firmware caught it and said "NO SETUP CARTRIDGES ALLOWED!" so I am now stuck.

[Randall1951]

My printhead came up missing so I ordered a new whaler package from the HP store (printhead + 4 cartridges). Like all engineers who don't follow instructions, I stuck the old cartridges in the printer and it attempted alignment but failed. After sticking the new cartridges in, the HP firmware caught it and said "NO SETUP CARTRIDGES ALLOWED!" so I am now stuck. I cannot get around that error, the printer cannot align on the old cartridges, the previous printhead is dead and I cannot even reset the HP 8600 to get it back to thinking it is getting a new printhead with setup cartridges .

I made the mistake of using the old cartridges, not realizing that the printhead alignment NEEDED setup cartridges, but now the firmware believes that my cartridge printhead is aligned and WILL NOT ALLOW setup cartridges to be used again.

Did I make a $211.97 mistake? Am I going to have to spend another $211.97 for another Whaler assembly and start all over again??

[Randall1951 · Accepted solution]

I figured out the correct solution to this. I went to Office Depot and bought the economizer pack for $133.32 and installed fresh new catridges. (realizing that the firmware thought that the printhead was initialized) I tried one realignment, that failed right away, so I did deep cleaning on the print head and it took 3 passes before all 4 inks were properly spraying onto the white paper. Then I did the printhead alignment again.. VOILA!! printhead now aligned.

This is a costly $133.32 mistake. Do NOT make the same dumb mistake I did and put in the old catridges. BAD MISTAKE!

Problem is now solved, at least I did not have to spend another $211.97.