Brother Printer Ink Cartridge Nearly Empty --- After Only 2 Weeks!!!

June 23, 2008

I have a Gateway computer with the following: 1) a 1400-MHz Pentium 4

processor, 2) 256 MB of RAM, and 3) 40 GB of hard-drive space.

The computer is running Windows Millennium Edition (ME).

Two and a half weeks ago, I bought a Brother MFC-240C printer. This is

a multifunction device: printer, copier, fax, and scanner.

----------

When I installed the ink cartridges, the machine cleaned the ink tube

system. Then I pressed "Color Start" to test the four colors

corresponding to the cartridges (black, yellow, cyan, and magenta).

The machine printed out the Print Quality Check Sheet. This sheet

showed a square pattern in each color. If all small lines were clear

and visible, I had to press 1 for Yes, and the quality check would be

done. If there were missing small lines, I had to press 2 for No, and

the colors would be cleaned. Then the Check Sheet would be printed

again.

When the Check Sheet was printed the first time, there were no missing

lines, but (in my opinion) some lines were not clear, especially the

yellow lines. So, I pressed 2 for No, and the colors were cleaned, and

the Check Sheet was printed out again. The colors were cleaned four

times before I was satisfied that the small lines were clear and

visible.

After the color test, the rest of the installation was done.

----------

In my regular usage, the first thing I printed out was an HTML page (2

sheets). Since the HTML page was in color, the printed pages were in

color as well. After that, during the next 2 weeks or so, I printed

out or copied about 20 - 25 pages in black and white. Today, I printed

out 4 pages in black and white, and then the printer showed the

following message: "Near Empty Yellow", meaning that the Yellow ink

cartridge was nearly empty.

Now, I will admit that I keep the printer unplugged (from the AC power

supply and from the wall phone jack) if I am not using the printer. I

plug in the printer ONLY if I have to print and/or copy something.

However, the printer is ALWAYS connected to the computer via USB

cable.

Also, sometimes when I printed something, the machine cleaned the

print head before the printing occurred. Page 99 of the user's guide

states the following: "To ensure good print quality, the machine will

regularly clean the print head." The user's guide then explains that,

in addition to the automatic cleaning of the print head, the user can

clean the print head manually (by pressing some buttons). The user's

guide then states the following: "Cleaning the print head consumes

ink. Cleaning too often uses ink unnecessarily."

----------

So, here are my questions:

1) How can the yellow cartridge be nearly empty after only 2.5 weeks?

The colors were cleaned 4 times during the color test, and the print

head was cleaned a few times, but I have printed only 2 color pages.

2) If cleaning the print head consumes ink and if the machine cleans

the print head whenever the machine wants to, then how can I stop the

machine from cleaning itself too much? Is this some scam on the part

of Brother to get me to buy more ink cartridges? Can Brother be sued

for this? Do printers from other brands also clean their print heads

whenever they want to?

3) Do I have a defective printer? Should I get a refund? I bought this

particular printer (Brother MFC-240C) because it was the only printer

a) that was compatible with Windows ME, b) that was relatively

lightweight, and c) that was relatively cheap. So, should I try to

find a different printer? Unfortunately, upgrading my computer to

Windows XP would be too much trouble.

----------

Thanks for any information.

June 23, 2008

RE: Brother Printer Ink Cartridge Nearly Empty --- After Only 2 Weeks!

RE: Brother Printer Ink Cartridge Nearly Empty --- After Only 2 Weeks!

What update do you believe caused this problem?

If you believe an update wasn't response, perhaps contact Brother regarding

the disappearing ink.

Thank you.

--

--------------------------------

TaurArian [MVP] 2005-2008

Update Services

http://taurarian.mvps.org

"midwest_46@yahoo.com" wrote:

> I have a Gateway computer with the following: 1) a 1400-MHz Pentium 4

> processor, 2) 256 MB of RAM, and 3) 40 GB of hard-drive space.

>

> The computer is running Windows Millennium Edition (ME).

>

> Two and a half weeks ago, I bought a Brother MFC-240C printer. This is

> a multifunction device: printer, copier, fax, and scanner.

>

> ----------

>

> When I installed the ink cartridges, the machine cleaned the ink tube

> system. Then I pressed "Color Start" to test the four colors

> corresponding to the cartridges (black, yellow, cyan, and magenta).

>

> The machine printed out the Print Quality Check Sheet. This sheet

> showed a square pattern in each color. If all small lines were clear

> and visible, I had to press 1 for Yes, and the quality check would be

> done. If there were missing small lines, I had to press 2 for No, and

> the colors would be cleaned. Then the Check Sheet would be printed

> again.

>

> When the Check Sheet was printed the first time, there were no missing

> lines, but (in my opinion) some lines were not clear, especially the

> yellow lines. So, I pressed 2 for No, and the colors were cleaned, and

> the Check Sheet was printed out again. The colors were cleaned four

> times before I was satisfied that the small lines were clear and

> visible.

>

> After the color test, the rest of the installation was done.

>

> ----------

>

> In my regular usage, the first thing I printed out was an HTML page (2

> sheets). Since the HTML page was in color, the printed pages were in

> color as well. After that, during the next 2 weeks or so, I printed

> out or copied about 20 - 25 pages in black and white. Today, I printed

> out 4 pages in black and white, and then the printer showed the

> following message: "Near Empty Yellow", meaning that the Yellow ink

> cartridge was nearly empty.

>

> Now, I will admit that I keep the printer unplugged (from the AC power

> supply and from the wall phone jack) if I am not using the printer. I

> plug in the printer ONLY if I have to print and/or copy something.

> However, the printer is ALWAYS connected to the computer via USB

> cable.

>

> Also, sometimes when I printed something, the machine cleaned the

> print head before the printing occurred. Page 99 of the user's guide

> states the following: "To ensure good print quality, the machine will

> regularly clean the print head." The user's guide then explains that,

> in addition to the automatic cleaning of the print head, the user can

> clean the print head manually (by pressing some buttons). The user's

> guide then states the following: "Cleaning the print head consumes

> ink. Cleaning too often uses ink unnecessarily."

>

> ----------

>

> So, here are my questions:

>

> 1) How can the yellow cartridge be nearly empty after only 2.5 weeks?

> The colors were cleaned 4 times during the color test, and the print

> head was cleaned a few times, but I have printed only 2 color pages.

>

> 2) If cleaning the print head consumes ink and if the machine cleans

> the print head whenever the machine wants to, then how can I stop the

> machine from cleaning itself too much? Is this some scam on the part

> of Brother to get me to buy more ink cartridges? Can Brother be sued

> for this? Do printers from other brands also clean their print heads

> whenever they want to?

>

> 3) Do I have a defective printer? Should I get a refund? I bought this

> particular printer (Brother MFC-240C) because it was the only printer

> a) that was compatible with Windows ME, b) that was relatively

> lightweight, and c) that was relatively cheap. So, should I try to

> find a different printer? Unfortunately, upgrading my computer to

> Windows XP would be too much trouble.

>

> ----------

>

> Thanks for any information.

>

June 23, 2008

RE: Brother Printer Ink Cartridge Nearly Empty --- After Only 2 We

RE: Brother Printer Ink Cartridge Nearly Empty --- After Only 2 We

correction "response" should be "responsible"

--

--------------------------------

TaurArian [MVP] 2005-2008

Update Services

http://taurarian.mvps.org

"TaurArian" wrote:

> What update do you believe caused this problem?

>

> If you believe an update wasn't response, perhaps contact Brother regarding

> the disappearing ink.

>

> Thank you.

>

> --

>

> --------------------------------

> TaurArian [MVP] 2005-2008

> Update Services

> http://taurarian.mvps.org

>

> "midwest_46@yahoo.com" wrote:

>

> > I have a Gateway computer with the following: 1) a 1400-MHz Pentium 4

> > processor, 2) 256 MB of RAM, and 3) 40 GB of hard-drive space.

> >

> > The computer is running Windows Millennium Edition (ME).

> >

> > Two and a half weeks ago, I bought a Brother MFC-240C printer. This is

> > a multifunction device: printer, copier, fax, and scanner.

> >

> > ----------

> >

> > When I installed the ink cartridges, the machine cleaned the ink tube

> > system. Then I pressed "Color Start" to test the four colors

> > corresponding to the cartridges (black, yellow, cyan, and magenta).

> >

> > The machine printed out the Print Quality Check Sheet. This sheet

> > showed a square pattern in each color. If all small lines were clear

> > and visible, I had to press 1 for Yes, and the quality check would be

> > done. If there were missing small lines, I had to press 2 for No, and

> > the colors would be cleaned. Then the Check Sheet would be printed

> > again.

> >

> > When the Check Sheet was printed the first time, there were no missing

> > lines, but (in my opinion) some lines were not clear, especially the

> > yellow lines. So, I pressed 2 for No, and the colors were cleaned, and

> > the Check Sheet was printed out again. The colors were cleaned four

> > times before I was satisfied that the small lines were clear and

> > visible.

> >

> > After the color test, the rest of the installation was done.

> >

> > ----------

> >

> > In my regular usage, the first thing I printed out was an HTML page (2

> > sheets). Since the HTML page was in color, the printed pages were in

> > color as well. After that, during the next 2 weeks or so, I printed

> > out or copied about 20 - 25 pages in black and white. Today, I printed

> > out 4 pages in black and white, and then the printer showed the

> > following message: "Near Empty Yellow", meaning that the Yellow ink

> > cartridge was nearly empty.

> >

> > Now, I will admit that I keep the printer unplugged (from the AC power

> > supply and from the wall phone jack) if I am not using the printer. I

> > plug in the printer ONLY if I have to print and/or copy something.

> > However, the printer is ALWAYS connected to the computer via USB

> > cable.

> >

> > Also, sometimes when I printed something, the machine cleaned the

> > print head before the printing occurred. Page 99 of the user's guide

> > states the following: "To ensure good print quality, the machine will

> > regularly clean the print head." The user's guide then explains that,

> > in addition to the automatic cleaning of the print head, the user can

> > clean the print head manually (by pressing some buttons). The user's

> > guide then states the following: "Cleaning the print head consumes

> > ink. Cleaning too often uses ink unnecessarily."

> >

> > ----------

> >

> > So, here are my questions:

> >

> > 1) How can the yellow cartridge be nearly empty after only 2.5 weeks?

> > The colors were cleaned 4 times during the color test, and the print

> > head was cleaned a few times, but I have printed only 2 color pages.

> >

> > 2) If cleaning the print head consumes ink and if the machine cleans

> > the print head whenever the machine wants to, then how can I stop the

> > machine from cleaning itself too much? Is this some scam on the part

> > of Brother to get me to buy more ink cartridges? Can Brother be sued

> > for this? Do printers from other brands also clean their print heads

> > whenever they want to?

> >

> > 3) Do I have a defective printer? Should I get a refund? I bought this

> > particular printer (Brother MFC-240C) because it was the only printer

> > a) that was compatible with Windows ME, b) that was relatively

> > lightweight, and c) that was relatively cheap. So, should I try to

> > find a different printer? Unfortunately, upgrading my computer to

> > Windows XP would be too much trouble.

> >

> > ----------

> >

> > Thanks for any information.

> >

June 23, 2008

RE: Brother Printer Ink Cartridge Nearly Empty --- After Only 2 Weeks!

RE: Brother Printer Ink Cartridge Nearly Empty --- After Only 2 Weeks!

"midwest_46@yahoo.com" wrote:

> I have a Gateway computer with the following: 1) a 1400-MHz Pentium 4

> processor, 2) 256 MB of RAM, and 3) 40 GB of hard-drive space.

>

> The computer is running Windows Millennium Edition (ME).

>

> Two and a half weeks ago, I bought a Brother MFC-240C printer. This is

> a multifunction device: printer, copier, fax, and scanner.

>

> ----------

>

> When I installed the ink cartridges, the machine cleaned the ink tube

> system. Then I pressed "Color Start" to test the four colors

> corresponding to the cartridges (black, yellow, cyan, and magenta).

>

> The machine printed out the Print Quality Check Sheet. This sheet

> showed a square pattern in each color. If all small lines were clear

> and visible, I had to press 1 for Yes, and the quality check would be

> done. If there were missing small lines, I had to press 2 for No, and

> the colors would be cleaned. Then the Check Sheet would be printed

> again.

>

> When the Check Sheet was printed the first time, there were no missing

> lines, but (in my opinion) some lines were not clear, especially the

> yellow lines. So, I pressed 2 for No, and the colors were cleaned, and

> the Check Sheet was printed out again. The colors were cleaned four

> times before I was satisfied that the small lines were clear and

> visible.

>

> After the color test, the rest of the installation was done.

>

> ----------

>

> In my regular usage, the first thing I printed out was an HTML page (2

> sheets). Since the HTML page was in color, the printed pages were in

> color as well. After that, during the next 2 weeks or so, I printed

> out or copied about 20 - 25 pages in black and white. Today, I printed

> out 4 pages in black and white, and then the printer showed the

> following message: "Near Empty Yellow", meaning that the Yellow ink

> cartridge was nearly empty.

>

> Now, I will admit that I keep the printer unplugged (from the AC power

> supply and from the wall phone jack) if I am not using the printer. I

> plug in the printer ONLY if I have to print and/or copy something.

> However, the printer is ALWAYS connected to the computer via USB

> cable.

>

> Also, sometimes when I printed something, the machine cleaned the

> print head before the printing occurred. Page 99 of the user's guide

> states the following: "To ensure good print quality, the machine will

> regularly clean the print head." The user's guide then explains that,

> in addition to the automatic cleaning of the print head, the user can

> clean the print head manually (by pressing some buttons). The user's

> guide then states the following: "Cleaning the print head consumes

> ink. Cleaning too often uses ink unnecessarily."

>

> ----------

>

> So, here are my questions:

>

> 1) How can the yellow cartridge be nearly empty after only 2.5 weeks?

> The colors were cleaned 4 times during the color test, and the print

> head was cleaned a few times, but I have printed only 2 color pages.

>

> 2) If cleaning the print head consumes ink and if the machine cleans

> the print head whenever the machine wants to, then how can I stop the

> machine from cleaning itself too much? Is this some scam on the part

> of Brother to get me to buy more ink cartridges? Can Brother be sued

> for this? Do printers from other brands also clean their print heads

> whenever they want to?

>

> 3) Do I have a defective printer? Should I get a refund? I bought this

> particular printer (Brother MFC-240C) because it was the only printer

> a) that was compatible with Windows ME, b) that was relatively

> lightweight, and c) that was relatively cheap. So, should I try to

> find a different printer? Unfortunately, upgrading my computer to

> Windows XP would be too much trouble.

>

> ----------

>

> Thanks for any information.

>

June 23, 2008

Re: Brother Printer Ink Cartridge Nearly Empty --- After Only 2 Weeks!!!

I have an Epson combined Printer/Scanner and when bought new I was warned

that the cartridges installed would be used for the initial loading of

colour and black and the cartridges would not last as long as new

cartridges and I was advised to buy a new set at the same time as buying the

Printer/Scanner

It may be similar in the case of Brother

There was also a warning that carrying out cleaning too often will use a

disproportionate amount of ink.

Hope this helps

Blair

<midwest_46@yahoo.com> wrote in message

news:ce99764b-172e-4d95-8cad-f59ddc2fdfcb@r66g2000hsg.googlegroups.com...

>I have a Gateway computer with the following: 1) a 1400-MHz Pentium 4

> processor, 2) 256 MB of RAM, and 3) 40 GB of hard-drive space.

>

> The computer is running Windows Millennium Edition (ME).

>

> Two and a half weeks ago, I bought a Brother MFC-240C printer. This is

> a multifunction device: printer, copier, fax, and scanner.

>

> ----------

>

> When I installed the ink cartridges, the machine cleaned the ink tube

> system. Then I pressed "Color Start" to test the four colors

> corresponding to the cartridges (black, yellow, cyan, and magenta).

>

> The machine printed out the Print Quality Check Sheet. This sheet

> showed a square pattern in each color. If all small lines were clear

> and visible, I had to press 1 for Yes, and the quality check would be

> done. If there were missing small lines, I had to press 2 for No, and

> the colors would be cleaned. Then the Check Sheet would be printed

> again.

>

> When the Check Sheet was printed the first time, there were no missing

> lines, but (in my opinion) some lines were not clear, especially the

> yellow lines. So, I pressed 2 for No, and the colors were cleaned, and

> the Check Sheet was printed out again. The colors were cleaned four

> times before I was satisfied that the small lines were clear and

> visible.

>

> After the color test, the rest of the installation was done.

>

> ----------

>

> In my regular usage, the first thing I printed out was an HTML page (2

> sheets). Since the HTML page was in color, the printed pages were in

> color as well. After that, during the next 2 weeks or so, I printed

> out or copied about 20 - 25 pages in black and white. Today, I printed

> out 4 pages in black and white, and then the printer showed the

> following message: "Near Empty Yellow", meaning that the Yellow ink

> cartridge was nearly empty.

>

> Now, I will admit that I keep the printer unplugged (from the AC power

> supply and from the wall phone jack) if I am not using the printer. I

> plug in the printer ONLY if I have to print and/or copy something.

> However, the printer is ALWAYS connected to the computer via USB

> cable.

>

> Also, sometimes when I printed something, the machine cleaned the

> print head before the printing occurred. Page 99 of the user's guide

> states the following: "To ensure good print quality, the machine will

> regularly clean the print head." The user's guide then explains that,

> in addition to the automatic cleaning of the print head, the user can

> clean the print head manually (by pressing some buttons). The user's

> guide then states the following: "Cleaning the print head consumes

> ink. Cleaning too often uses ink unnecessarily."

>

> ----------

>

> So, here are my questions:

>

> 1) How can the yellow cartridge be nearly empty after only 2.5 weeks?

> The colors were cleaned 4 times during the color test, and the print

> head was cleaned a few times, but I have printed only 2 color pages.

>

> 2) If cleaning the print head consumes ink and if the machine cleans

> the print head whenever the machine wants to, then how can I stop the

> machine from cleaning itself too much? Is this some scam on the part

> of Brother to get me to buy more ink cartridges? Can Brother be sued

> for this? Do printers from other brands also clean their print heads

> whenever they want to?

>

> 3) Do I have a defective printer? Should I get a refund? I bought this

> particular printer (Brother MFC-240C) because it was the only printer

> a) that was compatible with Windows ME, b) that was relatively

> lightweight, and c) that was relatively cheap. So, should I try to

> find a different printer? Unfortunately, upgrading my computer to

> Windows XP would be too much trouble.

>

> ----------

>

> Thanks for any information.

>

June 23, 2008

Re: Brother Printer Ink Cartridge Nearly Empty --- After Only 2 Weeks!!!

First - realize the printer companies are selling INK at an exorbitant

price, that's the business model.

Second - new printers often have a less than full ink load in the

cartridges.

Third - cleaning consumes ink.

Fourth - for black and white/text output etc. consider getting a laser,

magnitude less cost involved with consumables.

Fifth - inkjets tend to be "use it or loss it" regarding ink, e.g. unused

and ink dries forcing cleaning

Sixth - buy the cheapest inkjet and when ink runs out buy another over

buying just the ink

<midwest_46@yahoo.com> wrote in message

news:ce99764b-172e-4d95-8cad-f59ddc2fdfcb@r66g2000hsg.googlegroups.com...

> I have a Gateway computer with the following: 1) a 1400-MHz Pentium 4

> processor, 2) 256 MB of RAM, and 3) 40 GB of hard-drive space.

>

> The computer is running Windows Millennium Edition (ME).

>

> Two and a half weeks ago, I bought a Brother MFC-240C printer. This is

> a multifunction device: printer, copier, fax, and scanner.

>

> ----------

>

> When I installed the ink cartridges, the machine cleaned the ink tube

> system. Then I pressed "Color Start" to test the four colors

> corresponding to the cartridges (black, yellow, cyan, and magenta).

>

> The machine printed out the Print Quality Check Sheet. This sheet

> showed a square pattern in each color. If all small lines were clear

> and visible, I had to press 1 for Yes, and the quality check would be

> done. If there were missing small lines, I had to press 2 for No, and

> the colors would be cleaned. Then the Check Sheet would be printed

> again.

>

> When the Check Sheet was printed the first time, there were no missing

> lines, but (in my opinion) some lines were not clear, especially the

> yellow lines. So, I pressed 2 for No, and the colors were cleaned, and

> the Check Sheet was printed out again. The colors were cleaned four

> times before I was satisfied that the small lines were clear and

> visible.

>

> After the color test, the rest of the installation was done.

>

> ----------

>

> In my regular usage, the first thing I printed out was an HTML page (2

> sheets). Since the HTML page was in color, the printed pages were in

> color as well. After that, during the next 2 weeks or so, I printed

> out or copied about 20 - 25 pages in black and white. Today, I printed

> out 4 pages in black and white, and then the printer showed the

> following message: "Near Empty Yellow", meaning that the Yellow ink

> cartridge was nearly empty.

>

> Now, I will admit that I keep the printer unplugged (from the AC power

> supply and from the wall phone jack) if I am not using the printer. I

> plug in the printer ONLY if I have to print and/or copy something.

> However, the printer is ALWAYS connected to the computer via USB

> cable.

>

> Also, sometimes when I printed something, the machine cleaned the

> print head before the printing occurred. Page 99 of the user's guide

> states the following: "To ensure good print quality, the machine will

> regularly clean the print head." The user's guide then explains that,

> in addition to the automatic cleaning of the print head, the user can

> clean the print head manually (by pressing some buttons). The user's

> guide then states the following: "Cleaning the print head consumes

> ink. Cleaning too often uses ink unnecessarily."

>

> ----------

>

> So, here are my questions:

>

> 1) How can the yellow cartridge be nearly empty after only 2.5 weeks?

> The colors were cleaned 4 times during the color test, and the print

> head was cleaned a few times, but I have printed only 2 color pages.

>

> 2) If cleaning the print head consumes ink and if the machine cleans

> the print head whenever the machine wants to, then how can I stop the

> machine from cleaning itself too much? Is this some scam on the part

> of Brother to get me to buy more ink cartridges? Can Brother be sued

> for this? Do printers from other brands also clean their print heads

> whenever they want to?

>

> 3) Do I have a defective printer? Should I get a refund? I bought this

> particular printer (Brother MFC-240C) because it was the only printer

> a) that was compatible with Windows ME, b) that was relatively

> lightweight, and c) that was relatively cheap. So, should I try to

> find a different printer? Unfortunately, upgrading my computer to

> Windows XP would be too much trouble.

>

> ----------

>

> Thanks for any information.

>

June 23, 2008

Re: Brother Printer Ink Cartridge Nearly Empty --- After Only 2Weeks!!!

Re: Brother Printer Ink Cartridge Nearly Empty --- After Only 2Weeks!!!

On Jun 23, 1:18 am, midwest...@yahoo.com wrote:

> I have a Gateway computer with the following: 1) a 1400-MHz Pentium 4

> processor, 2) 256 MB of RAM, and 3) 40 GB of hard-drive space.

>

> The computer is running Windows Millennium Edition (ME).

>

> Two and a half weeks ago, I bought a Brother MFC-240C printer. This is

> a multifunction device: printer, copier, fax, and scanner.

>

> ----------

>

What were you using for a printer before this?

Old printers are available from thrift shops, garage sales, the

Salvation Army, and church rummage sales.

You could buy the XP upgrade for $87 or so. It should run fine on your

system and be easy to install.

June 23, 2008

Re: Brother Printer Ink Cartridge Nearly Empty --- After Only 2 Weeks!!!

new printers come with a "STARTER" cartridge.

meant to last for just a few pages.

that way the manufacturer can soak you $ for a new FULL cartridge.

mikeyhsd@sprintpcs.com

<midwest_46@yahoo.com> wrote in message news:ce99764b-172e-4d95-8cad-f59ddc2fdfcb@r66g2000hsg.googlegroups.com...