Officejet Pro 7730 - not showing ink levels

[GraceCourt]

A week or so ago, for some reason, all of the displayed ink levels dropped to zero, probably because someone allowed the printer to download a firmware update - previously turned off because I don't want to buy HP ink cartridges containing ink that's more expensive than vintage champagne!

All was well until today, when the copying and printing facility stopped working: there's nothing to indicate a problem, it just preperes to scan but stops after displaying "Copying page 1/1" on the status.  Inserting a new compatible from the same batch as the C, M, and Y colours, the printer refuses to do anything because it states the new cartridge is not a genuine HP cartridge... re-inserting the empty compatible restores the previous condition.

I'm sure that a firmware update is responsible and before I buy another printer (obviously, not an HP model), I'm posting this.  Anyone want an HP 7730 just for scanning?

[GraceCourt · Accepted solution]

Update: Yes, that's what it was.

I've turned off the automatic updates again and replaced the ink cartridges with new compatibles and all is back to normal.  I thought that HP wasn't allowed to do this any more after being ordered not to in a US civil action, but it looks like they still do it in the UK.  Advice to others... don't allow your printer to download firmware updates unless you absolutely have to.