Printer Error on Start Up??????

[russellsnr2]

Hi, I just got an Epson RX 640 but every time I turn it on I get error message PRINTER ERROR, the only option given to remedy this is turn on/off but no joy, can anyone tell me a way to reset this printer during the start up?. ie, press any buttons together etc.
Contacted Epson and the reply was probably a hardware fault anyone any tips please.

[olly_k]

The problems I have been able to sort out with printers usually involve :
dirty / greasy contacts between carrier and cartridge.
switches that, for what ever reason are not working correctly (i.e. out of sync or bit of plastic missing etc)
faulty or missing cartridges can cause apparently unrelated faults

If all the above ok then you need to look at the position sensor and associated ribbon. This ribbon travels the width of the printer parallel to the main cradle guide and is printed with lots of hair thin stripes (almost invisible to naked eye). Sometimes a bit of ink can become deposited on this and really confuse the printer, or the associated sensor (normally mounted on the back of the print cradle) can also get clogged up. Quite easy to remove by levering a spring at one end and releasing the other. Easier or sometimes necessary to dismantle the printer, especially when putting back as it will require careful feeding back through the sensor.
In my HP there is also a similar sensor for the paper feed with an accompanying tacho style disk, although sometimes this is not present.

Good luck!