Can not get my wireless HP printer to work.

[jim.mar]

I recently purchased a HP 4500 wireless printer.  I was hoping to get it to work in my home network so that the Mrs and I could use the same printer.  She uses a Hp laptop running Vista in the kitchen while I use a desktop running Windows 7 in the spare bedroom.   Right now I have the printer connected to my desktop via USB and it  is working.
When I try to get it to work wireless I get to the point in HP directions where it asks for the network WEP key it will not "unlock" and stops responding.     The "NEXT" button does not validate.
Does anyone know what my problem is??  Will appreciate any help.     Thanks for reading this,  JIM

[lectrocrew]

where it asks for the network WEP key it will not "unlock" and stops responding.   

I'm no expert but I'll try to help until one of the guru's on here solves your issue.
What type of wireless router/print server do you have?...
Can you dial into your router to verify what WEP key you have selected?
Are you entering your SSID correctly?
Have you tried WPS setup?
I may way off base here. Just trying to help.
Mike

[Geek-9pm]

Assume it is a regular wireless router.
My understanding is that he printer can be:

USB or wireless
but never both.

He will have to do the install again, without the USB cable, and select wireless. The cable will be plugged in for awhile.
He must specify if password is WEP or WEPA
Once the printer an talk to the wireless router, he removes the cable.
Both PCs must get to the printer via wireless router.
There is another way. Try this first.

[jim.mar]

Thanks for the comeback guys.
First, yes I know what my WEP key is and I know my routers IP no. and my SSID

Secondly  aregular wireless router and can be either USB or Wireless.  Right now I have it working on USB to my desktop.   I thought that I could  switch it over to wireless so it could be used with computers..

I can never get to the point where I am supposed to disconnect the USB cable.   I get to where it asks for the WEP key but does not respond after that.     

Maybe I have to un-install the printer as a USB connected unit first.    Think so??        I
installed it that way so the I could get some printing tasks done in a hurry.   

[Geek-9pm]

Yes, un- install and start over.

This is not meant to be a slam on HP. In fact, the printer you have is a good value for home use. Here is one of many good reviews.

The HP OfficeJet 4500 Wireless is not exactly a speed demon, but for the price (I saw it as low as $129.99, and cheaper if you don't want wireless), it's a very good deal. For that price, built-in wireless, an automatic document feeder, fax, and (manual) duplex come as welcome surprises. Print quality for text documents was not the best I've seen, and duplex pages will bleed through, but color photos looked lush and wonderful.
http://printscan.about.com/od/allinoneprinters/gr/officejet4500.htm

My remarks were not about routers in general. It is about how to network a printer. What I want to stree is:
Do not network a USB printer.
This is a general rule. If you want to put a printer on your network it can be:
Wireless
OR
Ethernet
(But not both)
Sorry, I am not good for explaining why.
Check you manual or user guide.
Sometimes I have had to install my HP 6550 two or three times to get it right. (I like to change OS and I have to do the printer over.)

[jim.mar]

GEEK:  Thanks for the advice.  I think I got it this time.
Well when I started to UN INSTALL the HP software, I found six diifferent programs and I tried to unistall all six.   Five of the six gave me back a message:   "RUNTIME ERROR!!        THIS APPLICATION HAS REQUESTED THE RUNTIME TO TERMINATE IN AN UNUSUAL WAY".... One program,    "HP Office Jet 4500 G510n-z"     uninstalled successfully.          I stopped right there.   I am not sure what to do next.      Any suggestions??      JIM

[jim.mar]

"RUNTIME ERROR!!        THIS APPLICATION HAS REQUESTED THE RUNTIME TO TERMINATE IN AN UNUSUAL WAY"..

Well I'm at my wits end.   All attempts to un install or install result in the same message and no action.   Result: Now the printer/scanner/copier does not worrk in any mode, wireless or USB.   The only thing that I can think to do is go back to GO, reformat and start over...??

[Geek-9pm]

No, try to install again n and please give us the exact error messages for the in stall.

Also, before you reformat. try this:
http://www.revouninstaller.com/revo_uninstaller_free_download.html

[jim.mar]

Thanks GEEK, I'll try that.  Have to wait a couple of days..   Will get back to you regarding results..... JIM

[soybean]

Do not network a USB printer.

Why?  I see no reason not to network a USB printer.  Any printer (parallel or USB) connected to networked computer should accessible from other computers on the network if printer sharing has been enabled.   

Edit: Comments in product/user reviews at http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/us/en/sm/WF06b/18972-18972-238444-12019-3328086-3919445-3986394-3986401.html may be helpful, particularly a comment posted there on Dec. 20, 2010 and Dec. 6, 2010.