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

  • Thread starter Thread starter midwest_46
  • Start date Start date
M

midwest_46

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.
 
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.
 
[email protected] said:
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.
Click to expand...
 
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
 
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
 
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.
Click to expand...
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.
 
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.





(e-mail address removed)



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.
 
The answer to that is never buy another Brother printer. I know because I
have an MFC-5100c at home and another at my small business office. Both have
the same problem with ink cartridges. I've learned I have to use the "ink"
button every few days or the problem starts happening again.

In other words, Brothers is JUNK.

Frank
 
What in the world does this have to do with Windows Update, WinXP OS, and/or
WinXP Set-up and Deployment?
 
I would upgrade the OS to at least W2k if the hardware allows.

Since a set of ink costs almost as much as a printer I would trash the
Brother and buy a Canon on sale. You problems with the system you have
will never cease.
 
pjp wrote:

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.

Not Canon


Third - cleaning consumes ink.

Never cleaned my Canon IP4000 in 4 years


Fourth - for black and white/text output etc. consider getting a laser, magnitude less cost involved with consumables.

True


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

Not the case with my Canon IP4000


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

Poor advice.  Buy the best standard format printer and use OEM ink at Costco.  The better printer usually will print photos better and faster than the cheapest.


<[email protected]> 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.
 
Not Canon

mikeyhsd wrote:

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.



 



 



 





 



[email protected]



 





<[email protected]> 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.
 
measekite said:
Never cleaned my Canon IP4000 in 4 years
Not the case with my Canon IP4000
Poor advice. Buy the best standard format printer and use OEM ink at
Costco. The better printer usually will print photos better and faster
than the cheapest.
Click to expand...
I have a canon IP4000 and love it. Doesn't use ink that much and you
can buy 3rd party cartridges for about $4 per rather than the typical
$12 at Costco.
 
Big_Al said:
I have a canon IP4000 and love it. Doesn't use ink that much and you
can buy 3rd party cartridges for about $4 per rather than the typical
$12 at Costco.
Click to expand...
Poor advice. You get poorer quality results, increased risk of fading,
never know what you are buying cause the vendor will not tell you,
increased risk of printhead failure, and more.
 
measekite said:
Poor advice. You get poorer quality results, increased risk of fading,
never know what you are buying cause the vendor will not tell you,
increased risk of printhead failure, and more.
Click to expand...
Been working for years, guess I got the right vendor.
Granted I send my photos to Walmart to print and rarely print photos at
home. For color text printing the ink works fine. Even prints CD's
fine too.
 
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.
Click to expand...

Ah, the old Gillette business model: give away the razor and sell the
blades.

You can refill the cartridges and/or get a cartridge chip resetter.
 
I would upgrade the OS to at least W2k if the hardware allows.
Click to expand...

In a previous thread, I asked whether I should upgrade to Win XP or to
another Win OS. It was determined that my hardware (RAM, hard-drive
space) was insufficient and that upgrading the hardware would be too
much trouble.
Since a set of ink costs almost as much as a printer I would trash the
Brother and buy a Canon on sale. �You problems with the system you have
will never cease.
Click to expand...

Which problems with the system I have will never cease? Are you saying
that Brother ink cartridges will always be used up quickly?

Some of the other posters have said that only the ink cartridges that
come with the printer are low. So, if I buy new cartridges, these
cartridges should last a long time. Correct?

Also, do I have to buy all 4 Brother cartridges at once? Or can I buy
only the yellow, since that cartridge is the one that is almost empty?
 
Back
Top