I was just given an HP DeskJet 660C color inkjet by someone upgrading (?) to an iMac. It might be 7 or 8 years old. She only used it once in a while to print B&W text, and doesn't ever recall trying to print in color. In running the test page and the self tests, I get no color (but the B&W is beautiful). No funny noises, no smells, no other problems. I ran the printhead clean cycle -- no joy. I pulled out the color cartridge and soaked the bottom in warm water for a few minutes -- got a small cloud of ink, so I'm assuming it's not empty and (knock wood) it's not clogged. The electrical contacts on both the cartridge and the carriage look clean. Any ideas? I saw a recommendation in a (closed) thread to use rubbing alcohol on the printhead. Does that work? Would a new color ink cartridge be worth the gamble? I don't want to put too much money into this printer, but if it's as simple as a new cartridge...

Oh, and another thing... the power switch doesn't seem to do anything (i.e., it is stuck ON?) The machine's power indicator comes on as soon as I plug it in, and pressing the button doesn't turn off the printer. The previous owner had it plugged into a power strip and never used the power button. I don't have the Users Guide, so I don't know any tricks for getting around this. The online information talks about pressing the power button N times while pressing the other button, in order to do various diagnostics, but that doesn't seem to work. Am I wasting my time playing with this printer?

The power button may be a momentary contact. That is the only type that would make any sense if you need to push more than once to perform a function. I have a couple of Canons that don't even have on/ off switches. Is the actual printhead part of the cartridge or fixed in the printer? Ink drying out is the biggest drawback to inkjet printers. I have used rubbing alcohol on Canon print heads. Have also used Really hot running tap water. The problem is that if the printer is actually printing the nozzles aren't open. I gave up on inkjets for the most part almost four years ago. In your case you have nothing to lose by trying to unclog the printhead. If the printhead is part of the printer maybe some alcohol on papertowel under and a few drops on top where the inktanks mate to it. It may take awile to soften it up. Stronger solvents will probably damage plastic components.

The 660C has the printhead and ink together, which is what makes the replacement expensive. Try what OtheHill said, if it works well and good. I wouldn't recomend investing in a color cartridge for it, you can buy a new printer for the same price.

I wouldn't recomend investing in a color cartridge for it, you can buy a new printer for the same price. Yeah, it's not worth putting much money into it, between the possible circuit problems (driving the color cartridge) and the questionable power switch circuit. Maybe I'll take the thing apart as a winter project and see if there's anything obviously broken. I'm hoping it's not a bad cartridge, as there is ink in there. I can also play with an old IBM 4019 and HP LaserJet I have hanging around and finally decide if they're worth fooling with. Anyway, thank you everyone for your input.