My Epson 1280 recently began malfunctioning.

If it is off for more than about 15 seconds, then powered up, it goes
through a prime or clean and then at first print it says new non-OEM carts
are installed. It does this every time it's been turned back on after
being off for about 15 seconds or more.

If it's only off for about 10 seconds, a power up does not cause it to go
through a prime/clean.

I used to get that new cart message only at the first print after I changed
a cartridge. I wouldn't see that message again until the cart was changed
at empty. Now that it's malfunctioning, it's telling me both cartridges
are new and non-OEM.

I'm using the same 3rd party inks that I've used for a couple of years.
Never had trouble with them before. I've changed the carts twice from
different lot numbers and still the same problem. They're not auto-reset
chips because the ink counters aren't affected by this malfunction.

It's acting like it's forgetting that cartridges were installed during
prior sessions. Anyone have any ideas? Is there a secret button press
sequence that can get me out of this?

I guess I need a service manual. Where can I get a "real" Epson manual? I
see many sold for $30 to $50 on the web and that's an okay price but I'd
rather not buy some manual that was pieced together from other models. I'd
like to get a "real" Epson 1280 manual. Can such a thing be had?

Please, let me know what you think. No matter how technical. I can handle
it.

Without knowing anything, it sounds to me like a capacitor, NiCd coin, or
Dallas clock is not maintaining some chip's registration or something.

Thank you all.
//rus\\