OJ Pro 8600 Plus Printing issues

Question

On this for hours and hours, never had so many issues with setting up a printer.  I am dizzy.  Have a few laptops (macbook Air, Pro) and hardwired Mac Pro (intel) and (PPC).  All OSes are 10.95 (except the PPC which is 10.5.8).  Router is DLink, and a dumb Hub - Netgear.  I assumed that simply connecting the 8600 via ethernet directly to the router, and setting a static IP 192.168.0.100 would be easy.  All seemed OK, as all the computers could access the printer via the brower.  Set-up in Printer/Scanner - System Prefs, went without a problem.  Recognized it just fine.  After a few tries of not printing, I noticed that the set-up DEFAULTS to Airprint driver (version 2.0), so I CHANGED to the HP Officejet Pro 8600 Driver (version 4.1).
On one laptop, it prints.  On another laptop it does not.  On the Mac Pro it does not.  When printing it locates the printer, spools and states 100% complete.  Over the hours, sometimes it sticks with the 100% complete.  Just now that message disappeared - but in all cases it does not print.  I have been able to get each of the computers to print at various times, but never more than 1.  I think I have it, then try another computer, and it does not work.  I have unplugged the router, unpluged the printer, waited the 20-30 seconds (how stupid is this) a half dozen times.  I have re-started each of the computers as well a few times here and there.  I have re-set the Mac OSX printer System (in the sys prefs - Control + Select PRinter) a few times.  Of course been on the forum and finally gave up.  
Maybe the 8600 doesn't like the static IP, so I re-did the whole lot with the wireless set-up.  Unplugged the ethernet from the 8600.  Made all the changes with the 8600, logged on to my wireless.  All OK, but still the same issues.  Turned off the router, off the printer, then on the router, printer and computers.  Still problems.  I say "all OK" because I can connect to the printer though the browser.  I can printer a test page though the browser.  In the OSX pref I can select and add the printer quickly.  I can see the ink status in printer window.  The CONNECTION IS THERE.
I live on the 9th floor of an apartment complex.  Would someone care to help before this worthless piece OS falls out the window.  Thanks

Answer 1

Hello MrConfetti,
Welcome to the HP Support Forums!
That is a very informative post, no one could ask for a better explanation of an issue. After reading, my thoughts / concerns are;
The Router and Hub
The apartment complex
Even though the computer can see the printer on the network, and you can access the printer via the I.P address in your browser, I believe the Hub is blocking the full communication. In order to test this, simply unplug the the hub, power off the computers and printer, then back on, try printing upon start up.
Regarding the apartment complex, there is probably MANY other wireless signals. These other wireless signals, if using the same Channel you are, can be causing information to be block. Print out a Network Configuration Page from the printer. On the report, review the other network's channels. Change your router's channel to one not used, or less used.
Network Config Page is printed by touching the Wireless icon> Settings.
Lastly, If the above thoughts / suggestions fail to provide a working connection, try using the printers Wireless Direct. I only offer this idea as a means of troubleshooting. The printer can have up to 5 connections to it's Wireless Direct. Connect each computer, add the printer, try to print.
Wireless Direct is enabled by touching the Wireless icon> Settings> Wireless Direct.
I hope to hear back with good news.
JERENDS
I work on behalf of HP
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