# New Black Ink Cartridge Still Won't Print
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-black-ink-cartridge-still-wont-print/344146
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [February 12, 2006, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-black-ink-cartridge-still-wont-print/344146 "2006-02-12T20:32:12Z")
**Posts on this page:** 5
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@sdstudent1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sdstudent1)
#### Post date: [February 12, 2006, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-black-ink-cartridge-still-wont-print/344146/1 "2006-02-12T20:32:12Z")
I have a Dell 720 printer that recently ran out of black ink. I went to a place that specializes in ink cartridges and purchased a refilled Lexmark 17 cartridge that they told me would work with my printer. I installed it properly and made sure the tape was removed, but it still won’t print black at all. I have tried different types of documents, but none of them work. I hope the store didn’t sell me the wrong cartridge.
Does anybody have any ideas?
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### Author:  [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)
#### Post date: [February 12, 2006, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-black-ink-cartridge-still-wont-print/344146/2 "2006-02-12T20:42:25Z")
Return it and buy a new, sealed, not refilled cart recommended by the manufacturer?
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### Author:  [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)
#### Post date: [February 12, 2006, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-black-ink-cartridge-still-wont-print/344146/3 "2006-02-12T20:56:27Z")
> [@sdstudent1](#):
>
> I have a Dell 720 printer that recently ran out of black ink. I went to a place that specializes in ink cartridges and purchased a refilled Lexmark 17 cartridge that they told me would work with my printer. I installed it properly and made sure the tape was removed, but it still won’t print black at all. I have tried different types of documents, but none of them work. I hope the store didn’t sell me the wrong cartridge.
>
> Does anybody have any ideas?
As you probably know, the only way to buy proper ink cartridges for a Dell is to order it from Dell. [editorial]I think that sucks.[/editorial] That means that the place you went could not possibly sell you a Dell ink cartridge. I would be very surprised if a Lexmark cartridge would work in a Dell printer. I have not tried refilled cartridges; after a very negative experience with a company that sells aftermarket cartridges, I just pony up the cash for the manufacturer’s recommended cartridges. But the problem is either the cartridge is no good or it won’t work with your printer.
Go get your money back, since the store recommended it for you.
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### Author:  [@sdstudent1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sdstudent1)
#### Post date: [February 12, 2006, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-black-ink-cartridge-still-wont-print/344146/4 "2006-02-12T22:55:45Z")
[QUOTE=CookingWithGas]
I would be very surprised if a Lexmark cartridge would work in a Dell printer.
[QUOTE]
I am fairly sure that Lexmark makes Dell’s printers for them, it says so here: [http://news.com.com/2100-1023-979791.html](http://news.com.com/2100-1023-979791.html), and the ink cartridges look exactly alike, so I am surprised that it doesn’t work. Too bad I bought the cartridge at a place 75 miles away.
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### Author:  [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)
#### Post date: [February 13, 2006, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-black-ink-cartridge-still-wont-print/344146/5 "2006-02-13T04:55:42Z")
[QUOTE=sdstudent1]
[QUOTE=CookingWithGas]
I would be very surprised if a Lexmark cartridge would work in a Dell printer.
> [@](#):
>
> I am fairly sure that Lexmark makes Dell’s printers for them, it says so here: [http://news.com.com/2100-1023-979791.html](http://news.com.com/2100-1023-979791.html), and the ink cartridges look exactly alike, so I am surprised that it doesn’t work.
Yes, but I believe Dell marks their cartridges in a way the printer can check, and then programs their printers to refuse to function with any other cartridges.
I would never buy a printer which locks you in like this. (Especially as Dell doesn’t make this clear when buying the printer.)
If this catches on, you’ll end up with a Brand-X dishwasher that only works if you buy the overpriced Brand-X detergent, your electric toothbrush only works if you buy your toothpaste from the manufacturer’s store, your Ford car’s gas tank will only accept gas from the Ford gas station, etc.
We’re already seeing this trick in cell phones; many are locked to only work with one cellphone company, so that if you switch you have to buy all new phones.
I do my best to avoid products like this.