DesignJet 800 with Ink ISSUES, NEED THIS TO SURVIVE!

[melissamckenna8]

I purchased this printer to start my small business and it is one issue after another and I'm at a loss. Mind you I am not computer savvy and through all this research am trying my best to learn about drivers, and firmware etc. So I purchased this printer last year. Right when I purchased it, I knew that it needed new printheads as this printer had been sitting for a good 6 years. A year ago, I put all 4 new hp printheads in. I am wondering how often printheads are supposed to last and if I need a new one. The printer worked for about 8 months with no issues, and I loved it. Then I realized it was starting to eat ink like crazy and it was always telling me to buy new ink. So, I spent another 6 months buying ink 2x a month only to actually start investigating and realize the cartigages were full of ink!! I ended up purchasing some modification chip from LP computers that will make the printer think that it always has ink in it at all times. I thought this would solve it but it did not. Now I get 1 good print, when I first turn the printer on and then the rest of the images are faded. I started to do my research and read things about updating the firmware and drivers and buying new printheads. I would just love it if a professional could honestly give me an honest opinion. When I did a diagnostic report, it said the printheads were ok. When I download the drivers from the HP website do I have to do anything special, or do they automatically install? I was also thinking what if my color profile is just off. Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

Thank You,

Single Mom trying to Survive with a Small Business