Samsung Xpress M2835DW - imaging unit replacement - do I have to!

[Ditto]

I was hoping with Samsung to avoid the forced consumable updates that Epson thrust upon me with their ink management. Hey-ho. This duplex laser has worked well and continues to do so, being well used currently as the kids work through GCSE and A-levels. A warning has come up to say there is a need to replace imaging unit. It looks immaculate, but I believe is also acts as a container for excess toner. Other models of Samsung appear to have ways of draining excess toner and resetting counters by installing a capacity, which once blown, resets the counter. This model doesn't seem to offer that option. There are apparently software reset options, but they don't come free. So, I think I am stuck with replacing the unit and adding to the ever increasing e-waste mountain.

 

Anyone else experienced this? Compatible imaging units can be got for around £8-£16 on ebay (new allegedly), genuine new for around £50+ (although not from HP site directly) or original via ebay but trusted commercial seller for £40.

 

So, go cheap and risk it, or go original and risk it!

[3s-gtech]

I replace with genuine. On older Samsungs, these were built into the toner cartridge and would be replaced with the toner - often when they weren't actually worn out. The cost of the cartridges was also outrageous (still is tbf).

 

Actually reduces e-waste.

[DavR]

I spent far too much time on our older Samsung printers trying to replace parts and keep them going - in the end I got a price to replace them, and was pleasantly surprised how cheap new HPs were. So we did that, and I've barely had to intervene beyond changing toners since.

 

Granted, this was a few years back now, but printers certainly were at practically disposable prices, next to the costs of the toner cartridges. 

[Ditto]

Further research indicates that some individuals are reprogramming the EEPROM chip to reset counters. I presume they do this for the technical challenge more than the savings! Then I learned that you can access the printer settings by going to the printer IP address (activates SyncThru Webservices). Logging in as admin (details are out there!) and you can change the 'Imaging Unit Stop' from ON to OFF. It doesn't stop the warning or the flashing red light on the printer, but I presume it will let you continue after the 'software-driven' end-of-life state. It is, of course, not recommended and you'll get a warning that changing this setting may damage your device. Alternatively, you can buy a replacement chip, anywhere from £20 or via something like Ali-Express for a fiver. I wouldn't mind buying a genuine replacement unit, but at £50-60, it's clear profiteering. I'll probably buy a replacement OEM unit in due course, mid-price point with good reviews, but I just wish life didn't feel like the big corporations are constantly trying to milk you of your hard earned money. The truth is the printer is printing as well as it did the day I bought and is at about 8000 pages - with all bar the first few thousand on OEM toner cartridges.

 

For clarity, this is a home device, and in the workplace, I'd be less reluctant to take this route.

[DavR]

51 minutes ago, Ditto said:

For clarity, this is a home device, and in the workplace, I'd be less reluctant to take this route.

 

Ah yes, home is a very different kettle of fish. 

 

I may, or may not, still be running an exhausted HP 990c inkjet at home, due to still having a box of cheap cartridges....