hpc309a not printing in color. printing black only after os upgrade

[chickens]

Issue began immediately after upgrade to mac Snow Leopard 10.6.8. Yes the cartridges are fine. I've downloaded the latest driver and firmware. I've chosen Best and premium paper while printing. Still nothing.

[PrintDoc]

Uninstall the software using the 'scrubber' option:

Go to Applications/Hewlett Packard/ click on HP Uninstaller
Click on Continue
Highlight your device on the left pane
Press and hold Control + Alt + Cmd keys on the keyboard simultaneously while you click on Uninstall <<<< This IS the Scrubber Option, there is no button labeled "Scrubber"
There will be a pop up that asks if you are sure you want to uninstall ALL hp software. (At this point, if you continue, any HP printers you have installed will need to be reinstalled)
Click Continue and let it finish

Restart your Mac

Download and install this: http://support.apple.com/kb/DL907

Now reset the printing system:

- Sys Prefs, Print & Fax
- Right (control) click in the rectangle listing your printers and select Reset Printing System.
WARNING - this will delete ALL of your printers!

Finally, get the latest software for your printer from the "Support & Drivers" link at the top of this page.

[chickens]

Thanks for your reply. But I followed every step of this and have the exact same problem. Printing in black is no problem. But it will not print in color.

The firmware on the HP site also locks up and accepting the terms so that cannot be installed.

However, I'm not sure this is a firmware issue. In short, I have a useless printer and have spent hours. Please offer another solution.

Thanks

[PrintDoc]

Reset the printer.  Turn it off.  Hold the # and 6 keys while and for a few seconds after turning it back on.

[chickens]

Again,

Thanks for the reply but after doing the hard reset, the issue is still not resolved. No color printing.

Please advise.

[PrintDoc]

I think this is a software issue, but to be sure, please print a self test from the front of the printer (or make a color copy from the front of the printer).  If it prints in color, then the printer's color system is OK.

[chickens]

Hi,

It's not making color copies. The cartridges all show ink in them.

[PrintDoc · Accepted solution]

OK, then the printer is at fault.  First, try cleaning the cartridge vents as instructed on this page:  http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c02253171&cc=us&dlc=en&lc=en

If that does not work, remove all of the cartridges, then lift the latch on the right side of the carriage and remove the printhead assembly.  Clean the electrical contacts with a damp, lint-free cloth (the cloth will be ruined with ink stains) and then clean the mating surface on the carriage.

Reinstall and retry.

[chickens]

Cleaning the carriage did the trick!

Thanks much for your several replies.

[chickens]

Ever since the original problem was resolved I now receive a Load Plain Paper message (there is plenty of paper in the tray). I hit Ok and then it automatically aligns cartridges (Alignment fails every time). This happens every single time after I print.

Please advise.