HP 8500 Agog Wireless Network

[JeffLapp]

I have a client trying to connect his HP 8500 a909g printer to a wireless network. I am his Excel/Access tutor. Although I am not an networking expert I told him I'd try to find the answer. His printer is currently connected directly to a Mac Pro. He is interested in wireless printing so he can print from his Iphone. There is alaptop runnning Win 7 that occasioanlly needs to print to the 8500.

The instructions I got from HP.com suggests the printer initially needs to be connected to a computer that is connected to the network, this didn't work. Does the printer need to be connected to the router first to get the IP address?

Second question:

His network uses WPA2 encryption, I only find WEP and WPA option in the wireless setup wizard. Does the HP 8500 work with WPA2 network encryption?

Thanks for your help.

Jeff Lapp

[SandyBob]

Yes our software will work with WPA 2.

That printer is neither AirPrint nor ePrint capable.  That technology wasn't available on the 8500s until the 8500A A910 series.

[JeffLapp]

Question 2 answered.

Restating question 1, do I connect the printer directly to the router for setup?

[SandyBob]

If you are installing wirelessly, no.  If you are installing wired network, then you do need to plug the ethernet cable directly from printer to router.

[JeffLapp]

Does the printer need to be physically connected to anything to configure for wireless use?

The instructions I've printed talk about initially connect to a computer that is connected to the network. The going the through the wireless wizard. Which I have done, numerous times the only thing that happens is the message that the printer can't connect.

The network is never found, I always type in the SSID and also choose WPA then type in the password. With the same result - can't connect. Whayt am I doing wrong?

Thanks,

JeffLapp

[SandyBob]

No, you should not need to physically connect the printer.

What antivirus/firewall do you have running?

Who is your ISP?

What are the make/model of the router?

This sounds like a firewall issue.  We just need to determine whose.

[JeffLapp]

I am verifing this info:

I am 99.9% sure the ISP is Comcast.

It is an apple router

I don't beleive there is any antivirus software as they are MAC people. Trying to determine what if any firewall software is being used.

FYI - I can take my HP dv-4 laptop over and connect with no problem.

[JeffLapp]

I did confirm:

Comcast is the ISP and the router is Airport Extreme.

[SandyBob]

Ok...now I'm at a loss because I don't know about MACs. 

If you can edit your topic to include MAC, hopefully someone well versed in MAC will pick it up.

Sorry