Photosmart C4580 Wireless Problem

[Bravesone]

Thanks for the info WI FI Guy...You have pretty much confirmed what I thought.  I have plugged and unplugged several times for different time limits.  Still the same result, in addition, it won't turn off..at least the flickering light and screen won't turn off.  I think the screen is probably shot.  I only had it plugged in for 3 hours ..first time ever,  when the blue light and screen problem started.  I'm calling HP Support tomorrow. 

[gseven0]

Braveone, It seems you are experiencing display issues in addition to the perpetual sleep problems described by myself and others.  I agree with Wi-Guy and would contact HP. I wouldn't think your issue could be resolved with a software patch.  I have not observed any display characteristics such as you have described. Let us know if you find satisfaction with HP support regarding the perpetual sleep issue.

[Rudifa]

All my problems solved : I returned the C4850 to the shop and I got the refund.

To be sure, I suffered all of the following, over 3 weeks while I tried to get the C4850 working half-decently :

- wireless, DHCP : 

-- initially printer and scanner worked, but printer stopped responding after a period of inactivity (probably > 30 min) ;

   disconnecting the power cable usually brought it back to life

-- at one time the scanner was working - it created successfully an image file on PC,

   but printer was not responding to print commands from image processing app,

   or to request to show printer properties from WinXP Printers and Faxes

-- sometimes, when printer was not responding the PC would show a message box suggesting to run the guided diagnostic,

   at other times there was no effect on printer and no message box

-- using the HP Digital Image Monitor app to guide me to the solution of problems ... it helpfully suggested to verify that power cable is connected (it was), 

   e.t.c., and at the end suggesting to reinstall the software

-- I reinstalled the software several times (on 2 differend Dell WinXp machines) - initially printing worked, but stopped working later or the next day

- wireless, static address : I skipped this and went to using USB cable

- USB cable connection :

-- problems like above were less frequent, but they did come back

My advice :

- don't buy a C4850

- if you bought it and it does not work as advertized, don't waste your time and money, go back to shop and get the refund

Rudifa

[Rudifa]

Oh, I forgot to mention : the C4850 came with software version 11.0

After several days of intermittent problems (described above) I downloaded the version 12.0 from the HP site and installed that.

What happened ? Same problems continued.

[toddr]

I recently bought a Macbook and received a C4580 at a perceived bargain price of $39.00, through a promotion at Apple. I now understand why it was on promotion. 🙂

In all fairness, it's not a bad printer in terms of speed and print quality. But I'm experiencing the same problem I see others struggling with - the printer goes to sleep after some period of time and will not wake. I have to power cycle it.

So far, I've:

1. Plugged it into the wall outlet (I'm skeptical a surge protector would cause a problem like this, but who knows???)

2. Reconfigured it with a static IP, gateway, etc.

No luck. 

So I have two choices - take it back or wait for a firmware fix.

It seems clear HP has identified the issue and there is ample evidence they are in fact working on a fix. What confuses me is why I cannot find a tentative release date from HP on the new firmware. I would think that the team developing the firmware would have a release cycle identified, with an RTM date. What HP can do, to maybe buy some goodwill with a rather angry mob, is to simply give an ETA on the fix and a good number of us will wait.

Personally, I like the printer and would be happy to keep it if it were not for this one defect. All I ask is that HP give some idea if it is something that "can" and "will" be fixed, and when. 

Cheers,

-Todd

[Wi-Fi-Guy]

The problem of the C4580 has nothing to do with the network configuration or power strips.

All I can suggest at the moment is to turn off the printer when you're not using it (that's what I do -- yeah, a little inconvenient but you do save power).

[Trevor_R]

Todd

I am 100% with you!

I have the same issue with a C4580 on an Airport Extreme network when I try and print from either of the two MacBooks in our household.

When the printer works, it works fine, but the power cycle requirement after going into sleep mode is not acceptable.

There is enough evidence on this forum alone that this is an issue with the printer firmware that HP should acknowledge it, say that they are working on a fix and give a target availability date for it to be released. 

The silence from HP is deafening...

Trevor 

[Wi-Fi-Guy]

I have the C4580 at home and yes, it locks up occasionally.  I know HP is working on the issue. In spite of this issue, I like the printer a lot (its small form factor is perfect for my crowded office).

In the meantime, I've learned to turn off the printer when I'm not using it and then to turn it on when I need it.  Of all the HP inkjet printers, the C45xx series powers up very fast so it's that not much of an inconvenience to do this.

[toddr]

Just a quick response to this:

"in the meantime, I've learned to turn off the printer when I'm not using it and then to turn it on when I need it.  Of all the HP inkjet printers, the C45xx series powers up very fast so it's that not much of an inconvenience to do this"

It's not much of an inconvenience to you. I'm happy you have found a reasonable work around

However, we have a small house and the printer is located in the basement. We bought this printer because it has wireless so we could leave it on, print, and then pick up the output when we go down to the basement. The whole purpose was to avoid:

1. Carrying the laptop downstairs and connecting to the USB

2. Making multiple trips

Not to beat a dead horse, but it's really not a reasonable work around for us. If you have a better one, I would love to hear it. In the meantime, I'm going to set up a cron on a small linux PC to periodically ping or connect to the HTTP listener on this thing to see if I can keep it from going to sleep.

[Wi-Fi-Guy]

OK -- I understand, turning off the printer between uses won't work in your environment.  The only thing I can recommend is to escalate the issue with HP tech support and push them for a commitment for a solution.

I'll do the same on my side.