Cartridge problem

[potty64]

My black cartridge will not print out but the colour one does. I've aligned it, cleaned it and checked that the printer is set as default. I've also put a different cartridge into no avail. ??

[boxtops]

what make and model of printer, potty?

[MichaelZZ]

Hi Boxtops! Excuse me for butting in but Potty has asked a similar question in another thread and I have made a few suggestions.
His printer is a HP PSC 1400 I think.
If you read his previous questions you'll get an idea of the problems he's had. I'm sure another brain on the job to make some suggestions would be welcome so if you've got any ideas ...

[boxtops]

ah, thanks michael - I have an HP, I'll have a think.

[MichaelZZ]

Lots more for you to think about here Boxy!
http://www.theanswerb...y/Question1180859.htm

[boxtops]

that just takes me to the list of questions, michael....

[potty64]

Thanks for informing boxtops of my make of printer michaelZZ! It's so nice of you both trying to solve my prob!! BUT! I'm off to bed or I'll be late for my work in the morning. I hope to 'talk' with you tomorrow night. Who knows, a fairy might come in the night and FIX THE BLASTED THING!! By the way, I'm a 'she'! Night night!

[MichaelZZ]

Erm, sorry about that Boxy! I thought the link would work.
If you click on my name in one of the answers you should be able to pick up Potty's threads.

[MichaelZZ]

Good morning Potty (& Boxy!)
I had a bright thought in the night (don't we all?)
Putting an old cartridge back in the printer is never a good idea. It is likely that the head has dried out in the time the thing has been out of the printer and it's not easy to get the ink flowing again.
I may have mentioned many moons ago that I had trouble with the colour cartridge on my HP all-in-one. I bought a new "compatible" cartridge from my local supermarket and when this didn't work I returned it to swap it for another - which they did very graciously. The replacement didn't work either so as the printer was still in warranty (just) I took it back to Comet. They eventually replaced it but put the old catridges in it. When I returned it a second time I "accidentally" forgot to include the cartridges. The replacement for this one eventually came back with new genuine HP cartridges in it and it's worked like a dream ever since.
I guess that before you finally abandon all hope it might be an idea to get a new, genuine, rather than "refilled" or "compatible" black HP cartridge from an on-line shop. I've never used Printer Basics - I usually use Amazon. A twin pack HP21/22 works out cheaper than buying individuals.
Hope this helps.
MZZ

[bazwillrun]

put it in a plastic bag or on something that floats , then put it in some warm water for a while and then go through the cleaning utilities.

If you have any cartridges that are still unboxed and waiting to be used keep them in the fridge (not the freezer) until you need them.

[Wak]

Hi there, Potty,
I believe your cartridge is a fairly standard type showing the print head at one corner and brass electrical contacts on one side?
If so, these can very often be revived when dried out by standing them with the print head in a saucer of hot (NOT BOILING) water until it cools.
When cool, wipe print head with paper tissue to check for ink and repeat if still dry.
Another thing to check is that the electrical contacts are clean. They can often get covered with grease from the fingers.
Clean with a small brush and methylated spirits. Allow to dry properly before replacing cartridge. You can also clean the contacts in the printer but switch it off first.
Another point of interest? Running the in-built cleaning process uses a hell of a lot of ink, particularly with a colour cartridge.
Instead of using the cleaning process, first run a short Document page which includes a line of each colour. Yellow, magenta, Cyan and Black.
If any particular line of colour is either feint or shows white lines through it, then make a document page of only that particular colour and run it until it clears and prints properly.
Hope this helps.

[MichaelZZ]

Sorry about the gender realignment, Potty!
I hope there was something useful in the last few answers.

[dentech]

I had the same problem with my HP Photosmart C4272.
Mine was solved by someone in the answerbank:-
1 Hold the power and cancel button down
2 When it says enter special key combo, press BLUE, GREEN then GREY.
3 Press BLUE again, now it says information menu.
4 Press GREEN then GREY, now it says "checksum for relock data"
5 Press GREEN again!!
All done, at least for me, and I hope it works for you too.