HP Officejet J6480

[tombster]

I have Notebook and Desktop PC running Vista (32/64bit) using this printer
thru a Netgear RangeMax Wireless-N router. Both PCs are attached to the
router via ethernet and the printer is attached to the router via 802.11g
(wireless).

I have found that the HP software (HP Digital Imaging Monitor) will hang if
the printer is powered off at PC startup. This hung state will also cause the
HP Solution Center software to hang if it is started.

I have reported the problem to HP and I hope this will be fixed in the next
update to there software.

A temperary fix for those who turn off their printer when it is not in use
is to remove or disable "HP Digital Imaging Monitor" in the startup folder
and put a shortcut on the desktop, program list, or Quick Launch Toolbar. You
can print without this software but if you want to do more (eg. scan from
your PC) you will have to start "HP Digital Imaging Monitor" manually via the
shortcut you created.

 

[Doug]

Hi Tombster
By way of comparison I find that with my HP Deskjet 6940, HP Digital Imaging
Monitor does not hang as it does for you, and I am wondering what you mean
by powered off? With the printer power supply ON but printer itself OFF I
find that:
(1) HP Digital Imaging Monitor does not hang
(2) during boot up the printer panel lights briefly show activity even
though the printer is "OFF"
(3) HP Digital Imaging Monitor can still access the printer to read the
printer status such as ink levels
I have always found this an unsatisfactory arrangement. The printer panel
ON/OFF light is so dim that in daylight it is invisible, and yet there are
warnings in the manual that, if the printer is switched off at the wall
without being switched off with the printer power button, the printer may be
damaged. I am left wondering how these printers fare with energy saving
"Smart" power strips or in the event of a power cut, and wishing the printer
panel had an unambiguous ON/OFF switch instead of a flimsy button that has
to be held down for three seconds to turn off! In fact I have sometimes
switched off at the wall without realising that the printer was on - luckily
so far without damage.
I am in two minds about whether to bother with HP Digital Imaging Monitor,
but on balance I keep it to have some idea of the ink levels. Running on
demand as you suggest is perhaps the best workaround with this printer's
rather silly power arrangement. (The older HP printers had the power supply
built in and I prefer that.)
Doug

 

[tombster]

Hi Doup,

The problem with the HP software occurs if I press the off button on the
printer or pull the power plug out of the wall outlet before starting the PC.

Hope this is clearer.

 

[tombster]

Sorry for the finger check Doug,

As far as using the HP software, the J6480 is a printer/fax/copy machine. I
can use the printer function without the HP software but the copy or fax the
HP software is required.

I would like to see HP fix the software or update the drivers. One or the
other is the problem I'm experiencing. It may be a problem with the J6480
only and the rest of the HP product line.

 

[Doug]

Sorry, my misunderstanding - Doug

Sorry for the finger check Doug,

As far as using the HP software, the J6480 is a printer/fax/copy machine.
I
can use the printer function without the HP software but the copy or fax
the
HP software is required.

I would like to see HP fix the software or update the drivers. One or the
other is the problem I'm experiencing. It may be a problem with the J6480
only and the rest of the HP product line.