HELP!!! I've replaced my black ink cartridge with a new one but it keeps giving me a message saying that it has a cartridge error, error #1203. I have no idea what it means. Please help.

Remove both ink cartridges and check the bottoms to be sure all of the tap is removed. Small pieces of tape frequently are stuck to the cartridge bottom causing errors. Confirm you have the correct cartridges (# 34 for Black(HIGHYIELD) and #33 for color). Reseat the cartridges and try again.

It will be a hardware printing problem mostly. Try cleaning the parts with alcogol or/and elastic rubber. Also try to increase the force of contact with a sticky tape or like that.

The error 1203 error message on the operator panel could indicate a problem with one of the ink cartridges. Please follow the steps given below:
1. Please make sure the All-In-One is powered on.
2. Pull the control panel towards you, and then open the cartridge access door. The print cartridge carrier moves and stops at the loading position.
3. Pull the old cartridges towards you, and then lift them out.
4. With the cartridges out of the printer, shut the access door and the control panel.
5. Power the printer OFF and then back ON.
6. Please check the operator panel to see if the same error has returned or if a new message has appeared.
7. If the message displayed is 1203, there is something wrong with the printer hardware.
If the message now displaying is Cartridge Missing, do the following:

1. Reinstall the cartridges into the printer.
2. Insert the color cartridge in the left carrier. Insert the black cartridge in the right carrier.
3. Push back firmly on the cartridges until they snap securely into place.
4. Close the cartridge access door, and then close the control panel.
5. If the 1203 message is still present on the operator panel, you need to insert one cartridge at a time to determine which cartridge is producing the failure.
6. With one cartridge in the carrier, close the access door and control panel.
7. Please check the operator panel. If the 1203 error is displayed, this cartridge is the defective item. If the Cartridge Missing message is displayed, the second cartridge is producing the failure.
8. Please replace the defective cartridge.

The error 1203 error message on the operator panel could indicate a problem with one of the ink cartridges. Please follow the steps given below:

1. Please make sure the All-In-One is powered on.
2. Pull the control panel towards you, and then open the cartridge access door. The print cartridge carrier moves and stops at the loading position.
3. Pull the old cartridges towards you, and then lift them out.
4. With the cartridges out of the printer, shut the access door and the control panel.
5. Power the printer OFF and then back ON.
6. Please check the operator panel to see if the same error has returned or if a new message has appeared.
7. If the message displayed is 1203, there is something wrong with the printer hardware.
If the message now displaying is Cartridge Missing, do the following:

1. Reinstall the cartridges into the printer.
2. Insert the color cartridge in the left carrier. Insert the black cartridge in the right carrier.
3. Push back firmly on the cartridges until they snap securely into place.
4. Close the cartridge access door, and then close the control panel.
5. If the 1203 message is still present on the operator panel, you need to insert one cartridge at a time to determine which cartridge is producing the failure.
6. With one cartridge in the carrier, close the access door and control panel.
7. Please check the operator panel. If the 1203 error is displayed, this cartridge is the defective item. If the Cartridge Missing message is displayed, the second cartridge is producing the failure.
8. Please replace the defective cartridge.

From what I was reading this error is caused by the contacts where your print cartridge connects being dirty or having old ink smeared on them. Pull out your ink cartridges and use a cloth with just a little dab of water to wipe any old ink off of these contacts.
To reset the error code you should be able to disconnect the power cord from the wall. Also remove the power brick from the back of the printer for 60 seconds. Then connect everything again.

I think it will do the trick for you try 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.

Yes ok try and try.
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.

This link should have the answer for you.
http://www.dellcommunity.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=A940&message.id=13761

How I solved this problem was, I took out the color cartridge (which seem to be the one giving the error message) and worked only with the black ink (and chose print black and white )

My color ink cartridge had been refilled at Walgreens. The Black ink cartridge is an original Lexmark

Normi, The 1203 error as you suspected deals with the ink cartridge. This is a common problem and Lexmark has a troubleshooting procedure posted on their web site. Here is the link for the web page. http://support.lexmark.com/cgi-perl/knowledgebase.cgi?ccs=229:1:0:439:0:0&emeaframe=&docid=ENUS21870 Hope this solves your problem and please don?t forget to rate this posting.