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Does my printer have to have a new color cartridge to print in black?

My printer has been giving me messages that it was low on ink in both my black and color cartridges. I can't afford both this week so I bought a black one. Now when I try to print in black only (I even chose grayscale), the message says I'm low in color and won't print. WHY? I'm not trying to print in color! I won't put the name of my printer because every time I put brands or names of certain "music clubs" with so-called free music my question gets deleted. But here's a clue.... you don't know HowPissed I am about this! Thanks =D

Public Comments

1. no but the ink might be dried up so check it out
2. You have to put both cartridge that happended to me too if it still doesnt work the ink is dried up> Bye
3. a lot of companies will mix ink from both cartridges to make a dark black or restrict printing if one is empty. This allows them to sell more ink which is where the profit is in the inkjet printer market. To know if that can be overridden, we would need the make/model of your printer. EDIT: My suggestion...take a look at a decent laser printer. Good black and white laser printers are now in the $100 range and toner is much cheaper than ink. It will save you quite a bit of money in the long run.
4. Epson printers definately do, not sure about other makes.
5. Hi, I assume you are talking about an H.P. machine. Sometimes you can bypass that warning if it gives you the option to ignore the warning. On the other hand it may require the color to work properly. The manufacturers like this one make all of their money on the ink, so they market and install features like this one to make consumers buy as much ink as possible. Try buying a compatible or remanufactured ink cartridge if it is available. Check this website to see if they have your printer model. The savings is usually significant.
6. there is a good reason why you should never let your printer run out of any color ink. the longer you play around, the greater the chance you will permanently damage it. read http://www.ccs-digital.com/inkjetcare.asp