Printer keeps printing a test page after each print document

[Andy52]

I have an HP Deskjet 970Cse running under Windows XP Professional with Service Pack 3.

About 2 weeks ago I was getting confusing messages about the ink levels, e.g., telling me one cartridge was out of ink when it wasn't, and after checking and replacing it it told me the other cartridge was bad or empty.

I replaced the cartridges with new ones and the error messages went away. To test the other ones I replaced the previous set and they worked fine without empty messages.

 Then one day my computer told me it was installing the HP printer and I now had 2 copies.

I uninstalled the printers and drivers and downloaded the latest from HP (the same I was already running for years) and now it prints a test page after every print job, which is wasting ink. By print job I mean it prints a test page after all documents in the print queue finish. On rare occassions it will print a test page between each document but this is not the norm.

Any help would be appreciated.

[AlwaysNeon]

My first recommendation, Andy, is to again uninstall the printer and software from the computer and reinstall it. However I want to be sure to remove the software in every form from your computer. Before any of this remove the USB cord from the printer and computer until the software directs you to plug it back in. 

Start by going through Programs and Features, Devices and Printers and the Device Manager and make sure that the printer software is completely removed, uninstalled or deleted. 

Then in the start menu, click RUN and type "%temp%" and press ENTER. In the folder that opens up I want you to delete all the files and folders present that will allow you to delete them (some will not allow you to, and that is alright). 

After doing all that and restarting your PC follow the link below and install the Full-Feature software and drivers available through the HP download:

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/softwareDownloadIndex?softwareitem=dj-21823-1&cc=us&dlc=en&lc=en&...

Have a great day! 

[Andy52]

I did uninstall absolutely everything including all in the %temp% area, the %appdata% and the %programfiles% in case I found anything.

 I then carefully followed the install instructions for the full feature install.

I just tried printing a small document for the first time abd, sure enough, it followed it with a test page. I tried another document and thought I had lucked out but after a few seconds, 15 at least, with the green light blinking it made a noise and I heard the printhead move as though to print again so i hit cancel button on printer and stopped it.

Any more ideas would be appreciated. I have started hitting the cancel button on the printer in which case I ofen get it stopped after only the first line. there is, of course, nothing in the print queue to cancel.

Thanks

[AlwaysNeon]

Interesting. First, I want you to unplug the printer from the back and the wall for thirty seconds after removing the ink cartridges. Then plug the machine back in, and as it indicates that it is out of ink replace the cartridges. Try a print job after this. 

Should that still prove to continue the issue, we can try installing through an alternate driver. Here is a link written by a collegue of mine on how to do that. As an additional note, if you cannot find the 990c driver, use the deskjet 9800 driver instead. 

http://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Printer-All-in-One-Software-Drivers-e-g-Windows-8/How-to-Assign-Alterna...

Try that and keep me posted!

Additionally, if you try to do a test page from the printer by itself does it have the same result? 

[Andy52]

I did the cartridge removeal and reinsert after told me to and no change.

I have not yet tried installing the other driver your friend recommended.

I should have mentioned that the on/off button feels "squishy", meaning I can push it in quite a bit. Perhaps the board behind it is loose but don't know how to check that. But it doesn't always turn off when I press the off button. And sometimes when it does it goes through each light on the front flashing a few times.

I mention this because I think I read somewhere that different combinations of these buttons on front will print test pages or some other type document. Wouldn't account for me getting a test page after each document I print (except the "print a test page" which gives me only one. I generally don't turn the printer on by pushing the on/off button because it turns on automatically if I go to print something.

As you can tell I'm attached to this printer...since 2002 I believe. It does a great job. I like the deskjet!!  🙂

[AlwaysNeon · Accepted solution]

Andy, honestly with a printer that is 10+ years old, the issue you are having may deal with the age of the device more than anything else. You could try hard-resetting teh printer (leaving it unplugged for 20 seconds), but if what you said about the button is true - then it is possible that the board is signaling the machine to print a test page after each print through a malfunction in the hardware. 

In that case, it might just be time for a newer printer. If you would like some help in picking one, there are a lot of solid Deskjets currently on the market from HP which would be a wonderful replacement for this machine. 

Let me know and have a great day! 
🙂

[Andy52]

I have also come to the opinion that it is the button or board behind it that is sending a signal. That button has been loose or soft to push (like bad brakes on a car) for a while so I guess it finally just decided it was time for it to retire.

I am looking at HP Deskjets. I see a lot of all-in-one units but really only need a printer. If you can suggest one it might help.

As for the problem I'm considering it solved and I thank you for all your time spent trying to assist me.

Take care 🙂

[AlwaysNeon]

I mean for pure and simple printing, no frills, bells and/or whistles, I would suggest our Deskjet 1000. It's a good, reliable and simple printer - much like the one you are used to. 

http://www.shopping.hp.com/en_US/home-office/-/products/Printers/HP-Deskjet/CH340A?HP-Deskjet-1000-P...

Some of the other Deskjets include scanning, which is a useful feature that you might also consider. 

http://www.shopping.hp.com/en_US/home-office/-/products/Printers/Printers;pgid=c7twGfjc0ptSRpIq7ZUco...

Either way, I hope you find a printer that works for you and it has been my pleasure helping you out this week! 

Have a great day!
🙂