Phil after Bruce,

> Sound like a scheme wherein HP will claim that the ink in a
> cartridge is only good for
> a certain length of time perhaps from its first use and that
> the nvram picks up a date
> of first use from the driver on the computer -- or -- worse
> yet from a date of manufacture
> stored on the nvram.  In either case, I'd bet that the printer (and
> cartridge) is getting
> some current date info. from the computer and the logic in the printer
> decides that
> you've had those cartridges in your printer long enough.

Being the owner of several HP Inkjets, I can sympathize with Bruce's and
other's prediciment.  I would have a problem with a scheme as Phil describes
- it's really none of HP's business when a cartridge "goes into service" --
other printers actually have measurement of the ink left in the cartridge,
as opposed to service life as calculated by a date.  Epson is one of these
printers (and will show you graphically, in a Full-to-Empty gage on screen
as to how much ink is left in the various resoviors.

One thing that HP (and others, HP is not alone here) will say is this -
refilling of ink cartridges (and laser toner cartridges, for that matter) is
not permitted, and will void the warranty on the printer.  It looks as
though that the manufacturers are getting smarter in this area because one
can purchase refill kits in any office-supply catalogue, or even a trip to
Staples or OfficeMax will show all of these refill kits on the wall display,
right next to the ink cartridges.

We've not gone the refill route - we recycle HP Toner Cartridges and
purchase new, as well as with ink cartridges.  With the price of the
printers coming down, especially inkjet printers, I guess the manufacturers
feel that they can gouge the public.  One alternative may be to look at the
"non-name brands".  For example, we can purchase inkjet consumables for
$10.00 less per cartridge on average by purchasing "non-HP" - and get the
same quality.  We've done that in the past as well.  Note that these may not
be available for the newer printers though.

Good luck to all -- but for now, it's either pay for the consumables (either
at high list for name brands, or low list for the off-brands.

Regards (and good to be back after a week off-list)
Joe