Replacing Lexmark printer cartridge

[kaneohe]

I have an ancient Lexmark color jetprinter 1000 that needs the printer cartridge replaced. I don't know how to access the print head which is seated smugly and snugly at one side with some sheet material preventing access.
I have done it before but so long ago I don't remember. I have the quick setup sheet for printer and the manual for the computer but no manual for the printer. Some pictures on the printer suggest step 1 is something w/ a mouse but I have no clue what that means.

I unplugged the printer hoping the printhead would come to an exposed position......no luck. Not sure I want to force anything just yet. The Lexmark Tech support tel no. doesn't work..........hopefully just because it's Saturday but that's not what the message was........"temporarily doesn't work". A "sponsored" link on Google that I thought was Lexmark tech support wanted $16 for an answer.

Any ideas?

[omni550]

Free Service Manuals and Handbooks Download -- Lexmark 1000 Color Jetprinter Printer has a free service manual.
Perhaps taking a look through it will give you an idea of what area you are trying to access and how to get to it.

omni

[TromboneAl]

Consider buying a newer printer for about $10 at a garage sale.

[kaneohe]

omni, thanks for the link. I've saved for future use.....couldn't find what I was looking for there (probably me) but in desperation, I turned off the power and gently pulled the cartridge into view so I was able to change it.
I was a bit surprised that I was able to buy a genuine replacement for a reasonable price $12 and free shipping for such an old printer. Toying with
the idea of getting another in case the world's supply goes to 0. Anyone have a feel for how long you can store and unused/unopened new cartridge w/o problems?

[TromboneAl]

The manufacturers often say 6 months, and sometimes there is an expiration date.

However, I've picked up some that are years past that date and still work fine. I store them in the fridge.

I've got about a five-year supply from garage sales, etc, and also have the stuff for refilling cartridges, but I'm not sure how long I can stretch it out.

[samclem]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaneohe I have an ancient Lexmark color jetprinter 1000 that needs the printer cartridge replaced. I don't know how to access the print head which is seated smugly and snugly at one side with some sheet material preventing access.

Just to confirm something you probably already know (because you mentioned a "printhead")--the printhead in these Lexmark printers is actually built into the ink cartridge. I like the design--at the very worst you replace the cartridge and you've replaced everything that can clog.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaneohe Some pictures on the printer suggest step 1 is something w/ a mouse but I have no clue what that means.

This looks to me like the sticker is trying to tell you to access the software provided with the printer in order to tell the printer to move the ink cartridges to the middle. That software is whatever you use to calibrate the printer after replacing the cartridges, maybe it tells you the ink status, etc. It's been awhile since I used a Lexmark (I like them), but IIRC you have to do some of this when you replace the cartridge. I recommend you look around on your desktop, your control panel, or down int he windows task tray for any software that has Lexmark in the title. Click on the icon and look for "tools". "cartidge replacement", "supplies" or some similar menu option and you'll be on your way.

[kaneohe]

samclem........thanks for the tips. That will be a worthy challenge for my limited skills........maybe I should try to find the manual again.

[kaneohe]

Well ......I guess I just proved that old dogs can do old tricks .....if reminded.
Good thing this is on the old PC rather than the Mac. Found the Lexmark stuff using Search and then found the online guide......never had a manual so that's why I couldn't find it. Then when I thought I was home free, I clicked on cartridge and got an error message that the printer was not online so could not communicate. No reason why but just for the heck of it, I went to the word processor and printed a test message, then went back to Lexmark, cartridge, and voila! success. Even found out the ink level meter is not a real thing since it remained low until I told it I put in a new cartridge. It must count down from full rather than knowing what the actual level is. Even did the align which was pretty close to original setting. So many thanks again, Samclem............now all documented, warts and all for the next time.

[samclem]

Super--good hunch-based troubleshooting on your part.
Keep that beastie running as long as possible. I refilled the ink cartridges on my Lexmark for a long time, I think it was probably cheaper per page than my color laser printer (and not a whole lot more hassle, either).