Printer Messages

[rov1100]

How does the printer know your ink cartridge is running low and displays a message accordingly?

[Huderon]

There is a chip in those cartridges which holds a count of the number of pages printed. Since cartridges have a limited capacity, as that number approached the maximum count, the printer can tell you that you are going to need a new cartridge soon.

[VHG]

Also all printers supply software which you install on your PC that communicates with your printer.

So it knows the state of your printer (powered off, ink low, paper jam etc) and will issue messages accordingly.

[RATTER15]

These cartridges also appear to have a memory, yesterday I mistakenly put a used cartridge into my printer and it displayed a message that I had inserted a used cartridge and showed me that the cartridge was nearly empty.

its all clever stuff!!

[Wak]

As mentioned above, the printer counts the number of pages printed and makes a reasonable guess at the current condition of the cartridge.
The cartridges for my HP Printer each hold a built-in number and the printer itself has a built-in program to remember 2 numbers for each cartridge.
Consequently, it "knows" when you insert the previously used cartridge and won't update the used ink status, unless of course, you use a third cartridge.
You can still refill a used cartridge if you wish but you will still possibly get the "ink low" message.
However, by occasionally weighing the cartridges as you use them you will know just how full or empty they are and re-fill as and when required.
You just have to ignore the "ink low" messages and everything works fine.

[Wak]

I would add that a £9.00 digital scale saved me over £160 over the last twelve months by refilling the same cartridges before they actually showed signs of running out.

[rov1100]

Very interesting! Thanks for your answers.

The Kodak printer which I have has the habit of showing colour nearly empty after just printing a few pages. It still continues to print for quite a while after though.