Ink system failure. is this something I can fix or am i ******* in the wind

Hopefully, this link will take you to the proper troubleshooting page.
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?cc=us&dlc=en&docname=c03081973&lc=en&product=3204785&tmp_track_link=ot_search#N213

You'll click on the third plus sign on the page (+) because your message DOES include the words "ink system failure."

From there, you'll choose, by looking at the pictures, whether your printer has a removable print head.

You'll click on the appropriate answer -- yes it does, or no it doesn't,

Then, you'll identify which print cartridges your system uses, and THAT will take you to the proper troubleshooting steps for your printer's specific configuration.

The fix may be something you've already tried -- turning off the printer and unplugging it (but did you unplug it from BOTH the unit AND the wall, and then did you wait at least 15 seconds?), or the fix may be to service the printer.

Good luck! :)

As soon as you installed it, you prompted a change in the ink levels which will AUTOMATICALLY pop up on your screen when you are properly connected and attempt to print something. That is when you tell the system that it is a new cartridge. OR YOUR PRINT HEAD IS CLOGGED Brother printheads are very easily clogged with air bubbles so there is very high risk that refilling ink will damage your printhead. It is not worth it to save money on ink and wind up with danmaged or totaly nonfunctional printheads.

As soon as you installed it, you prompted a change in the ink levels which will AUTOMATICALLY pop up on your screen when you are properly connected and attempt to print something. That is when you tell the system that it is a new cartridge. OR YOUR PRINT HEAD IS CLOGGED Brother printheads are very easily clogged with air bubbles so there is very high risk that refilling ink will damage your printhead. It is not worth it to save money on ink and wind up with danmaged or totaly nonfunctional printhead

You may want to try this link:
http://www.out-of-warranty.com/ink-system-failure-error-0xc18a-hp/

It has helped fixed a lot of ink system failure issues..

The ink system failure message has a chance to be fixed or it may be a permanent issue. It can be pointing toward a firmware failure in the printer and if that is the case the following steps should fix it.
Press and hold the “*” key. Press the “#” key and release both keys.
Display should say “Enter Special Key Combo”
Press and release in sequence the "1”, “2” and “3” buttons.
Display should say “Support” and display the FW rev (something like R0631R)
Mine reads R0631M
. Press and release the right arrow button until the display says “System Configuration Menu”.
Press and release the “OK” button.
Display should say “Hardware failure status”. If not there already, Arrow Key over to “Hardware failure status”,
Press and release the “OK” button.
Display should say “Hardware failure status: Clear. Press OK to clear”.
Press and release the “OK” Button. Message changes to “Hardware failure status Cleared. Press Cancel to continue”.
Press and release the “CANCEL” button as many times as necessary, so that, either the “Welcome to Photosmart Express” screen appears, or, the “Ink System Failure” screen appears. PLEASE DO NOT TRY TO PRINT AT THIS STAGE.
Using the Power Button, turn the unit OFF and unplug the power cable from back of the printer and wall outlet.
Wait 30 seconds for the power to get discharged and then plug the power cable into the wall outlet first and then into the back of the printer.
Turn the unit on. The printer may display message “USE POWER BUTTON TO SHUTDOWN THE PRINTER” followed by “PRESS OK TO CONTINUE”. Press OK. The Printer will start the “ONE TIME INK INITIALIZATION PROCESS”. Allow this process to complete and do not interrupt. Once the initialization process is complete, the printer will print out a Diagnostic Page. Good Luck!

The ink system failure message has a chance to be fixed or it may be a permanent issue. It can be pointing toward a firmware failure in the printer and if that is the case the following steps should fix it. Press and hold the ?*? key. Press the ?#? key and release both keys. Display should say ?Enter Special Key Combo? Press and release in sequence the "1?, ?2? and ?3? buttons. Display should say ?Support? and display the FW rev (something like R0631R) Mine reads R0631M . Press and release the right arrow button until the display says ?System Configuration Menu?. Press and release the ?OK? button. Display should say ?Hardware failure status?. If not there already, Arrow Key over to ?Hardware failure status?, Press and release the ?OK? button. Display should say ?Hardware failure status: Clear. Press OK to clear?. Press and release the ?OK? Button. Message changes to ?Hardware failure status Cleared. Press Cancel to continue?. Press and release the ?CANCEL? button as many times as necessary, so that, either the ?Welcome to Photosmart Express? screen appears, or, the ?Ink System Failure? screen appears. PLEASE DO NOT TRY TO PRINT AT THIS STAGE. Using the Power Button, turn the unit OFF and unplug the power cable from back of the printer and wall outlet. Wait 30 seconds for the power to get discharged and then plug the power cable into the wall outlet first and then into the back of the printer. Turn the unit on. The printer may display message ?USE POWER BUTTON TO SHUTDOWN THE PRINTER? followed by ?PRESS OK TO CONTINUE?. Press OK. The Printer will start the ?ONE TIME INK INITIALIZATION PROCESS?. Allow this process to complete and do not interrupt. Once the initialization process is complete, the printer will print out a Diagnostic Page. Good Luck!

Try this...

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?lc=en&dlc=en&cc=us&product=3560280&docname=c01458034

The ink system failure message has a chance to be fixed or it may be a permanent issue. It can be pointing toward a firmware failure in the printer and if that is the case the following steps should fix it. Press and hold the ?*? key. Press the ?#? key and release both keys. Display should say ?Enter Special Key Combo? Press and release in sequence the "1?, ?2? and ?3? buttons. Display should say ?Support? and display the FW rev (something like R0631R) Mine reads R0631M . Press and release the right arrow button until the display says ?System Configuration Menu?. Press and release the ?OK? button. Display should say ?Hardware failure status?. If not there already, Arrow Key over to ?Hardware failure status?, Press and release the ?OK? button. Display should say ?Hardware failure status: Clear. Press OK to clear?. Press and release the ?OK? Button. Message changes to ?Hardware failure status Cleared. Press Cancel to continue?. Press and release the ?CANCEL? button as many times as necessary, so that, either the ?Welcome to Photosmart Express? screen appears, or, the ?Ink System Failure? screen appears. PLEASE DO NOT TRY TO PRINT AT THIS STAGE. Using the Power Button, turn the unit OFF and unplug the power cable from back of the printer and wall outlet. Wait 30 seconds for the power to get discharged and then plug the power cable into the wall outlet first and then into the back of the printer. Turn the unit on. The printer may display message ?USE POWER BUTTON TO SHUTDOWN THE PRINTER? followed by ?PRESS OK TO CONTINUE?. Press OK. The Printer will start the ?ONE TIME INK INITIALIZATION PROCESS?. Allow this process to complete and do not interrupt. Once the initialization process is complete, the printer will print out a Diagnostic Page. Good Luck!

I get the ink system failure message on my hp c7180 as well as an error code of oxc18a0306.

You can find a reset for the HP ink system failure at: http://www.inkbank.com.au/webcontent21.htm
It is for HP C7180 model, but might work with yours too...

cheers L.C.