How do I enable keep-alive on HP Officejet Pro 8600?

[VisionAiry]

You're very welcome!  You can search within the router and you may have a link regarding firmware which may also help. I have updated my firmware in my router by signing in, clicking the link about firmware which then, very simply, updated my router for me (without having to call in for assistance). I hope this information helps others as well.  In regards to sleep-mode, demo-mode, printer freezes and offline errors: although I understand blaming the router sounds like a "canned response" but it is also a major contributor to what may otherwise seem like a problem with the printer.

If I can help in any way I would be glad to.  Best of luck with your network!

[gdollar]

Sad to say, both problematic computers failed tonight. Had to reboot. Sorry but it's not fixed the problem. Still don't know why the other computers are fine. Just two out of five are problematic and it's always the same two.

very disappointed.

gdollar

[VisionAiry]

Let me verify where this has turned as I may want to move this thread if this is not a problem with the 8600.  3 of your computers can still print, no offline errors, the printer is still responsive and no other problems to report.  The other 2 computers freeze up and need to be rebooted, is this correct?  If this is so I will see if this needs to begin in a more specific place in the forums.  I will gladly continue to assist you but I have learned in my time on the forums, unrelated posts can congest the main point of the thread and confuse other readers looking for a solution.  Please respond to whether you think the problem is or is not with the printer.

[gdollar]

OK, there are two computers, one on XP and one on Win 7 that seem to always print. This XP computer isn't used a lot but I haven't seen the dreaded "scan not available". All iPads (2 of them) and iPhone (1) seem to print every time. The two computers that have problems are on XP. I think that they are on line for about 12 hours before they show the "scan not available" icon and cannot access the printer. The "scan not available" icon is an indication that the printer is not available to the computer. I have been watching the lease times, and I'm still watching them, to see if there is a time, say 12 hours, where the IP address gets renewed. I set a static IP address for the printer and so you do not see the printers lease time anymore.

(Anecdotally, since the printer was added, Skype has been awful and has poor reception.This may or may not be connected)

[VisionAiry]

**What is the anti-virus on those two computers?  

**How is the internet working on those computers?  I would think if Skype is slow it is a network-connection issue instead of running slow because of the printer.  However, I do not doubt that it is not the printer's software running in the back ground looking for a scan from the printer.  Click on HP Printer Assistant and turn off or rather disable "scan to computer."  It is also likely the processes are running non-stop slowing down the entire PC.  You can always turn it back on when you need it.

Also I will let you know if I move your thread.  I doubt I will unless the problems get too far off-course.  Answer the two questions above and try turning off the scan to computer and let me know if this helps.  

[VisionAiry]

I want to provide one more "trick" that can cause problems.  When you installed the printer, you saw an option that said "Show me ink alerts right away or only when I print" and that is also another process running in the background.  Use the image I will post below as a guide to where in the computer you can change it to "Only When I Print."  I really think this will also help.

[gdollar]

1. The anti virus on one computer is AVG and on my company's computer its System center 2012 end point protection.

2. I will turn of the scan function and see what happens.

Thanks

G

[gdollar]

Done. gdollar.

[VisionAiry]

You're welcome.  I am glad you found that option. I know they run approx. every 5 minutes, searching the computer for new commands and scans.  I had this same problem with the scanner using up most of my memory and when I turned that off, the computer ran faster and I had a pop-up about a missing network component stop bothering me.  I am hoping this will help keep those two computers in good working condition now.  If not, I will look into the anti-virus software then.  As for now, you just keep me posted and if I haven't heard from you in two weeks or so I would say that it was the scanner and ink alerts running that was causing the problems. Happy to help! I really hope this works for you now. 😄 

[gdollar]

Hi VisionAiry

We are getting closer. I'm not a fan of doing two things at once and so chose to turn off the ink status feature first as you suggested in your 5/24 response. As of today, 5/28, there has been no failures except on one computer and that I am sure was caused by the virus checker starting a scan (AVG). I stopped the scan on 5/26 and rebooted and since that boot there has been no failure. All computers are printing. That said, HP have to fix this issue because:

1. Why are we turning off features that are supplied with the product? 

2. Why does the virus checker interfere with the program? Most folks will be using a virus checker.

My company laptop with Systen Center 2012 End Point system checker has not run yet and so I'll be interested to see what happenes tomorrow when it runs.

When going to VPN I obviously lose the printer but it returns when I drop off VPN and return to the local wireless system.

So thanks for your help on this matter.

Last question: If I do turn off the scan feature, how easy is it to turn back on?

Gdollar