usb priner problem

Does it act like it is printing or does it just spit the paper out? Ink cartridge dry?

Of course, HP printers ship with a plastic tape seal on the cartridge that has to be removed before it will print. So assuming that you took that seal off the printer cartridges, it does just sound like a problem with the cartridges themselves. As the previous poster says, if it acts like it's printing, the print head moves, etc., then it's most likely a bad ink cartridge. If you didn't install them, check to make sure they're the right type for the printer and that they don't have the tape seals on still.

does it print everything black?

what progams have you tried printing with?

have you tried different ink?

Windows XP SP1 or SP2? If you do not you can try using the driver for a DJ990C.