NEW DESKJET 2800E will print only HP status and information reports on itself; Ink Alert has orange

[NEDRAW]

My new HP DeskJet 2800e printer works, but so far only to print information and status reports on itself. Ink Alert has orange dot, which I don't understand as the severely limited printing capability must mean very little of the two cartridges (supplied on purchase of the printer) have been used.

[BeemerBiker]

If you have an e-series HP printer then it needs internet access to "phone home".

It will need internet access at least once to be registered with HP, but you can always reject the subscription service and not need to be online. If you have the "plus" version or have signed up for "plus" feature then the printer needs to be online. You can still print to it using Wi-Fi direct but it needs to be connected to the router for internet access.

[NEDRAW]

Many thanks BeemerBiker. I think it will help if I immediately confess to being a duffer with my computer and new printer. I am not sure but I think your final sentence relates to my set up: a computer reliant on  Wi-Fi in my wife's office room next to mine; i have connected computer to printer with a USB cable  --  is this the equivalent of connecting to router (to which you refer)? My computer shows that it is connected to the internet? ( I regret that I am unsure what the term 'router' connotes.)