I have to print 20 alignment pages before it accepts mine

what is the make and model of the printer?

Hi Sally,

Try to print a self test page ( printer page ) and check if black is printing fine.

Sometimes the printers accept the cartridge but will not print unless the ink is calibrated and aligned.

Regards,
Suhail

continue running that print head alignment tool from printer preferences, until the result is acceptable, also clean up encoder strip by clean cotton just wipe out that portion.

You need to continually clean and deep clean and realign the black until the results are acceptable. Try manual alignment if the auto does not work. Also clean around the exit hole of the black ink cartidge with a cotton bud and isoproyl alcohol.

1. After installing a new print cartridge, wait at least 20 seconds for the print cartridge alignment process to start.
2. Wait for the print cartridge alignment process to fully complete.
3. Make sure that the alignment page has printed on plain, white paper that has no other printing on it. If you need to create a new alignment page, load the tray with letter or A4 unused plain white paper and turn the product off and on again to create the page.
   after the alignment page prints then place the alignment sheet on the scanner glass and press the ok button

I have found that if I put in an old aligned page the printer reads it as and the alignment is accepted. As for the cancelled message being in the window, I have had this problem too. I've ignored it and selected the copy button and it took the command. The only problem with hitting cancel is that you cannot turn off your printer. Every time you do you have to repeat the aligning and cancellation process.

i have the same problem. i think mine centers around the fact that i refuse to spend the money to buy a color cartridge. i believe the alignment sheet must be in full color.
i did find a very strange solution to preventing the alignment page from printing, but i haven't tried it yet. http://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Printer-All-in-One-Software-and/Alignment-Page-HP-PSC1315-prints-every-time-printer-is-turned-on/m-p/224243
not a solution, but it might help...

NOTE: The product must be on before you can insert the print cartridges.

1. Open the print cartridge door. Figure 7: Opening the print cartridge door
2. Make sure the print carriage moves to the right. If it does not move to the right, turn the device off, then turn it back on again.
3. Open the packaging and remove the tape from both cartridges. Figure 8: Removing the tape CAUTION: Do not touch the copper-colored contacts or re-tape the cartridges.
4. Hold the cartridges with the HP logo on top.
5. Insert tri-color cartridge in the left cartridge slot and the black cartridge in the right cartridge slot . Figure 9: Inserting the print cartridges
6. Push the cartridge firmly into the slot until it snaps into place.
7. Close the print cartridge door.

Step eight: Align the print cartridges When a new print cartridge is installed, the product aligns the cartridge. Align the print cartridges at any other time by using the software installed with the product. Aligning the print cartridges ensures high-quality output. NOTE: If a print cartridge is removed and reinserted, the product will not prompt for an alignment. The product memory retains the alignment values for that print cartridge. Follow these steps to align newly installed print cartridges.

1. When prompted, make sure that plain, white letter or A4 paper is loaded in the input tray, and then press the button next to OK . The alignment page prints.
2. Lift the lid. Place the top of the alignment page face-down on the front, right corner of the scanner glass. Figure 10: Placing the alignment page
3. Close the lid.
4. Press the button next to OK . When the On button stops flashing, the alignment is complete and the page can be removed.

Why don't you just show the manual. I must have misplace mine. I have replaced the cartridge and want to check the alignment. I have an alignment page printed, but what do I do next.

just scan the alignment page and complete the process it will not promt you do again. bye