Bob,

I had the same problem with a 500 a few years back. Hadn't used it in a =
while and the print heads clogged up.

I searched and found a site with pics and step-by-step instruction as to =
how to clean the head. (Probably the same site you found). Personally, =
it was of no success even though I followed the procedure repeatedly. =
Mine were probably beyond repair.

I bought a new print head, replaced it and was back on track in no time =
at all. But...it was expensive, I paid (here in Sweden) something like =
US100 for that one. On the other hand, this was a few years ago and new =
printers weren't as cheap as they are today.

I may also recommend finger nail polish remover for cleaning printer =
heads. But if you have Isoprop, it's probably best. On a sidenote, my =
wife wondered what was with the nail polish remover that ran out so =
fast....

Regards,

Steve
"Bob Shuman" skrev i meddelandet =
...
James,
=20
Thanks for the follow up. I received a separate email from someone =
else
recommending that I try good old Windex Window cleaner. Have not had =
the
chance to try this yet, but was able to locate several Epson cleaning =
web
pages ... one actually had pictures, that recommended Windex or =
Isopropyl
alcohol. I have some doubts on the alcohol since it did not seem to =
do much
to the dried ink, but several people have sworn by using Windex and or
ammonia so maybe this will dissolve the clot in the print head.
=20
Bob
=20
"James" wrote in message
...
If the cartridges have been out of the machine for months then =
chances are
it will be very difficult to get going again because ink will have =
dried
out
and clogged the nozzles.
=20
For unclogging a printhead.....
=20
Epson do make a cleaning fluid, but not specifically for the earlier
printers
such as the 500. It consisted of light magenta ink and a solvent of =
some
variety. It also costs ~$120AU for 1 litre, but you only need a =
couple of
ml
for each printhead. You may have some luck by mixing a cocktail of =
genuine
ink, distilled water, and a small amount of isopropyl alcohol. =
Remove the
head from the printer & sit the surface of the printhead in this for =
a day
or so then try it in the printer (dont submerge the whole printhead, =
only
need to have the surface of the nozzles wet.) Without actually =
replacing
the
cartrige with a new one you still should get some idea as to whether =
its
going to work, just keep all the nozzle check patterns and see if =
its
getting any better.

James
=20