Computer loses network connectivity with HP Photosmart Premium All In One C309a software installed

[babymel3]

I am having an issue where my computer (Window XP Media Edition SP3) will loose all network connectivity after some variable amount of time when my HP Photosmart Premium All In One C309a drivers and software are installed. I cannot access the internet or other computers on my network from the affected computer until it is rebooted. When I uninstall the drivers and software, I do not encounter the loss of network connectivty. When I reinstall, the problem starts again. Within 24 hours, I will lose network connectivity requiring a restart. I have the software and drivers installed on another computer running Windows XP Professional SP3 without problems. Both computers are connected via ethernet cable to the network. The printer is connect to the network wirelessly. The printer works fine initiall from the affected computer but then after some variable amount of time computer seems to lose network connectivity. The driver installed is HP Photosmart C309a series (61.81.634.0). Thanks in advanced.

[PrintDoc]

There are a few things to check.

First, is your security software getting in the way, here?  Disable it to test.

Second, have you downloaded this firmware patch for your printer? 

Third, did you install this software? 

We'll go from there... 

[babymel3]

I can disable my antivirus, if necessary. However, the same security software version and configuration is running on my other computer which is not experiencing the same problem. Please advise. I attempted to install the firmware update, but it says "Device not connected". If I click refresh I get the same message. I am able to print and scan from the device though. When launch HP Solution Center from the affected pc bring up the Priter information page which shows in the web browser with the ip address of my printer it shows my current firmware version is VAx2FN0846AR. The initial installation, I used the software on the cd that came with the product. Then about 3 weeks ago, I uninstalled that software and downloaded and installed the current version from the HP website for my printer. I cannot locate the about screen for the HP Solutions Center. Thank you for your help.

[PrintDoc]

In case the security settings are different or act differently on this computer disable the entire security system AND the Windows firewall temporarily...in the name of science  

[babymel3]

No joy. After disabling Norton security (Windows firewall was not enabled) and Norton Smart Firewall, the problem still occurred.

[PrintDoc]

This is a strange one.   Have you tried changing channels on your wireless router?  Try 1, 6 or 11.

It turns out that the printer software does quite a bit of network communication (over wireless in your case) checking ink levels, seeing if the door is open, etc. If there is interference on the wireless it may make the interference happen sooner after a reboot than would the comparatively light traffic you have surfing the internet.