Digital BW, The Print

MIS web site says:

WARNING: DO NOT PUT A CARTRIDGE WITHOUT A CHIP
ON IT INTO THE PRINTER - IT WILL CAUSE FATAL
DAMAGE TO PRINTER !!! 

I may have momentarily inserted a black cartridge without a chip into 
my machine.

Can you tell me what kind of damage this would normally cause?  I am 
having some issues with the printer, and want to rule this out as a 
possible source.  When I did this, the "head" never moved toward the 
right on the printer into the ready position, so maybe I averted the
"fatal damage" above.

If I am a victim, what symptoms should I have?  :)