Sanurian
I think most expats use computers in Bali, one way or another.
I'm also sure that many have various problems with them, from time to time.
I would like to share information with you so that everybody can benefit from hands-on experience.
[i]For example:[/i]
Do you know a competent and reliable "technician"?
Have you tried to modify a printer to a bulk ink-loading system?
Which internet service provider do you use and how good is it?
Where are the best deals, in your opinion, for computer hardware components?
[i]Et cetera[/i].
So...bring on the questions and let's share the knowledge.
:D
Bert Vierstra
[quote]Do you know a competent and reliable "technician"?[/quote]
I can manage myself...
[quote]Have you tried to modify a printer to a bulk ink-loading system?[/quote]
What do you mean? The thing with injection needles etc?
[quote]Which internet service provider do you use and how good is it?[/quote]
I have my own vsat system... and its ok..
[quote]
Where are the best deals, in your opinion, for computer hardware components? [/quote]
I usually go to Rimo. Take care, especially when you buy better stuff, that its not used.....(tried out :) )
I recently bough a new one, 512kb graphic card, 3.2 ghz Core Duo, 4gb fast memory, 800gb raid harddisk, luxury casing and PSU, and yes an original official Windows XP. Allready have the 24inch widescreen LCD :)
My problems are usually dust. Especially burning incense everyday doesn't do the technical side any good. Ah, the spiritual and an occasional inside cleaning session makes up for that.
I have had various UPS's, they seem to break pretty quickly....
Will try another one soon again....
JAMIE
I bought an ink injection kit to reload my printer cartridge when empty . The injection of ink into the empty cartridge was easy enough , but the computer knew that the cartridge had been emptied and would not use the "refilled " cartridge . Seems with an HP printer , the printer knew not to use a refilled cartidge , I even removed the circut board on the printer cartidge but no luck . I wished the injection kit worked , new cartridges are bout 40.00 for my printer and we go threw them like water im my house . jamie
Sanurian
Hi [b]nayusari[/b] and [b]Jamie[/b]
Regarding problems refilling HP ink-tanks:
I don't know for sure since I have older HP printers (my newer ones are Canon and Epson) but it's possible that your HP ink-tanks have tiny computer chips on them which need to be re-set with a special device. If that's the case, they [b]should[/b] be re-fillable and usable once re-set. (Most re-fillers I've seen have these devices and I'm sure they're not expensive.)
The chip on an ink-tank is easy to spot (it is on Epson devices): pull an ink-tank out and look for what appears to be a small circuit board. If it's there, it has to be re-set before it functions properly again.
:)
Roy
Phil, a great idea for a topic. While keeping in mind that I am completely lost when it comes to computers, I can add a few of my own experiences.
For hardware on Bali, I have always used Segitiga Computer in Denpasar...Paulus J. Thamrin, HP 0812 3806592 who was first suggested to me (being a PC person) by my late “brother” Matt, who was an Apple guru. Paulus is an excellent technician, who makes house calls very readily and most reasonably. His hardware costs are also very reasonable, and in the end, four of my family members all ended up with complete systems (including software) from him.
For ISPs we use Centrin or Telkom. Since we are stuck with a modem for now, neither are very fast, but both are reasonably reliable and cost efficient.
In the end, I think one has to find what works for them within a decent budget.
nayusari
Sanurian,
Thanks for the tips.
I notice there is a small circuit board on the back of the cartridges, now my questions are:
1. How can I reset that circuit board exactly? Pardon my dumb question, I can't see how I can press it and get it resetted that way.
2. Is there any stores here that sells the refill ink for this? and how exactly do I refill it?
I guess for the past 15 years using printer, never once I had to refill the cartridges, mainly because it said non-refillable.
Thanks!
Sari
InAdelaide
I bought a Latop in rimos for 6 million, had problems initially, made friends with the technicians there....end result was he put original software on for me and havent had too many problems since. Ive had him back since to upgrade to what I want, he works long hours for not much and is happy to come my place when he has time. So as long as not in Rush he is ok.But might try Roys contact next time
DCC
Hey All!
Hmmmm. I have a 2 year-old Dell lap dog and so far she's been a good girl - no visits to the vet. My HP printer is a puppy and on a strict diet of brand name ink as I'm not a heavy printer. And FYI I rcently changed to Speedy from Global Net 128k speed package and no comp as Speedy is, in fact, speedier.
nayusari
Hi, all
I myself, use Speedy from Telkom and subscribed the cheapest package they offer; Rp. 300,000 for up to 795MB data activity per month. To me, this is more than enough as my routine activities are only checking for emails and browsing websites. For those who likes to download movies/mp3, obviously this package won't suffice the needs.
In terms of computer parts, etc. since my younger sister, who's a computer engineer, lives in Jakarta, I often consult with her for troubleshootings and to purchase spare parts or even cartridges at Mangga Dua Mall or Glodok area and TIKI them to me. I rarely go to Rimo to get electronic related items as theirs seem to be pricey.
Both of my printers are HP All In One Photosmart [brought directly from US] and I experienced the same problem as Jamie's. Somehow HP could detect it's a new cartridge or a refilled cartridge, so I always have to purchase new one for replacement. Perhaps if the HPs are purchased here, the refilled cartridges may be used - not too sure about it.
Hope this helps!
S
suew
In Aus it's cheaper to buy a new printer (with cartridges supplied) than to buy refills (originals)!!!
Another thing to remember is that you will void your printer warranty if you use generic and I have been at the receiving end of that personally.
My Dell cartridges cannot be bought generically and can only be ordered by delivery. I recently bought a "special" of two black for over AUD100., so 85,000rp sound good to me!!! This post has jogged me to look at new printers Lol
I also have an Epson Stylus CX3500 and yes, it is thirsty. I buy the Calidad refills at around AUD15 each, but my last Epson was the one that "died" after using Calidads, so I'm not expecting a long life..Oh well, just get a new printer Lol
lientje
Hi there!
This is my first message on the Expat Forums...hope the first of many.
With regard to printer cartridges - I believe they are really cheap on ebay. (That is if you live in Oz anyway..I haven't investigated the situation in Bali yet, as I don't have a printer in Bali...yet).
"Paulien
PS
Great idea for a topic. Very useful info to know..for so many people!
tintin
Jamie,
I have always had HP printers until recently. Now I have, for the first time, an Epson (got it free when I bought a new VAIO this past January**).
My HP printer accepted my re-filled cartriges with no second thoughts. However, there was a problem which did not show up until it was too late to do anything about it. Apparently, it was relatively easy to refill the cartridges, but, unknown to me, they were never completely tight, and there were small leaks (my wife had the same experience with her printer). Over time, it gummed up and ruined the whole presurising mechanism of the unit, forcing me to buy a new printer.
Since that time, I used "generic" cartridge bought on the Web, for half the price of HP cartridges. Do have a look at Print Pal, for example. Their service is excellent.
http://www.printpal.com
Now, with my new Epson CX4200 (printer, scanner, photocopier), the individual color and b&w cartridges are rather EXPENSIVE. I got on eBay and purchased TEN "made in Chine" for a little more than the price of ONE single B&W Epson cartridge (I am sure also "made in China). The Epson recognized and bitched that I was not using a genuine cartridge, and warned me that the colors may not be as they should: Bull Feathers, they are excellent, as my last batch of color photos show.
Punch line: have a look on the Web for cartridges.
**Allow me to brag a little. :) :) I previously had a eMachine, bought 3 years ago at CompUSA, with a 3-years service warranty (US$160). Two years later, last November, the computer died. After several tries at fixing it (3 is the maximum allowed by the warranty) the contract says I should get my money back for an equivalant computer. I got $500. back (I had paid $600). When I went to CompUSA right after Xmas, in January, they had a VAIO with a $200 rebate for that week + $320-worth of marchandise (including the $100 Epson) to be paid up-front. Couldn't go wrong with that deal, and it did not take me long to make up my mind. The new VAIO, $500 on sale, cost me nothing. The only thing I had to do is to send TEN rebate coupons to the different manufacturers to get my money back. I kept good track of all these coupons, and within 3 months, I had received every penny back in my pocket.
InAdelaide
refill before they dry out....even stick in fridge...if they dry out then when refilled there no good..
Sanurian
Hi [b]nayusari[/b]
[quote]...How can I reset that circuit board exactly? Pardon my dumb question, I can't see how I can press it and get it resetted that way...[/quote]
It's not a dumb question at all. You're exactly right...there is [b]no[/b] "re-set button", as such - you have to use a small device that slips into the actual circuit board, not unlike plugging an electrical device into a power-point and wait. How long for depends on the printer but usually less than 10 seconds, or so. I don't know exactly how much these things cost but I'm pretty certain they're quite cheap (just guessing here but probably less than 10 dollars - I haven't got one for myself yet but will do soon).
[quote]...Is there any stores here that sells the refill ink for this? and how exactly do I refill it?...[/quote]
There are [b]many[/b] places that can refill your inks for you. The [b]RIMO[/b] centre in Jalan Diponegoro, Denpasar, has quite a few, all in one place. And [b]if[/b] you're not too technically-minded, it's probably best to get someone to do it for you. Otherwise, you might wind up with lots of ink stains on your fingers.
The "exact" way to refill a cartridge depends upon which cartridges/tanks your printer uses. Some are very easy, others can be tricky (see [b]tintin's[/b] comment above).
Happy printing (I hope).
:D
lientje
Thanks Sanurian - great to be a part of it. :D
Good luck finding out about browser wars...afraid I'm pretty new to this topic - only found out about Firefox last week :oops:
"P
[/quote]
rakini
I am in Perth, and have always used Canon printers. At the moment I am using a Pixma and love it. I do almost commercial quantities of printing - I run a teacher training course so print handouts for the students, and also I print all my own advertising materials for my yoga classes. The Pixma has duplex printing which means I can do double side printing without the hassle of turning over the pages (a major pain in the butt when printing 20 or so copies of a large document). The printer has mulitiple cartridges, but you can replace them individually, so it doesn't matter if one colour has run out before the others.
I have been using Firefox for about a year now, after a technician told me about it. He suggested it is more secure than IE.
Sanurian
Hi [b]tintin[/b]
A friend of mine recently gave me a hardly-used Epson Stylus CX3500 (nobody else seemed to want it). The main complaint was how fast it went through ink. The Epson colours here cost me [i]Rp[/i] 85,000 each. After getting it running properly (a nozzle check, a couple of "clean" cycles and one "deep clean"), my brand new Cyan ink was nearly empty! (The other three inks were going down too.) And I hadn't really printed anything yet.
The colour Epson tanks hold 10ml of ink. That meant I was paying [i]Rp[/i] 8,500/ml, which is exorbitant, if you ask me. My next step was to use some re-fills ([i]Rp[/i] 35000) and they work just fine. The print quality is excellent for about 1/3 the price (still a tad "high").
I also tried two places in Denpasar to get a high quality bulk ink-loading system installed (bulk ink costs about [i]Rp[/i] 25,000 for [b]25[/b]ml). Both places screwed-up and both gave me all kinds of excuses. The second one blamed the first one for "breaking something inside" and I was rather annoyed by that. Nevertheless, I reloaded the thing when I got back home with straight refills and it prints perfectly! So much for a supposedly "broken" printer.
I have a third person lined up who laughed at my story and reckons he can get the bulk loading system working. I've personally seen the print results after modification (there are two "qualities", [b]kwalitas 1[/b] and [b]kwalitas 2[/b]) and they're excellent. (Even "kwalitas 2" is really good.)
Being a curious kind of fellow, I decided to check the internet for other people's experiences with my particular Epson. While most were happy with the actual print results, they were less than enamoured with the rapid ink usage (= running costs). And several wondered why that particular Epson model, with four ink-tanks onboard, ceased to print anything when one tank was either "too low" or "empty". What's the point of that?
I'm not sure about other Epson models, like your own, but from what you say, it sounds like the same round of bullshit. You're probably aware of Canon's advertising campaign in which they show a few bottles of wine and ask: "[i]If one's empty, do you throw the rest away?[/i]" (Something like that.)
I think we all know that printers are becoming cheaper (and better) all the time. And the main way that the manufacturers make money is from the disposables.
Epson printers generally print (images) very well - thank god for that. It's a pity Epson runs scare campaigns putting people off from using cheaper inks when most of the time they work just fine. Expensive, high-end printers [i]might[/i] need more care in terms of what you feed them. I, for one, am prepared to take the "risks".
:shock:
FreoGirl
I guess Bali has a lot more choice than in Lombok. I went into one of the two computer shops at Mataram mall and asked for a USB mouse, and none of the 3 guys behind the counter knew what USB was. Only the guy out the back knew anything.
I'd be interested to hear opinions on UPS's, or what-ever people do to stop their gear being fried by the frequent brown-outs and unpredictable power supply. Or is that just Lombok too?
I don't really need a battery (as in UPS) as I have a laptop. I need a power regulator. I heard stories of voltameters (servo motor type) being unsuitable for electronics but ok for fridge motors etc. But didn't see anything non-mechanical except UPS type devices.
What does everyone use?
Freo
Tim
You should definitely have an UPS in front of your equipment especially with the lightning in that area. A quality UPS will "clamp down" spikes and surges.... Don't forget your electrical ground, all these factors work together.
Best regards,
Tim
tintin
Sanurian wries,
[quote] And as an added precaution, watch out for electrical storms...it's best practice to turn off your equipment and actually unplug them from the power supply. And be careful of using telephones during storms. [/quote]
I second the motion, in Bali or anywhere else. Total disconnect of the computer PLUS peripherals from the power source (the computer is still connected through the peripherals).
