Problem installing HP Photosmart printer wirelessly on Mac

Hi there -

I've had a Photosmart C4580 for a couple of years. It has never been particularly reliable wirelessly - but always fine with USB connection.

A couple of weeks ago, I got a new modem and router combined hub - and I hoped this would improve the wireless connection between the computer and the printer.

I've now been trying to set up the printer on my computer for about a fortnight and am about ready to throw it under a bus and then kill myself.

I have uninstalled all the old HP drivers etc. from the Mac applications folder, restarted, then re-downloaded the latest HP drivers for this printer and Mac OS 10.5 (my OS). I then plug the printer into my computer via USB, and it starts installing all the drivers onto my hard drive. Then it asks me if I want to connect wirelessly. I say yes. It identifies my broadband network that is affiliated to my Mac laptop. It asks me for the password. I type it in. Then a new page opens and it says it's 'Configuring', and that 'The device may take couple of minutes to configure and get the IP configuration from the Wireless Access Point'. I wait about five mins.

Finally a new page loads up. 'Your device was successfully assciated to 'worldsgreatestbroadband' Network. (which is the name of my wireless broadband.

'The current IP settings for your device are as follows:

IP address: Failed to retrieve IP.
Subnet Mask: Failed to retrieve IP.
Default Gateway: Failed to retrieve IP.
Preferred DNS Server: Failed to retrieve IP.
Alternate DNS Server: Failed to retrieve IP.'

There are then two buttons at the bottom of the screen - Go Back and Continue. I hit Continue. A dialog box comes up that says 'Device Not Reachable: The network configuration was successfully downloaded to the device. However to continue configuring the device in network, your Mac must have access to the device. So please make sure that your Mac has access to the Network : "worldsgreatestbroadband" and retry.'

My Mac definitely has access to that network - I'm accessing the internet now to type this.

I've done this about five times and it's the same result every time. Any ideas? Can I manually type in my IP somehow?

Is this a problem with HP's installer, or my Mac network settings, or my wireless hub, or what? I am so fed up!

Thanks in advance for reading this far.

Reply 1 : Problem installing HP Photosmart printer wirelessly on Mac

Those new routers have a new feature called a firewall. I either have to research what ports to open or just turn it off.

I am not finding details about your router either. Maybe it's in your post but make, model, firmware revision of the router and such eludes me.
Bob

Reply 2 : Problem installing HP Photosmart printer wirelessly on Mac

OK, sorry, I didn't think of that. OK - the router/modem hub is made by Netgear - I think the model name is a Wireless N Cable Getaway. I'm afraid I have no idea about the firmware revision etc. - I received it in the mail from Virgin (a UK cable broadband/TV/phone provider), plugged it in and set it up over the phone with them. I have no idea how to find out about whether it's got a firewall...

Any ideas?

Reply 3 : Problem installing HP Photosmart printer wirelessly on Mac

And it is debatable if it helps when folk have to dive in and open ports or just set it to OFF to get things to work.

I didn't find any model with the name Getaway. These are often called Gatway's not to be confused with the PC maker.

There are specific articles and manuals for each router. Here's a somewhat generic one at http://www.tech-faq.com/how-to-disable-the-netgear-router-firewall.html
Bob

Reply 4 : Problem installing HP Photosmart printer wirelessly on Mac

Spoke to Virgin Media about my hub and instead of changing the Firewall settings, she told me to change the security settings - I went down a grade, from the one that said 'WPA-PSK[TKIP] + WPA2-PSK[AES]' to the one that said simply 'WPA2-PSK[AES]'

Solved it! So pleased. thanks for your input.

Reply 5 : Problem installing HP Photosmart printer wirelessly on Mac

I'm trying to craft a new addition to the Network Forum sticky about trying AES or TKIP when N routers won't connect.

Nothing's sure here but from my experience and what I read this is the old buggy firmware issues. Makers are letting us down.
Bob

Reply 6 : Problem installing HP Photosmart printer wirelessly on Mac

Speaking as a casual Macfixitforums user, I don't know if I'd have known where to look to find the right sticky, so I might still have had to post my own question - wasn't sure if it was a problem with the printer, or the driver on my Mac, or the broadband connection or the hub itself....

Anyway, I'm just pleased it's sorted and maybe you'll be able to assist another damsel/sir in distress in future now you know it's worked for me!

Thanks so much for taking the time to reply to me.