My Cannon mp280 ink jet printer is off line - HP Pavilion a1410n (ER890AA) PC Desktop

Your printer head - the ink cartridge in case of most HP deskjet printes, in most cases is defective and you need to replace it to have a clean print.
Anyway, read this tutorial, has some good tips:

HP Deskjet D2500 Printer Series Horizontal Streaks or Lines in the Printed...

For Epson printers, read this


Epson Stylus Color Ink Jet Printer


Epson Printer Horizontal lines


Same for Cannon priters


Horizontal lines when printing with Canon ip4500 Forum Thread

Depending on the exact Canon Pixma model (there are many, for example, Pixma MX340, Pixma MP280, Pixma MG3220), the method varies.
Here are three YouTube videos on how to change the ink of 3-different Canon Pixma printers:
Changing Ink Canon Pixma MX340
Canon Pixma MP280 How to replace printer ink cartridges
Canon Pixma MG3150 How to set up and install ink cartridges

Run a "nozzle check". It should show that some of the "jets" inside the print-head are clogged.
Also, try a "print-head-cleaning" cycle.
Finally, try replacing the ink-cartridges.

Go to your local office supply store and by Ink Jet Cleaner paper. It will come in a small package and the paper will feel like thin, hard felt, and will come with instructions on how to clean your ink jet printer.

Some of the inkjet nozzles maybe be blocked.
Inkjet printers need to be used frequently to prevent ink drying out and blocking the print head nozzles.
If the print head cleaning maintenance routine does not clear the blockages, then print head needs replacing, but it may be expensive.
It may be more cost effective to buy a later model and better printer than replace the print head.

Are you talking about resetting the ink levels or the printer itself? I am not sure if you have the owners manual so here is the Manual from Canon website for the PIXMA MP280.

http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/support/consumer/printers_multifunction/pixma_mp_series/pixma_mp280#BrochuresAndManuals

Hope this helps..

as far as ink jets go i agree with you HP are pretty bad. However the HP color laser jets are second to none in my opinion. I work at a health care company and all we sell are HP laser jet printers. Sure the toner cost more money up front but page for page it's actually cheaper than having to buy all those ink jet refills. If you must have an ink jet printer I would try either a epson, cannon or lexmark. HERE is a good link to ink jet printer reviews

It's probably a blocked jet in the print head but could also be a page registration issue. Try gently wiping the print head with a cotton bud dipped in an alcohol based cleaner

Best way I know of cleaning blocked heads is to run them through a cycle in an ultrasonic bath filled with warm water. Failing that then you will need to replace them.

Does the machine beep 5 times and flash both the power and error lamps? If so then the Waste Ink tank/pad is full and needs to be cleaned and the printer counter reset.