HP Officejet Pro 8000 stopped working on upgrade to Snow Leopard (10.6)

[psheldrake]

Since upgrading, despite both HP and Apple claiming the upgrade would take care of things like new drivers, my Officejet Pro 8000 has stopped working. Of course, this could be a coincidence and something else has caused the problem.

Quite simply, the printer's resume button is flashing. The manuals indicate that this means it needs new paper in the paper tray, or there's a jam. Moreover, the print utility says "out of paper". Of course, I have no jam, and there's 40 pages of paper in the one and only tray.

I have removed the printer in "Print & Fax", powered it down, disconnected the USB, and then added it back, twice, all to no avail. Nothing changes. Still cannot print.

There doesn't appear to be anything else I can try. This page, "Mac OS X: Setting Up and Using the Product in Mac OS X 10.6", simply goes as far as to say that I should remove the printer and add it back, which of course I've already done. There are no other suggestions for what I might do.

So, either 10.6 has broken my ability to print, or the printer is otherwise faulty and should be returned under warranty. Any ideas?

Thanks.

[PrintDoc]

It is worth a close look into the printer hardware.  Use a flashlight and examine the printer tray area very carefully.  Open the cover and look for even the smallest piece of torn paper somewhere.  Finally, open the back cover (the clean-out) on the rear face of the printer and make sure things look clean.

If nothing there, reset the printing system:

- Sys Prefs, Print & Fax
- Right (control) click the print queue area and select Reset Printing System.
- Select the plus sign and re-add the printer.

[psheldrake]

Hi PrintDoc,

Thanks for your swift response, much appreciated.

I have done everything you suggest, to the point of obsession! Removed and checked duplex unit. Looked in every nook and cranny. Reset printing system and re-added it back in.

Nothing. No change. The power light remains constant green with the resume button flashing.

Anything else you suggest? Best regards.

[PrintDoc]

I think you may have a stuck or defective sensor in your printer.

Here is how to contact HP. 

[psheldrake · Accepted solution]

Update...

went through a series of emails with HP support during which, no disrespect intended, I was asked to do all the things I'd already tried. We got to the point where we were arranging for the printer to be returned under warranty. Then yesterday morning, bam, the printer works again. No explanation and no idea.

Best regards.