Photosmart C4580 Wireless Problem

[gseven0]

All of the above suggestions have been tried without success.  Installing a wireless printer with a static IP is not a workable solution since different notebooks will be introduced and removed from the wireless domain of the printer.  A low use printer such as the C4580 should not require a power cycle if it has gone into sleep mode.  This behavior renders the printer useless in a wired or wireless environment. It is not reasonable for HP to distribute a product that requires the power cord to be disconnected each time between a single printer request every 30 min.  In short the wireless printer is a (POS) Perpetual Operator Support required or whatever acronym resolution you choose. HP, please provide a solution to this well known, widely reported deficiency since larger HP purchase decisions can be affected. 

[gseven0]

WOOPS, It Works As Advertised Now

Setting a Static IP works for VISTA.  My mistake in previous post.

No need to use installation CD. 

1. Open HP Solution Center from Desktop Icon or  Start>Programs>HP>HP Soluiton Center

2. Click on Settings at bottom right (little wrench).

3. Under Print Settings, select "Printer Toolbox"

4. Network Settings (tab at top right)

5. Change Settings (bottom right)

6. Wireless Settings (middle tab at top)

7. Fill out informaiton (examples are shown below (xxx.xxx.xxx).

         IP Address  192.168.0.199

         Subnet Mask  255.(255.255.0

         Default Gateway 192.168.0.1

         Select Manual DNS Server

         Prefered DNS SErver:  192.168.0.1

8.  Apply at bottom right or OK and exit all HP Solution Center windows.

A good place to start with finding settings is from a printout of HP Network Configuration obtained from using buttons on front panel on HP 4580.

There are no problems with using a static IP in a wireless environment especially for old routers that issue a limited of addresses. This is a preferable setup for networked printers in a DHCP environment.

Post a reply and let me know if this isn't clear and I will respond.

gseven0

[Simonal]

Got to say that this is not a networking issue.

The printer does not even respond to the buttons on the unit itself even the power button. This appears to be a power related issue and is not acceptable.

I too am going to pack this printer up and take it back to the shop I purchased it from and change it for another brand that does work.

Very disappointed and I will be pointing this fault out to both Apple and other retailers who sell this printer.

[gseven0]

Success was Temporary

Thought I had it as mentioned in the above post.  The printer now goes into sleep mode overnight and requires a power cycle to reset. The printer has regained it's reputation as a POS however I will continue to find the real solution. 

[DexterM]

i seriously dont understand why anyone would want to keep the printer turned on for such a long time, especially overnight! Is it so difficult to just turn the printer off when you're not using it? It saves a lot of power, much more than what the Power Save mode will. Really, is it that difficult? And about Power Cycle being an unacceptable workaround: is that so difficult also? all it takes is about 10 seconds max?!

You have to understand that this is a new printer, launched by HP not so recently. this is one among MANY products they've probably released recently. Working on resolving takes time, but i am sure HP will release a firmware update once they find the resolution. So patience it vital. Does a Power Drain take more time than packing up a printer and driving back to the store and returning it??? This is utterly shocking to me!

Also, about connecting the printer to a wall socket and not to a surge protector? well it has resolved a LOT of hardware and malfunctioning issues during my experience. The different types of surge protectors used varies from one user to the other. so it may work for some people and not work for others. You have to understand that all that the agents are trying to do first is to eliminate the potential causes and arrive at once cause! So just because it didnt work for you, doesnt mean they're doing it wrong.

Message Edited by DexterM on 12-17-2008 09:03 PM

[Simonal]

I agree this is a new printer but a printer that cannot be left on for more than 30 mins before it stops working fully even for copies is not a very robust product.

And having a wireless printer that I need to physically go to to turn on every time I want to use it is not what I wanted from the product. If when reading the reviews and talking to the sales people they had stated that I need to turn off the printer after each print and then turn it back on to print each time then I would never have purchased this printer.

The problem is that the printer is used by several members of the household most of whom are not technically literate so would not expect to have to switch off the printer and then switch it back on to print one page. I realise that HP are working on a solution but nothing seems to have come back regarding this issue which is kind of major as it stops the device from functioning at all.

I had the previous version of HP wireless printers the 5850 which worked seamlessly but did not have the correct WiFi security for my new network setup which is why I have had to change. I choose HP because I was very happy with the previous product but this one appears to be underdeveloped if such a major fault can occur and there seems to be no solution.

The issue further exacerbated for me is also that we are not talking about turning the printer off on the panel and then back on again we are talking about having to physically un-plug the power cable from the mains and then re-plug it back in if I had wanted to do that I would have purchased a non-wireless printer and turned it on when I wanted to print.

As for not connecting it through a surge protector mine is not and I still have the same issue.

Message Edited by Simonal on 12-17-2008 12:20 PM

[DexterM]

You dont have to be technically literate to turn off a device when you're not using it. it's just like turning off your car when you're not going to drive it. if you'd want to drive it again, then you'd just start it again, right? then why would doing the same things with a printer be any different? all it takes is topush ONE button. and no, you dont have to unplug the power cable to turn it off. it's just a step to do to get the buttons working again.

if you intend to use the printer for a long time, then as long as the print jobs are given 30 mins before the last print command, it shouldn't freeze up. all it takes to prevent the printer from not going into sleep mode it the push of ONE button. ANY button. even if you press the Cancel button, that helps. is that REALLY that difficult? i really cant understand why it is such a big hurdle???

im sure the developers did test this printer on a lot of environments and only then released it onto the market. but the diversity of the enviroments these printers are used all over the world doesnt always result in perfect functionality. each and every product will face some issues at some point or the other. and such issues may occur not only for your product, but for many. research and development takes time. and if you cannot wait till our engineers release a fix by following a simple workaround, then please, feel free to return this printer to the store. or maybe call HP and get it replaced or refunded!

[Simonal]

I am not sure why you persist in defending a known fault with the printer others have had with this printer. Do you work for HP? 

If the developers of this printer had completed comprehensive soak tests (i.e. leaving the printer on for an extended time) this issue would have surfaced and been resolved.

I am currently awaiting a response from HP.

After that I will make my decision. 

[gseven0]

DexterM,

Yes Dexter, you are correct, you do not understand. Pushing a button does not solve the problem.  It is clear you have not experienced the sleep>power cycle issue discussed in this forum. Please don't minimize an issue that is clearly a legitimate deficiency of which there seems to be no workaround.  Since you classify yourself as an intern, your inexperience is noted and those of us that have been in the industry for twenty years will give you some slack.  Don’t assume the greater community consists of lightweight users or work within your definition of an operation model. 

Many of us have dedicated many hours to diagnose this issue without success.  We have done our due diligence.  It is now time for HP to step in and give us some help.  A reasonable time for the delivery of a firmware fix is overdue. After buing $780,000 woth of HP equipment last year, I hope not to let this little issue taint my otherwise high praise of HP.

Stand with us or provide a workable solution.

[DexterM]

Defending? haha. i would be the first to come out and say that the HP printer applications have serious issues! i would be the first to say a series of printer are very problematic! i would be the first to recommend a much more reliable printer when asked for it. in fact, here's my warning to others: dont buy any HP Photosmart C4xxx series printer ever! they give a lot of problems!

@gseven0: i'm not asking you to push a button to 'solve' a problem, but to prevent it from happening. as much as it is a duty for us to resolve a known issue, it's your duty to prevent that issue from happening until a fix is released. especially when prevention is just the push of a button away! if i had any product, and if i had to just turn the it off to prevent an issue from occuring, or just doing a power cycle to fix the issue temporarily, then i'd gladly do it. it's not rocket science! i cant understand why you cant even accept it as a temporary workaround?

you know NOTHING about me or my experience with AiO's, so dont talk like you do. im not classifying myself as an Intern. it's the internal ranking system which is part of the forum which decides that, which may or may not do justice to ones knowledge.

you want a solution? then call Tech support and have them do all the troubleshooting steps. when they run out of steps, they'll replace the printer. if u face the same issue again, then call them back and ask for a refund. they'll gladly do it. and then, like i said before, buy any other printer other than a C4xxx series!