Judith, one of my printers is Deskjet 812C. Wal-Mart carries a brand named Pelican to replace the black ink for app. $18, but they don't have the color cartridge in that brand. I think I got the color at Mr. Ink (online). But relating to your question, my color ran out once and when I removed the cartridge the printer wouldn't print at all. When I put the empty color cartridge back in, the printer worked, so both cartridges have to be in place for the printer to work. (I think Don said the same thing only with less words.) I also have a Lexmark X75 3-in-1 I bought a couple of years ago but have never used, since the ink dried up before I got to print anything, so I just use it to scan to the computer. I have been unable to find Lexmark cartridges at a price I would even think of paying, they are quite expensive. Also have a Tandy, which I use only for check writing (continuous feed checks), but I like the deskjet the best. I never was aware of the B&W only option, but I see I have grayscale so that's probably it. ~Glo -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.323 / Virus Database: 267.6.0 - Release Date: 6/3/2005 -- <Please delete this line and everything below.> To unsub or change your email settings: //www.freelists.org/webpage/pctechtalk To access our Archives: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PCTechTalk/messages/ //www.freelists.org/archives/pctechtalk/