HO Deskjet 610 woes---

[eshort]

Found a very cheap HP DeskJet 610 at fleamrket--installed new color (#49) cartridge and refilled the other (black) cartridge.

The printer (If i press power on + papaer feed simtaneously at power on start up) will print a test page in color (no text)..

But

On hoking to my computer, it will only (on a test page) faitnly print the windows 98 logo (peer left corner of page) and nothing else???

The printer seems to be mechanically operating OK(ie- feeds paper, print head goes back and forth over the page etc)..but no printing??

Suggestions inmvited.

Thanx.

Using win98se...using HP "600" driver..dont have the 610 driver but wldnat any "600 series" driver work?..also tried several other drivers (from windows) for HP 600 series--none worked.

thanx.

[bailey]

the windows logo is color and the rest of the page is black, sometimes the nozzel gets clogged aftera while of non use, try wipeinf it with a damp hot towel, or maybe a new black cartridge and see if it will print

[glc]

The black cartridge is clogged.

Driver:

http://h20015.www2.hp.com/en/softwar...=en&sw_lang=en

[eshort]

TX Guys...

The former printer owner said the machine workdd "fine" but had not been used for "a long time".

I repalced the color 9#49) cartridge and efilled the black one..I cleaned the black cartridge before refilling (using a small brush but did not soak it in solutiuon).

Will try the suggestions and search the HP website..

Looks like ill have to buty the black cartridge as well
--the #49 (color) - was $35..the black one is another $29 (Compusa)...was trying to "save $" by NOT buying the black one..but.................................

as said above..when hooked to my computer (and usuing the generic win98 HP 600 series driver)..self test results only in faint printing of the windows flag logo in uper left corner of page/rest of page totally blank......the printer sounds like its operating OK (print cartridge holders move across the page as if printing etc)...

I hate to spend $55 on cartridges..when..a brand new HP printer (with cartridges installed) can be 'had" for only $49

So much for "used" printers!!

[glc]

The generic 600 series driver is not suitable for the 610.

Try filling a soda bottle cap with hot water, and placing the cartridge tip in it for about 30 minutes. You will know when the clog breaks, the water will become VERY black.

I think you have found this out already, but buying a used "entry level" inkjet printer is not a wise economic decision unless you KNOW that the ink cartridges are in good shape and not almost empty. The 610 was "entry level" when it was current 2+ years ago.

[eshort]

great tip!!--will try-----

I used cleaning solution (frm the refill kit) with a swab to clean the erxterior of the cartridge--then i carefully cleaned the lectrical ciontacts and copper plate and put about 2 cc solution into the cartridge..shook it..and drained it out.

The I refilled with black ink.

I "got" the printer for only $3..so I figured id take a chance...

As ive "already" purchased the color cartridge .if the unclog trick doesnt work, i guess ill have to buy a new black cartridge as well..at least the HP cartridges R 30ml (vs 18ml for most of the others)..so I assume they will last almost twice as long??

Almost bought a basic HP printer 9$49 at Compusa) but did not-reasioning it wld be more cost effective-in long run- to buy a "better" printer....thinking about obne of the HPs in the $150 range..understand they are more rugged/better built, less clogging etc than comparable Epsoms/Lexmarks etc...

TX

[eshort]

I tried the various self tests---the "clean test" results in five thee colored bands and a large black band being printed....the "diagnostic test" only produces a very thin colored line across the bottom of the page (with small numbers).

Tried printer an machine #2 (wuith HP 610C driver)..still only prints windows logo (faintly)......did print a web page alebit very faintly, slowly..very grainy graphics and no black and white.

Think ill junk this printer!..maybe I can find another 600 series to use the color cartridge!

[glc]

Looks to me like the #49 works in the whole 600 series - and the 690's are still pretty decent printers.

[eshort]

tried the tests again--using the "clean test", it does print a black band (about two inches in height, across the entire page width) and several color triplets (red-blue and green)...so I guess the cartiedges are OK?

The orher tessts dont produce much..just one luine axcross the page's bottom (in color).

Think ill look for another 'cheap" 600 series printer..at least I have two(?) good cartridges!