Printer does accept the WEP key. any Solution, c309g wireless setup

Question

Hi, 
i have a Photosmart c309 g printer. 
I have been on phone with the tech for almost 8 hrs but with no solution. The end result being, they suggested to replace the printer.
when i and also with assistance with the technician, ran the Wireless setup wizard,  my network is detected. when i hit ok on it, it prompts for WEP. Then i enter it, it displays connecting and then displays "ERROR " "Invalid WEP". 
Below are the other few steps i tried......... >
a> the printer was RESET , i guess it was SemiFull Reset . Then we tried running the wireless setup wizard, and it ended up with the same error  "ERROR " "Invalid WEP". 
b> we installed through USB to have it in wireless .... the same issue.
c> the tech asked me have the WEP key changed. I called my Router mfd and got the WEP key changed to only Numbers ( earlier it was alphanumeric ) , we then tried running the wireless setup wizard .. we got the same error message.
d> We also tried Manually adding the IP, subnet mask and default gateway .... but the ping does not work. It says 100% loss.
The tech concluded that it could be a problem with the printer wireless circuit . hence advised to replace the printer.
I am returning the printer to the stores in a day or 2days. Let me know if "returning the printer " is the right thing to do or is there anyone over here who could suggest me steps to resolve it.
Thanks !!!!!!!!

Answer 1

Let's try an experiment.  Since I'm not sure of your exact configuration, I'd like  you to try some one of the following:
If your Linksys wireless-router is also your ADSL modem -- disconnect the telephone line from the Linksys wireless-router and then power cycle the Linksys (unplug power, wait 30 seconds, plug power back in).  Leave the telephone line unplugged.
-- or --
If your ADSL modem is separate from your Linksys wireless-router, disconnect the LAN cable between the ADSL modem and the Linksys wireless-router and then power cycle the Linksys (unplug power, wait 30 seconds, plug power back in).  Leave the LAN cable disconnected.
Power cycle the printer.  Wait 60 seconds for the wireless-router to power up completely and then run the C309g Wireless Setup Wizard from the printer's front panel (Setup -> Network -> Wireless Setup Wizard).
If the printer connected successfully, then there is one more change we need to make and that is to set a static IP address for the printer.
Open the printer's internal web page by browsing to its IP address.  Select Networking and then Wireless (802.11).  Under the IPv4 Configuration tab, select Manual IP:
For Manual IP Address, use the existing printer IP address plus an offset.  For example, if the printer's IP address is currently 192.168.0.5, then use 192.168.0.30.
For Manual Subnet Mask, use 255.255.255.0
For Manual Default Gateway, leave blank.  This is important.
Select Manual DNS Server:
Leave both the Manual Preferred DNS Server and Manual Alternate DNS Server fields empty.  This is important.
Press Apply.
Turn off the wireless-router and reconnect the cable (telephone or LAN).  Now turn off  the printer and all computers connected to your network.  Wait 60 seconds then turn on the wireless-router and then turn on the printer.  Then turn on the computers.
Finish up by installing the SW on the computers you want to print from.  One more suggestion -- do not install the HP Customer Participation Program.
Regards / Jim B / Wireless Enthusiasts
( While I'm an embedded wireless systems engineer at work, on this forum I do not represent my former employer, Hewlett-Packard, or my current employer, Microsoft )
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