Printer causes network to go down

[jamarken]

We have an HP Photosmart Premium C309g-m. We have three computers (all Dells, two XP boxes and one Win7) and that printer physically wired through a Linksys WRT54GX2 router. We do use the wireless for laptops, the Wii, and a Kindle, but we do not print wirelessly. Several days ago, and after no changes to anything that we were aware of, we discovered that turning on the printer killed any kind of network connectivity. The computers couldn't see each other, they couldn't see the printer, and they certainly couldn't see the internet. Turning off the printer solves the connectivity problems.

I googled around on this and found some people who had similar problems trying to connect wirelessly, but we are wired. I tried cycling the router (disconnect from internet by pulling the cable, power off for 30 seconds, power back on, plug cable back in), but to no avail. Any assistance would be much appreciated.

[Discoverer]

hi There,

1. could you check if there is any firmware update for the router you are using, if yes then install it

2.  assign static IP to the printer and check if resolving the issue.

[jamarken]

Good idea about the firmware. I'll look into that.

I think the printer does have a static IP but how can I tell for sure?

[jamarken]

I went to Linksys for a new firmware, and this is what I found:

07/29/2011

The firmware/driver for this product is no longer available for download. We regret any inconvenience this may cause you.

So apparently I'm three months too late.

FWIW, the printer does seem to be set up with a static IP. When I look at the printer properties in the control panel it lists a specific IP address.

I'm stumped. Any other ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks all!

[jamarken · Accepted solution]

Well, in case anyone cares, I thought I'd bring closure to this thread. We solved the problem...by buying a new router. I suppose that implies that the problem wasn't with the printer after all. I'm still suspicious as to why turning the printer on messed everything up, but in any case everything is working again.

I'm still curious as to what was going on, but I guess I'll just never know.