Officejet 6500A Plus -- Slow printing from desktop

[TimFox]

I have a new HP Officejet 6500A model E710n, replacing an older model 6500.  It is connected by ethernet cable to my home network router.  The same router is connected to my home desktop (an HP model M7640n) by ethernet cable.  I loaded the CD to install the new software for the new printer.  I also installed the software on two laptops which use my home network to print on the new printer.

When printing from laptops, all works as expected.  But when printing from the desktop computer, I get a message "Unable to Communicate with Printer" about 15 seconds after selecting print (seems to be the same from any software I am using to Print -- from MS Word, Internet Explorer, etc.).  Then about 45 seconds after getting the error message, the printer starts and prints the document and the error message goes away. 

I am using Windows XP SP2, and have over 1Gb of RAM.  Hard drive has over 10Gb of free space.

I need to understand why the desktop takes over a minute to print each document, while printing from laptops is "immediate".

[2Cents]

Are the "laptops" also XP?   I assume from your description that the 6500 did not have this issue when printing from the desktop and other than upgrading the printer along with adding the drivers, nothing else was changed.   

I would update to the latest drivers, since the SW CD may not have the latest ones.

You may need to re-check your priority and queue settings.

[Beverly_D]

Did you first uninstall the old printer's software before installing the new printer? Also, do you have different network security installed on the desktop such as Norton? I'd like you to completely uninstall all 6500 and 6500a software along with any other printer software you may have that you're not currently using and then reinstall just the 6500a. Before you reinstall though, I'd like you to temporarily disable your firewall on the desktop until the installation is complete and then try your prints again. Please let us know if this resolves the issue or if we can be of further assistance, thanks!

[Dragon-Fur]

Hi Tim,

Beverly's fix includes (re)installing the Full Service Software for your printer (after first removing any previous copies of same).  If the wireless installation just won't fly, consider using the USB (wired) connection to do the installation, then switch to wireless.

Main Software and Downloads page for your printer, XP OS

Software & Driver Downloads - HP Officejet 6500A Plus e-All-in-One Printer - E710n

If you've not already done so, after you load the s/w, please take a look at this Firmware Update for your printer:

HP Officejet 6500A – E710n - Firmware

Firmware Fix/Enhancement:

 1) General Improvements to Web Scan in Embedded Web Server (EWS)

2) Prevent printer from asserting during copy and fax job through ADF

3) Improve network connectivity

4) Enable option to reset password in Webjet Admin

5) Fix to Fax Setup Wizard hung while waiting for Fax Test completion

6) To improve print quality

7) to resolve paper mismatch

8) Improve the printer responsiveness in Power saving mode

9) Improve USB connectivity between Mac and printer

10) Enable configuration of secure proxy server

11) Resolve Web Services setup issue when ports 5222 and 5223 are blocked

Just FYI, here is your printer's webpage for "Solve a Problem" - Wireless and Network

6500A - Solve a Problem - Wireless & network

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[TimFox]

One laptop is on XP, the other on Windows 7.  They both seem to work equally well.

I tried the solution described in another post, of un-installing other printers.  I found that I had a couple of old printers installed, so I uninstalled them, as well as the new E710 model printer.  Then I re-installed from the CD.  I got the same result (error message about Unable to Communicate with Printer). 

I ran HP Update, and it did install an update that was described as something related to printer connectivity.  When I print a document from MS Word now, I still get the "Unable to Communicate" error message, but the printer starts printing almost immediately after giving the error message (it used to wait about 45 seconds and then start printing).

I saw the mention of priority or queuing, but am not sure how to check that.  If you can point me in the right direction, I'll give that a try.  I'm thinking the issue is within the desktop computer, not in the printer itself (since printing from wireless laptops through the router is working fine).  If I didn't say earlier, I know the printer can be used as a wireless device, but I have it connected to the router thru an ethernet cable, since it is physically right beside the router.

At least it is printing much faster now -- so if I could get it to start printing before giving the "unable to communicate with printer" message, then all would be good.

[Dragon-Fur]

Hi Tim,

There are several threads on this; many mention the particular problem as you describe it when using XP.

Here is a post that suggests you add a local port.  It one of several post that recommends this fix.  Most say to remove the s/w for the printer and re-add.  Not sure, you might be to add the port with the printer s/w in place...  

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/280821

Let me know if this works.  If not, we will try something else.

[TimFox]

I came up with a "work around" that I'm happy with for now.  The printer is close enough to the desktop computer that I simply connected a USB cable from the desktop to the printer, bypassing the network router.  Now the desktop is printing thru the USB port, and the wireless laptops are printing thru the router.  All seems to be working. 

Thank you for the ideas!

[Dragon-Fur]

"Works for me."

I did that with my Dad's wireless printer one time when it was too stubborn to deal with it.  Worked just fine with the wired connection and he didn't care one way of the other.  Smiling.

Success comes in all flavors!

[DaveDo]

I finally found out where the hangup was.

HP - PAY ATTENTION - THIS IS A DEFAULT SETTING WHEN YOU INSTALL THE SOFTWARE.

1. Click start - devices and printers  - then doubleclick the HP printer

2.  Under printer options click customize my printer

3. Select the hp printer running slow then OK in the pop up window.

4. A tabbed window opens.  Click advanced.

5. Set the priority to 99 or whatever you want - IT DEFAULTS TO 1!!!!

6. Click apply then ok.

NOW your documents will print as soon as send them to the printer.

  Mine is on a wireless router so I can access it from other computers NOT PART of the network and for the IPAD/Iphones.

To make it work with an IPAD or phone using airprint YOU MUST MAKE SURE YOUR ROUTER IS BONJOUR COMPATIBLE AND MAY HAVE TO CHANGE ROUTER SETTINGS TO MAKE IT WORK.  CONTACT YOUR ROUTER MANUFACTURER.