DesignJet Z3200 79:04 0xbabe0007 SystemManagerImpl.h "Severe" Error

[æß]

I recently received an as-is DesignJet Z3200ps 44" printer as a donation to my studio. The unit powers on, however as the boot sequence progresses, it stalls for a few moments upon reaching 78%  on the panel

screen. Following that; the display reads the following:

version: TR12-RB_12.0.1.6

subsystem: CDS

subversion: C 01. 00

code:  0xbabe0007

severity: SEVERE

customer: 79:04

file: SystemManagerImpl.h

line: 582

I am able to power the unit down using the panel's power button while this screen displays, however I am unable to pass it. I've come up on pretty much no leads whatsoever while searching on line for what problem I'm dealing with here. However suggestions in the manual allude to problematic firmware, which I downloaded from HP and attempted to load by connecting my laptop (Lenovo ThinkPad E14 i5 10th gen running Linux Mint 21.3) and using the (non-optimized for Mint) HP Utility program after a long headache of DIY configuration, am not able to detect the printer from my computer.  

I have attempted power cycling the unit and removing the cord, as well as pulling all the cartridges and attempting to boot without them; I'm greeted with the same screen no matter what it is I do.

Having this printer working would be a blessing for my studio, to say the least, and I would appreciate any information or suggestions for how to proceed with getting this thing running. Thanks in advance. 

[Repairatrooper]

Have you tried removing all supplies ink and printheads restarting without supplies and then installing then installing when prompted? Also if your plotter has a USB slot on it that you can insert a USB key into you can copy the firmware file to a USB stick and then power up the device with the stick inserted and that should trigger a firmware update. If you do not have that slot that option unfortunately is not available. Slot if present will be either on the control panel or on the formatter where the network cable connects.

[æß]

Yes as stated, I removed all the ink. I am unable to access the printheads as it requires access to the maintenance menu to summon the carriage to access the printheads. I'm unable to physically move the carriage into an accessible place manually. 

There is no USB slot, the formatter unit only contains a USB-B input. Upon removing the formatter, I notice the hard disk is an SSD similar to that found in old Mac's, which I happen to have several clamshell adaptors to make them usable as external hard drive storage. I suppose I could attempt to remove it, mount it in the adaptor, and see if my computer can view the drive as an external SSD and perhaps put the firmware onto it that way, but I doubt this thing's formatted in a way my computer will be able to read easily. 

[Repairatrooper]

Not having the option of emergency upgrade is a real pain and I was not in front of a manual when I posted, hence the "if" qualification on the USB port, was trying not to mislead or get your hopes up.

To remove the printheads you can try powering on and watching for printhead movement of any sort and pull the cord when you see the printheads move which would indicate that the carriage is unlocked and then you can slide the carriage to a position where you can remove the printheads. Then restart the device. The only other option would be to remove the right cover and manually disengage the service station using a Torx 10 bit, there is a port on the back of the service station, direction of travel is usually marked.

These notes from a public HP document on dealing with 79 errors

Solutions and workaround:

In the following procedure perform each step as it appears in the list and only move on to the next step once you are sure the 79:04 error has not been cleared:

If non-HP ink is being used, it is recommended to replace it with HP ink and printheads:

1. Check the printer's supply status:
   Extract the Service Plot (when possible) or view the information on front panel. If any cartridges or printheads are out of warranty or the printheads show more than 100% of use, replace these before going to the next step.
2. Check the printer firmware version and if necessary, update it.
   If System Error 79:03 and 79:04 persist, please contact the HP support. For contact information.

All the supplies should have a expiry date printed on them, but if you can get everything out, if they are the cause of the problem, the printer should at least boot up with everything removed.

You are also correct about the special formatting of the drives and typically a replacement must be purchased that has the image already written to it.

[æß]

I already stated that nothing happens with the unit when powering up besides the panel displaying an error.

[Repairatrooper]

As per my post, remove the right cover and retract the head lock so you can remove the print heads. That is a more sensible first step than messing with the formatter and harddrive when they could very well have nothing to do with the issue.