Q: and i cant get it to print anything actually on the paper. we dont know if the cartriges and empty or no is there away to find out?
A: I will assume you knew to install the software for the printer before connecting it to your computer. If you failed to do this, then you will need to go to the Lexmark web site and download the software for the printer to your computer and install it. Open the Printer Control panel and select your printer. Right click on the printer icon and select properties. If the icon is not there, then you have not installed the printer correctly. Click on the ADD A PRINTER link and use the wizard to install the software to run the printer. If you get the properties menu open, first click on the PORTS tab. Your printer should be listed on either a USB port, or on a LPT port. If it is, click on the ADVANCED tab and make sure it is set to Alway be Available. Then click on the GENERAL tab and look at the lower right hand corner for a button labeled Print Test Page. Click this once. Wait for the printer to print the test page. If it prints correctly, the your printer is working. Check in the setup for the program you were using when you could not print, to make sure the program is set to use your printer. This often mean it will say use default printer. If nothing prints, or only one color of ink, then you either are out of ink, or have another problem with the printer.