Time for another RANT
Well, it's time for another RANT!
What is it this time??
HP Printer = HP Photosmart C6150 All-in-One.
There has been a shift over the last 10 years in corporate America from - simply offering services and products, to basic parenting and customer control.It seems like every few years I am buying a new HP printer and within months, I'm even more convinced that these people are SATIN. (But I do believe my conclusion is supposed to be at the conclusion of the article!?)
My new HP printer works really well. It seems to have good computer interface and was a fastest and best in review articles online and the expensive one at Costco so you know it's gotta be good.
First thing I noticed was the number of processes running on my computer attached to my new HP printer. Odd, I thought. Then I realized that my 2 Gigs of RAM is getting used up very quickly, freezing things up on the computer, and that DOZEN processes running as HP began to be bothersome. Oh well, it's a number one rated printer, and I'm so smart for even knowing that.
It prints a page super fast - way faster than my old HP, piece of junk. But, one thing I have noticed over time - It waits forever and then spits out the print super fast. I hit print and nothing happens for a while. Then it goes really fast. At one point, I began wondering if this 12-15 pages a minute thing really works that fast, and how they measure this speed.
I am convinced they measure it from when the printer actually starts, physically printing a piece of paper, and not from the print request. I then attempted to compare, scientifically, the speed of this new HP printer and the inferior HP printer I 'had to replace'. After trying to 'imagine how the old one worked' and timing the new one - I decided that the old one was OVERALL, much faster. It actually started printing when I hit print on my computer.
Now I know this is highly scientific and these stats are hard to refute, given the scientific method employed. But this is not even the real topic of this RANT. These facts only introduce you to the characters of this story.
HP Printers
One of the most interesting developments in the personality of my NEW HP C6150 Printer has been found in its parenting module. The interface to my computer - the amount of control it now has over my computer - the amount of control it wants over me.
I began noticing updates that 'had to be' installed. The one that bothered me most had to do with fixing a glitch in the registration process. I did not have a problem registering my printer so I declined. I started getting this message everyday. I still decline the update but why I get it all the time is annoying.
Then I finally ran out of a yellow ink. Now you must understand, these new printers have a cartridge for every color so that you can replace what you need without having to replace all the colors because just one color ran out. seems logical and cost effective so I bought into the idea.
The problem is, the printer is using color when printing a typed word doc. It seems to use some color all the time. I don't print much other than documents and the yellow cartridge is empty. Lame. I have set it to print gray scale and saved the setting. It does not seem to allow that to stay saved.
HP Ink Cartridges
I am now getting yellow ink empty messages. I start pressing ignore - print in black and white when it comes up. The printer then requires me to push cancel on the print error message on the actual printer too, even though I just told my computer to print it gray scale. Fine, annoying but, OK. I only wanted to print black and white anyway, this is a word doc with black words on a white piece of paper.I then started getting a message telling me I was going to loose print privileges on my printer if I did not replace the yellow cartridge soon. Now this started to piss me off. I think I should be able to decide if I want to print in black and white and if I want to leave an empty cartridge in the yellow spot.
This message came up every time I tried to print. It actually came up in between pages of a 3 page document I was printing. It printed one page, then error messages, then 1 page then error messages than the last page. I say messages because I would have to press 2 things on my computer, 1 on the printer and then get the parental scold before another page would print (a minute after I had pressed all the prompts).
This particular day I was printing 3 different docs, 3 pages long for a recording session I was running out the door to do. I got in the car and found I had 2 pages of each 3 page document, even after pressing all the buttons to try and get the charts to print. Very Very LAME.
HP Printer Software Sucks
So, after a week of my printer telling me it was going punish me if I did not replace the yellow cartridge, I found a need to print a color document. My old printer would just print with the colors it had. If it was out of color it came out gray scale. That was how I knew I really needed a color cartridge and it was not some greedy corporate American company telling me I was low with half a cartridge full of ink.Well, the document refused to print with any color, even though I had stayed away from yellow in colors and set it up to print fine on what had been my old printer that was so outdated. Nothing. It would not print in any color until I bought and installed that dang yellow cartridge.
I had to have this for work that night so I ran to the office supply store and listed the empty yellow and 2 other colors I was running low on so I would not have to repeat this whole stupid thing again next week.
Remember how I thought the individual color thing sounded like such a good idea?? Well, it means more stuff to stock and a greater chance of being out - no Magenta - they are out. Now, my only options are to go to every store in town looking for Magenta, or just buy the amply stocked, pack of colors for my printer. $48 later, I am home with every color purchased (which defeats the reasoning of individual cartridges) and not happy with HP ---- AGAIN!
Trust HP?
Get the yellow in and like magic, the document prints. A day later, one of the cartridges marked LOW sounds off as empty. I find trusting these greedy bast@R)'s difficult when you have to trust them on low ink. Is there a little window? Is there any way to confirm there allegations? NO! It also seemed strange to me that it showed 2 bars, 2 days ago and now shows empty, and now with all the same warning messages and scolding to follow that I received when the yellow died.Now, if I was a man of greater financial depth, they would be receiving a printer, for repair, in little pieces with a note that said, "Some thing seems wrong, does not work."
But instead, I replaced the 2nd cartridge like a good kid and got regular use of my printer back.
So I have been on a HP RANT for a week now. What amazes me, is a person hearing me rant on the evils of HP told me that CANNON was just as bad. He said an empty color cartridge would not allow him to scan a document to his computer on his Cannon Printer; a function requiring no ink at all.
I will have to try that on my HP. I didn't even think that I could loose scan function due to an empty ink cartridge.?! I have 1 showing low, so I will find out in a few days. Very Very Very LAME.
And we wonder why consumers are frustrated. The Customer is always wrong. Greed is always right. Greedy Big Name Makers need to enjoy there short lived riches, because, in a world economy, some little Korean dude is going to think that this is wrong, and then make a good printer that gives the consumer control over the product he or she bought with their own money, and then kill the greedy HP at half the cost and with better customer relations.
It might even be the brainchild of this article. HP - you can kiss my hindquarters.
HP - Hewlett Packer Printers SUCK!
Greg Vail - signing off.
Posted by Greg Vail at 11/13/2007 8:20 AM 
Categories: Personal, RANTS
Tags: hp software sucks corporate America hp sucks ink cartridges hp hp printers scam
Categories: Personal, RANTS
Tags: hp software sucks corporate America hp sucks ink cartridges hp hp printers scam
Greg,
Funny you should write about this. I was just ranting myself about how I spend all this money for convenience and all I end up with is spending more money and time to fix the initial so called convience. I am tired of having everyone in my wallet and not getting decent service or product for my money.
I just bought a new car and it was such a hassle I considered going to another dealer, which I now wish I had done. I explained to the salesman what I wanted in the deal or there would be no deal. He typed it up and I was put in the little room where you sign your life and your first born away. I read the deal and it wasnt even close to what we had agreed on! I sat there thinking, "do I look this stupid"? Of course I didnt sign it.
It never ceases to amaze how people try to get away with things and knowingly try to mess with you.
I am seriously considering selling my possessions and moving to Avalon! Just kidding...but it sure sounds good!
Keep the faith. This isnt all there is! *Thanking Him for that*
Thanks for letting ME rant,
Mary
PS. Loved the solo on Sunday. We need more of that! Tell Rick!
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Avalon sounds GREAT! I think that is a healthy daydream thought. Maybe I'll change my screen savers too.
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Awesome solo on Sunday! I really enjoyed it. I loved the suit too! Very handsome! Thanks for making me smile! All of the music was really wonderful. That woman who sang Oh Holy Night made me cry! Our church is so blessed to have such amazing talent.
Off to dream about Avalon on this cold night~ Merry Christmas, Greg!
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Thanks Mary. We do have amazing talent at Saddleback Church! It was very cool they gave me a moment to share with you-all!
Blessings,
Greg Vail
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Greg,
It's funny, I have had the same complaint with the fax/copier/printer that I bought. I actually couldn't fax without replacing the colors that were low. Now, the cartridges in this machine are opaque so, you can see the level of ink. It appears there is enough ink to print quite a few pages, but you can't print because the machine won't allow you to until you replace the cartridge. Like you, I was jumping into my car and driving to Staples more often than I wanted to and if they were out of the individual color then I had to buy the entire color package. I even bought one of those kits that allows you to fill the empty cartridges yourself. You would think that would work, but it didn't - I think my machine knew what I was trying to do. Initially, when I first bought this machine I was excited that I would have this "office system" that would allow me to perform all functions from the comfort of my home now, I am disgusted with it and hardly use it at all.
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Is this a big name printer maker? My guess is yes. It takes too much success over a long time to get that cocky and evil. Cannon, HP, Epson??? Just wondering.
ONE THING TO TRY - You can remove the cartridge then replace it and sometimes it finds more ink in it for a minute. Maybe even shake it a bit (the cartridge - not the printer. You can shake the printer with a big hammer once you have a better replacement. Ever see the movie Office Space?)
I had a bad experience with those refill things. I had one blow up and hundreds of pages later, I would have mess all over a print job. I don't do them any longer.
I think the issue is these multi-tasking / all-in-one things in general. I have been on a crusade to find a cell phone that is a great phone and has none of this other garbage on it. I want a phone that works!! Not an MP3 player that surfs the web and buys 10 iTunes tracks because I just got an incoming call.
Enough already - got to get to work here.
Thanks for your story and added input! Will someone please make a quality printer without some form of scam on the back side?
Greg
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Yes, it is a big name printer maker, and you're right the more functions- the more possibilities for screwing up. I did try some of your suggestions but, it has a mind of its own and is not happy unless it has a new cartridge.
I was working from home a few years ago, so I really needed it. I now work outside and don't need it as much. Although, if it didn't require so many cartridge changes I probably would use it more often.
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So - IS ANYBODY LISTENING? that wants to own the industry just by making quality products and reasonably priced support supplies??
If you can survive the control issues long enough to get a starting customer base, you could squash HP and Cannon like bugs.
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HP Printer UPDATE -
HP is really pissin me off here. My printer saga is listed in the above thread, but now my printer seems to know I have gone public with my disgust and now will not print at all.
I figured it might have something to do with the evil way HP programs it to do what they want it too (even though you bought it and it is supposed to be yours), so I went to HP online and started downloading stuff it said I HAD TO HAVE and I had refused it.
You know - THE CRITICAL UPDATES like - the product registration process (It was registered months ago) or the warranty - --- NEWS FLASH ---- JUST got another HP message (pretty little bell tone) that said an update was ready. I am downloading it now out of fear to the great HP god of the internet. Who knows what could go wrong next if I don't accept there gracious offer????
What I was saying before this interruption was - I went on HP's site and even downloaded some 247mg update that was supposed to be the bomb and make everything work great.
Nothing.
No print functions at all. I did get a SPAM email or 2 and that's it. I keep having to go to the file and delete all print jobs (listed as printing, failed or??)
We will see if this new update allows me to use MY PRINTER again.
Will the EVIL EVER STOP?
Greg Vail
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WOW - Does my frustration ever end?????
I uninstalled every HP piece of the dozen software processes running on my computer and guess what, MY COMPUTER IS RUNNING GREAT!!!
Problem is, I have no printer, at all, that will work with my computer. I tried to reinstall all the 'needed' software for my HP Printer and ended up pulling it all off again. The printer seems to work fine for some non-computer function right now. It just trashes my computer function and speed once I get the software in.
2 printers sitting here, and I have to write out direction for the gig? Pretty lame!
I have not tried to reinstall all that garbage back on my computer yet because I am enjoying the improvement in performance and it's hard to find the energy to compromise the performance for the feature. A dozen items running down ram and performance??? WHY??? I just need to print directions once in a while.
HP is not making me happy - at all...
Make a printer that works with a computer - not against it.
Anyone from HP listening?????
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I was happy with this 6150 printer. Used it for scanning, little photo printing. Most of other jobs I am using old HP 4C laser.
Now my 6150 announced that yellow cattridge is empty. I have 2 other new original yellows which printer says one is out of date and other is not acceptable after registration ???. (Both are full of ink)
I am too old to play games with these idiots. Thank god for COSTCO's unlimited return policy. After almost a year I will return C6150 tomorrow and never buy another HP anything.
r.k.
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