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HP Firmware Update Blocks Non-HP Ink Cartridges

posted by cmn32480 on Monday September 19 2016, @11:07AM   Printer-friendly
from the time-bomb dept.

-- OriginalOwner_ writes:

Martin Brinkmann at gHacks reports

HP released a firmware update on March 12, 2016 for several of the company's Officejet printers that renders non-HP ink cartridges useless.

HP customers began to complain about the issue on September 13, 2016 on various online forums, the official HP forum, and on community sites like Reddit.

All reported that a HP Officejet printer blocked non-HP ink cartridges from working, and that the device displayed one of the following messages to the user:

Cartridge Problem.

The following ink cartridges appears to be missing or [damaged].

Replace the ink cartridges to resume printing.

[Continues...]

Cartridge Problem.

Until cartridges are replaced, make sure the printer is turned on to avoid damage to the printer.

One or more cartridges are missing or damaged.

The ink cartridge listed above is an older generation ink cartridge that does not work in your printer. It can still be used with some older printer models.

If you do not own an older printer model and your ink cartridge is a genuine HP cartridge, contract HP support for more information.

It appears that HP programmed the firmware update that it released in March to block non-HP ink cartridges from working starting September 13, 2016.

[...] HP customers affected by the issue cannot do much about it it appears. The printer won't accept non-HP ink cartridges anymore unless they are specifically designed for the new firmware.

[...] HP customers who don't want to experience an issue like this again in the future may want to disable firmware updates for their printer.

[...] The easiest option to do so is to wait for the next HP Update prompt to appear.

  1. Select Settings on the prompt.
  2. On the HP Update Settings page, switch to Never under "Check for software updates on the web".

Also, whenever a HP Update prompt is displayed, select Cancel to block the download and installation of the update.

So, what's the complement of "delayed gratification"?

Original Submission

 
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  • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday September 19 2016, @05:32PM

    by Anonymous Coward on Monday September 19 2016, @05:32PM (#403860)
    Not as awkward as you printing out porn or worse to the wrong printer or country...

    For bonus points use the CEOs name somewhere.

  • (Score: 2) by Hyperturtle on Monday September 19 2016, @08:26PM

    by Hyperturtle (2824) on Monday September 19 2016, @08:26PM (#403953)

    I have done neighbors a service by *accidentally* connecting to their open network when I inadvertantly had shut off my own wifi due to inherent stupidity I sometimes express when figuring out how something works, only to find a device connecting to a nearby open network because Windows was totally fine with connecting to foreign networks without asking first (this was on XP pre SP3 when the bulk of this occured)

    To atone for that, I would connect to their printer and print out that they will want to set up a password.

    It hasn't actually happened in a while (either I am less incapable or they are more savvy), but every SSID I connected to and found I was able to print... they set up a password after I dropped them a note about it.

    Some people do not realize the problem until the friendly neighborhood spiderman (or network man or something) leaves a calling card explaining the reason for the visit.