Printer won't print?

[Guest]

Hi All,

I'm having problems with my printer. Basically, I think it's stuck -- when I
prompt it to print, it tries, but then starting making a clicking sound and
the cartridges move to the right side of the printer and stop there. I've
tried cleaning the cartridges, wiped out excess ink inside the printer,
replaced both the color and black and white cartridges, but nothing is
working. The printer keeps telling me there's a problem with the color
cartridge, but that can't be it. What should I do?

Thanks for any and all advice,

Erin

 

[Shenan Stanley]

I'm having problems with my printer. Basically, I think it's stuck --
when I prompt it to print, it tries, but then starting making a
clicking sound and the cartridges move to the right side of the
printer and stop there. I've tried cleaning the cartridges, wiped out
excess ink inside the printer, replaced both the color and black and
white cartridges, but nothing is working. The printer keeps telling
me there's a problem with the color cartridge, but that can't be it.
What should I do?

Thanks for any and all advice,

Sounds like your inkjet printer has had it.
They are cheap - it's the cartridges that are expensive.

You could try turning it off/unhooking it from power and cleaning the
contact where the ink cartridges go with q-tips and rubbing alcohol. Not
the cartridges, however..

Then, after letting it air out for 10+ minutes, hook it back up and try
again..

After that - you have put more time in it than a new inkjet printer is
probably worth... If it is under warranty - swap it out.
You never mentioned the model.

 

[Ron Martell]

Hi All,

I'm having problems with my printer. Basically, I think it's stuck -- when I
prompt it to print, it tries, but then starting making a clicking sound and
the cartridges move to the right side of the printer and stop there. I've
tried cleaning the cartridges, wiped out excess ink inside the printer,
replaced both the color and black and white cartridges, but nothing is
working. The printer keeps telling me there's a problem with the color
cartridge, but that can't be it. What should I do?

Thanks for any and all advice,

Erin

What is the make and model of the printer?

The first thing you should do is to try to isolate the problem as to
being a printer problem or a computer problem.

Many printers have the option of printing a test, sample or status
page right from the printer controls, without any computer connection.
What happens if you try to do this with your printer?

If it prints a test/sample/status page okay then you probably have a
software (printer driver) related problem, although a problem with the
printer cable is also a possibility.

If it will not print the test/sample/status page then you probably
have a hardware problem with the printer itself and you need to either
take to a printer service technician or post your question to a
printer related newsgroup such as comp.periphs.printers.

Good luck

Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

In memory of a dear friend Alex Nichol MVP
http://aumha.org/alex.htm

 

[Guest]

Shenan,

Thanks for your advice. I did what you suggested, but alas, no luck. The
printer still doesn't work. The model is HP Deskjet 3820, and it's a couple
years past it's warranty. I don't suppose you know anywhere I could pick up a
used 3820 model for fairly cheap? Any websites you know of that might sell
them?

Thanks again for your help!

Erin

 

[Shenan Stanley]

Thanks for your advice. I did what you suggested, but alas, no luck.
The printer still doesn't work. The model is HP Deskjet 3820, and
it's a couple years past it's warranty. I don't suppose you know
anywhere I could pick up a used 3820 model for fairly cheap? Any
websites you know of that might sell them?

Thanks again for your help!

Being discontinued - you might try eBay..
However, it was replaced with the 3840 series:
http://snipurl.com/hlow

Which seems to start at $69.99 and go up to just over $100.
As always - the INK in an inkjet is the true investment.