jbssm wrote:
> the printer in my HP 97 [...] prints quite well, but the paper doesn't advance like
> it should. - If I pull the paper then for a while (about 2 lines) it keeps going,
> advancing correctly, after that it just stops.
As the others have suggested the problem is prob. that the two soft wheels on either side of the carriage cannot get enough traction on the paper.
To get a better look at what is happening, remove the transparent cut guard (rectangular piece of plastic that tears the paper when you pull it), and look closely into the mechanism. On the end far away from the print head, you should be able to see the wheel that pulls the paper through the mechanism (thats the left-hand wheel, the right hand is covered by the print head when the head is in its home position).
Looking at the wheel, press the PRINTx or PRINT:SPACE. Does the wheel slip against the paper? If so the problem is with the wheels. If the motion of the print head is sluggish, or it does not quite return to the home position, then you have a problem with print head mechanism (in this case lubricating the mechanism may fix it).
If the problem is with the wheels do not use any oil!!!!!
Assuming its the wheels, you may be able to get them back to life without disassembling the machine.
Get very fine sandpaper and cut a thin strip 3mm wide by about 20mm long. The piece should be wide enough to cover the width of a SINGLE wheel (you will treat each wheel separately).
You do not want to get sand paper in front of the moving print head!!!!
Then you remove the paper and insert the strip so that it sits between one wheel (start with the left hand wheel) and the backing plate. Holding the sandpaper so that it does not move, press the paper advance button on the side. The printer will complain a bit, but it should move the wheel against the sandpaper. Press the ADV button a couple of times (so that the entire circumference of the wheel scrapes against the sandpaper.
Repeat with the right hand wheel being very careful to stay clear of the printhead.
Use ONLY VERY FINE SANDPAPER. You do not want to destroy the wheels, just make their surface rough.
**vp