Can't switch imaging units between machines?

[Serhat]

Thank you for your response. After reading my initial post again with a critical view, I see how one could come to another interpretation than I intended. But it seems to be worked out now

To answer your counter-question:

1. If one machine sees a unit as barely used, the other should too. If a unit is good for, say, 50k copies on one machine, then it should also be good for 50k copies on another, not 0.

2. Keep in mind that these particular models are pretty old and that they usually don't have service contracts on them anymore. Basically, any extra life you can get out of them is a bonus.

We started on one of these old machines, but as time went on and our business grew, we decided we wanted more reliability and predictability (fixed price per page). That's why we invested in a new machine (2009 model) with a service contract that includes consumables.

[fixthecopier]

With some machines the count is recorded on boards in the machines. The new unit would have a fuse or a chip that would pop and reset the counter on the board. If in machine "A" the cyan unit was installed and reset the counter, and then ran 500 prints, the machine thinks that unit has 500 prints on it. If you go to machine "B" and the cyan unit has run 45,000 prints and remove that unit and put the one in from machine "A", well the machine still thinks that new unit has 45,000 prints on it, because the machine has never had the count reset on the board. The newer Bizhub color printers keep count on the unit itself. Copiers are always adjusting themselves based on how many prints are on them. This is because the surface of the drum wares down with use, so the machine will compensate by making internal adjustments. Putting a new chip in does not always work. You have told the machine this unit is new and it adjust itself for it, but in reality it has 45.000 prints on it. You may have instant quality problems, or it may last a week or so. You just never know.
Techs can pick their fight. Most customers will go along with the chip thing when you explain how they are saving money. I went to a 3 star generals office last month and chipped all three color units on a c550. The next week one of them coded and I went back and changed all three so I would not have another one code the next week. It was easier for me to fight with my manager than the generals staff.
Also when we change those units they are sent back to the factory to be rebuilt. They don't go to the landfill.
Also I have 2 2002's and 1 3102 still new in the box, sans the firery, that I am trying to move dirt cheep.
Have a happy new year.