Hp 5550 Hi while inserting a new color ink cartrige into my HP 5550 printer, the little peg at the back of the latch that pushes the cartrige back into place broke off. Where can i buy that latch and is it easy to replace. thanks, CR

Try to reset color ink level ,see how in the following link
http://atta-metro.blogspot.com/2010/03/reset-ink-level-printer-hp.html
after you complete , reset make sure your file free form colors , other wise print will ask you for change color , hope this help you

Mohamed Hejazi
Afaqnama - Tripoli Libya
[email protected]

problem with any one of your cartrides. open the carridge door and renove color cartridge and close it.if it says insert left cartridge then it could be the problem with color cartrige.or the same error come then put the color cartridge and remove the block cartrige.if display says insert right cartridge then it could br the problem with black cartridge.try clesn the cartridge contacts & ink nozzles and put it back (use a soft cloth to clean the cotact)

Check the black cover on the pick up assembly under the cyan cartridge. If it is only a fraction too high cyan will not print. Make sure it is clipped in place correctly.

Install the ink cartridges.

1. Turn on the printer.
2. Lift the top cover.
3. Open both ink cartridge cradle latches by pulling each latch forward and then up.
4. Pull the pink pull-tab to remove the clear tape from each ink cartridge. Do not touch or remove the copper contacts.
5. Insert the HP #57 tri-color ink cartridge in the left stall. Insert the HP #58 photo ink cartridge in the right stall.
6. Close both ink cartridge cradle latches by pushing down on each latch until it snaps into place.
7. Close the top cover and press the OK button to print a calibration page. This verifies that the print cartridges are installed correctly.

The cartridge cavity in the printer may need cleaning.... perhaps a colorful "spit wad" is lodged in the cavity.

If the printer will allow, run a "clean nozzle" utility from the printer or computer.

Hope this helps!

Solution Replace the indicated ink cartridge(s), or press OK on the control panel to continue. HP recommends the use of genuine HP ink cartridges. Genuine HP ink cartridges are designed and tested with HP printers to help produce great results, time after time.
NOTE: HP cannot guarantee the quality or reliability of non-HP ink. Printer service or repairs required as a result of printer failure or damage due to the use of non-HP ink will not be covered under warranty. Follow these steps to replace the depleted HP ink cartridge(s). Step one: Replace the indicated cartridge(s)

1. Make sure the HP All-in-One is turned on.
   NOTE: The Attention light blinks when the product is turned on.
2. Open the access door by lifting from the front center of the HP All-in-One, until the door locks into place. Figure 1: Opening the access door
3. Squeeze the bottom of the latch below the ink cartridge to replace, and then lift the latch.
   • To replace the black ink cartridge, lift the latch on the far left.
   • To replace one of the five color ink cartridges, such as yellow, light cyan (blue), cyan, light magenta (pink), or magenta, lift the appropriate latch in the center area.
   Figure 2: Lifting the latch 1 - Ink cartridge latch for the black ink cartridge 2 - Ink cartridge latches for the color ink cartridges
4. Pull the ink cartridge towards you out of its slot to remove it. Figure 3: Removing the ink cartridge
5. Remove the new ink cartridge from its packaging.
6. Holding the new ink cartridge by the handle, push the ink cartridge into the empty slot. Match the color and pattern of the ink cartridge to the color and pattern on the print carriage. Figure 4: Inserting the new cartridge
7. Close the latch, and make sure it is secure.
8. Close the access door. Figure 5: Closing the access door

Step two: Align the new ink cartridge(s)

1. Make sure paper is loaded in the input tray, and then press the OK button. The HP All-in-One prints the alignment page, aligns the printhead, and initializes the ink cartridges. This takes approximately 5 minutes. CAUTION: Do not disconnect or turn off the HP All-in-One during this time. You may hear the HP All-in-One making noises.
2. Check the display for status, and then press the OK button. Recycle or discard the alignment page.

Cause The original HP ink in the indicated ink cartridge(s) has been depleted.

follow the link this is from hp on problems with 5550 using vista and how to fix it.
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c00843712&lc=en&dlc=en&cc=us&lang=en&product=71896
Mark

I had the same problem, the most stressfree (and cheapest in the long run) fix I found was:

Get a Canon MP520, it's super fast for an inkjet, the brand name Canon ink cartridges are much larger in (ml) ink, it comes with FULL ink cartridges, not starters with little in, and has Vista drivers( XP too). The color in is in individual cartridges C, Y M (they don't all get used at the same rate) so you will potentially save lots of money. A Canon brand Black cartridge for $13 prints about twice as many pages as the HP $30 cartridge ... you do the math.  

Oh yeah, it's a scanner and fast color&bw copier too.

$129 at walmart (the cost of about 4 HP cartridges) I am confident that you will never buy another HP printer.  

Here's A Trick you don't really have to buy a new cartridge if it a bit low but here how you do the trick.On the place where the ink leaks out dip some water on it with a paper towel and replace it back on the printer and guess what there's ink!

If you have the $30 or so dollars, look online at www.newegg.com for a cheap printer. Lexmark and HP are pretty dependable printers.