PhotoSmart 7760v

HP PhotoSmart-7760v Ink Jet printer I bought in Dec'2005 (it was manufactured Aug'2004). Since I have no real workspace at home, I stick the printer back in the box/closet when I'm not using it. I don't think it likes sitting sideways like that.

Sept07'2006

For the 2nd time now I got an error message when using it: Print cartridge cradle is stuck. Clear jam then press OK. The printed manual doesn't help.

I found a page with instructions. They don't look like fun. They also didn't work. Contacting HP.... See FlickR:PhotoSmart. http://static.flickr.com/96/238543064_88a091a906_t.jpg

Did Live Chat with HP tech. He (Daniel) gave me pretty much same instructions as linked page, except

• leave cartridges out when turning back, wait for error msg saying cartridges are missing

• then put just 1 of the cartridges back in, and use the Menu interface on the printer to print a test page.

That seemed to work (so far) - did the 58 (photo cartridge). But now the cartridge holder seems like it's in a weird position and I can't get the 2nd cartridge (57 - color cartridge) in. And the chat session closed (I guess Daniel figured we were done.) Oh, duh, you have to have the printer on to insert/remove cartridges; when you turn off the printer the cartriges get put into a special "capping station" position to keep them from drying out. So I got the 2nd cartridge (57) in.

But now I get the cradle is stuck message again! So I'm going to repeat the previous procedure, but putting in the 2nd cartridge (57) first. It's smelling like that might be part of the problem. (Note test pages said 58 was 90% full, the 57 was 80% full.)

Did that. Test page started out fine, got the color grids with no problem, but then got cradle is stuck message before the color bars got printed.

Went back to tech again. Conclude the cartridge is defective. Warranty on it ran out 4 months ago, so I'm outta luck. Having printed a total of 48 pages, including today's tests. (What's doubly annoying is that I rarely print photos, so I'm probably rarely even using that cartridge. Actually, so what I'm going to do is just leave in the 1 cartridge and not the other. Except that will only let me do back-up/draft printing, I think.

Sept16'2006

Have simple b/w document to print, so decide to try without having replaced the one cartidge. When I turn on the printer, I get that warning about it missing a cartridge and so it will use "ink-backup mode".

But then, when I actually try to print, it now says out of paper. Even though there's paper in there (~20 pieces).

Tech says that "ink back-up mode" shouldn't be the issue. Rollers must not be detecting paper in the tray.

Tried playing with settings, no luck.

Tech (Parker) says they'll extend my warranty if I can find credit-card slip. Opens case.

Later I try cleaning the rollers by hand (to get dust off) (lacking a nice link-free cloth, I actually used a damp sponge). That actually seems to do the job. So now I have to debate whether to (a) send it back, or (b) buy new cartridge and try to do some more printing.

Sept23'2006

Bought new 57 cartridge. Tried it out, things are working fine. So won't bother replacing printer.