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Last month, my friend's HP Laserjet Pro printer started flashing "SUPPLY PROBLEM" error message and wouldn't print anything. Apparently, all he did was update t

by Jerry2 5y ago

Last month, my friend's HP Laserjet Pro printer started flashing "SUPPLY PROBLEM" error message and wouldn't print anything. Apparently, all he did was update the firmware after a message popped up on the printer urging him to do so. Well, that firmware update included new DRM checks for non-HP toners. The printer would just refuse to work with 3rd party toner cartridges. I had to help him and had to find an old firmware and downgrade to an older one which didn't contain the DRM. The firmware didn't come from HP's website because they deleted all old versions so I downloaded the version off someone's Google Drive. Who knows if that FW contains something malicious. Also, I had to install Windows because old firmware update is a Windows program. You're SOL if you use macOS or Linux. This incident didn't make my friend go and buy $200+ worth of original toners like HP intended. All it did was make him anxious of updating anything and of using HP products and has wasted a lot of his and my time. He said he won't buy another HP printer again. If you want to learn more, search for "HP supply problem" with your fav search engine. Or see this link on HP support forums [1]. And don't update your printer's firmware if it's working fine... because who knows when they'll disable FW downgrade option and you'll be stuck with a DRMed printer. Edit: Just in case you found this comment through a search engine or this has affected you, I recommend downloading FW from this page [2]. It also has a list of affected HP Color LaserJet Pro printers (there's quite a few models.. the page lists 11 models). That blog also has a full saga of HP's shenanigans and their attempts to block aftermarket cartridges [3]. [1] https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Printing-Errors-or-Lights-Stuck-Print-Jobs/HP-Color-Laser-jet-Pro-MFP-M281CDW-quot-Supply-Problem-quot/td-p/7844016 https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Printing-Errors-or-Lights-Stuc... [2] https://borncity.com/win/2021/02/02/firmware-downgrade-for-hp-printer/ https://borncity.com/win/2021/02/02/firmware-downgrade-for-h... [3] https://borncity.com/win/2020/11/08/hp-firmware-update-for-ink-laser-printers-blocks-third-party-cartridges-nov-2020/ https://borncity.com/win/2020/11/08/hp-firmware-update-for-i...

pombrand 5y ago
Better yet, HP will re-enable auto firmware updates if you disabled them at lest with certain printers (they did for mine). HP never again.
- tim333 5y ago
  After my last HP printer being annoying I said never again and bought a Samsung laser. Of course HP then went and bought Samsung.
noasaservice 5y ago
My big question here is: Why aren't companies being found criminally negligent with the CFAA when they force poison-pill "upgrades" that remove stated features from the original device? How is this functionally different than the crypt-ransomware we see in the news?
- kevin_thibedeau 5y ago
  You gave authorized access in the EULA. What we need is real penalties for contracts of adhesion.
  - ncallaway 5y ago
    Do printers have an End User License Agreement? The last printer I bought, I was able to setup and print with, without (explicitly) agreeing to any license. Is the EULA part of a software install process?
    - anonymousab 5y ago
      There's usually a clause somewhere in small print where you agree to some massive EULA on some url through just the act of buying the product.
      - b112 5y ago
        Many people buy printers in stores, still. Point of sale rules apply there. If even one person does this, then the parent's comment is valid.
  - noasaservice 5y ago
    Prove it.
  - pbhjpbhj 5y ago
    So as long as I send a target an email and they don't respond back that they refuse then I can do anything to them that was in that email - same level of "authorised". They probably looked at an email longer if it was actually opened.
mike-cardwell 5y ago
HP screwed me the same way a few years ago. I now have a Brother Lazer printer. Fuck HP. Threw that junk in the trash.
- silexia 5y ago
  Someone should start an ethical product company that does not take on investors so they cannot lose control and have s** like this happen. It seems like there are a lot of opportunities in the printer and tractor worlds.

by Jerry2 5y ago

pombrand 5y ago

Better yet, HP will re-enable auto firmware updates if you disabled them at lest with certain printers (they did for mine). HP never again.

tim333 5y ago
After my last HP printer being annoying I said never again and bought a Samsung laser. Of course HP then went and bought Samsung.

noasaservice 5y ago

My big question here is: Why aren't companies being found criminally negligent with the CFAA when they force poison-pill "upgrades" that remove stated features from the original device? How is this functionally different than the crypt-ransomware we see in the news?

kevin_thibedeau 5y ago
You gave authorized access in the EULA. What we need is real penalties for contracts of adhesion.
- ncallaway 5y ago
  Do printers have an End User License Agreement? The last printer I bought, I was able to setup and print with, without (explicitly) agreeing to any license. Is the EULA part of a software install process?
  - anonymousab 5y ago
    There's usually a clause somewhere in small print where you agree to some massive EULA on some url through just the act of buying the product.
    - b112 5y ago
      Many people buy printers in stores, still. Point of sale rules apply there. If even one person does this, then the parent's comment is valid.
- noasaservice 5y ago
  Prove it.
- pbhjpbhj 5y ago
  So as long as I send a target an email and they don't respond back that they refuse then I can do anything to them that was in that email - same level of "authorised". They probably looked at an email longer if it was actually opened.

mike-cardwell 5y ago

HP screwed me the same way a few years ago. I now have a Brother Lazer printer. Fuck HP. Threw that junk in the trash.

silexia 5y ago
Someone should start an ethical product company that does not take on investors so they cannot lose control and have s** like this happen. It seems like there are a lot of opportunities in the printer and tractor worlds.