Why does my Epson CX5200 need colour ink cartridges to print in black ONLY!?

I have an Epson CX5200.
Can someone tell me why it needs colour ink cartridges to print in
black ONLY!?

Say for example I run out of one of the colour inks.
I can maybe somehow understand why I shouldn't be allowed to print in
colour.

BUT... the damn thing just won't let me print!
Even in JUST black!!
WHY??

Can anyone explain this?
Does this happen with other printers as well?

Thanks.


OM

"OM" wrote in message
ups.com...
I have an Epson CX5200.
Can someone tell me why it needs colour ink cartridges to print in
black ONLY!?

Say for example I run out of one of the colour inks.
I can maybe somehow understand why I shouldn't be allowed to print in
colour.

BUT... the damn thing just won't let me print!
Even in JUST black!!
WHY??

Can anyone explain this?
Does this happen with other printers as well?

Thanks.


OM

It happens with most printers. The basic reason is to stop the ink that's
left in the colour heads drying out and blocking the heads. Exactly why this
should also affect printers that use separate ink carts/heads for black and
colour only the manufacturers know.. and as we all know - they know best

In article . com,
says...
I have an Epson CX5200.
Can someone tell me why it needs colour ink cartridges to print in
black ONLY!?

Say for example I run out of one of the colour inks.
I can maybe somehow understand why I shouldn't be allowed to print in
colour.

BUT... the damn thing just won't let me print!
Even in JUST black!!
WHY??

Can anyone explain this?
Does this happen with other printers as well?

Thanks.


OM



It happens with almost all Epson printers.

Its SUPPOSED to prevent you from leaving the print head dry of ANY color.

If the print head runs dry, the jets will clog, and they cannot always be
cleared.

It one of Epsons ways of protecting you from yourself.

It is niether a bad thing or a good thing, its just the way Epson builds 'em.


--
Larry Lynch
Mystic, Ct.

and there was me thinking that is was a cynicla ploy by epson to make
yet more money from consumers. : )

but seriously... i think if they put their thinking caps on... i'm sure
they can figure out a way round the problem??
and i say 'problem' - i'm still a bit cynical and think they just
invented the problem in the first place by designing the printers in
such a way as to cause the damn problem!