HP 7960 has slowed to a crawl

[Heat_Sink]

Hi Guys,
I have a HP 7960 printer that is still working but it is now so slow it is unbelievable.
This started about a week ago. Is it some adjustment needed?
I am using Windows 7.
Can anyone help please?

[DOUGIE]

I would go to the HP website, and reinstall the correct printer drivers.
Your printer drivers may have become corrupted.

[phillpower2]

Hello Folks,

I have a HP 7960 printer that is still working but it is now so slow it is unbelievable.

Can you explain a little more for us Heat Sink as in what way is the printer slow, printing, communicating with the computer or both.

[Heat_Sink]

Hi Phil,
My printer still works and prints and even sounds the same, but the printed page firstly takes so long to appear and when it does it is progressing out at a snail;s pace.
This happens with just a few words on the page. It must be repeating the letters over and over.
Dougie, I looked for an official site and drivers aren’t obvious to find. It’s easly to get sidetracked by bogus sites though.
If you can show me to the appropriate site I would appreciate it.

[phillpower2]

Hi Heat Sink,

A rather old printer and could just be showing its age but try printing a HP test page, if it still prints slowly it suggests a printer problem but if it prints on the quick side you could be looking at a software issue.

NB: Make a note of how quickly the printer responds and prints when you try printing a test page and let us know.

[Heat_Sink]

Three minutes and fifty seconds Phil.

[veeg]

Hello HS

So you know phill will be gone for a couple days. I can tag another member for help if you wish.

[plodr]

I’m reading about slow printing with that model going all the way back to 2005. One poster told someone to do a Master reset. It gets a bit complicated but it fixed the slow printing issue.

Master reset process:

1. Open top cover and remove all ink cartridges.
2. Unplug power.
3. Remove back door and any paper in the machine.
4. This was the hard part: through the front, locate a small white plastic block deep inside at the left of the printer, and hold it in. Simultaneously, through the back, rotate the paper pick-up rollers about two turns (and they are quite stiff).
5. Replace back door.
6. Load letter-size paper in the printer.
7. Plug in the power.
8. Replace the ink cartridges and close the top cover.
   Source: http://www.trenholm.org/hmmerk/HP7960.html

You have to scroll down to find it hidden among all the notes on that page.
It is under this heading
Update 28 November 2004 and 31 March 2005

[Heat_Sink]

Plodr, I think you are right onto it and I will get to it directly. If this fails, I will also be considering getting a new one as it is quite old. But this is good information and I compliment you for your diligence and dedication to people’s problems.
I think I can now see that another issue that began about two years ago is related to this same problem. As you know this is called a photosmart 7960. It used to print the best of colour photos. But along the way it would only print on white A4 copy paper and refused to print properly on glossy Kodak photographic paper. I tried another brand of paper with the same result. I gave up and today take my camera sim card to ‘Officeworks’ to get my photos printed very cheaply. A service that is now the way to go.
One reason why I didn’t get a new one before. But this new problem is the last straw.
Thanks again. I will let you know how I get on.

[plodr]

I’m using a printer from 2004 and love it. My husband goes to an old XP computer (off the internet) to print on a printer older than mine.

He has a newer HP AIO attached to his Windows 7 computer but it presents headaches every time he tries to print.

Those old HP printers work so much better than the junk they are selling now.

In fact, you can’t buy a simple printer. Everything is an all-in-one device. I did manage to track down just a printer in a brick and mortar store. We bought it, I set it up and it refused to feed the paper. Considering I’ve set up 6 printers here and others for people I help, I think I know how to set up a printer. My husband boxed it up, took it back to the store the same day and we got a refund. I was afraid to try the same model for fear I’d have the same problem.

[DOUGIE]

I agree. I have a Canon Pixma MP 160. Must be 10 yrs old.
Printed thousands of pages, and can’t kill it.

[Heat_Sink]

Plodr, please comment on my statement about not being able to print on glossy photo paper any more although it will print perfect photos on A4 copy paper.
I have tried everything in the settings. It isn’t that.

[DOUGIE]

Will your printer pull the Higher GSM glossy paper in to actually print on?
I had a similar issue with a printer where the grab rollers wouldn’t pull the glossy paper in.
The grab rollers became smooth over time and slippery.
I wiped the grab rollers with an earbud and solvent, and it immediately pulled the glossy paper in and printed.

[Heat_Sink]

Yes it prints out but is not sharp on glossy and perfect on A4.
Wonder if that is residue left on the rollers?

[DOUGIE]

I read this at HP.
Have you reinstalled the Disk that came with the printer?
I take it you did the pre print settings for Glossy Paper?

Since you installed the disk, you’ll have a program now named HP Solution Center. Open it. Then click on Settings>Print Settings>Printer Toolbox>Services>Clean Print Cartridges, and do all 3 levels of cleaning one after the other.