HP Deskjet 6500 User's Guide

HP Deskjet 6500 series printers User's Guide

1 HP Deskjet 6500 series printers

To find an answer to a question, click the appropriate topic below:

HP Deskjet 6540-50 series

• Notices

• Special features

• Getting started

• Connecting to the printer

• Printing photos

• Printing other documents

• Printing tips

• Printer software

• Maintenance

• Troubleshooting

• Optional accessories

• Specifications

• Supplies

HP Deskjet 6520 series

• Notices

• Special features

• Getting started

• Connecting to the printer

• Printing photos

• Printing other documents

• Printing tips

• Printer software

• Maintenance

• Troubleshooting

• Optional accessories

• Specifications

• Supplies

HP Deskjet 6500 series printers User's Guide

2 Notices

• Notices and acknowledgements

• Terms and conventions

2.1 Notices and acknowledgements

Hewlett-Packard company notices

Reproduction, adaptation, or translation without prior written permission is prohibited, except as allowed under the copyright laws.

The information contained herein is subject to change without notice.

The only warranties for HP products and services are set forth in the express warranty statements accompanying such products and services. Nothing herein should be construed as constituting an additional warranty. HP shall not be liable for technical or editorial errors or omissions contained herein.

Acknowledgements

Apple, the Apple logo, AppleTalk, ColorSync, the ColorSync logo, Finder, Mac, Macintosh, MacOS, Powerbook, Power Macintosh, and Quickdraw are trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.

TrueType is a U.S. trademark of Apple Computer, Inc.

Adobe and Acrobat are trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated.

2.2 Terms and conventions

The following terms and conventions are used in the user's guide.

Terms

The HP Deskjet printer may be referred to as the HP printer or printer.

Cautions, warnings, and notes

A Caution indicates possible damage to the HP Deskjet printer or to other equipment. For example:

HP Deskjet 6500 series printers User's Guide

Caution: Do not touch the print cartridge ink nozzles or copper contacts. Touching these parts will result in clogs, ink failure, and bad electrical connections.

A Warning indicates possible harm to you or to others. For example:

Keep both new and used print cartridges out of the reach of children.

Warning: Keep both new and used print cartridges out of the reach of children.

A Note indicates that additional information is provided. For example:

Note: For great results use HP products.

HP Deskjet 6500 series printers User's Guide

3 Special features

Select your printer model:

HP Deskjet 6540-50 series HP Deskjet 6520 series

HP Deskjet 6540-50 series

Congratulations! You have purchased an HP Deskjet printer that is equipped with several exciting features:

• Print Quality Selector: Select the print quality from the front of the printer.

• Ink-backup mode: Ink-backup mode lets you continue printing with one print cartridge when the other print cartridge has run out of ink.

• Print Cancel button: Cancel print jobs at the touch of a button.

• Print multiple pages on a single sheet of paper: Use the printer software to print up to 16 pages on a single sheet of paper.

• Borderless printing: Use the entire page surface when printing photos and cards by using the borderless printing feature.

• Digital photo printing: Use the enhanced digital photo printing capabilities.

• Six-ink upgradeable printing: Enhance photo printing with a photo print

cartridge.

• Auto-off: Enable the auto-off feature to place the printer into a low-power, energy-efficient mode after it has been idle for 30 minutes.

• Front USB port: Use the USB port on the front of the printer to connect the printer with a laptop quickly.

• Optional Automatic Two-Sided Printing Accessory: Purchase a Automatic Two-

Sided Printing Accessory to print two-sided documents automatically.

• Optional 250-Sheet Plain Paper Tray Accessory: Purchase an optional 250-

Sheet Plain Paper Tray Accessory and expand the printer's paper-handling

capability.

HP Deskjet 6500 series printers User's Guide

HP Deskjet 6520 series

Congratulations! You have purchased an HP Deskjet printer that is equipped with several exciting features:

• Ink-backup mode: Ink-backup mode lets you continue printing with one print cartridge when the other print cartridge has run out of ink.

• Print Cancel button: Cancel print jobs at the touch of a button.

• Print multiple pages on a single sheet of paper: Use the printer software to print up to 16 pages on a single sheet of paper.

• Borderless printing: Use the entire page surface when printing photos and cards using the borderless printing feature.

• Digital photo printing: Enhanced digital photo printing capabilities.

• Six-ink upgradeable printing: Enhance photo printing with a photo print

cartridge.

• Auto-off: Enable the auto-off feature to place the printer into a low-power, energy-efficient mode after it has been idle for 30 minutes.

• Optional Automatic Two-Sided Printing Accessory: Purchase a Automatic Two-

Sided Printing Accessory to print two-sided documents automatically.

• Optional 250-Sheet Plain Paper Tray Accessory: Purchase an optional 250-

Sheet Plain Paper Tray Accessory and expand the printer's paper-handling

capability.

HP Deskjet 6500 series printers User's Guide

4 Getting started

For an overview of the printer features, see the printer features page.

Click the appropriate topic below for a description of a printer feature:

• Buttons and lights

• Print Cartridge Status lights

• Print Quality Selector button

• Paper trays

• Envelope slot

• Print cartridges

• Ink-backup mode

• Automatic Paper Type Sensor

• Front USB port

For a description of the optional accessories, see the optional accessories page.

4.1 Printer features (HP Deskjet 6540-50 series)

The HP printer has several features to make printing easier and more efficient.

HP Deskjet 6500 series printers User's Guide

1. Buttons and lights

2. Print Cartridge Status lights

3. Print Quality Selector button

4. Paper trays

5. Envelope slot

6. Front USB port

1. Print cartridges

2. Automatic Paper-Type Sensor (not illustrated)

3. Ink-backup mode (not illustrated)

HP Deskjet 6500 series printers User's Guide

1. Rear USB port

Optional accessories

Automatic Two-Sided Printing Accessory (optional)

Note: The availability of accessories varies by country/region.

250-Sheet Plain Paper Tray Accessory (optional)

Auto Two-Sided Print Accessory with Small Paper Tray (optional)

4.2 Buttons and lights (HP Deskjet 6540-50 series)

Use the printer buttons to turn the printer on and off, cancel a print job, and restart a job. The printer lights give you visual cues about the status of the printer.

The printer buttons are located in the upper portion of the control panel.

HP Deskjet 6500 series printers User's Guide

1. Power button and light

2. Print Cancel button

3. Resume button and light

The control panel also contains Print Cartridge Status lights and a Print Quality

Selector button.

Power button and light

The Power button turns the printer on and off. It might take a few seconds for the printer to turn on after you press the Power button.

The Power light flashes when the printer is processing.

Caution: Always use the Power button to turn the printer on and off. Using a power strip, surge protector, or a wall-mounted switch to turn the printer on and off can cause printer failure.

Print Cancel button

Pressing the Print Cancel button cancels the current print job.

Resume button and light

The Resume light flashes when an action is required, such as loading paper or clearing a paper jam. When the problem is solved, press the Resume button to continue printing.

HP Deskjet 6500 series printers User's Guide

4.3 Print Cartridge Status lights (HP Deskjet 6540-50 series)

The Print Cartridge Status lights indicate the status of the print cartridges.

Status of the Print Cartridge Status lights Status of the print cartridges On and solid Low on ink Flashing Service required

The Print Cartridge Status lights are located in the center of the printer control panel.

1. Print Cartridge Status lights

HP Deskjet 6500 series printers User's Guide

1. The left status light represents the tri-color print cartridge.

2. The right status light represents the print cartridge that is installed in the compartment on the right side of the print cartridge cradle. That print cartridge can be the black print cartridge, the photo print cartridge, or the gray photo print cartridge.

4.4 Print Quality Selector button (HP Deskjet 654050 series)

Use the Print Quality Selector button to set print quality and print speed from the front of the printer.

The Print Quality Selector button is located on the lower portion of the printer control panel.

HP Deskjet 6500 series printers User's Guide

1. Print Quality Selector button

Enabling the Print Quality Selector button

Before using the Print Quality Selector button, you must enable it from the printer software.

Follow these steps to enable the Print Quality Selector button:

1. Open the Print dialog box.

2. Select the Paper Type/Quality panel.

3. Click Use printer default in the Print Quality drop-down list.

4. Click Print.

Using the Print Quality Selector button

Use the Print Quality Selector button to specify the print quality for documents that you plan to print. You cannot change the print quality for a document after the document begins printing.

Follow these steps to use the Print Quality Selector button:

1. Verify that the Print Quality Selector button is enabled from the printer software.

2. Press the Print Quality Selector button to select one of the following print qualities:

Fast normal

HP Deskjet 6500 series printers User's Guide

Normal

Best

Note: FastDraft and Maximum dpi can only be selected in the printer software. If

a document is printed in either FastDraft or Maximum dpi mode, the currently selected print-quality icon flashes until the document is complete.

Lights

The Print Quality Selector icons light up or flash to indicate the selected print quality:

Status of the icons Meaning

One icon is lit.

One icon is lit and another flashes.

One icon flashes.

The illuminated icon is the selected print quality.

The illuminated icon is the selected print quality for the current print job.

The flashing icon is the selected print quality for the next print job.

Either FastDraft or Maximum dpi has been selected as the print quality from the printer software.

4.5 Paper trays (HP Deskjet 6540-50 series)

The printer has two paper trays:

• In tray

• Out tray

In tray

The In tray holds paper or other media to be printed.

HP Deskjet 6500 series printers User's Guide

1. In tray

Slide the paper guides firmly against the edges of the media on which you are printing.

1. Paper-width guide

2. Paper-length guide

Out tray

Printed pages are deposited in the Out tray.

HP Deskjet 6500 series printers User's Guide

1. Out tray

2. Envelope slot

Use the envelope slot to print single envelopes.

Raise the Out tray to load paper.

To prevent paper from falling out of the Out tray, pull out the Out-tray extension, and then unfold the Out-tray extension stop.

1. Out-tray extension

2. Out-tray extension stop

Do not unfold the Out-tray extension stop when printing on legal paper.

HP Deskjet 6500 series printers User's Guide

After the print job is complete, fold the Out-tray extension stop, and then push the Out-tray extension into the Out tray.

4.6 Envelope slot (HP Deskjet 6540-50 series)

Use the envelope slot to print single envelopes.

1. Envelope slot

Follow these step to use the envelope slot:

1. Insert the envelope with the side to be printed on facing down and the flap to the left.

2. Push the envelope into the printer as far as it will go without bending.

HP Deskjet 6500 series printers User's Guide

3. Print the envelope.

4.7 Print cartridges

Four print cartridges are available for use with the printer.

1. Black

2. Tri-color

3. Photo

4. Gray photo

Note: The availability of print cartridges varies by country/region.

Using print cartridges

Everyday printing

Use the black and tri-color print cartridges for everyday print jobs.

Quality color photos

For more vibrant colors when printing color photographs or other special documents, remove the black print cartridge and use a photo print cartridge in combination with the tri-color print cartridge.

Quality black and white photos

For outstanding black and white photographs, remove the black print cartridge and use a gray photo print cartridge in combination with the tri-color print cartridge.

Replacing print cartridges

When buying print cartridges, look for the print cartridge selection number.

You can find the selection number in these places:

• Selection number label: Look at the label on the print cartridge you are replacing.

HP Deskjet 6500 series printers User's Guide

1. Selection number label

• Printer documentation: For a list of print cartridge selection numbers, see the reference guide that came with the printer.

• HP Inkjet Toolbox: Open the HP Inkjet Toolbox, and then select the Supplies panel.

If a print cartridge runs out of ink, the printer can operate in the ink-backup mode.

For information about installing a print cartridge, see the print cartridge installation page.

4.8 Ink-backup mode

In the ink-backup mode, the printer operates by using only one print cartridge. The ink back-up mode is initiated when a print cartridge is removed from the print cartridge cradle.

To remove a print cartridge, see the print cartridge installation page.

Ink-backup mode output

Printing in ink-backup mode slows the printer and affects the quality of printed documents.

Installed print cartridge Result Black print cartridge. Colors are printed as grayscale. Tri-color print cartridge. Colors print but black is grayed and is not a true black. Photo print cartridge. Colors are printed as grayscale. Gray photo print cartridge. Colors are printed as grayscale.

HP Deskjet 6500 series printers User's Guide

Note: It is recommended that you do not use the photo print cartridge or the gray

photo print cartridge for ink-backup mode.

Exiting ink-backup mode

Install two print cartridges in the printer to exit the ink-backup mode.

To install a print cartridge, see the print cartridge installation page.

4.9 Automatic Paper-Type Sensor

The Automatic Paper-Type Sensor automatically selects the appropriate print settings for the media that is being printed on, particularly HP media.

When the Automatic Paper-Type Sensor is engaged, the printer scans the first page of a document with a red optical sensor light to determine the best paper-type setting. After the printer determines the paper-type setting, the page is printed.

Do not place the printer in direct sunlight. Direct sunlight can interfere with the Automatic Paper-Type Sensor.

To use the Automatic Paper-Type Sensor, see the paper-type selection page.

Note: The Automatic Paper-Type Sensor is not available for documents that are

printed from the 250-Sheet Plain Paper Tray Accessory or the Auto Two-

Sided Print Accessory with Small Paper Tray.

HP Deskjet 6500 series printers User's Guide

5 Getting started

For an overview of the printer features, see the printer features page.

Click the appropriate topic below for a description of a printer feature:

• Buttons and lights

• Paper trays

• Print cartridges

• Ink-backup mode

• Automatic Paper-Type Sensor

For a description of the optional accessories, see the optional accessories page.

5.1 Printer features (HP Deskjet 6520 series)

The HP printer has several features to make printing easier and more efficient.

1. Buttons and lights

2. Paper trays

HP Deskjet 6500 series printers User's Guide

1. Print cartridges

2. Automatic Paper-Type Sensor (not illustrated)

3. Ink-backup mode (not illustrated)

1. USB port

Optional accessories

HP Deskjet 6500 series printers User's Guide

Automatic Two-Sided Printing Accessory (optional)

Note: Availability of accessories varies by country/region.

250-Sheet Plain Paper Tray Accessory (optional)

Auto Two-Sided Print Accessory with Small Paper Tray (optional)

5.2 Buttons and lights (HP Deskjet 6520 series)

Use the printer buttons to turn the printer on and off, cancel a print job, and restart a job. The printer lights give you visual cues about the status of the printer.

1. Cancel button

2. Resume button and light

3. Print Cartridge Status light

4. Power button and light

HP Deskjet 6500 series printers User's Guide

Print Cancel button

Pressing the Print Cancel button cancels the current print job.

Print Cartridge Status light

The Print Cartridge Status light turns on or flashes when a print cartridge needs service.

Resume button and light

The Resume light flashes when an action is required, such as loading paper or clearing a paper jam. When the problem is solved, press the Resume button to continue printing.

Power button and light

The Power button turns the printer on and off. It might take a few seconds for the printer to turn on after you press the Power button.

The Power light flashes when the printer is processing.

Caution: Always use the Power button to turn the printer on and off. Using a power strip, surge protector, or a wall-mounted switch to turn the printer on and off can cause printer failure.

5.3 Paper trays (HP Deskjet 6520 series)

For information about the paper trays, select one of the topics below:

• Unfolding the paper trays

• In tray

• Out tray

• Folding the paper trays

Unfolding the paper trays

Raise the printer cover to unfold the paper trays.

HP Deskjet 6500 series printers User's Guide

In tray

The In tray holds paper and other media to be printed.

1. In tray

Slide the paper guides firmly against the edges of the media on which you are printing.

1. Paper-width guide

2. Paper-length guide

To print on large paper, such as legal paper, pull out the paper-length guide to the edge of the In tray, and then pull out the In-tray extension.

HP Deskjet 6500 series printers User's Guide

1. In-tray extension

Out tray

Printed pages are deposited in the Out tray.

1. Out tray

To prevent paper from falling out of the tray, pull out the Out-tray extension, and then unfold the Out-tray extension stop.

HP Deskjet 6500 series printers User's Guide

1. Out-tray extension

2. Out-tray extension stop

Folding the paper trays

Follow these steps to fold the paper tray:

1. If necessary, fold the Out-tray extension stop, and then push in the Out-tray extension.

2. Raise the printer cover.

3. Raise the Out tray.

4. Verify that the In-tray extension is pushed in, and then pull the paper-length guide to the edge of the In tray.

HP Deskjet 6500 series printers User's Guide

5. Raise the In tray.

6. Close the printer cover.

HP Deskjet 6500 series printers User's Guide

6 Connecting to the printer

• USB

• Front USB port (HP Deskjet 6540-50 series)

• Networking

• Sharing the printer

• HP Jetdirect 175x

• HP Jetdirect 310x

• HP Jetdirect 380x

Note: Network connection support varies by country/region.

6.1 USB

The printer connects to the computer with a universal serial bus (USB) cable.

For instructions about connecting the printer with a USB cable, see the setup poster that came with the printer.

6.2 Front USB port (HP Deskjet 6540-50 series)

Use the USB port on the front of the printer to connect the printer to a laptop quickly.

HP Deskjet 6500 series printers User's Guide

1. Front USB port

To use the front USB port, connect the laptop to the front USB port by using a USB cable. Verify that the printer is selected in Chooser.

6.3 Networking

You can make a printer available to other computers on a network by sharing the

printer.

You can use any of the following HP Jetdirect print servers to place the printer on a network.

• HP Jetdirect 175x

• HP Jetdirect 310x

• HP Jetdirect 380x

Note: HP Jetdirect availability varies by country/region.

6.3.1 Sharing the printer

The printer can be connected directly to a computer on a network and then shared with other computers on the network.

For instructions about sharing the printer on a network, click Control Panels from the Apple menu, and then click USB Printer Sharing.

6.3.2 HP Jetdirect 175x

Use print servers to connect your printer directly to a network so that any computer on the network can use the printer.

HP Deskjet 6500 series printers User's Guide

HP J6035A Jetdirect 175x

• USB printer connection

• 100Base-Tx (Fast Ethernet) and/or 10Base-T (Ethernet) network connection

• TCP/IP, IPX/SPX direct mode, Apple EtherTalk networks

• Windows 98, 2000, Me, and XP, and MacOS computers

Note: HP Jetdirect availability varies by country/region.

6.3.3 HP Jetdirect 310x

Use print servers to connect your printer directly to a network so that any computer on the network can use the printer.

HP J6038A Jetdirect 310x

• USB printer connection

• 100Base-Tx (Fast Ethernet) and/or 10Base-T (Ethernet) network connection

• TCP/IP, IPX/SPX direct mode, Apple EtherTalk networks

• Windows 98, 2000, Me, and XP, and MacOS computers

Note: HP Jetdirect availability varies by country/region.

6.3.4 HP Jetdirect 380x

Use print servers to connect your printer directly to a network so that any computer on the network can use the printer.

HP J6061A Jetdirect 380x

• USB printer connection

• 802.11b (Wi-Fi) wireless network connection, with encryption, and 802.1x, EAP-MD5, EAP-TLS authentication

• TCP/IP, IPX/SPX, Novell NetWare, Apple EtherTalk, Unix/Linux networks

• Windows 98, 2000, Me, and XP, and MacOS computers

Note: HP Jetdirect availability varies by country/region.

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