Designjet Z6 Postscript Printer hangs at 95% initialization

[RedEftMapping]

On startup, my DesignJet Z6 Postscript 24" printer now hangs at the 95% initialization level.  I have powered down the printer after this hang, and restarted, and get the same issue. Just yesterday, the printer was functioning perfectly.  I have also tried completely unplugging the printer after powering it down and letting it rest for a few minutes before re-powering, but this does not help either.

I have tried re-seating the 6 print cartridges, but this does not help.  I cannot access the printheads to re-seat them because they are in the stowed and locked position to the right of the printer.  Also, I have removed the media and spindle, but this does not help either.

Any ideas would be welcome.

[Valsimot]

Remove all ink cartridges, and turn the Designjet without cartridges, if it passes 95% and initializes then one or more ink cartridges is giving you issues.

The expired or empty cartridge can cause the printer to hang in initialization. Check the dates on each cartridge, and gently shake them, if you don't feel liquid ink moving that one is empty, the one that is empty might cause you issues.

You can insert cartridges one by one and turn the printer ON, leaving the empty one for last and when the printer hangs the last one you inserted is problematic.

[RedEftMapping]

Valsimot;

Thank you for the reply. 

I removed ALL 6 ink cartridges, but the initialization STILL hung at 95%.   I had read of that technique before as applied to other models of designjets, and had already tried it.   But, I then put all the same ink cartridges  back in, and miraculously, the next time I tried a startup, the Z6 came up to the normal home screen after a very long wait. 

I then elected to replace two of the printheads which were old (I had already replaced one of them the week before). 

Please note that I ONLY was able to change the printheads after a successful boot - otherwise the printheads are inaccessible!

Then, during the new printhead calibration, the Z6 complained that the magenta cartridge was out of ink, which turned out to be true.  I replaced that ink cartridge and then the printhead calibration ran successfully.  I then ran the complete optimization/calibration.  Everything seeks OK now.

So, I don't know if my issue was caused by the empty magenta ink cartridge, or older printheads. But if printheads alone cause the hang, you are SCREWED, because you cannot replace them if you hang at 95%! There would be no way to put them into position for replacement.

I feel this issue should be addressed by HP two ways in firmware:

1: Give the user some clue as to what might be going on with a readable message.  This could be simply done if the firmware detects that it has been sitting at 95% for too long.  And...

2: Give the option at that point of accessing the printheads for replacement.  Remember, if the printhead is the problem, you can't change it, because it is inaccessible!

Thanks again for the reply.  I would appreciate a reply on firmware to address this.