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TICKET ARCHIVE -> Can't find my HP ColorlaserJet 4550N

gebo - May 27, 2007 - 6:35 pm

I was graciously given a HP 4550N Color LaserJet. Okay, so it isn't the most modern but considering the price.... It is connected to my iMac via ethernet cable. It has printed from the current setup 2 weeks ago but now it won't. I has "disappeared" from my printer options. As I try to add it the 4550N, it cannot be found. Oh, I have a HP Photosmart 2610 connected via USB to the same iMac. It works perfectly. I am also connected via Airport to a Konica Minolta and it works like a charm as well. Any ideas?

gsahli - May 28, 2007 - 6:56 am

So, you mean you use Airport (wireless) for internet and direct-connect ethernet for the printer? Do you have a manual IP address setup in Network prefs for ethernet (it should be a local-type address, like 192.168.2.2)? And appletalk enabled for ethernet (not mandatory, but easiest)?
Keep in mind that appletalk can only be active on one interface, Airport Or ethernet, but not both, at the same time.

gebo - May 28, 2007 - 7:24 am

Yes, Airport is for my internet, USB connection for my HP Colorsmart 2610, and ethernet (RJ45) direct connect for my HP 4550N. I checked and both Airport and Ethernet are set up with Appletalk active. With the Ethernet it is set to configure automatically under the ethernet tab. I haven't setup anything manually.

What do I do?

gsahli - May 28, 2007 - 8:57 am

When you have an interface (ethernet) set up to be configured automatically, but there isn't a DHCP server to respond and give it an IP address, unix (including OS X) gives itself an IP address just to get past that point in start-up, but afterwards it ignores the interface because it isn't operating normally. Go to Network Prefs > ethernet > TCP/IP and change to configure manually and enter the IP address I mentioned above. Restart the Mac, and then try Adding the printer.

gebo - May 28, 2007 - 9:27 am

I entered the IP address 192.168.2.2 and I get a green light showing it is active under network status. I shut down and restarted computer but still cannot add the 4550. I printed the configuration page and it shows the 4550N IP as 169.254.70.162. I entered that number (169.254.70.162) and it gave me the red stop sign saying that IP address was already in use by 0001E651E978 wich is my Hardware Address for the the 4550N. HElp?

gsahli - May 28, 2007 - 10:18 am

Ya, you tried giving your computer the same invalid/self-assigned IP address the printer has...
Since you printed the configuration page, does it say that appletalk/ethertalk is enabled?

The easiest way to change settings on a laserjet is to use the Classic HP application HP Laserjet Utility. It comes free in OS 9 version Laserjet driver installer packages. In other words, download the OS 9 driver and install it in Classic and it will save an HP folder somewhere that has that utility. With the Utility, you can change the laserjet's IP address to 192.168.2.3, and turn on appletalk if off.

There is another way to Add the printer without changing any settings. (Make sure you go back to the valid manual IP address I gave you in OS X.) Click Add, then select IP printer, then HP Jetdirect, then enter the printer's IP address 169.xxx.xxx.xxx. Select model and try it.

gebo - May 28, 2007 - 12:10 pm

On the config page it says Appletalk status "ready." THe last option didn't work. I'm starting to lose my patience.

If I turn on Appletalk, then it turns off Appletalk on my Airport. I don't want to do that, do I? I'm not trying to network the 4550N with any other computer. I only want to print from the one iMacG5. This is my payroll printer only. Do I even need to be doing anything in the Network area?

gsahli - May 28, 2007 - 1:24 pm

I'm glad you've hung in here so far. The vast majority of people who come here think that any answer should be in one sentence - even though I can't possibly see all the details of how you/they've set things up. So please, hang on a bit longer.

As I explained, only one interface can have appletalk on at any one time. You have to decide how you want to handle that if it means you can't print to the other printer because appletalk is off for airport.
That last option (IP printing) probably does require the printer's IP address to be changed. You should try this because it solves your appletalk problem (IP printing doesn't require appletalk to be on on ethernet).
Have you thought about connecting the laserjet by ethernet to your router (this is an area where I don't have any details about your network)? This would allow you to use appletalk.

I believe I've given you all the tools necessary to get things working.

Good luck.

gebo - May 28, 2007 - 3:21 pm

Whooppeeee........

I took your last bit of advice and bought a longer RJ45 and hooked it directly to my Airport Router and guess what?

Now, since I got that to work. How can I play around and reset my printer's IP address (aftet I get the insulation itch taken care of ; )? I tried to do what you told me but I got lost. I couldn't find what I downloaded????


Thank you, thank you, thank u!!!!!

gsahli - May 28, 2007 - 4:45 pm

Well, I think your laserjet IP has reset itself already (got a new IP from the Airport Base Station), but...

Search (File > Find) for HP Laserjet - that's what the folder was named as I recall.

gebo - May 28, 2007 - 9:51 pm

I just printed a config page and my 4550N has the exact same IP address as it did before I hooked it directly into the Airport base station.

I tried the (File, find)...no luck?

gsahli - May 28, 2007 - 10:30 pm

Send me an email to sahlgre _at_ iit _dot_ edu, and I'll send you the utility.