B9180 Print Heads Are Missing (not)

[nwsB9180]

Rohan,

I never did try removing the printheads as I thought this would be a huge waste of expensive ink.

The messages only started after Mac OS X 10.6. There was an HP driver update from Apple last week but nothing has changed for me. I also get nice prints so am not convinced about all the messy cleaning previously described above.  

I still get the nuisance messages. HP, are you listening???

[whelkmagic]

I posted in a separate thread about this.

http://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Mac-printing-and-scanning/Problems-B9180-since-upgrading-to-OSX-10-6/m-...

And was told (among other things) to update the firmware - the firmware on the HP Website is from 2008!

I had the driver update too, and was wondering exaclty what it has changed because I can't see anything different. I can't bear the 'trauma' of messing around with print heads and also wasting ink as nwsB9180 says.

I hope I am wrong, but because this printer has been discontinued I can't see this being resolved. I was actually surprised to have an update from Apple.

[Wilsonlaidlaw]

I replaced 2 of my print heads, when I found a seller on Amazon France selling them cheap. My B9180 was working but still with communication errors. Given that 10.6 includes auto wake up for Ethernet access, I switched back to USB connection. My wired to router iMac wakes up automatically when I send a print via shared Bonjour access. I doubt if the HP update does anything at all for Ethernet connection to the B9180. It is most likely for new printers.

Wilson

[nwsB9180]

Saw the other thread on the software update. Thanks.

The HP guy seemed to be pulling at straws. You could try this / that...

Tell us what will work and how to fix it. What changed in printing in Snow Leopard? What changed with the new driver? My firmware is up to date so I won't risk bricking my printer with a "you might try..." resetting the printing system, re-load 2 yr old firmware. I don't think so.

I believe Apple get's those updates from the printer's respective companies. Not that it's helped.

How can we subtract Kudos!?

This certainly doesn't make me interested in another HP product!

[whelkmagic]

I know what you mean about HP products - but what's the alternative? Epson? My printer before this one was an Epson and I swore never again.  It was an ink guzzler and the Mac drivers were terrible. At least in the early days of the B9180,  HP made some attempt to work with Mac to produce good drivers and the prints are great quality.  Also - don't you have to mess around with changing cartridges to print glossy or matte with the Epson?

Being a "starving artist"    this was a major purchase for me and I don't know when I'll be able to afford a new printer, I hope to get a few more years out of this one - if the " all printheads are missing" error message doesn't drive me insane first!

[Wilsonlaidlaw]

I have the equivalent Canon to the B9180, the Pixma Pro 9500, at our UK base and I cannot recommend this one either. The ink carts are tiny, it uses huge amounts of ink and is forever cleaning heads. Nearly every time I print, I have to replace one or other ink carts. Sadly I think the only game in town is Epson. It is my understanding from a number of colleagues on the Leica Camera Forum, that the Mac drivers are good on the Pro level Epsons (3880 and above). In addition the service is at a whole different level from the totally useless idiots who service the prosumer Epsons (R800 to R2880). When my B9180 finally gives up the ghost, I will almost certainly get a 3880. Most exhibitions require A2 in any case, rather than the A3+ of the B9180.

Wilson