Ethernet printer found, but can't connect during installation

Question

I have a new OfficeJet 8500 that I'm trying to install.  The installation fails every time after the discovery of the device and the SNMP and SLP negotiation with the warning:
Unable to communicate with your printer at this time. This may be caused by a Firewall. If you are using firewall software, verify TCP port 9500 is unblocked from your PC to your printer at 192.168.0.4.
Unable to communicate with your printer at this time. This may be caused by a Firewall. If you are using firewall software, verify TCP port 9290 is unblocked from your PC to your printer at 192.168.0.4.
If you reconfigure the firewall, click Retry to see if the network communication is unblocked or click Next to continue.
This problem is very similar to the one described in this thread http://h30434.www3.hp.com/psg/board/message?board.id=Networking&thread.id=731&view=by_date_ascending... with the exception of this one being wired vs. wireless.
 The printer is connected via ethernet to a SuperStacker Hub.  I've manually assigned an IP address of 192.168.0.4.  I can ping the device, and can connect to the internal webserver via firefox.  
If I choose to ignore the error and continue installing, I can print a test page, but cannot scan.
I can manually add a new printer via the Control panel, and can print a test page.
In both these scenarios, the Solution Center reports a scan error, and scanning fails.
When I try to add a new device via the installation utility, it discovers the wired printer at the proper address.  
It starts the network, goes to the Printer Setup window showing the blue wired/wireless box between computers and printers, indicating"Printer Detected", then sends an snmp request, waits for slp reply, then checks hp scanning interface 1&2, then displays the "cannot connect" error above.  
I'm running a Dell Precision m65 laptop with Windows XP SP2, Windows Firewall is disabled, AVG Antivirus Resident Shield is disabled.  I'm running NetNanny, which is also currently disabled. Adding the ports and enabling the Windows Firewall makes no difference. Just to make sure, during one incarnation, I successfully installed via USB to ensure that it was possible.  
I've spent 4 hours on the phone with tech support.  They escalated to 3rd-tier support and a supervisor promised he'd call me back today at 2pm, but it didn't happen.  I've installed, uninstalled, and reinstalled countless numbers of times during the past 2 days--what a nightmare!
Any suggestions would be welcomed.
Curtis
Message Edited by rutilate on 10-18-2009 06:01 PM
Message Edited by rutilate on 10-18-2009 06:03 PM

Answer 1

Hi!
I have just had a similar experience with a newly purchased OfficeJet 8500. I would like it to use the Wireless setup - no cables please!
I don't know, if the following can help you. But maybe it can contribute with some new ideas for further use. My method is not the most scientific. But here we go:
I powered on the printer and started the setup - however communication to the HP printer timed out, and the setup failed. I could NOT ping the printer.
I tried much debugging, as suggested by many forums, and got to the point where I "just tried something".
My setup:
A Qnap TS-109 PRO II Network storage
A 64-bit Vista Home Premium
A HP iPAQ PDA
A D-link DI-655 wireless router - WPA2 security. Hidden network.
And now hopefully the Officejet
a.) tried uninstalling firewall, and every "tweak" on every forum.
It didn't work. My printer stayed unconnected.
Now I got desperate:
b.) Setting static IP's all over the network:
I thought it was a good idea, to set all the network adresses "static" . My entire network was running with DHCP, that in theory ment the location of the connected unit could change. This should not seem like a problem, since browsing the network, should show all connected equipment.
However, setting the IP static, could not hurt.
But - it showed no change. Well now I had a nice clean network with sorted IP-adresses. But no printer.
c.) Next plan: Trying to reset router -that could't hurt either.
1.) Hard reset of router. I pressed the reset button of the router, and all settings were returned to factory settings.
Just the "dlink" open network was now shown. I then connected the printer to this open and potentially dangerous network, and also connected my Vista. And behold: THE PRINTER WAS THERE!
2.) Now I adjusted the router, one thing at the time. This means, firewall settings, and see how it affected the connection to the printer.
3.) Adjusted the wireless security a bit at the time. This means: first changed to hidden network. Then WEP encryption, then WPA encryption then WPA2. Constantly keeping the connection to the printer in mind.
After an hour or so, and countless reboots of the router, the router was set up precisely as before. 
But the difference is, I now have an OfficeJet that prints, scans, and is perfectly visible to the network!!
Best regards