More help for Gidly please!

Can anyone help with this problem please??

Last night whilst testing the printer, it went funny all night and insisted on only giving colour images using two colours instead of three.

I don't know why but after messing about for hours that came correct though I have not tried it today.
Then I tried to use the cartridge I had filled with ink to see if that would cure the problem but the printer would not accept the cartridge at all.

I have heard that companies programme some kind of expiry date into their cartridges so if you do not use them up before the date they are no longer usable. If this is so that means that any I refill in the future may work but will have to be used up before they reach the date. And if they go past that date you have to buy a new one anyhow. Otherwise I have another problem.

Thanks in advance,
Mango/Gildy