PSC 1400 prints half a test page each print run

[Phosphoric]

Started yesterday. On each print run I get half a test page then the prints that i wanted. The test page is just the black text not the coloured parts.

Note this is the test page not the alignment page so the printer is not asking for an alignment. This is all I could find when googling the problem, go through the alignment procedure.

I have narrowed the problem down to my PC by the following:
(All running Mint 13 Mate Desktop)
Laptop to printer - OK
Notebook to printer - OK
PC to different printer - prints test page.
Run live CD on PC - OK

Therefore the fault lies within the PC's printer configuration.

I have deleted the printer and re-installed, removed HPLIPS using synaptic and also removed the hplips configuration files in etc and home using sudo dolphin. All to no avail. I have scores of test sheets littering the floor.

Pleas can somebody help me completely remove the printer's configuration or whatever to get rid of this irritating problem.

Thanks

[Phosphoric]

More information:

The problem is confined to printing pdf files on the PC. PDF on the laptop and notebook print oK.

Text files print OK on the PC.

Laptop and notebook have the basic pdf reader, PC has Acroread 9. Deleted acroread but still no joy. Think I've narrowed the problem down further but there is still some junk left over in the PC somewhere.

[Phosphoric]

Another clue.

Deleted Acroread 9, installed Okular...... no different

Tried printing direct from the terminal (lpr -H localhost filename.pdf)......no different.

I assume that means it's not the pdf reader to blame.

[Phosphoric]

No one?