iP4500 ink level tracking enabled?

I acquired a free ip4500. After cleaning the head and replacing an empty ink tank it prints well.
(The nozzle check test print matches the example of a good test print I've see on this website.)
I've printed an EEPROM info. page. However, Is there a key somewhere to decoding the iP4500 EEPROM information print page? It's full of abbreviations I don't understand. I don't see an answer in the iP4500 simplified service manual.


-->> My goal is to see if the printer tracking of all ink levels is enabled and the printer will stop when ink runs out. <<--


I'm using Ubuntu 12.04 LTS and so far the status monitor ( cngpijmonip4500 iP4500 ) is not recognizing the printer. Thus, I can't monitor the ink level that way.


I don't want to keep lifting the lid to visually check ink levels as I understand this results in a head cleaning each time.

Thanks,

/Mark


PS: On the EEPROM Info. page; INK_OFF(PBK=0 BK=0 Y=0 M=0 C=0) Says none of the inks have run out?

(Up until now I've used HP printers with Ubuntu Linux.)

The info can be found in other canon service manuals, that are not simplified. You may need to download more than one manual to decipher all the fields. You find a lot of service manuals in this lengthy thread. And this post plus answer is an example of deciphering the info from an EEPROM print.

INK_OFF(PBK=0 BK=0 Y=0 M=0 C=0) means that the ink level indication was never disabled, to use refilled or compatible cartridges. This info is stored, as it means warranty is void, if the ink indication level was disabled.

If you intend to refill the printer, I strongly suggest to buy a PGI-5/CLI-8 resetter. The iP4500 deserves it. It was one of the last high quality built printers for home use. With the subsequent PGI-x20/CLI-x21 cartridge generation build quality was lowered.

I have also done some experiments with Linux, and have installed Canon printers on Ubuntu, Kubuntu and Linux Mint. The printers worked, but with limited functionality. I never managed to get the ink monitor working.

I look forward to discussions about how to properly install Canon printers under Linux, now that Windows XP has been retired.

Mark responds; And so, if I understand you correctly, the printer will quit when the ink is low/runs out, correct. I don't want to burn out the print head. I do plan to refill and use a chip reseter.


The iP4500 seems to be working correctly using the Ubuntu 12.04 LTS, PPA;

ppa.launchpad.net/michael-gruz/canon-stable/ubuntu precise


There are a lot of options/resolutions I can select from using the print dialogue in Ubuntu.


Now, I've stayed up way too late already. However, I just got an ink level monitor working. Ink & libinklevel.

(See; http://libinklevel.sourceforge.net/)

I downloaded it from the Ubuntu repositories so it was already compiled for my version of Ubuntu.

If I can figure out how to attach a screen shot to this post I will.

(It only worked when I used sudo, so I'm guessing it's a permission problem accessing the USB port?)


And, after some sleep I could, if people want me to, post screen shot(s) showing the print options/resolutions using Ubuntu and the Michael Gruze PPA-Driver.


/mark

• PeterBJ said:

  I look forward to discussions about how to properly install Canon printers under Linux, now that Windows XP has been retired.

  Click to expand...

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I'm not sure I properly installed the iP4500 under Linux (Ubuntu 12.04 LTS). However, it seems to be working OK.

1) I connected the iP4500 usb cable to the computer. I think Ubuntu may have automatically detected it and did something ?? (my memory is vague here).

2) Before printing anything on the printer I;
a) Added the Michael Gruz PPA to the apt resources. b) Clicked reload in Synaptic
c) Selected; cnijfilter-common & cnijfilter-iP4500 series, d) Clicked apply.

3) The Pixma iP4500 now seems to be printing everything I've sent it. (However, I don't recall exactly what Ubuntu may have automatically done at the beginning. (Also I see that a file, cndrvcups-common, was not automatically installed on my system. ??)

See; https://launchpad.net/~michael-gruz/ archive/canon-stable (read, about installing)

Print options on Ubuntu,

Media Types;
Plan Paper,
Photo Paper: Glossy II, Pro, Plus Glossy, Glossy, Plus Double Sided, Matte, High Resolution, Other
Ink Jet Hagaki, Hagaki
Printable Disc: Recommended, Other
T-Shirt Transfers
Envelopes

Color;
Gray scale, Regular & Inverted
RGB
CMY
CMYK
KCMY

Resolutions;
300x300 DPI: Draft
600x600 DPI: High, Draft, Photo High 2, Photo 2, Photo Draft 2, Photo High, Photo, Photo Draft

Thanks for the info. It looks to me like all media types available in the Windows driver also are available in this Linux install. I will give this a try.

Another problem I had was that no maintenance was available in my install, so no nozzle check and no print head cleaning and alignment was possible from my Linux Mint install. You can do the print head cleaning and nozzle check, as printer stand alone operations, but it would be nice to have it included in the printer driver, so is this also possible in your install?

Yes maintenance commands are available under Ubuntu/Linux!

However, ... I've not gotten them to work.

That's why I started posting here. Wanting to be sure that the printer would not keep printing, when out of ink.

– > The Canon ink level and print status monitor is; cngpijmonip4500 IP4500

However every time I run it from the terminal it says "Unknown Printer".

- > The Canon Maintenance utility is; cngpij

Per the Linux guide one can do;

* Cleaning
* Deep Cleaning
* Roller Cleaning
* Bottom Plate Cleaning
* Nozzle Check
* Print Head Alignment
* Power Off
* Auto Power
* Custom Settings
* Quiet Mode


I've been posting, as 'marksmarks', at UbuntuFourms for help with the status and maintenance commands.
(CUPS Ptr name? for Cannon iP4500 stat mon, cngpijmon)

- > See: http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=2216067&highlight=ip4500

There is also a Canon Printer Linux guide at;

http://support-asia.canon-asia.com/contents/ASIA/EN/0300055101.html

Solved !!! … I think. ...

I decided to try installing a 2nd instance of the Canon ip4500. In order to test different drivers.

However, when it installed it read; … – > with status readback for Canon IJ < –

Than sounded positive. I noticed it was automatically given the name 'Canon-ip4500'

When I used that name, 'Canon-ip4500', the status monitor and the maintenance utility recognized the printer. (See screen shots).

That first instance of the ip4500, was apparently what Ubuntu 12.04 installed on its own BEFORE I installed the Canon InkJet drivers, cnijfilter-* (via the Michael Gruz PPA). It was using the CUPS+GutenPrint driver NOT the Canon driver.

I may have been able to change it by, in the printer properties screen, clicking on the 'make and model' - 'change' button. Then, in the list of drivers, selecting 'iP4500 Ver x.xx' instead' of PIXMA iP4500'.


PS: In the printer settings I now have 600 - 2,400 DPI output resolution.

Thank you for the info and links. It looks to me like all the functions from the Windows driver's maintenance tab are also present in the Linux driver. I'm on an Easter holiday visiting family, but after Easter I will start trying to install Canon printers under Linux, using your info and links.

Canon USA does not list any Linux drivers for the iP4500, but Canon UK has two drivers, one for debian, and another, which I think could be rpm format. Link here. It looks like Canon UK has Linux drivers for the newer model printers. For older printers like the iP4000, ip4200 and iP5200 Canon UK has no Linux drivers. My attempt to install a Canon printer under Linux was with the iP4200. The printer worked, but with very limited functionality.

MarksReMarks said:

That first instance of the ip4500, was apparently what Ubuntu 12.04 installed on its own BEFORE I installed theCanon InkJet drivers, cnijfilter-* (via the Michael Gruz PPA). It was using the CUPS+GutenPrint driver

Click to expand...

As Linux Mint is an Ubuntu derivative, I think I installed the same driver, almost plug and play, the printer test page said Ubuntu.

I too looked, somewhere, on Canons websites and found only Version 2.8 of the drivers.

I looked back at post #4, and noticed that the driver for the ip4200 is listed slightly above the ip4500 I selected for my install.

As I understand, the drivers in the PPA are the Canon drivers. And they are listed as version 3.9

Seems to me that you would need to install the two files; cnijfilter-common and cnijfilter-ip4200series

You need not be worried about ink levels even if you don’t have any on screen ink monitoring at all.
Once you have reset the chip and refilled the cartridges then the printer will work safely for you without any further intervention on your part.

When you then get very low on ink the printer will stop and display the resume button flashing Orange 4 times and at that point you’ll have to change which ever cartridge that has the LED light flashing on it, this will happen automatically.