hp-concentra-wrapper-portlet

Setting Up the Printer for a Wireless Network in Windows XP and Vista for the HP Deskjet 6800 Printer Series

Introduction

This document contains instructions to install the product in an existing wireless network that uses an access point, such as a router. This type of network is called an infrastructure network. HP recommends the infrastructure type of network for wireless connection to your product.

note:
You can also use these instructions if you previously installed the software for a USB connection and now want to change to a wireless network connection.

Figure : Wireless network that uses an access point

Illustration of a wireless network that uses an access point

note:
You can also set up a wireless connection in which your HP product communicates directly with other wireless devices on the network, without using an access point. This is an called an ad hoc installation, which is not covered by this document. If you would like to install your HP product using an ad hoc wireless connection, see Installing the HP Printer in a Wireless Network That Does Not Use an Access Point (Ad Hoc Mode) in Windows XP (c00205926) (in English) for instructions.

IMPORTANT: Before you can install the product, your wireless network must already be set up. (To set up your network, follow the instructions that came with your particular access point.)

note:
If you set up device filtering on your access point, and need to find the IP or MAC address of your HP product, see Additional Information at the end of this document.

IMPORTANT: Before you can install the product, you must have the following information about the network:

Network name: The network name is the SSID (Service Set Identifier).
Password: WEP key or WPA passphrase

note:
To gather this information, you can ask the person who originally set up your network, see the documentation that came with the access point, or contact the manufacturer. HP cannot set up or change the network SSID, WEP key, or WPA passphrase.

The HP Print and Scan Doctor is a free tool to diagnose and resolve printing problems and to gather network information. To look up your network name and password, download and run the HP Print and Scan Doctor

on a computer that has an active wireless connection to the network.

When you click the link, the HP Print and Scan Doctor downloads using your Internet browser download capabilities. After the tool opens, follow these steps to view your network settings.

Click Start on the Welcome screen.
Select your printer, and then click Next.
On the Menu bar, click Network, and then click Show Advanced Info.
Click Show Wireless Info.
In the Wireless Settings section, the SSID column lists the wireless network name, and the Network Key column lists the corresponding wireless network password.

Figure : Example of the Wireless Info screen with Network Key listed

Step one: Prepare for installation

Follow these steps to prepare for the wireless installation.

Make sure that you have the following requirements before you begin:

Network name: The network name is the SSID (Service Set Identifier).
WEP key or WPA security passphrase
A computer that is connected to the wireless network.
Internet access. HP recommends broadband Internet access such as cable or DSL.
Your wireless-capable HP product. Place it close to the computer during the installation procedure.
Administrator privileges or password (for Vista)

A Category 5 Ethernet cable - used only during installation. (Do not use a standard telephone cable.)

Figure : Cable comparison

Ethernet cable

Telephone cable (do not use)

Although an Ethernet cable looks similar to regular telephone cable, each has a different plug and a different number of wires. The plug on an Ethernet cable (also called an RJ-45 connector) is wide, thick, and always has eight wires. The plug on a telephone cable is narrower and has between two and six wires.

Make sure the product, access point, and computer are all on, and that the computer is connecting to the wireless network.
Exit all applications running on your computer.
If you previously installed the software for a USB connection and now want to change to a wireless network connection, follow these instructions to remove the USB installation before continuing.
1. Go to the Programs list:
  - Windows XP: Click Start, and All Programs.
  - Windows Vista: Click the Windows icon (), click Programs.
2. Point to HP, point to the product series, and then click Uninstall.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions to remove the software.
4. Disconnect the USB cable from the product and the computer.

Step two: Connect to the wireless network

For the setup process only, you use an Ethernet cable to connect the product to the network and install the software. After the installation completes, you will be prompted to remove the cable to switch to a wireless connection. Follow these steps to connect the product to the network.

Remove the cover from the Ethernet port on the back of your product, and connect the Ethernet cable.
Ethernet port with cover

USB port
Connect the Ethernet cable to an available port on your wireless access point.
Wait at least 60 seconds until the network light on the lid of the product turns blue and stays on. This indicates that there is an active network connection.

Figure : Wireless status light on

If the network light does not turn blue, turn the product off, and then on again.

Step three: Decide whether to install with the product CD or download the software

Don’t worry if you don’t have the printer CD! You can download the most current software available for your printer from the HP website at no cost. The following information might help you decide which installation method to use:

Install the software with the printer CD

For a new printer:	CD installation is a quick and easy method.
For an older printer:	CD installation might not work if you are installing the printer on a computer running a newer operating system that released AFTER the HP printer released. For example, Windows Vista released in 2007. If HP manufactured your printer prior to that year, the CD that came with the printer might not work correctly on a computer running Vista.
About the software:	The software on the CD is current to the date of the printer release.

Download and install the software from the HP website

For a new printer:	If you do not have a CD, you can download the software you need.
For an older printer:	Downloading the software provides the best results for your older printer. Even though it takes more time than using the CD, downloading the latest software can help you avoid installation issues. Downloading is the recommended method if your computer operating system released after the HP printer released.
About the software:	The software you can download from the HP website is most current software available for your printer. HP often updates software and drivers after the printer and CD release to the market.

Step four: Install the product software

To install the product on the wireless network, follow the steps for the method that you want to use (CD or download). Repeat the steps to install the software on each computer that will use the product wirelessly over the same network.

IMPORTANT:If you get any firewall messages during installation, click unblock, accept, continue, unblock, yes, allow, or permit, or the installation will fail.

Method one: Install the software with the product CD

Insert the product CD into the CD drive of the computer, and then wait a few seconds for the software installer to start.

If the installer does not start automatically, follow these steps to start it:
- Windows XP: Click Start, click My Computer, and then double-click the CD drive.
- Windows Vista: Click the Windows icon (), click Computer, and then double-click the CD drive.
note:
If the User Account Control screen opens, click Allow to continue.

Follow the on-screen instructions to start the installation.

If prompted to choose the type of installation, review the following information:

Recommended type	Custom type
Recommended, Full, or Easy	Custom, Express, or Advanced
For full use of all your product features: This installation provides full product functionality. HP also includes valuable software to help you get the most out of your product. HP designed this type of installation to work for most users.	A custom type of installation might be available for your product. This installation allows you to install the minimum software required or the preferred software. Use this type of installation only if you have one of the following reasons: The computer is low on hard disk space. You attempted a recommended type of installation and received errors. (If errors occur during the recommended installation, fix them before trying a custom installation.)

The Recommended type of installation allows you to take advantage of all your product features.

When prompted to choose a connection type, select the Through the network. When prompted again, select Wireless.
Follow the on-screen instructions to finish installing the software.

Method two: Download and install the software from the HP Web site

Follow these steps to download the software, and then install it.

Step one: Download the software

Many products have more than one driver option on the downloads page. Choices might include a Basic type, and Full Feature type. If both options are available, the following information might help you decide which driver to download.

Basic type	Full Feature type
For basic printing: This driver runs the basic print functions of your product. For quick download: The file size is smaller than the Full Feature driver, so it is faster to download and install.	For enhanced printing: HP includes valuable software to help you get the most from your product. The software varies by product, but here are some examples: Searchable help files tailored to your product Image-editing software HP Solution Center: This important tool helps you establish settings for printing. It also helps you with product maintenance, troubleshooting, software updates, and links to buy supplies. note: During the Full Feature installation process, you can choose a custom installation, where you select the specific software items that you want to install.

Basic type

Full Feature type

For basic printing: This driver runs the basic print functions of your product.

For quick download: The file size is smaller than the Full Feature driver, so it is faster to download and install.

For enhanced printing: HP includes valuable software to help you get the most from your product. The software varies by product, but here are some examples:

Searchable help files tailored to your product
Image-editing software
HP Solution Center: This important tool helps you establish settings for printing. It also helps you with product maintenance, troubleshooting, software updates, and links to buy supplies.

note:
During the Full Feature installation process, you can choose a custom installation, where you select the specific software items that you want to install.

HP recommends the Full Feature type of download, if available, to take advantage of all your product features.

Follow these steps to download the product software and save it to your computer.

Open a new window to browse to the Select Software and Drivers page:
1. Right-click this link, Select Software and Drivers, and then click Open in New Window.
2. If prompted, type your product number. You might also need to click it in a list of similar products.
3. Click your operating system.
  
  The Select Software and Drivers page opens.
Click the driver that you want to download. If you need help deciding, see the information in the previous table.
Click Download only. This option allows you to install the software at any time after the download completes.
Click Save, and then browse to the location on your computer where you want to save the file.
Click Save. The software downloads to your computer.

Tip: Make a note of the place that you saved the file, in case you want to install it at a later time.

Step two: Install the software

Follow these steps to install the downloaded software.

When the download is complete and you are ready to install the files, click Open Folder, and then double-click the downloaded file. The file name ends in .exe.
note:
If you closed the Download Complete screen, browse to the folder where you saved the .exe file, and then double-click it.
You can accept the default location to save the files. Click Next, and then wait while the installer extracts the files to prepare for installation.
Follow the on-screen instructions to start the installation.

If you downloaded a Full Feature driver, the installer might prompt you to select the type of installation you want. (Skip this step if you downloaded a basic driver.)

The following information might help you decide which installation type to use.

Recommended type	Customized type
Typical or Recommended	Minimum or Custom
For full use of all your product features: This installation provides full product functionality. HP also includes valuable software to help you get the most out of your product. HP designed this type of installation to work for most users.	A customized type of installation might be available for your product. This installation allows you to install the minimum software required or the preferred software. Use this type of installation only if you have one of the following reasons: The computer is low on hard disk space. You attempted a standard installation and received errors. (If errors occur during the standard installation, fix them before trying a customized installation.)

The Recommended type of installation allows you to take advantage of all your product features.

When prompted to choose a connection type, select the Through the network. When prompted again, select Wireless.
Follow the on-screen instructions to finish installing the software.

Additional Information

You can print a page of product information from the control panel of your HP product. The page includes the product IP address and MAC address, as well as the product network status. Follow these steps to print the information: