Try the solution from HP linked at the bottom of this post first. Failing that take a look at this thread. Is is very long but seems to cover only the 3820 model so there might well be your answer in there. Here is a link that might be useful: Printer makes grinding noise

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.

Here's what someone did in 2007, it might be an idea... I recently installed a HP Deskjet 6940 on a Dell Dimension 3100. As part of the installation, I tested printing envelopes. The envelope would feed and then jam. To correct this, I changed the envelope printing settings in Microsoft Word. Specifically, I selected Tools, Envelopes and Labels, Envelopes, Options, Printing Options. I turned off the Clockwise Rotation selection. After that, the envelopes printed correctly. I hope this helps someone else with this problem.

Printing a picture is much different than printing text. When you print a picture, each dot (pixel) has a location and color information. The jpeg format has been standardized for generic printers and you printer is able to print each dot. If the photo prints correctly with proper color and no missing lines, etc, this is good news because it means that certain parts of your printer is working, namely the print head and ink supply, and the servo motors that moves the head and advances the paper. It also says that communications between the printer and computer is working. All you are missing is the ability print a character when an ascii code is sent to the printer. Way, way back in desktop computer history, the letters of the alphabet and special characters were assigned numbers called ASCII code. (Look this up on the internet with google to read about it.) When a computer wanted a printer print the letter A, it would tell the printer to go into its print mode and print ascii 65. The printer had to know how to form a dot pattern for the letter A. Most printers had built-in maps of al the ascii characters. This was fine except that early printers had only one fonts set. (A font is the design of the letter characters, and there are many different sets., and each set usually has an italics form as well. There are 2 ways one might print different fonts: Build the font sets into the printer or send the printer a mapping of dots to make a line of print. Some printers have one or more sets (native) of fonts built-in, but can also print a bit map of dots sent by the computer. This is where the print driver comes in. Its a piece of software that lives in the computer's software library. It controls all printing done by the printer. it takes on the job of making and sending bit mappings or ASCII characters to the printer. These days, a print driver is required to make the printer work. The Window's programs contains drivers for many printers, but if it does not have one for a printer connected to it, that driver needs to be installed for best results. You have a MAC computer and operating system. I am not familiar with the MAC, but I think it also contains many printer drivers. Try re-installing your printer. In your computer find your printer control panel (In Windows, the printer panel can be found in the "Control Panel".) Open the printer panel and see if your printer is installed. If not, install it. If it shows, but is not selected as the default device, select it. If it is there and selected, unselect it and check ok or whatever your system requires. Close the printer panel. Now, re-open the printer panel and select it as default, press ok, and close the panel. If the printer does not work after re-installing, it might be time for a new printer. Printers are not expensive. The companies practically give them away at cost because they will make plenty of money selling ink cartridges. That's where the profit is. ON MORE THING: You said there was no paper jam, but there might be something inside that you have not seen. Most HP printers have access to their internals from a panel on the back of the printer. Open that up and take a look. Go to the HP web site and look up your printer. You may find a manual for it. Download a copy. You may not be able to print out the pages you want (until you get a working printer), but you can display these on your screen and that may be helpful for finding you way around your printer.