Pages: [1]   Go Down

Author Topic: Here's A Good 7900 Story  (Read 2769 times)

JimGoshorn

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 215
Here's A Good 7900 Story
« on: February 02, 2009, 12:55:25 pm »

Here's an interesting story about my 7900 which I just finished saying behaves well:

My LK cartridge was running low and I got a message saying that a cartridge was too low or the waste tank too full to run a cleaning cycle so I selected No to the continue cleaning prompt. I then printed out a nozzle pattern and it was perfect. So I call Epson and ask why and their solution is to turn off the auto clean feature which I did. Their answer to the obvious question of how will I know if the feature is broken if it is turned off was basically to watch the printer for any other cleaning issues and call back so they can build a case for a service call. With the feature off, a few prints later I get the message again to which I reply no and decide that maybe I should just change the cartridge figuring maybe a low cartridge is causing a problem (hadn't got the cartridge out message like older printers - does the 7900 do that?). Much to my surprise the cartridge gave an error message so back on the phone to Epson for an overnight replacement. So I get the cartridge, put it in and the printer starts up fine. Go to print a nozzle check and the printer tells me to please wait for a cleaning cycle (?). Then it prints the nozzle pattern and lo and behold the nozzle print shows gaps. Back on the phone again to Epson where I ask why after a cleaning cycle are there still gaps to which I got the reply that sometimes there still might be gaps after a cleaning cycle and I need to do a cleaning cycle myself. So I said OK, I should do a selective channel clean and call you back if there are any more problems (after reiterating my concern over the auto cleaning feature which they had me disable) and he replied Yes Sir, have a good day.

I must confess I am a bit frustrated at this point...

Jim
Logged

bill t.

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 3011
    • http://www.unit16.net
Here's A Good 7900 Story
« Reply #1 on: February 02, 2009, 07:35:16 pm »

Still limping along with a 9880, decided to stay with the devil I know rather than try a new one.

Best advice...keep squawking and keep up with the firmware revisions.  Sooner or later those little hitches will be nothing more than amusing historical anecdotes.
Logged

Wayne Fox

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 4237
    • waynefox.com
Here's A Good 7900 Story
« Reply #2 on: February 02, 2009, 10:39:17 pm »

It appears that this problem isn't rampant, but it certainly isn't isolated.  At this point they may still be trying to solve the problem so the recommendation of turning it off is simply until they understand what is happening with some of the machines so far.  But I would hope they wouldn't believe turning it off is a solution.  It should work correctly.

There is another thread that talks about this.  I've been updating my situation as things change on that thread.  So far Epson has not been able to isolate the problem (2 more boxes of parts arrived today for the tech on Wednesday).  Epson has been extremely responsive in addressing the issues.   When I call for service they recommend disabling it ... but just to save ink until the tech arrives.

Auto nozzle detect has been quite reliable on my 11880, so I believe the technology is good.  For some reason, some 79/9900's seem to have a problem with it.
Logged

mrkahn

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 32
    • http://www.malcolmkahn.com
Here's A Good 7900 Story
« Reply #3 on: February 04, 2009, 11:48:22 pm »

My experience isn't so good.  I am getting cloggs about once a week.  If I have occasional check engaged and then do a test pattern, the printer does a cleaning even if the pattern is perfect.  In fact, with occasional check engaged, it seems to clean almost all the time.  I have now turned if off.  I am very disapointed with Epson's response.  Their tech tried to kick the problem up a level and they kicked it back.  I asked to speak to a supervisor and they were out to lunch.  I guess they eat big lunches since that was 2 days ago and I haven't yet received a call back.

I'll keep you informed but my feeling is that the head is not sealing after printing and there is a problem with their electronic check...it just doesn't work.
Logged

Wayne Fox

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 4237
    • waynefox.com
Here's A Good 7900 Story
« Reply #4 on: February 05, 2009, 01:54:28 am »

Quote from: mrkahn
My experience isn't so good.  I am getting cloggs about once a week.  If I have occasional check engaged and then do a test pattern, the printer does a cleaning even if the pattern is perfect.  In fact, with occasional check engaged, it seems to clean almost all the time.  I have now turned if off.  I am very disapointed with Epson's response.  Their tech tried to kick the problem up a level and they kicked it back.  I asked to speak to a supervisor and they were out to lunch.  I guess they eat big lunches since that was 2 days ago and I haven't yet received a call back.

I'll keep you informed but my feeling is that the head is not sealing after printing and there is a problem with their electronic check...it just doesn't work.

I'm surprised at this response from Epson.  After describing my problem I have had no pushback at all, and a call back from the actual field tech to schedule a service call normally within an hour or so.  The actual service has happened the day after all of the necessary parts arrive, which at the longest so far has been 2 days.  Did you call the preferred service number in the manual that came with the printer?

My 7900 was serviced again today, this time with the theory that the space between the Auto Ink Detect sensor was off and that somehow also affects the wiper assembly.  They sent a special "jig" to the tech which allows him to insure this was at factory spec. I think they also replaced a couple of other parts.

We'll see if this fixes it.

Logged

Ryan Grayley

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 217
    • RGB Arts Ltd
Here's A Good 7900 Story
« Reply #5 on: February 05, 2009, 05:06:22 am »

Quote from: mrkahn
My experience isn't so good.  I am getting cloggs about once a week.  If I have occasional check engaged and then do a test pattern, the printer does a cleaning even if the pattern is perfect.  In fact, with occasional check engaged, it seems to clean almost all the time.  I have now turned if off.  I am very disapointed with Epson's response.  Their tech tried to kick the problem up a level and they kicked it back.  I asked to speak to a supervisor and they were out to lunch.  I guess they eat big lunches since that was 2 days ago and I haven't yet received a call back.

I twice reported the same problems with my 7900 over 2 months ago and I haven't yet received a call back.
Epson UK don't just have big lunches, they go on holiday for the winter.

My solution was a bit extreme. Last week I bought a HP Z3200. The Epson may not stay.

Good luck anyway,

Ryan
« Last Edit: February 05, 2009, 05:07:42 am by Ionaca »
Logged
Ryan Grayley BA IEng MIET ARPS
RGB Arts Ltd, London, UK

Ryan Grayley

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 217
    • RGB Arts Ltd
Here's A Good 7900 Story
« Reply #6 on: February 05, 2009, 07:25:08 am »

Quote from: Ionaca
I twice reported the same problems with my 7900 over 2 months ago and I haven't yet received a call back.
Epson UK don't just have big lunches, they go on holiday for the winter.

My solution was a bit extreme. Last week I bought a HP Z3200. The Epson may not stay.

Just a few hours after my post above, Epson UK called. Coincidence? I don't know.
I have been offered a visit from a 'specialist enginer' and a free set of inks.

Ryan
Logged
Ryan Grayley BA IEng MIET ARPS
RGB Arts Ltd, London, UK

JimGoshorn

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 215
Here's A Good 7900 Story
« Reply #7 on: February 05, 2009, 01:53:27 pm »

Thanks to all who have posted relies.

I don't have a problem with them telling me to turn off the auto detect. My concern is that they didn't seem to indicate they are aware of a possible issue and a solution is in progress. Telling me to keep an eye on it and call back (even after multiple calls) isn't exactly the response I would have expected. I even mentioned to them that there are other people posting issues with the system on the net and they seemed surprised. So if I don't get sufficient clogging with the system turned off, does that mean I won't have enough history to get a justified service under warranty?

Not looking to be unreasonable or unpleasant with Epson, just looking for answers...

Jim
Logged
Pages: [1]   Go Up