printers

Sebby · Jun 24, 2009, 23:32:42

Baz · Jun 27, 2009, 17:22:02

does anyone who has an HP printer use compatible carts. if so what are they like.have you done much photo or top quality prints with compatible carts.

I have been trying some photo printer with my new printer and I have to say they are superb

even at normal setting. I have tried some at normal setting and some at 'best' setting and couldnt really see the difference, that could be me though

well impressed so far.

Baz · Jul 17, 2009, 17:49:14

first problem ive come across with this printer or it may be the laptops i use is, I leave the printer on all the time so others in the house can printer to it via wireless and I dont need the main computer on.very now and then when wanting to print to it from one of our laptops wirelessly it just wont print sometimes on the laptop it will say that not able to connect even though it is connected and actually surfing at the time. the only way I can solve it is to go to printers in control panel,delete it then add printer again and it works straight away.

the printer does go into stand by or power save, whatever HP call it, after about 30 mins I think but the fault has happened when it has been in normal mode too soo I dont know

Rik · Jul 17, 2009, 17:50:55

Are you using a fixed IP address for the printer, Baz?

Baz · Jul 17, 2009, 17:54:04

hmmm i think so Rik how do I tell

Rik · Jul 17, 2009, 18:01:25

Have a look at the Properties > Ports > Configure ports setting from Printers and Faxes, but also check the setting on the printer itself, usually by browsing to that fixed IP address.

Baz · Jul 17, 2009, 18:07:07

yeah I think its fixed Rik. Looked at the IP setting in router attached devices page put it in browser and it brought up some HP page with loads of info on

Rik · Jul 17, 2009, 18:08:06

It sounds like the printer may not be using a fixed address, Baz, which Windows doesn't like.

Baz · Jul 17, 2009, 18:18:21

ok Rik I've added the printer to the routers Address Reservation list so it gets the same IP every time. will that work

Rik · Jul 17, 2009, 18:20:17

It should, but the printer also needs to be set to use a fixed IP, Baz.

Baz · Jul 17, 2009, 18:24:45

will it not just pick it up auto as the router is saying 'this address is for the printer' there is a setting in the printer set up that says its already set to look for the address automatically

Rik · Jul 17, 2009, 18:26:59

When it looks for it automatically, Baz, it uses DHCP, so the reserved address won't be offered to it.

Baz · Jul 17, 2009, 18:31:13

doh!!! getting a headache now

got this in the router help about DHCP

Unless told to change these settings by your ISP, leave the Use Router As DHCP Server check box checked.

If your ISP has you clear this check box, you must have another DHCP server within your network or else you must manually configure the computer.

its already set to be used as such.when I had a reserved address for the sons PS3 it did always give it that one.Sorry Rik I'm getting confused now......I hate network stuff

Rik · Jul 17, 2009, 18:35:28

Check the printer manual or online help, Baz, see what that says. The symptoms you suggest suggest to me that the printer is obtaining an IP address automatically, and not always the same one.

Baz · Jul 17, 2009, 18:38:03

ok will do Rik.Thanks.have just turned the printer off then on and it did get the same address but will keep an eye on it and see if the problem happens again

Steve · Jul 17, 2009, 18:54:35

If your using netgear Baz you can ask the router to reserve the same IP address for the printer under lan ip setup (it still uses DHCP but always gets given the same address)

Baz · Jul 17, 2009, 20:38:14

thanks Steve i eventually got there after looking through the settings and seeing that I had already tried it for my sons PS3, yes on the netgear

Baz · Jul 27, 2009, 20:37:59

still getting a problem with this when trying to print wireless from laptop. have reserved IP address in router for the printer and checked in the printer settings and both are the same. My wife tried today and it would not print as soon as I got in and turned on the main computer it printed what was in the queue

Simon · Jul 27, 2009, 21:17:21

Sorry to have to ask, Baz, but is this a wireless printer? If not, and you've just added it to a wireless network, with it connected to the PC by USB, it won't work unless the PC is switched on. I think.

Baz · Jul 27, 2009, 21:30:00

its a HP photosmart C8180 Simon.thats the problem I had before with my old epson all in one, I could only print when main PC was on, this one can do both and im positive I have had it working at any time wireless with PC off and from the main PC. Do you think it will not work then.

I hate network stuff too

Simon · Jul 27, 2009, 21:58:44

Just looked at a few sites, and it does appear to have wi-fi, so it should work, Baz, but I'm no expert on these things, so can't advise - sorry.

Only thing I can think of to suggest, is to set it up again wirelessly, in case it's lost some settings somehow, but I expect someone else will be along with a better idea.

Lance · Jul 28, 2009, 08:37:49

If it printed wht was in the queue when the main pc was switched on, it suggests to me that the printer iis shared on the main pc and the laptop has that shared printer set up rather than going direct.

Try this:

Go to printers and faxes
Click add new printer
Select "Local printer connected to this computer" and untick the box
Next screen, select create a new port and in the drop down select tcp/ip port
in the new wizard, enter the ip adress and click next, leaving the port box empty.

It should then find the printer, install the driver and you'll live happily ever after!

Baz · Jul 28, 2009, 13:39:37

sorry to sound daft here Lance but with the suggestion do you mean try it from the main PC or on the laptops

Lance · Jul 28, 2009, 13:50:13

The laptops, Baz

Baz · Jul 28, 2009, 13:56:17

right will try that thanks......another question though

you said enter the IP address, of what? the printer is set up in router to get the same address all the time, is it that one