Heads up: HP is blocking competing cartridges gain!

[Hogwild]

From TechDirt:
https://www.techdirt.com/articles/2...t-cripples-competing-printer-cartridges.shtml

HP Brings Back Obnoxious DRM That Cripples Competing Printer Cartridges

Can be avoided, but you must use firmware on HP's website.

 

[pharmacist]

Uncheck any hidden forced firmware upgrade options in the driver software to start with, when installing the printer, to avoid these calamities.

 

[The Hat]

Most of Canons tricks are done by their print driver upgrades, and not by the firmware, so be aware of their sneaky actions when installing a new printer or driver...

 

[flyboy]

I have tried to keep my printer off of the web, but now I have it connected to the router so I can hook both my wife and my printers to it.

Do the "upgrades " happen through the computer or straight from the web to the printer or how else?

 

[The Hat]

Do the "upgrades " happen through the computer or straight from the web to the printer or how else?

From the printer to their website...
You could try blocking their website address in your router...

 

[flyboy]

Thanks The Hat, That sounds like the answer.

Any particular part of their website or just their website period?

 

[stratman]

Any particular part of their website or just their website period?

Use your Operating System firewall to block outgoing data that goes to HP. I do not know what address(es) you would need to block. Hopefully it is something apparent, ie mentions HP in the address.

Each firewall has their own way of providing this function, if they do offer this function. I use Norton Security and can control access to the internet via Settings / Firewall / Program Control.

Another way to blacklist specific internet addresses is to use the Hosts file. This loads at boot up and blocks access to whatever address in the Hosts file. Of course you will need to know what address to add to the Hosts file. Maybe Google can help find it / them.

https://support.rackspace.com/how-to/modify-your-hosts-file/

 

[pharmacist]

I think there is a special file in the Windoows/system32 directory that can be manipulated to block certain addresses. It is a simple text file.

 

[stratman]

I think there is a special file in the Windoows/system32 directory that can be manipulated to block certain addresses. It is a simple text file.

Yes, the Hosts file. See my post above.

 

[The Hat]

I think there is a special file in the Windoows/system32 directory that can be manipulated to block certain addresses

That’s normally the case in many instance, but the likes of HP have gotten around that by not using the standard connection method (Computer) to transmit the printers schedule updates.

So, blocking won’t work when the printers’ requests only go out via the router, it’s an even bigger problem when the printer and router are Wi-Fi, and that’s everybody’s preferred connection method today.

Even devices like your mobile phone can be used when you’re at home, or if you have a smart electrical meter, not to mention your car, it’s not just big brother that you need to be aware of, now your Feckin HP printer is getting in on the act....