CD/DVD Print on C309a

[dbrocc]

I cannot print directly onto a CD/DVD using a Photosmart C309a.  When I click on the print button, within the software, I get a message saying "CD tray open.  Close tray to continue."  Of course the tray is open!  That's the only way to get the CD printed.

When I remove the tray and close it, the "label" is printed on regular paper - taking up the entire page.

When this happened I returned it to the store and exchanged it for a new printer.  Same thing happens.  Using Windows Vista computer.    

Thanks.

[DexterM]

Are you sure you've selected the Printing Shortcut option to CD\DVD printing under the Printing Preferences for the printer icon? I'm attaching a screenshot to help you understand it better.

[dbrocc]

My settings are like that, so that's not the problem.  I am attempting to print CD/DVDs via the HP Solution Center.  In reading some other messages it seems that people are using HP Photo Essentials to print CDs.  Should I be using PE?  If so, how is that done?

Thanks. 

[DexterM]

It's actually called Photosmart Essential. When you click on 'Print on CD\DVD' on Solution Center, it actually opens up the CD\DVD printing part of the Photosmart Essential program. I'd suggest you uninstall the current version of PSE from your computer and download the latest version using THIS link.

[dbrocc]

The  version of Photosmart Essential 3.5 downloaded from the HP site does NOT include the ability to print CD/DVD labels!

I assume I will have to uninstall that version and reinstall the version on the installation disk that came with the printer. 

[DexterM]

The CD printing add-ons for Photosmart Essential has already been installed from the software. So installing 3.5 will still give you CD printing options.

[dbrocc]

I did a chat session with HP support and while the tech couldn't help me at first he did some research and sent, via email, the following: (Unfortunately, it did NOT work)

Step 1: Perform the following instructions to reset the all-in-one printer to factory defaults.

Note: The following action will reset all user menu settings, telephony parameter settings, country/region and language UI, fax memory settings, fax journal information, speed dial and broadcast lists, personal header information, and junk fax settings to the default settings.

a.Press Setup .

b.Press the Down Arrow (v) to select Tools , and then press OK .

c.Press the Down Arrow (v) to select Restore Factory Defaults , and then press OK .

Step 2: Turn on the wireless radio and run the wireless setup wizard.

a. Press Setup.

b. Press the Down Arrow (v) to select Network Menu

c. Press the Down Arrow (v) to select Wireless Only

d. Press the Down Arrow (v) to select Wireless Setup Wizard

Step 3: Uninstall printer software and driver on your system.

a. Insert the printer driver cd-rom.

b. Click on the windows vista icon > computer > right click on the cd/dvd drive letter and select open.

c. Locate and open the folder ‘Util’.

d. Locate and open the folder ‘CCC’.

e. Locate and double click on the file ‘Uninstall_L3.bat’.

f. Press enter on the command prompt screen to initiate the uninstallation.

g. Restart the computer after the uninstallation.

Step 4: Install the printer software and driver.

a. Insert the printer driver cd-rom.

b. The welcome screen will appear after self extraction.

c. Select Install (recommended / full / easy type of installation).

d. Select the connectivity type as network.

e. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.

f. Restart the computer.

Step 5: Try printing directly to the cd/dvd after installing the printer software and driver.

[scooter1203]

I have the exact same problem and haven't been able to get it resolved without having to use a third-party software.  Even with some third-party software, I still get the message that the print job failed because the CD door is open.

Does or does not this printer come with software to create a layout to print on CDs?  This feature is the main reason I purchased this printer so not being able to do it is frustrating.

[dbrocc]

The CD/DVD print software that comes with this printer is a joke.  I have an old Epson 220 printer that does a wonderful job printing on disks.  I don't know if the current Epson printers still have that software, but it was great.  You could print anywhere on the label, add pictures, arch the print, etc.

What 3rd party software were you able to use with this printer? 

[scooter1203j]

The third-party software was Sure Thing CD/DVD Labeler.  It was a 15-day trial offer, but I wanted to use whatever software HP offered before I bought it. 

The HP e-mail support rep responded this morning that the printer doesn't come with software but to use Roxio Express Labeler.  They didn't provide a link, but I finally found it through a Google search.  I'll download when I go home this evening and see if it works.

Roxio:   

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/softwareList?os=228&lc=en&dlc=en&cc=au&lang=en&product=3204464