hp 1200 all-in-one

[retired1]

I've been using this printer without any problems for several years.
Then, all of a sudden, when I click "print"....the printer goes through all the normal sounds it did before, but when it begins to load the paper.....
there is a "grinding sound" and the paper doesn't load from the tray.
It sounds like it is grinding/spinning.....and the paper is never able to get from the tray to the printer. Then, the "E" error message is flashed on the printer and everything comes to a halt.

Any ideas or anyone have this problem before?

Thanks,

Retired1

 

[Witt78]

There is quite a bit of plastic gearing inside HP printers... I'm no expert, so don't take this as gospel... However, it sounds to me like there is plastic gearing that is wearing out inside the printer.

If the teeth of those plastic gears can no longer mesh well enough to grip. That would explain the grinding sounds you are hearing.

Is this a laserjet or an inkjet?

- Witt

 

[retired1]

Thanks for the reply.

It is an inkjet.

So, the next question is.....how do you get inside the printer to inspect the gears? Or, is it better just to take it to a computer shop?

If the gears are worn out it might be too expensive to replace/repair?

Retired1

 

[Witt78]

Most of the time in today's retail market, printers are considered disposable. HP, Lexmark, Epson, Cannon, all sell their printers super cheap and take a small loss. They do this because them sell ink at a HUGE markup and make enormous profits off ink and toner.

I would suggest looking into a new printer before looking into a repair on your existing one.

Keep the disposable nature of today's printers in mind before buying an "All-In-One" Solution. And of course... Check the price of the INK / TONER before sinking money into the printer itself.

Depending on your needs, a $120 laser printer can give you the cheapest "Price Per Page" printing solution out there. Although color laser printing can get very expensive.

- Witt

PS - If buying an inkjet look at amount of ink inside the cartridges. For example. An HP 15 black cartridge has something like 15 ml of ink inside it. Staples sells a "Knock-Off" version of the popular HP15 black cartridge with 59 ml of ink inside. And the cartridge is less than half the price of the brand name cartridge.