The Hewlett Packard DeskJet 6540 printer has been discontinued but is still widely used due to its quality and efficiency. As these printers get older, however, finding replacement parts and supplies for them may be difficult.

Some supplies for HP DeskJet 6540 printers are generic, like printer paper. Other supplies are compatible with a few printers and thus more accessible, while still others are very specific and more difficult to find. The supplies you'll need to consider to maintain this printer include:

1. Replacement power adapters and USB cables

2. Ink and toner cartridges that work with the HP DeskJet 6540 color printer

3. Internal mechanical components to replace worn out pieces

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Locate replacement cables for the HP DeskJet 6540 printer

The HP 6540 uses the same adapter cable as HP's PhotoSmart 8100, which uses a 32 volt adapter. It also uses a USB 2.0 cable to connect to the computer, which is standard on all computers. Once you know which cables are compatible, you can replace them when needed.

I recommend: Super Warehouse carries a full supply of HP compliant power cables and USB adapters, including those which will work with the 6540 printer, with detailed specifications on each. Cables Unlimited manufactures replacement power cables for many devices.

Find inkjet toner cartridges that work with the DeskJet 6540

Hewlett Packard's 338, 343 and 344 brand of ink cartridges will all work with the HP 6540 printer. These cartridges are all still available and compatible with many of Hewlett Packard's recent models like the 6840 and 9800 as well.

I recommend: The InkJetSuperStore carries the cartridges for the 9800 and 6840, which work with the 6540. InkJetcartridge.com sells cartridges that work with this printer. Review a list of other models these cartridges are compatible with as well. Printer Country offers a full review of the DeskJet 6540, including its specifications, and lists the compatible cartridges.

Know where to locate hard-to-find HP DeskJet 6540 printer supplies

There are other parts to the 6540 printers that aren't as easy to replace if needed. Feeder trays, actuators and other internal components are more difficult to find since they are exclusive to this model. Once you find a provider of HP DeskJet 6540 printer components, you must have someone who can repair the printer or have support documents to do it yourself as well.

I recommend: Spare Parts Warehouse has several replacement parts for this HP DeskJet printer like actuators, feeder trays and absorbers. Check out Partshere.com for a list of HP replacement parts and supplies. Read Hewlett Packard's support document on how to replace internal components.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Make sure your computer's operating system works with HP DeskJet 6500 series printers. If newer systems like OS X Leopard and Vista won't comply, you'll need to replace the printer.

Designed to fit the need for business class printers at an affordable price, HP DeskJet 6540 printers offered many businesses owners just what they needed. Hewlett Packard DeskJet 6540 printers received high ratings as all-around printers by industry experts.

As you know if you're running one of these discontinued but still serviceable models, HP DeskJet 6540 printers are compatible with both PCs and Macintosh computers. Their ability to switch back and forth among black and white, grayscale monochrome and color cartridges adds to their functionality.

HP software allows you to edit images before printing them, offers professional print quality and has direct photo printing with automatic two-sided printing if you purchase the 250-sheet paper tray. With its speed of 36 pages per minute (ppm) for black and white to 25 ppm for color, the DeskJet 6540 printer is really a printer that can do it all. With proper care, parts and supplies, you can continue to get a long working life from DeskJet 6540 printer.

1. Purchase remaindered HP DeskJet 6540 color printers and get repair information from suppliers of HP Deskjet 6540 printers.

2. Locate parts for your HP Deskjet 6540 color printer.

3. Order from a provider of HP Deskjet 6540 printer supplies at a low cost.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Locate a Hewlett Packard DeskJet 6540 printer online

The HP 6540 sells at a price that fits any business budget. Since this is an older model it can be a little difficult to locate, but with a little effort you can find what you're looking for at a reasonable price.

I recommend: Visit Compuvest.com, to find a selection HP Deskjet 6540 printers. Check out Hewlett Packard to get information on troubleshooting or repairing your HP DeskJet 6540.

Find parts for HP 6540 Deskjet Color Printer

Locating parts for an HP 6540 may take some effort, but you can find what you're looking for by doing searches at sites that specialize in selling new, used or refurbished parts for your HP 6540. You can do product searches for the parts you need to repair your printer so you won't have to pay for a newer model. If you don't initially find what you're looking for, either put in a request or come back frequently to check on availability.

I recommend: Go to Spare Parts Warehouse to find parts for your HP 6540. If you can't find what you're looking for, you can either put in a product request or contact a member of its technical team to help you find a compatible part. Visit 360Technologies to locate parts for HP DeskJet 6540 color printers.

Purchase HP DeskJet 6540 components and supplies from a supplier of HP Deskjet 6540 printers

You'll want to keep a supply on hand of all HP DeskJet printing supplies like paper, toner and ink. If you're not sure what kind of supplies your HP 6540 printer requires, you can do a search on the official Hewlett Packard site using the model number of your printer or speak to someone in customer service.

I recommend: Buy ink and toner from SkySheen. You can also do an ink cartridge compatibility search on this site to find what you need. If you're looking to purchase printing supplies at discount prices, visit the InkJet Superstore.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Contact a supplier of HP Deskjet 6400-series printers to learn about the compatibilities of inks and other printing accessories for your printer. Since this is an older model and it can be difficult to find parts, knowing what is compatible with your printer will make it easier to find parts to use for repairs as well as to purchase printing accessories.

If you own one of the printers from the HP DeskJet 6400 or are considering buying a model, then you can benefit from knowing how well the device has been rated. HP DeskJet 6450 printers advice and ratings site can provide you with helpful guidance.

The HP DeskJet 6450 is a color printer that has desirable features like wireless connectivity, photo printing and USB connectivity. Although ratings are mixed, reviews show that it is a good overall value.

1. Look through reviews of the HP DeskJet 6450 printer. Technology sites will likely feature editor ratings on the HP 6450 printer.

2. Contact a supplier of HP DeskJet 6450 printers. Suppliers typically post user ratings to help buyers make their purchase.

3. Get advice on problems with the DeskJet 6450. If you run into any technical issues, you will need troubleshooting advice.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Read reviews of the HP DeskJet 6450 color printer

Look for reputable publications and online sites to provide editor reviews of the HP 6450 printer. Many sites will also have a user review sections in order to give you even more insight into how well the Hewlett Packard DeskJet 6450 printer handles.

I recommend: PC Magazine is a well known technology review provider that has rated the HP 6450 printer as a very good device with particular emphasis on how well it prints photos. Retrevo has links to multiple reviews on the HP 6450.

Check out providers of HP DeskJet 6450 printers

Suppliers of HP DeskJet 6450 printers will often have user provided ratings in order to help you make your purchase. Read through the user provider reviews as well to look for any potential problems that keep appearing throughout the ratings.

I recommend: Costco is a supplier of HP DeskJet 6400 printers that shares ratings and reviews of the model. Some of the reviews were positive, but there are a number of negative ratings as well on the HP 6450. Amazon.com allows their users to also post ratings and reviews on the HP 6450.

Get advice on HP 6450 problems

Besides ratings sites, you are going to want to look to advice websites for help with resolving any problems or technical issues. You can look to professional and user forums for troubleshooting advice as well as tips that can help you use your HP DeskJet 6450 color printers.

I recommend: FixYa is a technical support advice site that has a special section on JP DeskJet 6450 printers. Post a problem or look through archives on past issues that have since been resolved. HP Support Forums has a similar setup, but instead focuses exclusively on Hewlett Packard devices, such as the HP DeskJet 6450 printer. Use the search bar in order to look through past advice on the HP 6450.