I recently ordered a CIS ink system and was wondering if any of you guys had a solution to a problem I've been encountering.
Here it is. I just got my CIS and had run into a few install problems due to my ignorance but I've finally got to what I hope is the final stage before it works flawlessly. My black ink will not print. Instead, what is supposed to be black, my printer uses my yellow ink instead.
Any solutions that you guys can think of? Thanks in advance for your advice.

Anyone?

I have a R200 with a CIS & unless I tell the printer to print and use only black it will use color "this can be set under the printer options for your printer" to prints black. Sorry I can't help you more. Maybe the head needs cleaning or its dead. Does it print fine if you use normal cartridges? Maybe the CIS has the wrong chip in the black cartridge.

Rick

Thanks for your repsonse. The CIS has now stopped recognizing any of the cartridges so I am trying to get a replacement or a refund from the seller. Thanks for your advice, though.

I can't help much. I have lost two R280's while using re-fillable chipped cartridges. The supplier of the ink and cartridges suggested the printers were the problem. My gut says he's wrong. I'd like to here from anyone who has had good luck with an EPSON R280 and ANY after market system.

Back to your firing problem. All I can say is you'll have to install OEM cartridges and see if it don't come back to life. Check craigslist.org. I've gotten several R280's for $35 to $40. I never pay more than $40. That's better then $75 or so for ink at the store.

In fact, buy two of them. Take ink from the one and see if yours doesn't come back to life after three cleanings. If it doesn't, then use some scotch tape to seal the OEM's and then put them in a baggie. Install your CIS system in the new printer. When that one quits spitting out black ink go ahead and toss the two defective printers. Take two aspirin and call me in the morning.

My R280 died after about 9 months using both OEM and compatibles. It was still working, actually, I just got tired of it constantly clogging and dumping huge amounts of ink in cleaning cycles. I think it wanted to be used daily. The problems existed equally with both types of ink. I think it's just a crappy printer. That'll teach me to go over to the dark side. I'm back to using 3 Canons again. I did get some satisfaction from hearing the Epson crash into the bottom of the trash can. I've killed a few Canons too, using cheap ink. But it took a couple years of heavy use to do it. My newest Canon, the IP3500, cost less than the ink tanks that came in it.

I've got three sets of ink left out of my R280 abortions. So, I'll run the three sets empty and by then, I'll have my Canon printers purring like kittens on cheap ink...I hope. Thanks again for your thoughts!

Have you had any luck with your CIS problem? I'd like to see more folks sharing their aftermarket nightmares or success' because there is a lot of crap out there. My experience is suppliers of aftermarket ink systems will keep you busy until it's to late to initiate a charge back (usually 60 days from purchase) and PayPal could seem to care less. And, with eBay--by the time your printer croaks it's to late to leave a negative feedback. Most sellers will support you for 30 days. And then say adios sucker!

Well, I returned it. At first, I couldn't get ahead of the seller for a while, but yesterday they responded to me and the seller is sending a replacement. I'll post again when once I get the new one and get it up and running.