EPSON ET2810 inkjet tank series --poor instruction manual and advice !!!

Hi folks
I'm usually O K with all sorts of hardware -- was helping a guy to install a tank epson ET-2812 printer -- was actually a decent printer BTW.

Ink filling from bottles was clean , messless etc -- but on ist load you have to "Initialize" the ink system. Manual said hold power button on for 5 secs. Then all you got was a red indicator on the "ink" indicator at the RHS of the panel. Seemed no way to continue. The guy was so confused he almost RMA'd the printer.

I messed around for about 2 hrs with this also getting nowhere including the useless website which just said "refer to instructions" ! !!!! -- eventually I saw on some Russian site unbelievably that what you actually have to do is just switch on the printer, and then when you get the solid red light on the ink status thing press the round sysmbol just to the left of it and HOLD THAT for 5 secs. The ink system light then flashes -- eventually it goes amber and then finally --all ready -- could take up to 15 mins.

It's a decent printer but if it even confuses people like me I'm sure many more are going to be frustrated. If I couldn't understand Russian that would have been another perfectly good piece of hardware being RMA'd.

Some of these large corporations (SEIKO e.g who own epson) should employ people who can write operatimg manuals better. !!!

Actually that printer is a decent photo and scanner printer too -- even though my preference is for a laser printer. Anyway got a few glasses of ale in my local tavern for the assistance to a greatful user.


Cheers
jimbo

I recently installed an Epson ET-4850 printer in our home. The instruction pamphlet states to press and hold the "help" button (the one with a question mark in a circle) for five seconds to start the ink charging process. It went seamlessly after that and it did take all of the 10 minutes the booklet stated. The print alignment sequence took a long time and seemed tedious, but it's been a really great printer, scanner, copier, fax machine.

Update: Curiosity got to me and I downloaded the startup document for the ET-2812 printer. The manual shows a button with an upside down triangle inside a circle (is that an international symbol for help) to be pressed and held for five seconds. It doesn't name the button, just shows what it looks like and states to press and hold it. One could easily confuse it with a power button, but the diagram below the instructions shows not to press the power button, disconnect the power cord, or open the paper tray.

Another update: Since I hadn't seen the button with an upside down triangle symbol in a circle before, I searched for the shape and finding nothing I downloaded the user manual also and the button section describes this button as the "STOP" button. It also states that holding it down for five seconds initiates the head cleaning function.

I love the picture instructions that don't even come close to what you actually have to do.