I recently wrote a post, "Attack of the all in one machines & customer service," about my purchase of a HP C6180 AIO, printer, scanner, copier, and fax. The past weekend I had a chance to install it and try most of the features.
As is often the case, it turned out not nearly as easy as one might expect. There were a couple of interesting challenges, one that was HP's fault and one that was likely mine.
The good news, as is often the case in technology, is that I kept working on it until I got everything working.
First off I actually read the instructions and followed them. The HP 6180 can be set up wireless on a 802.x network or wired as part of a standard network. I just hooked it to my newly installed Ethernet network.
The network has a cable modem hooked to a router with four ports. One of the ports feeds an Airport Express. I am running OS X version 10.4.8 on all the Macs. The first system I attempted to install the software on was my dual G5 which I admit to neglecting by not upgrading it to at at least one gig of ram. The first thing I noticed is that didn't get very far in the installation before I was presented with was a drop down menu that would only let me select C7100 as the model for my printer. Obviously that was not a good sign, but I went ahead an installed the software. Of course when I tried to set up the printer, the HP software couldn't find the printer. Being the clever Apple guy that I am, I used Bonjour to get the printing working. Unfortunately when I went to use the scanner, it wouldn't initialize.
At this point I decided to backtrack. I un-installed the software that I had just finished installing and went to HP's website and downloaded the latest software for the 6100 series. When I started installing I was presented with the correct choice of printer in the pull down menu. The picture above is a scan of the disk that was in the box. Unfortunately it appears that the wrong software is on the CD-ROM even though the label is right.
Next I tried to install the software on my laptop wirelessly. It never could find the printer so I grabbed an Ethernet connection and the software installed correctly. I went back to having my laptop on our wireless network and couldn't print. It took me a while, but I eventually figured out that my Airport Express was distributing IP addresses so I ran Airport Admin and turned off the IP address feature.
So far I really pleased with the quality of the text. I also have a Brother 5250DN laser on the network for quality printing but I'm not sure I need it. The text coming out of the HP is much better than indicated in all of the reviews that I read. Of course it's pretty hard to beat a laser for being really professional.
The photo printer also works well on the HP. My wife is pleased with that. Mixed color and text also looks very sharp. The scanner works well and can scan directly to iPhoto. I think my dual G5 might get an upgrade to 2 gigs on ram since the HP apps seem to be memory sensitive. They work well on my MacBook that has 1 gig of ram but not on the dual G5. I need another connector before I can test the fax, but I have little doubt that it will work.
Technology continues to get better, but there always seems to be a few glitches which require remembering stuff that I would just as soon forget. My nightmare is one of these days I'll wake up and not be able to do this stuff.
As soon as I can "borrow" my Windows laptop back from my daughter I see how everything works with Windows and Linux. I did install the Parallels software and Windows XP on my MacBook but I believe it needs to get upgraded to 2 gigs of ram to be really functional, and I need my genuine Windows serial number off the bottom of my Dell laptop to validate the software.
This stuff is never easy. By the way, I don't see lots of people using the Parallels solution on a regular basis unless they're sophisticated software users.
I have posted an update on my experiences with the HP AIO Photosmart C6180 since I have recently attached it to my Dell desktop and have finished testing its capabilities with the exception of Linux. That post is "The not so reluctant home system engineer."
I have also posted additional information on my experiences with the HP C6180 and Ubuntu Linux in an article called, "Some Linux redemption with the HP C6180."
I am certainly not enthralled with the HP software after using it for a while. Mostly on my Mac I end up using the USB connection and VueScan as my scanning solution. When I launch the HP software it appears to be taking over my Mac. On Windows, the HP software is inevitably something that Windows has to force quit.
Still the C6180 seems to be doing a good job and hasn't let me down yet.
Just wanted to say thanks for your this post regarding the Mac OSX and HP AIO C6180 issues - your post was very informative, while it communicated the problems and resolutions in a very easy to understand and fairly concise manner. Isn't that what most people find to be the most refreshing when dealing with technical issues?
Again, thank you for taking the time to post this, it is a cheritable mind that thinks this way and the world doesn't have enough people like this (yet).
Much appreciation,
MacDiligence90815
Posted by: MacDiligence90815 | April 28, 2008 at 04:02 PM
I can get my printer to turn on,,,,,it was working perfectly...I turned it off then made sure everything was plugged in and tried once again to turn it on....it simply does not turn on....Do you think Lightening is the problem....we have had a lot lately....thank yuo
Posted by: sue hamm | July 07, 2008 at 12:00 PM
I have had my HP Photosmart C6180 for a couple of years and it has been wonderful. It has now dropped out from my computer and I can't find the disk to reinstall it. Is there some way I can download this. I have looked on the HP website, but it appears to be obsolete.
Posted by: SALLY | October 28, 2008 at 06:11 AM
Sally,
I went on the HP Website and found the driver.
Try this link and see if it works.
http://tinyurl.com/5cglbs
Posted by: ocracokewaves | October 28, 2008 at 07:52 AM
It's true that they make good product at HP but it's always an ordeal to install it ...
Posted by: jay | May 23, 2010 at 11:08 AM