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Have Canon i550 printer. Loved it but it wil not work after many attempts to reinstall driver, check heads, etc. Error warning of seven orange blips, one green (repeating). Is this indicative of driver or connection failure or an internal 'mechanical' failure? Any suggestions? Please! XXXXXXX XXttle, Australia 4566 zip.

Submitted: 215 days and 12 hours ago.

Category: Computer

Value: $23

Status: AWAITING CUSTOMER ACTION

OS: Windows XP; Browser: IE

Already Tried:
Removed driver and re-installed it. Checked all connections for both USB and standard printer cable. Just need to know if waste of time to seek 'repair' or buy a new one - not too well off I regret to say at 82 yrs

Accepted Answer

Hi,

The seven Orange flashes you are getting indicates an issue with the printheads themselves, To fix this you can try remving the printheads and soaking them in warm water for 15-30minutes

Once you have done that can you clear the machiens EEPROM by turning the printer OFF then pressing and holding down the resume button

While holding it down push and hold Power button then release resume whilst still holding down power at which point the light should be green (not flashing)

Next push resume three times slowly then release the power button.

Once you have done that power it off and on again after it has finished making any noises then try printing and let us know what happens.

Thanks

Eric

Accepts:
Expert:	Claws224
Pos. Feedback:	99.5 %
Answered:	4/21/2009

IEEE Network Engineer, Microsoft

approx 20 years of experience from software to hardware design

215 days and 12 hours ago.

Reply

Hi Eric
I am going to accept before completing the plan of action you propose. It is so logical when applied to my old faithful that has had very little use after I moved from a PC to Apple Mac with a Canon printer scanner for everyday work. I am now doing more work on the PC not connected to the internet but need quality printing for images... I could bore you with more, but won't. Many thanks (so far)

Posted by Claws224 215 days and 12 hours ago.

Info Request

No worries,

Just let me know how you get on or if you need any more info.

Thanks

214 days and 3 hours ago.

Reply

Thanks again for your help. Unfortunately despite many attempts I am unable to resolve the problem with the printer. The flashing (seven orange one green) continues and no printing or maintenance can be processed by the printer. Getting on for midnight in Australia so I had best give up now. Perhaps I have misunderstood your simple instructions! I now note you specifically said I should try soaking the "printheads" Although normally quite adept at such things I see no way to "remove the printheads" Perhaps foolishly I removed the cartridges and soaked them - a bit messy! But I dried them and replaced them - all to no avail. I also checked and re-installed the driver after removing the previous installation. ....You can see I have been floundering a bit but will have another go tomorrow if you have any suggestions? (Eric - Computers)
XXXXXXXXXXX

Posted by Claws224 213 days and 20 hours ago.

Answer

Ok,

Read through this article from Smart Computing which explains the possible printhead cleaning procedures http://www.smartcomputing.com/editorial/article.asp?guid=&bJumpto=true&Isfrm=IN&article=articles/webonly/techsupport/07w10/07w10.asp&ArticleID=30787

Next this should show you where the printhead is located

(3) Print Head Holder

View Full Image

Let me know if you have any issues.

Thanks

213 days and 15 hours ago.

Reply

Many tks for instructive article. Problem (1) Am unable to 'speak to printer' with any software. All I get is the flashing when printer is on. It seems unable to set itself up to receive instructions to print or perform a maintenance procedure.
I shall attempt another printhead cleaning job but despite having a Canon i550 I have not worked out how to remove a printhead. Will keep trying! Everything takes a little time - please be patient - you have been most helpul so far.

Posted by Claws224 213 days and 15 hours ago.

Answer

Ok,

If you pull the ink out of the machine then look where the ink was just seated you should see the gray plastic print head unit, Lift the holding lever then just grab it and it should lift straight out so that you can soak it in warm water.

Also have you put a new set of ink into the machine since you soaked the cartridges?

Thanks

Eric

213 days and 15 hours ago.

Reply

Will try immediately but can't get to supplier of ink cartridges until tomorrow (planned). Is the code of flashes an automatic response to a printhead failure? i.e. if we can fix the printheads and use new ink cartridges will that clear the way for information to flow from the computer to the printer? I keep wondering whether the switches (on/off & continue) are not faulty?

Posted by Claws224 213 days and 15 hours ago.

Answer

Ok,

Is it still flashing the 7 then 1 code?

If so then it is the print heads which is why you need to clean them up, Or if your supplier is not too expensive you can purchase a new set of heads, I know over here they are approx $50.00 USD

Let me know

thanks

213 days and 15 hours ago.

Reply

Yes I still get the 7:1 flash code so will proceed as you suggest. I don't think I'll be able to replace the printheads but will see what happens. Once again thanks for the ogoing help. I don't like to tak up your time unnecessarily. M

Posted by Claws224 213 days and 14 hours ago.

Info Request

No Worries,

I am always here from 5pm eastern US time till midnight and I am more than happy to help.

Thanks

Eric

213 days and 14 hours ago.

Reply

We make a good team!

Posted by Claws224 213 days and 14 hours ago.

Info Request

Lol,

As long as it does not cut into my Rugby time.

212 days and 6 hours ago.

Reply

1. Tried it all out again - still no success. Back to soaking printhead, careful drying and button game.

Later
2. First glimmer of light at end of tunnel. After replacing cartridges, I now have a steady green light but continue to get "printer not responding" when trying to print.

3. I am now trying to set up the printer on my Apple. Message is "Printing cannot be started because no print head is installed in the printer. Install a print head, perform print head alignment and start printing."

4 The print head is physically in the printer but obviously does not register because I have not been able to 'install' the i550 driver. When I try to do that it stops just before finishing to say - 'no printhead installed..etc. I'm going nuts and seriously don't feel like wasting more time on this. Thanks for your help - not your fault ! I will keep pecking away at the problem until I throw the printer out or enjoy using it again - or damage my computers, which I don't want to do. Thanks again. I know who to look for when next I need help. N/2009

Posted by Claws224 211 days and 23 hours ago.

Answer

Ok,

One last thing to try would be to pull the print head then take a pencil eraser and carefully clean the contacts on the printer and the print head itself.

Then put it back in and let me know what happens.

Thanks

Eric

211 days and 12 hours ago.

Reply

Will do, but embarassed to add computer was right when it said no printhead - quite correct. I had not put it back after the second soaking. But then I am losing some short term memory between fixing computer problems, housekeeping, eating, sleeping, shopping, fetching mail and a million other chores and demands of everyday hobbies (painting) and entertainment if you can call it that. My rugby days came to an end 60 yrs ago!
Sadly when I got everything right (except new print cartridges - Today is a public holiday) Are you sure about routine for stopping flashing - which has come back with the replacement of the print head!

Posted by Claws224 211 days and 12 hours ago.

Answer

Ok,

If the printhead 7 then 1 message is back then I am sorry to say it looks like you either have to bite the bullet and purchase a new print head unit or a new printer, I cannot promise that a new print head will fix the issue but there is definitely something wrong and the only fixes that can be done by a user is to clean them or the contacts.

The printhead contains solid state circuitry which controls the flow of ink from the cartridges to the paper and if one of the controllers has messed up there is nothing that can be done as it is classified as a disposable replaceable item by the manufacturer.

Let me know if you need more info.

Thanks

Eric

211 days and 12 hours ago.

Reply

No more info thanks Eric. You have put it all into perspective by replying so promptly to all the crazy queries. One day I'll drop you a line to complete the loop. I certainly don't want to waste any more of your time. are you still waiting for me to sign off officially?

Posted by Claws224 211 days and 12 hours ago.

Info Request

Nope,

Usually whey we are done the question will either timeout in 24hrs or I can ask for it to be closed straight away, however if you wish to continue at any point all you do is log back in and post to the thread then the system will let me know and reopen the question so I can reply.

I can honestly say you have not waisted my time and I am sorry that I was unable to get your printer running for you again.

If I can be of any help please let me know

Thanks

Eric

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OS: Windows XP; Browser: IE Already Tried: Removed driver and re-installed it. Checked all connections for both USB and standard printer cable. Just need to know if waste of time to seek 'repair' or buy a new one - not too well off I regret to say at 82 yrs

Accepted Answer

Reply

Info Request

No worries, Just let me know how you get on or if you need any more info. Thanks

Reply

Answer

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Answer

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Answer

Ok, Is it still flashing the 7 then 1 code? If so then it is the print heads which is why you need to clean them up, Or if your supplier is not too expensive you can purchase a new set of heads, I know over here they are approx $50.00 USD Let me knowthanks

Reply

Yes I still get the 7:1 flash code so will proceed as you suggest. I don't think I'll be able to replace the printheads but will see what happens. Once again thanks for the ogoing help. I don't like to tak up your time unnecessarily. M

Info Request

No Worries, I am always here from 5pm eastern US time till midnight and I am more than happy to help. ThanksEric

Reply

We make a good team!

Info Request

Lol, As long as it does not cut into my Rugby time.

Reply

Answer

Ok, One last thing to try would be to pull the print head then take a pencil eraser and carefully clean the contacts on the printer and the print head itself. Then put it back in and let me know what happens.ThanksEric

Reply

Answer

Reply

No more info thanks Eric. You have put it all into perspective by replying so promptly to all the crazy queries. One day I'll drop you a line to complete the loop. I certainly don't want to waste any more of your time. are you still waiting for me to sign off officially?

Info Request

Related Computer Questions

OS: Windows XP; Browser: IE

Already Tried:
Removed driver and re-installed it. Checked all connections for both USB and standard printer cable. Just need to know if waste of time to seek 'repair' or buy a new one - not too well off I regret to say at 82 yrs

No worries,

Just let me know how you get on or if you need any more info.

Thanks

Ok,

Is it still flashing the 7 then 1 code?

If so then it is the print heads which is why you need to clean them up, Or if your supplier is not too expensive you can purchase a new set of heads, I know over here they are approx $50.00 USD

Let me know

thanks

No Worries,

I am always here from 5pm eastern US time till midnight and I am more than happy to help.

Thanks

Eric

Lol,

As long as it does not cut into my Rugby time.

Ok,

One last thing to try would be to pull the print head then take a pencil eraser and carefully clean the contacts on the printer and the print head itself.

Then put it back in and let me know what happens.

Thanks

Eric