Problems with HP Photosmart 3210

[GoinAllTheWay]

Has anyone purchased one of these?

Got one on Friday and I can't say I'm impressed so far. I wanted to install it as a network printer so that any other computer in the house could use it without the main rig being fired up.

Tried using the disc that came with the printer. Install seemed odd and i never got a succseful intall notification. Tried to print a test page and nothing, got an error message saying it could'nt communicate with the printer. None of the associated software like scanning for instance worked either. Tried HP's online chat room with a techie who had me change the IP address and default gateway for printer and reconfigured a new port which finnaly got it printing. Only problem is the software still won't work, it will only print. On top of that, my digital camera would no longer unload its images and clicking on "my computer" would result in waiting for a good 30-40 seconds for my various drives to finnaly appear.

Tried calling HP support and the guy sounded suprised that the other tech had me changing IP addresses and Gateways. After listening to my other symptoms, he concluded that my computer had become "viral" and that is why it was taking a long time to explore "my compupter". Well he was right but that virus was called HP software for after the removal of all things HP, the above symptoms vanished.

Tried the drivers on the HP website. Install seemed to go better as I got a succesful install notification but the thing will not print again nor does the software work.

Anyone else try one of these thigns out and have the same problem? Thinking this one may get returned.

[mykalberta]

Ok, this is going to be a long reply because there could be a whole host of issues

(1) I assume you have the model that includes the network port.
(2) I assume you have a DHCP router (your computer IP is 192.168.x.x)

If that is the case here are a few things that could be wrong.

What IP did you assign the printer, make sure is not x.x.x.1 or x.x.x.255?
What Subnet Mask did you assign, 255.255.255?
What Default Gateway did you assign? 192.168.1.1?

For the above answers, the SN and Gateway should be the same as your computer, to check go start>run>cmd>ipconfig

Can you ping the IP address assigned to your printer from your computer?

If you have checked everything and cannot ping the IP then there was a problem in setup.

How did you set the IP, via the USB port of via printer? If you know how to add network printers I would reccomend setting the IP via the printer else you will need to use the CD.

Here is how you add the network printer via M$ - its a tad technical so beware http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314073/

If you can give me some more information I can troubleshoot further. I have a feeling you tried setting everything up with the printer connected via the network cable in which case the printer is still using the default IP.

A few other things that might be wrong, your router might have MAC filtering, if it does turn it off (you would have had to run it on to begin with) or add the printers MAC to the list.

Check your routers DHCP scope, set the printer IP to one that is not in the scope, example

My computer IP 192.168.168.100 SN 255.255.255.0 (class C) dg 192.168.168.1, I have the DHCP scope set to 192.168.168.100 - 150 (I do that mostly for security as I have a dedicated computer scanning those IP to ensure no one has hacked my wireless WPA and to ensure there is no intruder. Because my range is 100-150 I setup network devices in the 50-100 range.

Hope that Helps - man I was just looking over the tech sheet for it, 6 ink cartridges, you must be rich to afford to replace those - geesh.

Also it might be easier to uninstall the HP software and then set the printer up manually as a network printer. PM me and I will send you more detailed instructions.

MYK

[GoinAllTheWay]

Originally Posted by mykalberta

A few other things that might be wrong, your router might have MAC filtering, if it does turn it off (you would have had to run it on to begin with) or add the printers MAC to the list.
MYK

Groan......I think that may be the freakin problem right there!! I forgot I have my router set to only let the MAC address of the 3 rigs in my home through, never thought to add the printer. Do you think that would produce my slow explore times when clicking on my computer or the oddness with my camera though? Also, when I changed the IP address of the printer itself, it printed without changing the MAC filtering I have in place now. Does that make sense?

When I first installed the printer, I tried to ping the IP address the printer was reporting, reported back 100% packet loss. I also tried bringing up the IP address with FireFox, no workie. Once I changed the printer to the IP that the HP tech guy suggested, I could both ping it and bring it up with Fire Fox.

I will try that when I get home but almost 100% sure that is part of the problem. Thanks so much man!