[Hank Rearden]

Some FReeper's got to know the answer to this one. Thanks very much.

[Pukin Dog]

You might have one of those new cartriges with a chip in them, that cannot be refilled or reset. Off to the store, dude.

[rs79bm]

Not if the cartridge is labeled or stamped "low" specifically by the printer, such as cartridges with a chip built in.

[Brian S]

My lexmark detects when a cartridge has been removed and replaced and asks whether its a old cartridge or new. If I select old...it keeps the old ink levels. When I select new, it resets the levels to full capacity.

I've been refilling this current set of cartridges for about a year now...

[rs79bm]

I should also mention that newer HP Printers internally keep track of your cartidges by a serial number embedded into the cartridge. When it's low, the printer remembers. This is entirely done within the printer itself, and not the printer software. However, most HP printers will only keep 2 cartridges in memory, so if you have 2 extra cartridges, (even empty ones) you could cycle them through to reset the printers memory, and reset the ink level to full. Basically, even though you've refilled your cartridge, the printers has the cartidge's serial number stored in memory. This will reset it.

[Lokibob]

Try looking here, Hank.
It is a dogpile search for programs to reset the chips.

http://www.dogpile.com/info.dogpl/search/web/reset%252Bink%252Bcartrige/1/20/1/-/0/0/0/-/-/1/-/n153/Chip/dp12%253A1067107823597/n153/1

[Rudder]

I've had sucess by unplugging the printer from the ac outlet for a few minutes.

[Always Right]

Isn't it cheaper to buy a new printer than a new cartridge?

[Consort]

Maybe this will help:

Resetting ink level indicators on HP deskjet 5550.

[woofer2425]

I purchased a Universal chip resetter for my epson ink cartridges. You touch it against the electrical contacts on the cartridge and it resets it to tell the computer that it is now a full cartridge. Plug Universal chip resetter, HP into Google and I 'm sure you'll find something...a bunch cheaper than buying a new cart.

[old-ager]

I had a similar experience with a new Epson printer. The newer cartridges have a "chip" that records usage, so even if you refill, the printer thinks the cart is out of ink. There is an aftermarket now in "resetters" (small hardware device for about $20) and even a couple of software-only cartridge resetters. I think this market will grow, and it would be great if some knowledgeable freepers would jump in to this discussion.

[FreedomFarmer]

You have obtained one of the Rainbow/PUSH cartridges of color, and have been selected to make a reparation donation in the name of descendents of printer slave cables and unwed printer ports.

[bvw]

16 pound sledgehammer does the most proper job on HP printers,

[DonQ]

I have one of the 5550 model. It does not use a microchip in the cartridges but it seems set to report that a cartridge is "low" while it still has enough ink for at least 50 more pages. I do not know why it won't reset when a new cartridge is put in but I will hazard a few wild guesses:

1. Is it possible the "new" cartridge is a dud, maybe one already used up?
2. Is the cellaphane tape completely off the mettalic sensors on the cartridge?
3. Is it possible that you've replaced the black ink cartridge but the "low" signal is for the color cartridge (or vice versa)?
4. Have you tried yet another new cartridge to make sure it's the printer and not the cartridge that has a problem? (Yes, I know they're expensive. If you think the cartridge is still good, keep it airtight in a baggie).
5. Try carefully cleaning the metallic sensor strip on the cartridge and the corresponding sensor in the printer to make sure the contacts are good.
6. I have usually had reasonably good results from e-mailing the Hewlett-Packard tech help feature on the HP website. Be sure to clearly and completely describe the situation.

Good luck.