WTF HP?!!

[Octopuss]

Short story even shorter:
Out of habit, I updated our printer's (HP LJ M252dw) firmware today. Third party toners we were most happy with magically stopped working.
Fuck you HP. This is NOT how to keep customers.

 

[RCoon]

Downgrade the firmware?

 

[Octopuss]

Yeah fortunately there was another one almost a year old available, but that rolls back any fixes that are possibly wanted/needed (fortunately we had no problem with the printer but that doesn't mean someone else wouldn't).
This crap seriously pisses me off.

 

[cdawall]

Stop upgrading the firmware if it works?

 

[Azumay]

Stop upgrading the firmware if it works

If it works don't mess with it. lol

 

[RejZoR]

If it works, you haven't fiddled with it enough...

 

[dorsetknob]

Printer has gone to Silicon Heaven,
HP requests you repackage it in its original packaging
Your New series 4000 will be arriving shortly
Please ensure your printer has its affairs in order
a countdown for Your Printer shut down disc activates, leaving you with only twenty-four hours notice before all mental and physical action automatically stops, because of his service life expiring so the new model can be sold.

Sorry but its A RED DWARF MOMENT

 

[EarthDog]

Stop upgrading the firmware if it works?

This.

You can preach for the rest of the world this may/may not affect... but in your case, don't bring it on yourself... you should know better being a member here!

 

[Caring1]

A firmware update shouldn't reduce functionality, it should only fix known issues or increase ability of the device.
That was a pure greed move on their behalf.

 

[FordGT90Concept]

I've always hated HP for a reason (bloated software). Add another to the list.

 

[Athlon2K15]

stop using 3rd party toner

 

[Mindweaver]

Yea, if it isn't broke don't fix it.. hehe HP makes more money on consumables than their hardware. That's how they can sell you a $299 color laser printer with half the ink that will cost you $400+ to fill back up with HP ink..

 

[manofthem]

This is a good reminder for me not to upgrade fw on my Brother printer. It takes the cheap knock off toners from eBay just fine, and I don't want to have to shell out for original stuff.

 

[Caring1]

If it's not the refusal to take non original ink, it's the programmed counter that makes the printer stop after reaching a magic number.
Old printers rule.

 

[Jetster]

The one thing HP does well is printers

 

[Divide Overflow]

If it's not the refusal to take non original ink, it's the programmed counter that makes the printer stop after reaching a magic number.
Old printers rule.

Yeah, I just love hearing my HP printer tell me that my ink has "expired" and won't print any more.

 

[Liquid Cool]

I have the M251NW, just about the same printer as yours...thanks for the heads up on the firmware. Without ebay refills, I couldn't afford to use it.

I love this printer of mine....colors are good, strong wireless signal, and excellent linux compatibility. Couldn't ask for more.

Best,

Liquid Cool

 

[FordGT90Concept]

...we're not talking about ink here...we're talking about toner...

...I'd never put knockoff toner in my Brother laser printer.

 

[cdawall]

I run a knockoff printer with knockoff toner. It all works the same.

 

[Octopuss]

The original toners are expensive as shit. A set of the 3 colour ones easily cost more than the printer itself, which is ridiculous. Third party ones cost maybe third of that if not less. And they work perfectly fine.

Also, while I generally agree with the "if it works, don't fix it" approach, I don't think it has anything to do with a manufacturer intentionally breaking functionality of a device. Generally I see no reason not to update firmware when there are bugfixes in every release. You never know when it might affect you.

 

[FordGT90Concept]

Have you tried HP toner in it since the update? Maybe the firmware update actually bricked the printer and toner brand has nothing to do with it.

 

[Octopuss]

I don't know. But I presume the black one is original because that was still reporting normally after the update.
The error on the printer itself said something about memory error related to toners, so it definitely looks like intentionally breaking compatibility. But I also expect the manufacturers of non-original toners to adapt to these changes, so next batch of toners I'll buy in a few months will work with this version of the firmware again.

 

[F-Zero]

Printer has gone to Silicon Heaven,
HP requests you repackage it in its original packaging
Your New series 4000 will be arriving shortly
Please ensure your printer has its affairs in order
a countdown for Your Printer shut down disc activates, leaving you with only twenty-four hours notice before all mental and physical action automatically stops, because of his service life expiring so the new model can be sold.

Sorry but its A RED DWARF MOMENT

Haha i loved that show ! Glad to see there are Dwarf fans out there. Can't wait for the new episodes. Sorry for the offtopic.

 

[FordGT90Concept]

I don't know. But I presume the black one is original because that was still reporting normally after the update.
The error on the printer itself said something about memory error related to toners, so it definitely looks like intentionally breaking compatibility. But I also expect the manufacturers of non-original toners to adapt to these changes, so next batch of toners I'll buy in a few months will work with this version of the firmware again.

So maybe the better lesson to learn is to not stockpile toner? If you're only out one of each color, you still saved a bundle of money by buying third party.

 

[Octopuss]

????
Where did you get the idea we stockpiled toners from?