I just took the new printer out of the box and tried to follow their very poor instructions. (Very poor, when compared to what I had seen with the Epson mentioned below.)
Frustrated I tried to contact "HP DeskJet 5660 e-mail support". After I had laboriously typed in all their questions and serial number, plus my First and Last Name, e-mail address, phone number, and country/region. And the "problem description" shown below:
I had printed out your 8 page "HP Deskjet 5650 Series printers - Printer Product Specifications" on page under "electrical specifications" it states: Input voltage 100 to 240. It comes with a cheaper 0950-4404 power module for 120 to 127 Volts. This is pure fraud and deception. Per the instructions, I installed the ink cartridges, before connecting to a computer (I want to use the parallel port.) The Print Cartridge Status light kept blinking. (Nothing in installation mentions if this is OK.) Assuming it was not I removed the Black and assumed the orange/brown film should be pulled off. Bad move! I turned the damn thing off. I can't resist pointing out: less than a month ago I bought and installed an Epson Stylus PHOTO RX500. No problems and it has 100 - 240 volt power supply. Great printer. What do you suggest for a very unhappy customer? I don't know if I have a defective product or not. Should the light been flashing? If not what was wrong? |
And at the end when you hit "Continue" button, you get: HP E-mail Support - Page Not Found Choose an option
This is back where you started! God Bless HP, they have just in short told you "Go to Hell". Fortunately, I was able to use the Windows Back and copy what I had written, which is what you see above. HP could not stop that!
Tomorrow morning I will call HP Support. While I can't make them accept a "support" email, they can't stop me from telling my experiences. I will update this page if there is anything interesting. Good or Bad.
I called HP's United States support number: (208)323-2551 and got a voice response system. I spoke in my best and clearest voice, but after about three minutes it came back with: "We are sorry you are having trouble with this system" and hung up. My advice to HP: Get rid of this system. It, like your e-mail support, is a disgrace to the company. This is what I get for a long distance phone call to HP!
Frustrated, deciding there is no way to get through to those bastards. (Sorry, but those were my thoughts.) I pondered my situation for about a half hour and decided to try once more. This time I would do my best to get around their stupid voice response system. I answered "other" every time to imply their selection was inadequate. It worked! I was connected to a live Carol who asked what operating system I was using. I replied Windows.
Shortly, I was connected to: Paul who ask if I had ever called HP support before. I told him, Yes about a half hour ago and was hung up on by their stupid voice response system. A few more questions: My name, address, phone number ect. Then he ask what he could help me with. I hit him with the fact that the input voltage range did not match what I had printed out from their web site. He sputtered a bit and said he would have to check, then came back and said he could send the 100 to 240 volt power module.
I requested that he get a copy of the "Windows setup installation" sheet that came with the printer. I pointed out that step 7 the third part shows closing the cartridge cradle latch with only a downward force. This is exactly what I did, and may have broken the cartridge holder??? I pointed out that the Print Cartridge Status light never quit flashing, indicating "a print cartridge needs service" per their manual. I removed and replaced the cartridges several times, with no improvement, then I pulled the brown/pink plastic off the Black cartridge; ruining it. Paul confirmed that the Cartridge Status light should not blink; and is sending me both a power supply and a replacement cartridge. I should get it no later than 9th of March. I will try it, but I have no reason to believe it will work any better than the original. We will see.
I do have, in addition to a non-working printer, two order numbers and a Case number. And, a fair bit more confidence in HP, thanks to Paul.
Surprised me when the lady across the street had a package for me when I got home. Yes, it was from HP. I thanked her and came inside and opened the package. It is a "Cord, Power 4000C" unfortunately the Printer I bought does not use that cord! It uses a wall plug adapter. (The 120-127 volt one is huge, and has a three wire connection to the printer.) I waited until 3PM expecting the other purchase order number to arrive, but so far it hasn't. So here I set, with a printer that don't work, a power cord that I can't use, and expecting a "surprise package from HP". Stay tuned, for the next exciting episode.
I just Googled for "HP CSO" and got to their Customer Service Order Status page. When I tried to enter my CSO number which was given to me by Paul and printed on the package the web page would not allow the number "PU605902" which has eight digits. The web page only accepts six digits!
This entire story is a sad reflection on what used to be a very proud company