Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!wuarchive!udel!mmdf
From: fhwri%CONNCOLL.BITNET@cunyvm.cuny.edu
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga
Subject: Re: Deskjet Info wanted !
Message-ID: <34263@nigel.ee.udel.edu>
Date: 23 Oct 90 03:44:15 GMT
Sender: mmdf@ee.udel.edu
Lines: 41

I use the DJHelper program and driver from Creative Focus. It's $50 and worth
EVERY PENNY. DJHelper is a Preferences-like program that will reconfigure
the driver on the fly, allow font downloading, and much, much more. It
allows you to finetune greyscale, get 66 lines per page (!), etc., etc.

BTW: It IS possible to reink Deskjet cartridges:
        (1) You must use an ink that is completely pigment-based, like
        Pelikan or Sheaffer Jet Black Permanent Skrip (what I use).
        India ink and Parker Quink have particulate matter =
        clogged jets.

        (2) You need something that will get the ink into the foam
        block inside the cartridge. I use a chef's syringe, called
        ZapIt, which I got at aa kitchen supply store for $5.

        (3) You have to reink the cartridge when it starts to run dry,
        NOT after it's run dry. The DJ "boils" the ink onto the paper,
        and a dry cart will melt the jets.

        (4) Draw about 15-20 mL of ink into the syringe, and insert
        the needle into the little hole on top. Slowly depress the
        plunger and move the needle in & out until you feel the
        plunger going down smoothly. Keep inking until ink starts to
        come out of the hole. Wipe the jets with some wet toilet
        paper, and run the self test to make sure that everything's
        jake.

I've been able to reink a cartridge 7 times before it finally went belly-
up (nothing lasts forever). That's a savings of about $140, using $3
worth of ink.

Of course, the new waterproof ink from HP is coming out, but I'll keep
reinking the carts--I do a LOT of printing on my Deskjet+.

Re the Deskjet 500: I talked with my local HP dealer, and he said
that, especially since I use a DTP program with its own fonts
(Pagestream and sometimes ProPage), he wouldn't even recommend the
upgrade. All Deskjets will be able to use the new waterproof ink...

                                                --Rick Wrigley
                                                fhwri@conncoll.bitnet