I use an HP DesignJet 5000PS, which is a behemoth of a printer. (42"
x 100' roll of paper and 6 good sized ink cartridges).

Every so often I get a "replace printhead" error.  Printheads are $150+

I've been able to recover some of these by gently cleaning the
contacts with cotton and alcohol.

Hope that helps!
Jeremy Swan

On Jun 10, 2006, at 11:18 AM, Linda Feltner wrote:

> Jeremy and Heather:
> I understand the newer models now have a combo ink cartridge/
> printerhead that is replaced at the same time.....
> It's got two screen-like nozzle-thingies in the machine. From the
> pictures on the box, it looks like just one unit (with the little
> handle). Does it come with two separate parts that are replaced?
> Thanks for your advice.
> Linda
> ______________________
> Linda M. Feltner Studio, LLC.
> P.O. Box 325
> Hereford, AZ 85615
> (520) 803-0538
> www.lindafeltner.com
> On Jun 9, 2006, at 6:16 PM, Heather Ward wrote:
>
>>  I have an OfficeJet and was astonished to find out we needed new
>> print heads after only two years, and I didn't print that
>> frequently with it. It hasn't been quite another two years yet, so
>> I don't know if I'll need new ones again. I probably won't get
>> another one of these machines from HP again, but I'll most likely
>> keep getting print heads as I need them until the whole thing dies.
>>
>>  I also have a DeskJet, and have never had to replace the print
>> heads in the several years I have had it.
>>  -----
>>  Heather M. Ward
>>  [log in to unmask]
>>  www.losalamos.com/ward/
>>
>>  <-----Original Message----->
>>  >From: Jeremy Stoller
>>  >Sent: 6/9/2006 5:32:28 PM
>>  >To: [log in to unmask]
>>  >Subject: Re: [SCIART] HP ink printer heads
>>  >
>>  >I used to have a high-end HP inkjet (at least it was high-end
>> six years ago when
>>  >I got it) and I would need to replace the print heads maybe once
>> or twice a
>>  >year. That printer is one of many reasons I’ve now switched over
>> to the Epson camp.
>>  >--
>>  >Jeremy Stoller
>>  >Senior Graphic Artist
>>  >California Science Center
>>  >(213) 744-2532
>>  >[log in to unmask]
>>  >www.CaliforniaScienceCenter.org
>>  >
>>  >
>>  >> From: Linda Feltner
>>  >> Reply-To: SciArt-L Discussion List-for Natural Science
>> Illustration-
>>  >>
>>  >> Date: Fri, 9 Jun 2006 14:24:08 -0700
>>  >> To:
>>  >> Subject: [SCIART] HP ink printer heads
>>  >>
>>  >> Hello to All Printer Geniuses:
>>  >> How often should one expect to buy new printheads for their
>> office jet
>>  >> printers?
>>  >> I have a 4-in -one HP officejet. It's been making lousy color
>> prints
>>  >> for months. I thought it was a faulty ink cartridge, but
>> apparently
>>  >> not. I cleaned the heads, according to the instruction manual,
>> and it's
>>  >> actually worse. It's a two year old machine. The HP tech
>> support says
>>  >> they are $35 each (I need three), OR he can sell me a new
>> machine,
>>  >> trade up, etc.
>>  >>
>>  >> Well, is this something that should be replaced regularly,
>> every few
>>  >> years, or maybe never? I don't know.
>>  >> I wonder if one can get printer heads cheaper from other
>> sources. I
>>  >> will check out Staples, but probably won't check out EBay.
>>  >> Just trying to do some homework, and the ListServ folks are quite
>>  >> knowledgeable.
>>  >> Many thanks,
>>  >> Linda
>>  >> ______________________
>>  >> Linda M. Feltner Studio, LLC.
>>  >> P.O. Box 325
>>  >> Hereford, AZ 85615
>>  >> (520) 803-0538
>>  >> www.lindafeltner.com