If have not used an HP photo smart printer in a few years..how likely is that will have to replace it?

The ink has likely dried up. This can happen in 6 months and you said your wasn't used for a few years. Most HP printers have the print heads on the cartridges themselves. Replace the cartridges, or at least the black ink cartridge to see if it will work. If it does, then you can move on to the colored cartridge.