HP LASERJET 8000N ERROR MESSAGE

[Rae03]

I have a HP laserjet 8000N installed using ethernet network
connection I have recently got a 79.81EF error message on the display panel and will not print anything,I tried taking
out the network card and turning the printer off and on as they mention on the HP support site but when I turn the printer back on all I get is a double row of *** signs, would anybody know if this is a hardware problem?

 

[HRTECH]

being a former HP field Engineer and Manager here is what the book says.
1. Reseat or replace IF Cable and power cycle
2. Remove the DIMMS one at a time and power cycle
3. With the EIO Card removed perfom a cold reset
4. if error persists replace formatter.

To do a cold reset: hold down go while powering on. cold reset appears briefly.

 

[Rae03]

Thank you,it looks like I will have to replace the fomatter.