[dbrodsky]

I have an Acer computer with Vista and a HP7450 printer. The printer has always worked fine, and now all-of-a-sudden, it won't print black text. I search on google, this site, and other troubleshooting sites, but no solutions.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

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Try running the diagnostic tests as listed under Services on this page: HP 7450 Photosmart.

Check ink levels:

Estimated ink level -
The Estimated Ink Level tab shows a graphic estimate of how much ink is left in the black and tri-color print cartridges. This is an estimate only, the actual ink levels may vary.

Ron

[Major Payne]

Try running the diagnostic tests as listed under Services on this page: HP 7450 Photosmart.

Check ink levels:

Estimated ink level -
The Estimated Ink Level tab shows a graphic estimate of how much ink is left in the black and tri-color print cartridges. This is an estimate only, the actual ink levels may vary.

Ron

[shard92]

Even if there is ink it could be that it is clogged or that it's dried up as well.

[Major Payne]

Even if there is ink it could be that it is clogged or that it's dried up as well.

That's why the diagnostics tests tell him to clean the cartridges.

Ron

Edited by Major Payne, 03 June 2008 - 11:37 AM.

[shard92]

Yes but just explaining to him some people say " well I know there is ink " and there may be but it is not getting on the paper..

as another thought it could also be a bad cartridge too....

--- edit ---

and by that i mean the electronics....

Edited by shard92, 03 June 2008 - 01:51 PM.

[dbrodsky]

Thank you for the reply.

I have a question. The instructions state the following:
If experiencing print quality issues or problems with the functioning of the printer, click the Service this device button to open the HP Photosmart Toolbox.

Where is the "service this device" button? I can't figure-out how to open the photosmart toolbox.

Thanks

[Major Payne]

maybe this will help answer all your questions: HP PhotoSmart Photo Printer - HP PhotoSmart Toolbox Overview. It seems to be an HP online toold that interacts with your printer.

Related Links:

HP Photosmart 1115 Printer - Printing a Test Page and a Diagnostic Page
HP Photosmart 325, 375, 7450, 8150, and 8450 Series Printers - Printer Driver Setting Definitions
HP Photosmart Printer Software/Driver - HP Photosmart 7450 Photo Printer

Ron

Edited by Major Payne, 05 June 2008 - 01:59 PM.

[dbrodsky]

The problem is that those links do not show how to open the toolbox with Microsoft Vista. If I follow the instructions, I hit dead-ends because the screens or buttons they describe do not appear.

[dbrodsky]

I had the ink refilled and it works fine now. I guess their is no message anymore to alert of low ink, or a way for me to look at the ink levels.

Nonetheless, thank you for all the help.

[shard92]

very possible as vista "broke" a lot of things that worked before...