Thanks for the reply , i was just interested to know if the fake cartridges could do any " damage" . Seems however this is a sales tactic , but i do aprreciate a better print though its not always needed i think you aproach of using a generic and a original is a good one and something that il adopt.

The biggest issues I have with both of them is manually installing the drivers and a virtual LPT port because they're both pre-USB.
This must have been fun , all hail "plug and play" haha.

Again thanks for sharing your knowledge Andy