Configuring 4580 for local and wireless computers

[Ctesias]

Hi

I've just taken my new Photosmart 4580 out of the box and think I may already have a problem.  Although I understood that the device works wirelessly OR via USB, I thought it would support my config which is two wireless PCs (laptop & netbook) AND my desktop which is connected via ethernet cable to my wireless router.  I undestood that I could connect wirelessly to the 4580 via the router, but looking at the instructions I fear this may not be possible.

I'd be grateful if someone could set me straight before I waste hours trying to congure something which will never work!

Thanks in anticipation.

Ctesias

[DexterM · Accepted solution]

Any PC that is connected to the same network as the printer can use it. Just follow the instructions to install the printer wirelessly, and there should be no problems.

[Ctesias]

Thanks for a prompt and helpful reply Dexter. Now you've sorted that one out, please can you tell me how to install the AIO software on a netbook (samsung NC10) without a CD drive?

Ctesias

[DexterM]

Use the link below to go to the Driver downloads page, select your OS, then select the Full Feature Software and Drivers, and download and install it.

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/softwareCategory?product=3418707&lc=en&cc=us&dlc=en&lang=en&cc=us...

[Shaun5stu]

I got a HP J4550 and am having horrible difficulty setting it up for wireless printing. Dexter, you say "ust follow the instructions to install the printer wirelessly, and there should be no problems." The problem is, there ARE no instructions for installing the printer wirelessly!

I've got the printer connected to my main PC via a USB cable. When I installed the software on that PC, there was a single radio button that let me select if it was going to be connected via a USB cable or wirelessly. I choose USB cable, since that is how it is connected to that PC.

Now I run the same install program on another PC that I want to be able to connect to the printer wirelessly, and the program never gives me that option again! It just installs as a USB connected printer.

[DexterM]

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Shaun5stu wrote:

I got a HP J4550 and am having horrible difficulty setting it up for wireless printing. Dexter, you say "ust follow the instructions to install the printer wirelessly, and there should be no problems." The problem is, there ARE no instructions for installing the printer wirelessly!

I've got the printer connected to my main PC via a USB cable. When I installed the software on that PC, there was a single radio button that let me select if it was going to be connected via a USB cable or wirelessly. I choose USB cable, since that is how it is connected to that PC.

Now I run the same install program on another PC that I want to be able to connect to the printer wirelessly, and the program never gives me that option again! It just installs as a USB connected printer.

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I guess the problem is that this printer, i.e the Officejet J4550 is not wireless capable. It's is a USB-only connectivity. The Officejet J4600 series printer though, has wireless connectivity.

[Shaun5stu]

That's what you would think.. It doesn't mention wireless anywhere on the outside of the box or in any of the manuals. But the shelf tag at Costco said it was wireless (and it was referring to this model, it wasn't a mis-labelled item). The software also initially asked me if I wanted to set it up as a wireless connection. And, the absolute proof that this is wireless, is that my router software popped up a notification that a new machine was trying to join my wireless network when I powered it up.Of course, witout any software support or front panel wireless options, there is no way I can enter my network key to allow it to join the network.

Of course, now the HP website says this printer is no longer available, so I can't verify it from HP. They probably discontinued it because it never worked.

It doesn't matter. I just shared the printer via windows.

On another note,  as other people have complained, the PDF files this thing makes are ridiculously large.  It converts a single page form into a 900K+ PDF file, even at the lowest resolution setting and without OCR or being a searchable PDF. I can scan the exact same paper on an HP machine at my office and it turns it into a 250K PDF file.

Now I remember why, 10 years ago, I vowed never to buy HP again. Thankfully, I only paid $60 for this thing and won't feel bad about tossing it in the trash.

[DexterM]

Above the power button of the printer, do you see a small, black button? If you push it, a blue light should turn on just above it. And it says 802.11g just above it. If you see this, then your printer has wireless capability. But if you dont, then it's not. Since you said the model is Officejet J4550, that's absolute proof for me that this printer is not wireless capable.

Also, this printer has not been discontinued by HP. And if you've seen the complaints of the large scan file size, then you surely must've seen the resolution for the issue as well.

[DexterM]

Here's the pages for the J4500 and J4600 series printers from the HP Shopping site, and clearly the J4600 is the only wireless capable printer out of both.

J4500 and J4600.

[Todd63]

Cannot get printer to work with wireless.

Wireless test Pass

Wireless working Pass

Network name fail

I cannot get pat this point

Thanks for any help