I have several suggestions you can try:

First, it is possible that there is a small piece of paper that is jamming the rollers, even though you don't see anything, so is it possible to open the case and try to reach the rollers and rotate them by hand?

Second, right-click on the "My Computer" icon, then Properties, then Device Manager, and see if there are any red or amber warning flags for Imaging Devices.

Third, try resetting the printer-computer connection by shutting off the printer and disconnecting the USB cable from the printer to the computer, rebooting the computer, and then turning the printer back on and plugging the USB cable in. (Also check to see if there are any old printing jobs that are still in the cue by looking at the printer window that you can open up from the control panel, and also check again to make sure it's still online.) Once you do that, try printing again.

Fourth, go into the printer software and see if you can run the diagnostics program. If you don't have this, you can also download a piece of troubleshooting software directly from the HP web site.

Fifth, have you tried running a test page usng the printer software? This should tell you if the printer is functioning.

Then report back on whether any of these worked...

Thanks for the reply. I had looked a couple of times to see if anything was stuck but tomorrow when the room is lighter I'll try that again.

Under Device Manager I didn't see Imaging Devices but there were no red flags on anything under Device Manager.

Tomorrow I will try the unpluging and disconnecting. I have better lighting then.

Earlier today I did run something from HP. They asked questions and I answered them without good results.....if that is what you meant.

I'll try the test page tomorrow too.

Thanks.......see you tomorrow.

The printer may be in a different category in Device Manager than "Imaging Devices," but, if you saw no flags after you opened Device Manager, that's a good sign that the device is functioning properly and the problem is something other than, say, a corrupt printer driver.

When you go into Control Panel, and click on "Printers", do you have an icon listing this printer, and is it selected as the default printer if you have more than one icon?

As for checking on the paper jam, see the link below:

Here is a link that might be useful: Paper jam

Just want to add my 2 cents. Unplug the printer from power and take the back cover off and look, even a minuscule bit of paper will cause that message. While you are there, dampen a coffee filter with water and clean the rubber rollers, making sure that you roll them up toward the top as you clean (I've even used alcohol pads for this). Let everything air dry for a while before plugging back in. For the 'no paper' message look into the back of the paper tray and maybe spray some canned air in there. There's a paper sensor there that may be obscured.

Pam

Thanks for both of your suggestions. I did everything you said. I went to the site about Paper Jam. I unplugged and took off the back. Nothing has worked.

The loud noise that I have heard for the last two years, and don't hear now, is probably something that finally broke. It is more than 3 years old now that I think about it. Time flies. :-)

I did a search for reviews on new ones and found out that some didn't work with Vista. Maybe this older printer wouldn't work with my laptop so it's time to get a new one.

Thanks so much for your help!!