I'm getting "ink system failure" message on my 1-yr-old hp photosmart c6380. HP tech support tells me this is a critical failure and I should upgrade to another printer. D I have any other options?

The error that you are having is a hardware issue, it means your printer has an Ink System Failure. Believe me, there's no use going through troubleshooting for this one. Call HP and just Upgrade your printer. HP Printer Tech Support would be more than happy in giving you discounts and an extra year of warranty for $1.00.

Try this solution:

http://www.ccl-la.com/blog/index.php/hp-photosmart-ink-system-failure-1/

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..

I have done some searching on your problem. It seems like there is some kind of a Microsoft problem with your machine. You should try uninstalling your software and then upgrading the following:
Windows Installer
XML parser
.Net Framework

After you have upgraded these components as far as possible, try installing the software again.

Sources:
http://h30434.www3.hp.com/psg/board/message?board.id=Install&thread.id=3779&view=by_date_ascending&page=1

http://h30434.www3.hp.com/psg/board/message?board.id=Install&thread.id=3779

HP has several documented install errors but I cant find one that matches your description:
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/documentSubCategory?tmp_rule=14548&tmp_task=solveCategory&lc=en&dlc=en&cc=us&product=356028
0&lang=en

Please attach a screenshot of your error message. If you cant attach a screenshot then please do your best to retype all of the information in the error message.

Thanks

Give this a try.

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c00489814&cc=us&lc=en&dlc=en&product=3560280

This problem is impossible to troubleshoot by just typing in this little box. HP support has documentation on this problem for your model:

HP C6380 Ink System Failure

I hope this helps!

Several things to try listed at
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c01458034&tmp_task=solveCategory&lc=en&dlc=en&cc=us&lang=en&product=3560280

you should contact the hp support for this. if the printer is in warranty you might get a replacement as well because it is an issue with the printer itself.
contact HP technical support as soon as you can .

1-800-474-6836

It's probably telling you it is out of ink.
The ink system can fail if the cartridges in the product are installed incorrectly, if the ink in the cartridge is low or out, or if the cartridges are damaged or not correctly vented.

Here's the HP page that details the solutions for this problem:

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

Try this...

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