Not sure if it was a time bomb, but HP does have an "auto update" feature that could seem like a time bomb.

We got nailed by this with our HP 8610. Were using 3rd party cartridges with much success for months. Last week my wife had a huge (for us) print job and encountered an annoying bug (prints blank sheets every other print). Updated the firmware hoping it would fix the problem. Next thing we know, cartridge error.

Spent 3-4 hours researching how to downgrade firmware with no luck.

No mentioned of new Sept 13 firmware on any HP driver website that I found.

3rd party is shipping us new cartridges for free, but it will be 2 weeks. Had to buy another printer.

Die in a fire HP.