After installing new ink cartrages the two red lights keep flashing and I can't check the cartrages to see if they are seated properly

good day,
try to re-install the ink cartrage and make sure they are properly attatched.

Hey,

Remove the cart ridges, restart printer, does the lights still flash? restart printer, place cartridges back in, make sure the tape is removed from the cartridge. also you can try cleaning the contacts.

So after you have connected the carts again, restart printer. how is it?

Thanks,
Ekse

I hope this will help you :)
* Green Power light flashes- The printer is receiving a print job, replacing an ink cartridge, charging ink, or cleaning the print head.
* RED paper light is On- If the CD/DVD try guide is open, close the CD/DVD tray guide, load paper, then press the paper button. Your paper ran out or multiple sheets loaded at the same time . Load paper and press the paper butoon to resume printing.
* RED paper light flashes- Paper is jammed in the printer. Press the paper button to eject the jammed paper. If the light is still flashing , open the cover and remove all paper, including any jammed or torn pieces. Then reload paper and press the paper button to continue printing.
* RED Ink Light Flashes - One or more cartridges are low on ink. Check the message that appears on your screen to determine which cartridge is low, or follow the instructions in " Checking the Ink Supply". Make sure you have a replacement cartridge.
* RED Ink Light is ON- One or more cartridges are out of ink or not installed. If you have just installed a new cartridge, it may be incomaptible with the printer or incorrectly installed. Reinstall it or replace it with the correct cartridge
* RED Ink and RED paper lights flash alternately- The CD/DVD tray guide was left open when you turned on the printer or when printing on paper. Just simply close it/
* Green Power Light is Off; RED paperand RED Ink Lights flashing- Paper may be blocking movement of the print head. Turn off the printer, then open the cover and remove any jammed paper or other foreign objects. Turn the printer back on again. Or it may have an internal error. Turn off the printer, wait a few seconds, then turn it on again.

http://www.ehow.com/how_6045883_install-canon-ip1700-cartridge.html

This is an easy to understand article.Has pictures.

Yes you should be able to just change the black ink cartrage, A lot of printer wont allow other third party cartrages, is it a genuine epson ink cartridge? if so try cleaning the contacts on the cartrage.

Perhaps one of the ink tanks is not snapped in properly. The cartridge lamps on this model glow red when they are properly seated/installed.

These little red lamps also flash codes:
Slow flash (approx. 3 second intervals) - ink low
Quick flash (every second) - ink cartridge empty

reinserted ink and reset

Hi there,

The Error "Check INK U140"
Causes : Possible causes are as follows :
* The ink tank may not be installed properly (The lamp on the ink tank is off).
Install the appropriate ink tank.
* The ink tank not be compatible with this machine. (The lamp on the ink tank is off).
Install the appropriate Ink tank.
The machine will not print of the wrong type of ink tank is used or if it is installed incorrectly.

Be sure to install the ink tanks in the proper order. The proper arrangement from the left to right is Black - (CLI-8BK), Black -(PGI-5BK), Yellow - (CLI-8Y), Magenta (CLI-8M), Cyan (CLI-8C).

Replacing Tanks
1) Ensure that the machine is on.

2) Raise the Scanning Unit (Printer Cover) until it stops.
The Paper Output tray will open automatically and the Print Holder moves to the center.
Impoprtant : If the Scanning Unit (PRinter Cover) is left open for more than 10 minutes, The Print Head Holder moves to the right. Close and reopen the Scanning Unit(Printer Cover) to return the Print Head Holder to the center.

3) OPen the Inner Cover.

4) Press the Open button to open the Paper Output tray if it does not open automatically and remove the ink tank whoe lamp is flashing red fast. Do not touch the Print Head Lock Lvever. Remove only the ink tank.
Important : * Handle the ink tanks carefully to avoid staining clothing or the surrounding area.
* Discard empty ink tanks according to the locakl laws and regulations regarding disposal of consumables.
Note : Be sure to replace ink tanks one by one when replacing more than one ink tank.

5) Prepare a replacement tank.
a) Remove the new tank ink from its packaging, then pull the orange tape so that the protective film does not remain on air hole. Then remove the film.
b) Remove the orange protective cap from the bottom of the ink tank and discard it.

6) Install the ink .
a) Install the ink tank into the Print Head.
b) Press on the Push button on the ink tank until the ink tank snaps firmly into place.
c) Ensure that the ink tank clicks into place and then its lamp lights red.
Important : Make sure to install all the ink tanks to enable printing. The machine cannot be used unless all the ink tanks are installed.

7) Close the Inner Cover.
Note: Ensure that the Inner Cover is closed, Printing will not occur if the Inner Cover is open.

Hope this help. PLease rate my response.
Thanks
have a good day.

this is idicative of a waste pad counter overflow, the ssc printer utility can clear the inbuilt counter but if your using your printer a lot it would be a good idea to replace or clean the waste pad, its inside the printer and will bee messy but if your doing lots of prints it will be less messy than if it overflows

When you put in a "new" cartrage the printer sens an electrical charge to the cartrage to set it up properly. So I would treat this as a new cartrage, rather than a refilled one. Go to the printer menu and re install the ink cartrage in question, it should recognise it and start the function as a new one, good luck