Various HP printer ink expiration dates analyzed

no cross posting please. this reply to rec.photo.digital only (where it was
read)...

why? the manufacturer would probably tell you that the dates are to ensure
a good experiance with their product through the use of fresh cartridges. i
would tell you that the dates are so that they can sell you more cartridges.
i think all the majors have implemented some sort of scheme like this... the
cartridges have a chip built into them that can be reset if it is considered
'expired' or if you wanted to remove and refill it. search the web for "hp
resetter" (or for epson, "epson reset tool") and you will find several... a
manual way of reseting the cartridge/printer to accept the expired or
previously used cartridge is listed at the link below. there are three
methods and only one may work on your particular model, but try them all
with particular attention to the thrid method suggested which is the
easiest, cheapest, and simplest, but may not applies to your model printer.
it may be more economical to purchase a non-hp cartridges than the resetter
tool and ink refills for a person that does not print very often.
http://www.inktec-uk.co.uk/57_58_reset.htm


"Agent Orange" wrote in message
...
Q: What is the significance of the date printed on the HP ink PACKAGE?
SINGAPORE MAY 2003

Relevant Hewlett Packard ink cartridge dates a
- The date HP manufactured the ink cartridge
- The date HP prints on the ink cartridge
- The date HP prints on the ink cartridge package consumer cardboard box
- The date HP printer cartridges are installed in the printer
- The date HP first stops printing (due to false "low ink" messages)
- The date HP usually stops printing (due to false "expiration"
messages)
- The date HP actually stops printing (due to true expiration messages)

Since we now know full well HP inserts up to three false expiration
dates before the final (true) expiration date, I ask this question:

Q: What is the MEANING of this date printed on the HP package box?
SINGAPORE MAY 2003

Note 1: Box-print-date is NOT the date the cardboard box was
actually printed (as a quick look at packages on the
store shelves shows most, if not all, to be in the future).

Note 2: Box-print-date also can not be the Cartridge_print_date as
the date printed on the HP ink cartridge is easily proven
to be different simply by opening a box.

Given that actual re-fill tests proved (in ascending order):
a) derived_true_manufacture_date
= 2001/12/10 (cartridge printed date - 2.5 years)
b) date_cartridge_was_purchased
=== 2002/01/12 (date cartridge was purchased)
c) date_cartridge_was_installed
=== 2002/01/14 (date cartridge was placed in service)
d) date_hp_prints_on_the_ink_box
= MAY 2003 (What is the significance of this date?)
e) 1st_false_hp_empty_date
~= 2004/05/14 (approx. 800 pages of ink printing)
f) 2nd_false_hp_expiration_date
= 2004/06/10 (date actually printed on ink tank)
g) 3rd_false_hp_expiration_date
= 2004/07/14 (2.5 years of contiguous printer service)
h) true_hp_ink_expiration_date
= 2006/06/10 (cartridge printed date + 2 years)

Q: What is the significance of the date HP prints on the
outside PACKAGE of the cardboard box containing ink tanks?
MAY 2003 (What is the significance of this date?)

no cross posting please. this reply to rec.photo.digital only (where it was
read)...

why? the manufacturer would probably tell you that the dates are to ensure
a good experiance with their product through the use of fresh cartridges. i
would tell you that the dates are so that they can sell you more cartridges.
i think all the majors have implemented some sort of scheme like this... the
cartridges have a chip built into them that can be reset if it is considered
'expired' or if you wanted to remove and refill it. search the web for "hp
resetter" (or for epson, "epson reset tool") and you will find several... a
manual way of reseting the cartridge/printer to accept the expired or
previously used cartridge is listed at the link below. there are three
methods and only one may work on your particular model, but try them all
with particular attention to the thrid method suggested which is the
easiest, cheapest, and simplest, but may not applies to your model printer.
it may be more economical to purchase a non-hp cartridges than the resetter
tool and ink refills for a person that does not print very often.
http://www.inktec-uk.co.uk/57_58_reset.htm


"Agent Orange" wrote in message
...
Q: What is the significance of the date printed on the HP ink PACKAGE?
SINGAPORE MAY 2003

Relevant Hewlett Packard ink cartridge dates a
- The date HP manufactured the ink cartridge
- The date HP prints on the ink cartridge
- The date HP prints on the ink cartridge package consumer cardboard box
- The date HP printer cartridges are installed in the printer
- The date HP first stops printing (due to false "low ink" messages)
- The date HP usually stops printing (due to false "expiration"
messages)
- The date HP actually stops printing (due to true expiration messages)

Since we now know full well HP inserts up to three false expiration
dates before the final (true) expiration date, I ask this question:

Q: What is the MEANING of this date printed on the HP package box?
SINGAPORE MAY 2003

Note 1: Box-print-date is NOT the date the cardboard box was
actually printed (as a quick look at packages on the
store shelves shows most, if not all, to be in the future).

Note 2: Box-print-date also can not be the Cartridge_print_date as
the date printed on the HP ink cartridge is easily proven
to be different simply by opening a box.

Given that actual re-fill tests proved (in ascending order):
a) derived_true_manufacture_date
= 2001/12/10 (cartridge printed date - 2.5 years)
b) date_cartridge_was_purchased
=== 2002/01/12 (date cartridge was purchased)
c) date_cartridge_was_installed
=== 2002/01/14 (date cartridge was placed in service)
d) date_hp_prints_on_the_ink_box
= MAY 2003 (What is the significance of this date?)
e) 1st_false_hp_empty_date
~= 2004/05/14 (approx. 800 pages of ink printing)
f) 2nd_false_hp_expiration_date
= 2004/06/10 (date actually printed on ink tank)
g) 3rd_false_hp_expiration_date
= 2004/07/14 (2.5 years of contiguous printer service)
h) true_hp_ink_expiration_date
= 2006/06/10 (cartridge printed date + 2 years)

Q: What is the significance of the date HP prints on the
outside PACKAGE of the cardboard box containing ink tanks?
MAY 2003 (What is the significance of this date?)