How to view individual ink-levels on HP deskjet 5550

Archived from groups: comp.periphs.printers (More info?)

Can't be done. About all you can do though is a 4-1 Tap (Dot Count)
printout to see how many droplets of each colour ink have been fired. Hold
the power button down, press the top cancel button 4 times then the middle
page feed button once, then release the power button. You would have to
keep printouts throughout the cartridge's life to get an idea of usage.
You'll get a printout like this:-


Counts:

K 276,110,317

C 50,948,348
M 53,713,853
Y 112,218,655

c 81,808,179
m 96,960,232
k 64,698,724


where
K=black #56
C =Cyan in #57
M=Magenta in #57
Y=Yellow in #57
c=Cyan in #58
m=Magenta in #58
k=Black in #58

The main colour that gets used up fast always seems to be the yellow.