Error 1203 for Dell Printer AIO 926

Error 1203 is a very interesting error code. Here is what I found out about error 1203



Error 1203 is a very interesting cartridge error. It means your cartridges overflow even from brand new cartridges after a several prints or right after you refilled the cartridges. Check to see if ink are smeared on the holder where the contact panel with the cartridge


Solution:
I use the lint free cloth(coffee filter work great) with a few drops of water to dampen and clean off those contact on the holder and my printer work again.
Then before you print anything, you should run aligned the cartridges a couple times then run clean cartridges a couple times.
Print the test page to see how it's look and way you go.
Be sure not to leave any debris of lint free cloth(coffee filter work great on those holder contact panel.

Article on refilling Dell ink cartridges


Rick

It could be a communications error message, the printer is not communicating with the computer.

Disconnect and then reconnect the USB cable.

Disconnect and then reconnect the printer power cable.

Restart the computer.

Remove and reinstall the printer software

If your printer does not function properly or communication error messages appear when using your printer, you can remove and reinstall the printer software.

1. Click Start®Programs or All Programs®Dell Printers®Dell Photo AIO Printer 962®Uninstall Dell Photo AIO Printer 962.
   
   
2. Follow the instructions on the computer screen to remove the printer software.
   
   
3. Restart your computer before installing the software again.
   
   
4. Insert the Drivers and Utilities CD, and then follow the instructions on the computer screen to install the software.
   
   

If the installation screen does not appear:

1. In Windows XP, click Start®My Computer.
   
   

In Windows 2000, double-click My Computer from your desktop.

1. Double-click the CD-ROM drive icon. If necessary, double-click setup.exe.
   
   
2. When the printer software installation screen appears, click Install or Install Now.
   
   
3. Follow the instructions on your screen to complete the installation.
   
   

Communications error message
The printer is not communicating with the computer.
Communications error message
The printer is not communicating with the computer.

Try reinstalling the printer using the instructions located at....

926 Photo All-In-One Printer owners thread (W7)

You'll need to disconnect the printer. Download and run the patch(printer cleanup utility) until it prompts you to restart your computer.

Restart your computer.

Install the proper drivers. You'll get the message, the printer is not connected. Connect the printer at this time.


Rick

I know this sounds too simple, but get a new USB cord. I had the exact same problem and it was driving me crazy. I followed all the advice about uninstalling, reinstalling and updating multiple times and it never fixed the problem. Finally, my husband made the simple suggestion that maybe it was a problem with the connectivity of the USB cord. I didn't have much faith in it, but I bought a new USB cord and hooked it up - and I have never had a problem with the printer since then. My original USB cord (the one replaced) was the one that came with the Dell printer - perhaps there is a flaw in the cord somewhere. ?

You can only try it could work
Error 1203 is an issue that occurs either when a cartridge is bad or the printer cartridge Slot is bad...

1 - try cleaning the copper contacts of the both carts and cart slot in the printer and try again..
or
2 - when error shows up, shut the printers power off; wait one minute and turn it back on press copy.

Hello there try doing this.
Error 1203 is an issue that occurs either when a cartridge is bad or the printer cartridge Slot is bad...

1 - try cleaning the copper contacts of the both carts and cart slot in the printer and try again..
or
2 - when error shows up, shut the printers power off; wait one minute and turn it back on press copy.

Found on another forum. For 926 this worked great.
1. Go to Control Panel - Printers : Delete 926 printer
2. Go to Control Panel - Programs and Features : Uninstall All Dell 926 related software. There should be 3 programs. (When prompted to restart, respond to wait.
3. Rename Folder C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\SPOOL\DRIVERS\W32x86 to W32X86OLD
4. Now restart your computer
5. Reinstall 926 Software.
This worked terrific for me.

Printer says error 1203

Overview

The 1203 error message is caused by either a communication failure between one of the printheads (cartridges) and the All-In-One (AIO), or by a short in one of the printheads. The procedures below will help you to resolve this issue.

Troubleshooting a Communication Error between the Cartridge and the Printer

NOTE: The embedded links in the table lead to specific troubleshooting documents.
Step Action
1
Power off the All-In-One (AIO) and remove the power supply from the back of the unit. Wait 30 seconds, then reinsert the power supply and power the AIO on.

Did the error message return?

Yes: Continue to step 2.
No: Print a test page. If the test page prints, the error is resolved.
2 Open the top cover of the AIO and remove both cartridges from the AIO.

3
Power off the AIO and remove the power supply from the back of the unit. Wait 30 seconds, then reinsert the power supply and power the AIO on.

Did the error message return?

Yes: There is a hardware problem with the printer. Continue to Contacting Lexmark.
No: Continue to Step 4
4
Power off the AIO and remove the power supply from the back of the unit. Reinsert the power supply, and power the AIO on. Open the top cover of the AIO and insert the color cartridge. Close the top cover.

Did the error message return?

Yes: Continue to Cleaning the Cartridge Contacts, then repeat step 4. If you have already tried cleaning the contacts, continue to Defective Cartridge Test.
No: Continue to step 5.

5
Power off the AIO and remove the power supply from the back of the unit. Reinsert the power supply, and power the AIO on. Open the top cover of the AIO and insert the black/photo cartridge. Close the top cover.

Did the error message return?

Yes: Continue to Cleaning the Cartridge Contacts, then repeat steps 5. If you have already tried cleaning the contacts, skip to Defective Cartridge Test.
No: Print a test page. If the test page prints, the error is resolved.


Cleaning the Cartridge Contacts

NOTE: The embedded links in the table lead to specific troubleshooting documents.Step Action
1 Power off the AIO and remove the power supply from the back of the unit. Open the top cover of the AIO. Using the carrier belt, gently move the cartridge carrier to the middle of the unit.
2 Remove the cartridges. Clean the cartridge contacts and the AIO carrier contacts .check the link for cleaning http://support.lexmark.com/cgi-perl/knowledgebase.cgi?ccs=229:1:0:590:0:0&framed=&docid=ENUS24064&relevance=0



Defective Cartridge Check

To test the cartridge, replace it with either a new cartridge or a known good cartridge from another printer of this type. If the error message persists, proceed to Contacting Lexmark.

The 1203 error message is caused by either a communication failure between one of the printheads (cartridges) and the All-In-One (AIO), or by a short in one of the printheads. The procedures below will help you to resolve this issue.

Troubleshooting a Communication Error between the Cartridge and the Printer

NOTE: The embedded links in the table lead to specific troubleshooting documents.
Step Action
1
Power off the All-In-One (AIO) and remove the power supply from the back of the unit. Wait 30 seconds, then reinsert the power supply and power the AIO on.

Did the error message return?

Yes: Continue to step 2.
No: Print a test page. If the test page prints, the error is resolved.
2 Open the top cover of the AIO and remove both cartridges from the AIO.

3
Power off the AIO and remove the power supply from the back of the unit. Wait 30 seconds, then reinsert the power supply and power the AIO on.

Did the error message return?

Yes: There is a hardware problem with the printer. Continue to Contacting Lexmark.
No: Continue to Step 4
4
Power off the AIO and remove the power supply from the back of the unit. Reinsert the power supply, and power the AIO on. Open the top cover of the AIO and insert the color cartridge. Close the top cover.

Did the error message return?

Yes: Continue to Cleaning the Cartridge Contacts, then repeat step 4. If you have already tried cleaning the contacts, continue to Defective Cartridge Test.
No: Continue to step 5.

5
Power off the AIO and remove the power supply from the back of the unit. Reinsert the power supply, and power the AIO on. Open the top cover of the AIO and insert the black/photo cartridge. Close the top cover.

Did the error message return?

Yes: Continue to Cleaning the Cartridge Contacts, then repeat steps 5. If you have already tried cleaning the contacts, skip to Defective Cartridge Test.
No: Print a test page. If the test page prints, the error is resolved.


Cleaning the Cartridge Contacts

NOTE: The embedded links in the table lead to specific troubleshooting documents.Step Action
1 Power off the AIO and remove the power supply from the back of the unit. Open the top cover of the AIO. Using the carrier belt, gently move the cartridge carrier to the middle of the unit.
2 Remove the cartridges. Clean the cartridge contacts (click here for instructions) and the AIO carrier contacts
(click here for instructions).


Defective Cartridge Check

To test the cartridge, replace it with either a new cartridge or a known good cartridge from another printer of this type. If the error message persists, proceed to Contacting Lexmark.