Canon service tool: v5204 or latest?

*dusts off account and taps the mic'*...

"Hello? ... Hello?... Is this thing on?..."

Yes, dear folks I have returned from fighting demons**, climbing great heights and smiting the evil doers who brought us Brexit and Aunt Bessies frozen yorkshire puddings (Heretics all!) and I seek your help in my latest crusade...

Anyway.. I'm starting to tackle the Canon waste ink topic and because it's been a ruddy long time since I was "sensible" enough to look at this, I'm behind on the joys of tackling the service tools. So, @PeterBJ and your minions, would you say it's best to get the latest service tool version (obviously from a reputable source) or the v5204 for specific models (eg: the Pro-100, Pro-10, etc... ) depending on compatibility?

Probably sounds like a daft question but I figure I'd go to the font of experience, knowledge and those whose egos I may massage into action... before I reinvent the wheel and look even dafter than @The Hat already thinks I am... Your input, dear Sirs, Madams and other mortals is greatly appreciated.

... and yes, being a parent does mean I'm losing my marbles but hey... it's all fun right?!...


**rumours that I may be referring to my offspring are vehemently denied... especially as they may one day find my mutterings and decide to change my care home choices*

websnail said:

the v5204 for specific models (eg: the Pro-100, Pro-10, etc... ) depending on compatibility?

Click to expand...

The latest one I’ve got that might work is the V3600, but I haven’t tried it lately on anything..

I have never owned or worked with the Canon Pro models so I cannot tell what service tool is suitable for them. But IIRC v5204 has been successfully used to reset Pro 10 and Pro 100 printers. I think the newer service tools are better because of more supported printers, but check the seller's list of compatible printers.

Some years ago I bought the v5204 from an E-Bay seller. It was a version for 1 PC so I should run a program to create a computer hardware ID. The ID was mailed to the seller who sent a code to insert in an activation program and the service tool was functional. I tested it with a couple of PGI-550/CLI-551 generation printers as I had no newer printers.

I borrowed the wireless LAN card from the laptop I had installed the service tool on. I needed a WLAN card to test in another and better laptop. With this card WLAN was now OK in the better laptop. I then found another WLAN card I installed in the laptop with the service tool. WLAN was now OK again but the servicetool was no longer functional. Reinstalling the original WLAN card didn't make the service tool functional again.

I have a couple of Pixma TS model printers of the PGI-570/CLI-571 and PGI-580/CLI-581 generations so I think I will buy a newer service tool from E-Bay to test. If I buy a new service tool I will report my results.

So, it's likely, on balance, that the newer service tool is the one to get so long as it's a genuine release and not someone getting cute with malware...

The bit you @PeterBJ, mentioned about changing the hardware seems to be key to keeping it functioning though. Any change and the app won't work anymore so something to consider I guess.

Very interesting rehearsal !
BE CAREFUL.

I used v5204 several times yours ago and was able to reset a PRO-9500, PRO-10 and Maxify (to test, not because the counter was full).
I launched it again (without reading the manual) and it was placed in quarantaine by Avast (IMO a false positive due to the hack patch).
But I wouldn"t risk anything and copied the zip to an old laptop and tried it on the MG8250 I still keep it for the CCD scanner. I was able to launch the tool and got error 002 (=not compatible with hardware).
Since I had to clean the printhead before I could print the EEPROM, the second time the printer error light went on after the last button push and all commands in the service tool were grayed.
Most probably the protection against reuse on another PC was triggered an the tool blocked the printer.

Glad I didn't test on my PRO-10.
Seems 5204 still is available on eBay (from Spanish speaking sources probably same as my "RESET ilimitado" for a few box (and plenty others more recent) so I maybe buy a new one just in case.