HP LaserJet 6MP & HP JetDirect 300x connection problem

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Level 1

1 points

HP LaserJet 6MP & HP JetDirect 300x connection problem

I've done a search and read these threads:
http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=11078808#11078808

http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=11086516#11086516

Still can't get my printer to print.

Here's my set-up:
I have an iMac and a HP LaserJet 6MP. I used to use the AsanteTalk gadget (and an AppleTalk cable), which enabled my printer and iMac to communicate perfectly via an ethernet cable and the ethernet port on my computer. Now I've upgraded to Snow Leopard. So, I read the discussions here, and purchased the HP Jet Direct 300x (from eBay... it took me two tries, 7 days for the auction to end and another 4 days for the thing to be delivered).

What I've done so far:
Purchased a parallel cable for the printer.
Connected the cable to the printer and the JetDirect.
Connected the ethernet cable from the the JetDirect to the iMac's ethernet port.
Hit the "test" button on the JetDirect to get the "Configuration Page".

FIRST, using the same ethernet cable I'd been using with my AsanteTalk, it gave me an IP address of "0.0.0.0". Then I tried changing to a different ethernet cable. (I'm not sure what the difference between the two are, other than one is yellow and one is orange.)

Then I got the Configuration Page printout of: "IP ADDRESS: 192.0.0.192"
(which I discovered from the HP website is one of two factory defaults for this device.)

I tried going to "Add Printer" in my "Print & Fax" settings.
I chose the Protocol: "HP Jetdirect - Socket"
In the IP Address field, I tried typing that IP address, but then all I get is the endless Status window that says "Determining Installable Options..." and "Status: Connecting to printer..."

I went to the "Network" settings and under "Ethernet" it has sayings "Configure Using DHCP" and has an IP Address that starts with 169... so I tried putting that IP address in the Add Printer field. That didn't work either.

So, now what?? I've been unable to print for two weeks and it's maddening.

Your help would be much appreciated.
Thanks!

iMac Intel, Mac OS X (10.6.2)

Posted on Feb 20, 2010 3:11 PM

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Answer 1

Feb 20, 2010 3:46 PM in response to ShackLA

You say that the computer is connected to the print server with just an ethernet cable. That means that you need to set up a network on your computer to communicate with the printer. If the print server address is 192.0.0.192, configure the ethernet port in the Network control pane manually with an IP address of 192.0.0.0 and a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0. I think that will work for your setup.

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Answer 2

ShackLA Author

Level 1

1 points

Feb 20, 2010 3:56 PM in response to Bruce De Benedictis

Thanks for the response. That didn't work.
I get an error message:
"INVALID IP ADDRESS
The IP address is not in the range of addresses supported by the router address and subnet mask."

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Answer 3

Feb 20, 2010 4:32 PM in response to ShackLA

You may need to set up a VLAN, but first: How are you connected to the internet?

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Answer 4

ShackLA Author

Level 1

1 points

Feb 20, 2010 6:33 PM in response to Bruce De Benedictis

I connect to the internet wirelessly via the modem from AT&T. The ethernet port is what I had previously used to connect my HP LaserJet (using the AsanteTalk bridge). I was told the HP DirectJet 300X would replace that. I just need to figure out how to make it work.

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Answer 5

ShackLA Author

Level 1

1 points

Feb 20, 2010 11:36 PM in response to ShackLA

OKAY-- I tried a thousand different things -- unplugging and plugging back in cables and power cord -- restarting computer -- resetting HP JetDirect (many times) -- trying two different ethernet cables -- and I can't even remember what else! I have NO IDEA which one of them finally did the trick, but SOMEHOW I got the HP JetDirect to reset with a new IP Address (I tried resetting the device about 10 times before it gave me an address that worked) and I FINALLY am able to print! Whew! I wish I could be of help to someone else who will undoubtedly have this same problem in the future, but all I can say is try everything everyone suggested in these discussions... and then try them again!

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Answer 6

Feb 20, 2010 11:49 PM in response to ShackLA

It probably had to do with the order in which you did things, including turning the computer and printer on in the proper sequence.

It might have been easier, in your circumstance, just to use a USB to parallel cable.

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Answer 7

Feb 21, 2010 7:48 AM in response to ShackLA

It sounds like you figured it out, but the HP JetDirect 300x needs to be connected to your Network, not directly to your Mac. If your AT&T DSL/Cable Modem doubles as a router with additional Ethernet ports, you plug the HP JetDirect 300x into one of the modem's available Ethernet ports. The router will assign an IP address to the JetDirect. You then print the configuration page for the JetDirect to see the IP address that it was given. Then you add the Printer to your Mac using the IP option, and the HP JetDirect-Socket selection. Type in the IP address in the top section, and then choose HP LaserJet 6P/6MP - PostScript for the PPD file in the lower section. You can also change the IP address in the lower section to re-name the printer as HP LaserJet 6MP before clicking the Add button.

If the AT&T Modem only has a single Ethernet port to connect to your Mac, then you would have to buy a Cable/DSL Router (such as the Linksys WRT54G) to connect additional computers (and the HP JetDirect) to your modem, essentially creating your own home network to share your internet connection. It sounds like your AT&T Modem has additional Ethernet ports since it also features Wireless access.

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Answer 8

Feb 21, 2010 8:44 AM in response to Peter Hillman

Plugging the print server directly into the computer forms a point-to-point network. You do not need a router, but things need to happen in the proper sequence to configure itself properly.

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Answer 9

Mar 7, 2010 10:50 PM in response to ShackLA

Try a cold reset of the JetDirect box:

http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/Document.jsp?objectID=bpj02300& prodTypeId=18972&prodSeriesId=25472&locale=en_US#A4

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Answer 10

ShackLA Author

Level 1

1 points

Mar 27, 2010 4:35 PM in response to ShackLA

Hadn't marked this question answered. Not sure what solved it, but I did inevitably get the gadget to work. Thanks for all the tips.

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