Printer Supply Levels

Question

Level 1

76 points

Printer Supply Levels

How do I get the information for my Printer's supply levels because my printer keeps printing all faded and I am trying to figure out if this is a computer or printer problem, most likely a printer problem and I need to know if my ink is low. When I go to System Preferences/Hardware/Printer & Fax/ My Printer/Options & Supplies.../Supply Levels, an dialog box pops up:

Anyone know how I can get the Supply Level Information for my printer?

Thanks in advance!

-thealexness

P.S. My printer is plugged in, the computer does recognize it, and the printer was on when I tried this.

MacBook, 8G iPhone, Logitech V320 Mouse, QuickTime Pro, Mac OS X (10.5), 2.16 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 1GB of DDR2 SDRAM, 160 GB 5400-rpm hard drive

Posted on Feb 3, 2008 4:51 PM

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Answer 1

stedman1

Level 10

264,430 points

Feb 3, 2008 6:56 PM in response to Xenophos

HI Xenophos: I'm away from my desktop right now, so I am doing this from memory. I beleive you can access the supply level information from within the print queue. Once in this window click on "utility". Within here there is a second window, at the bottom of this window is "maintenance" button. This will give you access to supply levels, head cleaning, head alignment...etc.

Good Luck
Stedman

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Answer 2

Feb 3, 2008 5:23 PM in response to thealexness

You don't say what type of printer you have; not all printers are able to relay this supply level info.

Or, possibly, you'll have to go to the manufacturer's web site and download an updated driver for your printer.

In the meantime, most printers are able to print a test page, or a nozzle check; check your manual to find out how to do that, and this should show you your supply levels and if you need to replace ink cartridges.

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Answer 3

Xenophos

Level 1

25 points

Feb 3, 2008 5:34 PM in response to thealexness

I think it's a compatibility issue. My Canon IP5000 does everything except monitor ink levels on the Mac. Was fine under XP.

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Answer 4

thealexness Author

Level 1

76 points

Feb 3, 2008 10:19 PM in response to stedman1

Yes, that is the same thing as going to System Preferences/Printer/Supply Levels...its the exact same menu because I did that also and the same dialog box popped up.

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Answer 5

stedman1

Level 10

264,430 points

Feb 3, 2008 10:27 PM in response to thealexness

Hi thealexness: I will have to check my procedure for doing this when I get back to my desktop. I have a Canon IP4000 and I can check supply levels, as well as do the maintenance functions. I will keep tabs on this thread to see if it is figured out before I get home later this week.

Stedman

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Answer 6

thealexness Author

Level 1

76 points

Feb 3, 2008 10:41 PM in response to Red Jacket Mike

I have an HP Photosmart C4280 All-in-one Printer, Copier, and Scanner. I just downloaded what I think is the latest driver [here|http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/softwareList?os=219&lc=en&cc=us&dlc=en &product=3192753&lang=en] and still no Supply Levels. I also checked my parents' wireless HP OfficeJet Pro L7700 All-in-one Printer, Copier, Scanner, Fax and no supply levels for that either... Then I printed out a test page:

As you can see it is pretty faded in some parts and the edges are cut-off.

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Answer 7

Gary i

Level 5

6,207 points

Feb 3, 2008 10:44 PM in response to thealexness

Blocked nossles mate, try the cleaning routine

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Answer 8

thealexness Author

Level 1

76 points

Feb 7, 2008 9:22 PM in response to Gary i

What do I clean? My guide/instruction booklet only tells me to wipe the outside with a damp cloth, those are the only cleaning instructions...

Thanks again!

-thealexness

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Answer 9

stedman1

Level 10

264,430 points

Feb 7, 2008 9:42 PM in response to thealexness

Hi thealexness: As promised: I am back at my desktop now and give you detailed instructions for Printer Ink check, as well as Nozzle cleaning procedure as indicated by the previous poster.

In System Preferences > Print & Fax > Open Print Queque > Select "utility" at top of Dialog Box > Highlight your printer in printer list > Select "Maintenance" at bottom right. From this window, you can perform cleaning, as well as check Ink Levels and several other functions. This is assuming you are using the drivers as provided in Leopard

Good Luck
Stedman

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Answer 10

thealexness Author

Level 1

76 points

Feb 7, 2008 10:15 PM in response to stedman1

Is one of the cleaning procedures in the list cleaning the nozzles because I did every single cleaning thing possible: Test, clean printheads, align, calibrate print quality, and calibrate color, yet it still prints poorly...

Thanks again!

-thealexness

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Answer 11

thealexness Author

Level 1

76 points

Apr 9, 2008 10:35 PM in response to Gary i

You are wrong, I just needed a new ink cartridge.

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