M1212nf fails to initialize after firmware update continued

[sbwinter2]

Since I cannot reply to the original post, I am creating a new one.

I just got a perfectly working M1212nf. It was hooked up via ethernet and usb. It printed without a problem. On setting it up on another Mac laptop, I didn't realize I was allowing it to update the crappy firmware that should have been removed from HP's system years ago. That firmware caused the initialization loop, and now there is nothing I can do unless anyone has any new insights.

I called HP tech support who while kindly offered to try some things for free, told me they had never heard of this problem before (must be new) and said they had nothing to help me.

I have done the usual - unplug, restart, hard reset, but none work because the loop resets everything - a hard reset isn't even possible. Same with the factory reset - I can get to the screen and hit ok, but then the printer resets, so it is cancelled. I cannot see it in USB or Ethernet long enough to push another firmware update attempt, so no solution there either.

Has anyone come up with something that works? How did those people who were able to do a factory reset get the machine to reset before it looped again?

I hate to have to trash was a perfect machine this morning.

[Jeet_singh]

Hi @sbwinter2,

Thank you for showing your interest in HP Support Forums. It is a great place to find the help you need, from other users, HP experts, and other support personnel. For you to have the best experience on the HP forum, you could also visit our HP Forums Guide for the First Time Here? Learn How to Post and More.

I understand your HP LaserJet Pro M1212nf is stuck on initializing screen. Don't worry, though, as I have a few steps which should help to resolve your concerns,

Please make sure that the printer is connected directly to the wall outlet and not to the surge protector.

Remove all the ink cartridges and then perform a Hard reset on the printer.

* With the printer turned on, disconnect the power cord from the rear of the printer and also unplug the power cord from the wall outlet.

* Remove USB cable, if present.

* Wait for 2-3 minutes, press and hold the power button on your printer for about 30 seconds to remove any additional charge.

* Now plug back the power cable straight to a wall outlet without any surge protector or an extension cord and then plug back the power cord to the printer.

* Turn on the printer and wait till warm-up period finishes and the printer is idle.

* Now insert the ink cartridges and then try to check if it works.

Next thing, I would suggest is to perform an advanced reset on the printer. I have sent you the instructions in a private message. If you are unfamiliar with how the Forum's private message capability works, this post has instructions.

Please check your Private message icon on the upper right corner of your HP Forums profile,

Next, to your profile Name, you should see a little blue envelope, please click on it.

Please reply back on the public post as this Private message box is not monitored.

I hope this helps resolve this issue completely,

Regards,

[sbwinter2]

Hi. Even though I had done variations of these instructions before, including those in your private message (and why did you have to private message them?), I tried you instructions again because you had a couple of extra steps that my call with HP didn't provide. Unfortunately, like with everyone else who had the firmware brick their printer, your instructions did not work - neither the ones here nor the ones in the message.

By the way, your instructions for an NVRAM reset for this printer are wrong (and they are the same wrong instructions that the HP tech gave me on the call). Holding the Cancel and Copy button does not lead to PERMANENT STORAGE INIT. It is the Cancel button plus the arrow button. Holding Cancel and Copy is the same as doing nothing. It would be great if the people who worked for HP actually knew the correct procedures for their products.

Thanks for trying, but HP really blew it with this firmware. What I don't understand is why it is even still being fed to computers/printers four years after the problem first existed. Since the new driver on the website worked without a problem, there should have been no firmware update available when that section of the setup came up. Plus, it was stupid to have the firmware update follow after the fax setup as if it was part of the same process. Take down that malicious firware update.

[Jeet_singh]

Hi @sbwinter2,

Thanks for replying,

I appreciate your time and efforts,

I understand you have tried the steps suggested and still having the same issue, I would suggest you contact our HP phone support so that they can take the remotely take the control of your PC and help you check the settings. Please fill in the product details to get the tech support number.

Please use the following link to create yourself a case number, then call and it may help speed up the call process:

Step 1. Open link: www.hp.com/contacthp/

Step 2. Enter Product number or select to auto detect

Step 3. Scroll down to "Still need help? Complete the form to select your contact options"

Step 4. Scroll down and click: HP contact options - click on Get phone numberCase number and phone number appear.

They will be happy to assist you immediately.

Keep me posted for any other assistance,

If the information I've provided was helpful,

give us some reinforcement by clicking the solution and kudos buttons,

that'll help us and others see that we've got the answers!

Good Luck.

[sbwinter2]

That will cost me money, and I don't think I should have to pay HP for a known bug they have with their own software. I was grateful for the tech yesterday who helped as much as she could for free over the phone. I just won't pay for HP to conclude that they have no idea how to fix this problem (which they have admitted is their fault).

Thanks though.

[Jeet_singh]

Hi @sbwinter2,

Thank you for posting on the HP Support Forums,

I have brought your issue to the attention of an appropriate team within HP. 

They will contact you shortly and likely request information from you in order to look up your case details or product serial number. 

Please look for a private message from an identified HP contact. 

Additionally, keep in mind not to publicly post personal information (such as serial numbers and case details).

If you wish to show appreciation for my efforts to help you out, mark my post as Accepted Solution.

And click on the Purple Thumbs up icon at the bottom of my comment.

Regards,

[sbwinter2]

I sent a PM with some of this info, but now I have more to share. I have discovered more about how your own software killed my printer. The driver software I downloaded is dated 12/6/2012. It loaded and worked without a problem if you noticed when the firware update started and skipped it - which is what I did for the first computer. A few days later, I loaded it onto the second computer. That time, I didn't notice when the setup moved from the fax to the firmware and unintentionally started the firmware upload that put the printer in the initilization loop.

Yesterday, when I was trying yet another solution that I found online, that didn't work, for the split second the printer actually attaches to my computer, I was able to detect that the firmware that loaded onto my printer (and was still trying to load from the setup software if I ran the firmware utility that came with the 12/6 driver package) is dated 9/1/2012. So your server is trying to put OLD firmware onto the printer. No wonder it stopped working. How can you push this old firmware through a setup tool that is newer and has newer software? The 9/1/2012 firmware shouldn't even be on your server any longer.

I found today that the firmware that has the airprint feature is dated 4/21/2015. That is what should be pushed to the printers with the driver setup package. Maybe if that would have been integrated into the setup utility, my printer would still be working.

Again - shame on you for pushing software that is older than the driver and bricks the printer. You owe me a formatter board so I can afford to fix the printer.