Not sure where to post this...

[Phate]

Guys,

I've got a Canon i865 printer, I've had it for a good few years now and the quality you get from it is outstanding.

However, recently it's developed a problem when you print anything you get black marks in a pattern across the page.

I spoke to Canon and they said it will be £58 which will include collecting, fixing and repairing, providing the print head doesn't need replacing - now this place it goes to is in Luton, so considering thats a good 50 miles from me I thought this was pretty good.

However, is there a way to check if it is the print head before I send it off?

I'd rather not replace the printer simply because I paid £150 for it when I was 15/16 and even then it was 2nd hand, it's quick, quiet, efficient, set of ink cartridges is cheap, prints on CD's - I just like it.

The printer hasn't been used for over a year now due to me moving and stuff, so currently its dusty with 5 bone dry ink cartridges in it...if that information helps anyone lol.

Cheers guys,
Jake

 

[TheBigCheese]

I'm certainly no expert on printers but I have had a few Canons in my time...

As far as I am aware there are only two ways to see if it is the print head - or more specifically a blockage in the print head.

1. Run a deep cleaning cycle which you will find buried in the printing options (which will be a bit tricky with dry cartridges)

2. Use a liquid cleaner that won't fry the electronics...I forget off the top of my head what you can use...but you are able to clean the print head with it to dissolve any blockages.

Be prepared though for it to be a print head problem and a replacement isn't cheap if you do send it to Canon, in all honesty it will probably be cheaper to buy a Canon 4600 which will print onto CDs and offer the advantage of pigment based inks.