Well, I've search this site and to the end of the web. The problem is my HP photosmart C-5180 printer won't recognize some new "compatible" cartridges (HP 02).

AFTER I bought them, THEN the seller tells me that "after they researched it, other customers are reporting problems w/ compatible carts & C-5100 / 6100 series printers". Other retailers have now also told me the same.

I'm looking for a workaround. My problem is that the printer won't recognize the new cart, NOT that it says it's empty. Error message: "cartridge(s) is missing or damaged." Obviously, HP has rigged this printer & the HP 02 cart so generic carts won't work.

I went through all the steps that the inkseller suggested to "trick" the printer into recognizing the compatible carts. HA! But, just like everything else, there must be a hack for this.

Suggestions or links would be appreciated.

You are probably out of luck. As far a hacks go the DCMA has made that illegal. Printer manufacturers sell printers at or below cost, hoping to make money on expendable supplies. Kind of like your cell phone plan. Free phone with 2 year agreement. You would be surprised at the lengths manufacturers go to in order to sell supplies. Like page counters that determine a cartridge is empty, even if it isn't.

Peg, I had the same problem with my epson photo printers. All I did was uninstall the drivers and installed updated drivers from the website and all worked well.

Hopefully my advice will help you...Please post back with your results....thanks

Thanks, OH.

XpUser4Real,

Are you saying that just because you installed updated Epson drivers, that you could THEN use COMPATIBLE (generic) cartridges??? No other changes?

How many brands of compatible cartridges had you tried, and which brand compatibles (or from what source) worked?

Thanks

BTW, has anyone gotten the "Email Notification" feature to work on this forum? I checked the "Email Me When This Message Receives Replies" box when creating a new message. I think my email has changed since I registered a long time ago, but can't find anywhere to change my email address. Is there a way???

Double click the blue "My Computing.net" in the upper right hand corner of this screen.

OtheHill,

If you're referring to the 2nd line under Forum Settings, "Email", it was my understanding that putting an address there just showed that address in a post (which I'd rather not).

Maybe its function has changed, but doesn't that put your email address in the posts, or at least a link to it?

'Are you saying that just because you installed updated Epson drivers, that you could THEN use COMPATIBLE (generic) cartridges??? No other changes?'

What I did was uninstall the old drivers and then updated them. The generic ink I got from Ebay. I got 4 sets for 1/2 the price of OEM Epson ink.

Hopefully my advice will help you...Please post back with your results....thanks

Thanks XpUser4Real,

Glad that worked for you. How old is that Epson? Don't know, but may be newer printer models under a yr or so, may have more "safeguards" built in to prevent using generic carts.

If your Epson is only a yr or so old, I might give it a shot. For instance, older HP models that also use the HP 02 carts, can be made to print w/ generic carts.

peg

I looked at an online vendor I have dealt with in the past. Below is a link to thier site and an excerpt about your printer.

http://www.ldproducts.com/catalog.p...

Ink Cartridges & Supplies for the HP PhotoSmart C5180 Printer

Our current remanufactured HP 02 cartridge chips do not work with the HP PhotoSmart C5180, however we are currently developing new chips for the HP PhotoSmart C5180. Will be available approximately April 1st.
The compatible HP PhotoSmart C5180 ink-jet cartridges from LD Products are guaranteed to meet or exceed the print quality of the OEM HP PhotoSmart C5180 inkjet cartridges. Purchasing our compatible HP PhotoSmart C5180 ink cartridges is an excellent way to save money without sacrificing quality. Our HP PhotoSmart C5180 compatible Ink Cartridges have a 'One Year 100% Quality Satisfaction Guarantee'. The use of our compatible Ink for the HP PhotoSmart C5180 does not void your printer's warranty.

My printers are Epson Photo R200 and you wouldn't lose anything by re-installing your drivers

Hopefully my advice will help you...Please post back with your results....thanks

OtheHill,
Thank you for that encouraging info. Hopefully, it won't take long. I appreciate you looking it up.

Your welcome. Hope you can return the incompatible cartridges.