Digital BW, The Print

Thank you Bob for your assistance. It's always helpful to step back 
and remember these basics once you've been struggling with 
troubleshooting for a while.
I printed a text file from Word, using black only.
The output was light and with some missing lines.
Reseated that cartridge yet again and two more cleaning cycles then 
nozzle print test was darker and showed no gaps at all.
So that part of my problem was indeed related to the photo black 
cartridge.
I'll need to reply separately to Paul's response.
regards,
Hoppy
--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Bob Michaels" 
<bob@...> wrote:
>
> Print a short page of text after selecting "black" rather 
than "color"
> in the 890 printer driver. Something not from PS. That will tell 
you
> if your K nozzle is firing. If that works, try printing a photo 
from
> PS using the same setting. It should be just a tad light. That will
> confirm you are printing the K OK from PS. If both of those work, 
and
> your prints still have no K in them, it must be something in a 
setting
> somewhere. But I'd bet you won't get that far as your settings 
sound
> correct.
> 
> Bob Michaels
> 
> --- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Hoppy"
> <hoppyman@> wrote:
> >
> > Hello, I'm new to the group and digital BW. I am reasonably 
> > proficient with CS2 and colour output from my R800.I am so far 
> > unsuccessful printing a full range to near black in any 
> > print,including as part of step wedges. > > The hardware is
> > Epson 890 with UT2 ink set including photoblack.
> > Paper is Epson Premium Glossy. When I print a 21 step wedge 
there is 
> > missing ink  in the 100% block (0 value)(banded and light). The 
> > print in general of the wedge is  a little lighter and inferior 
to 
> > color output version from my R800.The only full size print that 
was 
> > normally toned had apparently all of the (K99%)pure black 
absent, 
> > showing an abrupt area of light grey where near black should be 
in 
> > the print. I chose a file with very good tonal range to test.
> > It appears as though the photo black ctg may not be used??? or 
> > working properly
> > 
> > I have tried Quadtone RIP, slider method and curves, all with 
too 
> > light and also black deficient results.
> > Printer monitor shows cartridges full, I have tried reseating 
them, 
> > nozzle check shows six unbroken 4 line staggered strips.
> >