c309a wireless radio not functioning

[SansPrinter]

I've tried the HP 1150-7924. Didn't work. I received the error Remove incompatible USB device. I paid $9.99

for the 1150-7924 so it was worth it as an experiment.

It seems to me that the printer status " Wireless Radio on /off" isn't really tied to the actual functional

status of the card as the control software let me toggle the state with or without a card actually installed.

Makes me wonder if the problem we all have is actually related to the wireless card at all. Perhaps some code has become corrupted generating a false error which prevents network acquisition. If I really get annoyed and have the time I may wipe this printer clean and reinstall an earlier software version. If that works I'd refuse any further updates.

But for the meantime it's back to running a cable out to the printer.

Jerry

[ashechief]

For me it was for sure the wireless card.  ever since replacing it I have had no problems.  No errors, prints wirelessly without any problems

[SansPrinter]

If I found the correct card I'd try it but I've not seen a reliable sorce. You were lucky to find one.

Jerry

[bovie]

I purchased a used/broken printer someone was selling online.  The wireless still worked on it.  I changed out the wireless card (thanks to the pictures posted) in less than an hour and everything seems to be working great, for now.  This seemed to be the quickest and cheapest route for me. 

[HP-not-again]

I have the same problem that a lot of people have.  The radio in my C309a failed A WEEK after the warranty expired.  I called HP Support and they told me that I had to purchase a new printer.  In searching the Internet, I tried every recommended solution and none of them worked.

However, I did come up with an acceptable solution, at least for me.  My C309a is reasonably close to my Cisco wireless router.  I turned off the wireless radio in the C309a printer and then ran an Ethernet cable between the router and the printer.  The printer works great, using the router as its wireless radio.

I have been a proponent of HP printers, and have recommended them often to my friends.  I am an electrical engineer in Silicon Valley.  However, you can be sure I will never purchase another HP printer and will now advise my friends not to go with HP.  With the number of failures experienced in this product just after the warranty has expired, a reputable company would look at the data and extend the warranty period.  HP used to be such a company, but has lost the "HP way" that I experienced early in my career when I worked there.

[sshayward]

Good thoughts.  This will be the last HP printer I purchase.  I too have purchased HP for many years and find now that the hardware is not reliable.  I have an old 6100 series Photosmart and it is still working but this c309 is less than a year old.  I don't like messing with computers and printers - just want them to work.  In addition, I have an HDX Premium laptop that I am having problems with.  I am so disappointed with HP and their lack of concern and service.  I guess I will start looking for alternatives. 

[SansPrinter]

I will chime in on the HP as a recommended company. Add me to those who won't  reccommend HP printers to friends and collegues. The printers have proven increasingly unreliable and their products have a very short lifcycle with respect to parts and service. I also once viewed HP as a hallmark of quality, I've had experience using HP test equipment, oscilloscopes, frequency counters, etc years back and many of thos older equipments are still working. My first HP printer was a Laserjet III while it used the equivalent power of a 1hp motor on start up it was a reliable workhorse for years. When I gave it away it was still working and I'd bought it as a factory refrurbished unit. Every HP printer I've had since, all colir jets of some sort have failed prematurely. The c309a will be be the last. Expensive ink cartridges, zero parts availability and prone to early failure does not a good product make.

I mentioned in my first post that I work for a very large company, a company that uses a huge amount of HP products. We have a large network attached color lazer printer on our floor and it generates a fake jam every other page and just our floor, some 100 users, grow weary of this thing.

HP needs to get back to basics, not cheaper, just reliable. Lose the bells and whistles, the feel good kumbaya software

in lieu of robust, no nonsense usable products. I'll try other products after this thing dies for good, as others have stated I use it wired now, but when that is no longer an option HP won't be my first choice as a eplacement.

I recognize we c309a users are just a nit in HP's sales but hopefully they've read some of the posts here.

jerry

[sshayward]

I too hope HP reads some of these messages.  Maybe I am just a drop in the bucket, but I have 3 HP laptops, 1 PC, and two HP printers.  The PC was used for work.  I have spent so much time in the last two months just trying to fix the printer and the laptop that I am frustrated.  It is becoming more complicated to fix technology.  I can't even get my c309 to run through the cable.  It keeps saying the cable is non-compatible.   

Right now I am trying to fix a zd8000 Pavilion.  Perhaps I should become geek speak!  Not really - I need to spend the time doing what I do best, not fix computers.   I generally don't have too much trouble, but in the last year it has been a nightmare.  If I take it somewhere to get it fixed then I don't know what they have done.  Control freak! 

Well my best to you and thanks for letting me know that it was not my lack of skill that caused the problem.

[gm920]

I registered with this forum just to add my 2 cents on this thread. My C309A wireless radio has failed also, as with many others the main reason I purchased this is to connect wirelessly. Someone at HP really needs to get off his or her A** and make replacement wireless radio cards available to everyone that has this problem either free or at cost, which is probably only about $5.00 add another $5 for shipping, and I would be happy to pay $10.00 to fix my printer.The cards are very easy to change.

That said I'll offer another workaround to those that don't want to string a cat5 cable across the room to their router. I have an Apple AirPort Express that I use to stream music from iTunes on my desktop to an outside stereo system. When not using it outside I plug it in near the HP C309A and connect the printer to the AirPort Express using a cat5 cable, the Airport connects to my network wirelessly and the printer is connected via the cat5 just like it is plugged into the router, works great, now all I have to do is get HP to reimburse me for the Airpot Express. Apple also offers USB connectivity for printers, but to get the full functionality you need to use the cat5 port.

Hope this is helpful to someone, as HP does not seem to be willing to solve this issue. I will be looking more at other brands in the future.

[golfnerd]

Thanks for your help. I used your instrusctions and pictures to replace the wireless card and now my printer is working.

HP didn't have the par. I found a broken used printer on Craig's list for $20 and switched out the wireless card.

I couldn't have done it without your help.