#74 cartridge problem

[brab]

Just purchased a new 74 cartridge for my printer, but it won't go into the machine.  I compared the old cartridge to the new, and though they look virtually identical, I noticed that the top of the old cartridge has cutouts on either side of the copper strip - but the new cartridge is solid.  Is this a design change or a mismarked cartridge?  Or am I just doing something wrong?

[Bob_Headrick]

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brab wrote:
Just purchased a new 74 cartridge for my printer, but it won't go into the machine.  I compared the old cartridge to the new, and though they look virtually identical, I noticed that the top of the old cartridge has cutouts on either side of the copper strip - but the new cartridge is solid.  Is this a design change or a mismarked cartridge?  Or am I just doing something wrong?

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The cutouts near the copper strip would not make any difference.  The only keyoing for this cartridge is a small protrusion on the top near the front of the cartridge (toward the copper strip) that is used to prevent the color cartridge from being put in the black slot and vice versa.  It may help to put the cartridge in at a slight backwards angle.  Depending on your printer model it will either snap into position or be latched by a lid assembly.

Do not put the color into the black space or vice versa as this can become lodged into place and be very difficult to remove.

Regards,
Bob Headrick, Microsoft MVP Printing/Imaging

[brab]

Well - we tried again to seat the cartridge in it's holder per Mr. Headrick's suggestion.  Inserting the cartidge into the machine back end just, then lifting up to snap into place - it snapped in, but felt really loose and wobbly.  Then it popped back out again.  So we fiddled a little more.  There cartridge would still not seat correctly.  So we tried pulling the #75 cartridge out, installing the #74, then reinstalling the #75.  Now neither cartridge will seat properly.  We can get the color (#75) cartridge to stay in, but as soon as we try to install the Black (#74) the color cartrdige pops back out.  Could there be something wrong with the carrier the cartridges pop into?   

[Bob_Headrick]

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brab wrote:
Well - we tried again to seat the cartridge in it's holder per Mr. Headrick's suggestion.  Inserting the cartidge into the machine back end just, then lifting up to snap into place - it snapped in, but felt really loose and wobbly.  Then it popped back out again.  So we fiddled a little more.  There cartridge would still not seat correctly.  So we tried pulling the #75 cartridge out, installing the #74, then reinstalling the #75.  Now neither cartridge will seat properly.  We can get the color (#75) cartridge to stay in, but as soon as we try to install the Black (#74) the color cartrdige pops back out.  Could there be something wrong with the carrier the cartridges pop into?   

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It sounds like you will need to have your printer serviced.  If it is still under warranty and you are in the US call HP at 1-800-HPINVENt.  Elsewhere in the world click here for HP Contact information.

Regards,
Bob Headrick, Microsoft MVP Printing/Imaging