HP DeskJet 500 printer

This poor thing is so old, but its poor owner cannot replace it. I was in the middle of a print job - only 2 more pages to go. When I placed the next sheet of paper for printing, it began a very loud hum and seems to be "locked up".
In the self-test, when first turned on, everything seems to move/work as intended. Nothing seems to move when I tell it to print.
This is personal business that really needs to get done today.
Any suggestions from anyone?

Reply 1 : HP DeskJet 500 printer

Two areas I would check are the carriage rail and the timing fence/strip. Turn-ON the ptr. and then pull the AC plug. Hopefully, in doing this the prthead is now free to move by hand back and forth, because it's now "unparked". If that's the case, move prthead back and forth, it should move with ease and be smooth, if not, clean and relube with light oil and repeat until it really is smooth moving. Once done, plug back in and test results. If the problem returns, then you may have a dirty(inked/smudged) timing fence strip. This strip is located from lft-to-rt side, going through the backside of the prtnead. With deft and care, wipe it out with a wet towel(shop) or clean cloth swatch. It is spring loaded to maintain tension, so try to clean from left-->right. Repeat until its clean and test again when done. Hopefully one of those should do. Otherwise, you may want to remove cobers and check the operation closely to see what it does. You will need to trip the door latch sw. to trick the ptr. as if closed door. Sometimes the parking station mech. is broken or somehow is cruddy or sticky, etc., but you need to view it because its normally hidden from view.

tada -----Willy

Reply 2 : HP DeskJet 500 printer

When a printer fails and it must get done I head to Kinkos.