through the printheads and causing them to rupture. Unlike HP who attach a disposable printhead to each cartridge, Epson uses one high-quality printhead that is not user-servicable. In other words, if you print too many pages, you're risking ruining your printer. I know people who have used this without a problem, and others who have permanently damaged their printers with it. YMMV. "

I write books. My latest is a YA science fiction novel called Homeland (it's the sequel to Little Brother). More books: Rapture of the Nerds (a novel, with Charlie Stross); With a Little Help (short stories); and The Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow (novella and nonfic). I speak all over the place and I tweet and tumble, too.

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