I currently have a HP All In One Machine. This was given to me. I looked up online and saw that this machine was a real whiz bang and could do all sorts of things. I was impressed. I was not impressed, however, when I got the thing properly hooked up with the software and spent a small fortune on some new ink cartridges as it was B&W and Color.
Well, I put the brand new B&W ink cartridge in the machine. Ok, I could print in B&W. Then I put the new color cartridge in the machine. Could NOT print in color as the PRINT HEAD was bad. Yep. I would have to purchase a brand new color printhead (which actually was 3 printheads and not one) before this would work.
I sure got an eyeful when I looked up my HP 7100 Printer, Copier, Scanner, Fax machine. I would have gladly told the guy giving it to me I'll pass, no thank you.
First, what exact model printer do you have? Does it use the 02 series of inks? What do you consider a "small fortune" on cartridges. Generally a full set of HP inkjet cartridges will cost $30-$70 which is in line with other manufacturers.
Why do you think the guy gave you the printer? Probably because the print head went bad. Printhead failure is one of the more common problems with inkjet printers. Most HPs with separate printheads are, at least, user replaceable unlike most other manufacturers.
What "eyefull" did you get. If its the model I think it is, Its a fairly highly rated machine. The fact is that HP sells more printers than all its competitors and has won PC Magazines Editor's Choice award for the last 15 years in a row.