I have a brand new HP PSC 1410 and after having to buy a black ink cartridge my printer still doesn't print in colour. The printer came with a preinstalled colour cartridge.

Go to properties of your printer and tell it to print in black.

yes all HP printers need to have both ink cartridges installed in order for the printer to function

Print cartridge
When the print cartridge contacts are dirty and the printer cannot detect/communicate with print cartridge.
Clean the contact points on the cartridges with a dry, lint-free cloth.
1. Open the top cover of the printer.
2. Remove the print cartridges.
3. Clean the copper-colored contact points on the cartridges with a damp, lint-free cloth. Use a dry, lint-free cloth to remove moisture from the contacts.
5. Insert the cartridges back into the printer.
6. Close the top cover.
7. Try printing again.
If you still cant communicate try with new cartridge .

Sounds like the printer thinks the cartridge is empty. Old PSC units had a 3 cartridge memory - you kept 3 cartridges and cycled them to trick the printer into thinking it had just received a brand new cartridge, rather than a refilled one.

I know this might sound silly but there is pieces of plastic on the bottom of the cartridges that cover the holes to keep them from drying out, make sure they are removed and then reinstall the cartridges and see if that helps.

You must replace both ink cartridges with GENUINE HP ink carts..

Here is a great document directly from the hp website;

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c00094661&lc=en&dlc=en&cc=us&lang=en&rule=14324&product=441115

Hi Manavoc,

I will explain you the cause for it.

It prints in yellow first and then override with black for better quality. This is the reason your color ink gets empty.

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/genericDocument?docname=c00308490&cc=us&dlc=en&lc=en&jumpid=reg_R1002_USEN

Have a great day!

Have you removed any tape that covers the vent holes on the cartridge. If the ink is a compatible one they often have a tape of bung that needs to be removed before you insert them.

What is not working? The printer or the cartridge? If it's the cartridge, try this. fold a paper towel in 4ths, dampen it and place on a flat surface. Blot the cartridge several times on the towel. You should get blots of black with the black cart. and three colors with the color or photo cart. If not... replace. If the printer carriage just won't move and you're shure you have power.. time for a new printer.