Photosmart C4580 Wireless Problem

[Wi-Fi-Guy]

The C4599 is the same printer internally as the C4580.  The difference is that the C4599 has a black case with a half chrome faceplate on the door (looks quite nice) whereas the C4580 has a white case.

The FW patch, once released, works just as well on both models in fixing the sleep issue. 

For what's worth  - the C4599 has a very-slightly better antenna pattern than the C4580.  Since both models have the the same electronics, we were quite curious about the results.  My antenna expert speculates that the chrome faceplate helps the printer's Wi-Fi antenna in some way.

[DexterM]

Jim, where exactly in the C4580 is the antenna located?

[gseven0]

Ok, you guys have convinced me.  Thanks Wi-Fi-Guy for the info on the internals of the C4599.  I have just ordered a J6480, which uses the same cartridges and has a fax.  I will not open the C4599 and sell in on ebay as NIB.  It was time to put this issue to rest.

[DexterM]

That's a pretty good printer you chose Greg. Make sure you update the firmware of the printer once you get it. and enjoy the Fax to PC feature, IF you use fax on this printer that is...

[extravoice]

Can I infer from WiFi Guy's statement that a Firmware patch is in the works? 

While I appreciate the unofficial information from HP employees on this thread, the only official statement we have is the one from Feb 6 stating that HP is aware of the problem and is working on it.  If a patch is forthcoming, I'll give it a try before sending my printer back (I already went through the support gauntlet and have an email offer from HP to take it back).  Still, I don't want to waste everybody's time with potentially multiple returns if a firmware update can fix the problem.

.

[Wi-Fi-Guy]

If you take apart the C4580 printer, you'll find the 802.11g PCB trace antennas are located on our radio module PCA.  The radio module is located on the lower left rear corner of the printer (our ME's wanted to give us a challenge with this unusual radio placement).

The two antennas are designed to create two orthogonal antenna patterns:  one horizontal and one vertical.  The radio driver firmware selects the best antenna to use based on the strongest received signal strength from the wireless-access point.  It's a nice system -- we get high efficiency and high sensitivity 360 degrees vertically and horizontally about the printer will less than 2 db gain.

Sorry, I don't know when the firmware patch for the 4580 sleep problem will get released.  I do know it is scheduled for formal testing.

[teitelmm]

Hello all...I too have the same "sleep" problem that has been well documented here, I've got the c4580 hooked up to a wireless network with an Airport Extreme base station. I discovered today a cheat that might help some of you while we wait for the firmware patch, it allowed me to "wake" my printer without having to unplug it and plug it back in. 

All I did was launch the HP Device Manager program, and then clicked on the settings tab, and then "maintain printer". Then, highlight your printer, and click "select". The software then connected to the printer, effectively waking it up and giving me supply levels. Then I just go to the print dialog in whatever program I'm in (Word usually) and print away. My screen readout is still blank on the actual printer itself, but it prints fine. It doesn't scan or copy, but at least it prints.

So hopefully this helps someone in the meantime... 

[NB]

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@Wi-Fi-Guy wrote:

The C4599 is the same printer internally as the C4580.  The difference is that the C4599 has a black case with a half chrome faceplate on the door (looks quite nice) whereas the C4580 has a white case.

The FW patch, once released, works just as well on both models in fixing the sleep issue. 

For what's worth  - the C4599 has a very-slightly better antenna pattern than the C4580.  Since both models have the the same electronics, we were quite curious about the results.  My antenna expert speculates that the chrome faceplate helps the printer's Wi-Fi antenna in some way.

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Wi-Fi-Guy,

Are you saying if price doesn't matter and the max copies doesn't matter to me, then the C4599 would be a better choice over the C4580 because of the antenna? 

Thanks.

[Wi-Fi-Guy]

The difference in Wi-Fi performance, while measurable in my lab, is likely to be too subtle to make a practical difference in the home.  You should select the printer model based whether you like a black case or a white case for the printer.

In hindsight, it probably wasn't worth mentioning.

[NB]

I have been trying to press HP to let me know when the fix will be available and they told me to subscribe here:

http://h71036.www7.hp.com/hho/cache/3618-0-0-225-121.html

This is a joke, right?  These won't notify me of a driver or firmware upgrade, will they?  Isn't this just for sales/marketing spam?