According to Born's Tech and Windows World, HP released a new firmware update yesterday (Sept 13th 2017) for many of its Officejet models that modifies or adds the HP "Dynamic Security Feature". This feature checks to see if genuine HP ink cartridges are being used. If all 4 out of 4 cartridges are found to be non-HP, the printer device halts and displays the error:
Note there is a link in that article explaining which Officejet models are affected and how to disable the Dynamic Security Feature allowing the use of 3rd party ink again.
This is not the first time HP (and other makers) has used the consumer UNfriendly tactic to force users into buying more expensive genuine ink. Last year about this same time, they did it and ended up reversing that policy and issued a "non-apology for blocking third-party ink cartridges".
I do understand their reasoning and certainly they not the only printer company that wants users to use genuine ink. There are, after all, valid reasons that put the printer makers in a bind when it comes to warranty support.
These problems include (1) they have no control over the formulas or quality of 3rd party inks and there are instances where cheap and even counterfeit inks have ruined printing devices. (2) Printer makers cannot guarantee print quality with 3rd-party inks. (3) There is no consistency in ink formulas among the various suppliers of 3rd-party ink. (4) There is no assurance of consistency between batches of the same 3rd-party supplier.
Because of those and other reasons, I really don't have a problem with printer makers "urging" users to use genuine OEM ink. I am even okay with them voiding the warranty IF it can be proven any failure was caused by the use of 3rd-party ink cartridges. But "forcing" users to use OEM ink? No! And voiding all warranty support because of 3rd-party ink? No! I have heard of cases where warranty support was not honored for built-in networking issues and for duplex printing paper handling failures - issues that have absolutely nothing to do with the ink. That's just wrong.
And what really, I mean REALLY irks me is HP calling this a "security" issue. :shame2: :censored2:
How is this a security issue? Are 3rd-party ink suppliers inserting hidden microphones or wifi devices in those cartridges? Are they inserting malware that miraculously is able to backtrack and infect my computer? :r1:
The only "security" issue is to the printer manufacturers cash cow. :r1:
"One or more cartridges appear to be damaged.
Remove them and replace with new cartridges."
Remove them and replace with new cartridges."
Note there is a link in that article explaining which Officejet models are affected and how to disable the Dynamic Security Feature allowing the use of 3rd party ink again.
This is not the first time HP (and other makers) has used the consumer UNfriendly tactic to force users into buying more expensive genuine ink. Last year about this same time, they did it and ended up reversing that policy and issued a "non-apology for blocking third-party ink cartridges".
I do understand their reasoning and certainly they not the only printer company that wants users to use genuine ink. There are, after all, valid reasons that put the printer makers in a bind when it comes to warranty support.
These problems include (1) they have no control over the formulas or quality of 3rd party inks and there are instances where cheap and even counterfeit inks have ruined printing devices. (2) Printer makers cannot guarantee print quality with 3rd-party inks. (3) There is no consistency in ink formulas among the various suppliers of 3rd-party ink. (4) There is no assurance of consistency between batches of the same 3rd-party supplier.
Because of those and other reasons, I really don't have a problem with printer makers "urging" users to use genuine OEM ink. I am even okay with them voiding the warranty IF it can be proven any failure was caused by the use of 3rd-party ink cartridges. But "forcing" users to use OEM ink? No! And voiding all warranty support because of 3rd-party ink? No! I have heard of cases where warranty support was not honored for built-in networking issues and for duplex printing paper handling failures - issues that have absolutely nothing to do with the ink. That's just wrong.
And what really, I mean REALLY irks me is HP calling this a "security" issue. :shame2: :censored2:
How is this a security issue? Are 3rd-party ink suppliers inserting hidden microphones or wifi devices in those cartridges? Are they inserting malware that miraculously is able to backtrack and infect my computer? :r1:The only "security" issue is to the printer manufacturers cash cow. :r1: