Is it possible

[KARL]

....for an HP Deskjet printer to be electronically damaged/corrupted by a faulty (parallel) connecting cable or even a faulty ink cartridge. If so, how likely and which model(s). I now have two 660C printers showing the same problem - the second one was bought used and it is being suggested my equipment is to blame, although I can't see it being at all likely.

[ACtheTROLL]

Anything is possible

With two the same it does sound like possibly there is a common factor. Having said that parallel ports are virtually indestructable. - but you don't say what the problem is .....

Give us a clue!

also have a look here ... might help
http://www.freelists.org/archives/pchelpers/11 -2003/msg00007.html

[KARL]

The matter revolves about how my printer failed, then I bought an identical replacement which also failed to work. The question arose whether anything I had (cables, etc.) or did had upset the latter and perhaps the first also. In fact, everything has been tested (including cables) and I now have a third identical printer that works. Ergo, the two printers were duff of their own "choosing" - identically via this particular model's weakest link.