START>Printers>right click on the printer entry. Is is set as the default printer? Have you used any system cleaners in which you removed drivers, registry entries, etc.? Have you uninstalled or installed any applications? When all else fails uninstall all the HP software and drivers according to the HP instructions, and re-install according to the HP instructions. DA

I think the back to front or front to back is not the problem. I wouldn't care what prints first since I don't do much text printing.........The problem is HOW to not print the sample label in PayPal. I had to buy 2 shipping labels today. It did it again, twice, including that 3rd print page with the upper instructions on how to print the label. I've looked through the options, but it is not going to tell me how not to do Sample label printing. I removed the printer and added it again and it works great only it didn't solve the label problem. I have also googled for a fix, but no one seems to have run into this problem. I have had this printer for a long time. I bought it with my XP and now I have W 7. AM I READY FOR A NEW ONE?

Below is the link to the HP site where the manuals are stored. I select your operating system as XP. If different start over. Not sure if it will have the two sided printing details. Here is a link to the HP site on 2 sided printing. Here is a link that might be useful: HP photosmart 5140 manual

terrapots, You asked "Can you run other devices through the same USB port," -- Yes. "or can you connect through a parallel port or serial port?" -- Don't have either. (The printer originally went through a parallel port; had to get a "conversion" plug to connect to USB on this computer.) "sounds like something in the printer is dead or a bad contact." -- That's what I figured. But I wanted opinions from this forum because I've received help here previously.