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Hello. I'm new to this, so if anyone can help, I'd really appreciate it. I GOOGLED "the computer is unable to establish 2-way communication with this device". I was on the phone for over 6 hours today (Sunday, Dec. 16) with HP and the only thing they decided was for me to send it back for them to repair. When I GOOGLED this problem I noticed your same problem with Adama, but didn't see anything on if it was resolved by. The HP guy tried telling me, after a bazillion attempts at everything under the sun, that it's the contacts on the cartridges (I use HP cartridges). I tried to tell him that that's not the problem, because I also have an A516 photo printer with the exact same problem. I can't see my ink levels. They both work super. I'm using XP Professional. I've only printed about 6 pics so far with the A516 and never changed the cartridge, so it can't be that. I changed my b&w cartridge on the C4180 about a month ago and all was great, until about a week or so ago. It has to be some sort of communication (obviously) somewhere. I use Kaspersky and it allows HP. Besides, as I said, this problem only arose a week-ish ago and I've had my printers for 7 months. If anyone can help, I'd appreciate it. My only other choices are going on without knowing ink levels, or sending it back for repair, since HP won't replace it. Thank you.
Paca
HP C4180 not communication with device
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#2
smax013 
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Posted 16 December 2007 - 05:17 PM
paca said:
Hello. I'm new to this, so if anyone can help, I'd really appreciate it. I GOOGLED "the computer is unable to establish 2-way communication with this device". I was on the phone for over 6 hours today (Sunday, Dec. 16) with HP and the only thing they decided was for me to send it back for them to repair. When I GOOGLED this problem I noticed your same problem with Adama, but didn't see anything on if it was resolved by. The HP guy tried telling me, after a bazillion attempts at everything under the sun, that it's the contacts on the cartridges (I use HP cartridges). I tried to tell him that that's not the problem, because I also have an A516 photo printer with the exact same problem. I can't see my ink levels. They both work super. I'm using XP Professional. I've only printed about 6 pics so far with the A516 and never changed the cartridge, so it can't be that. I changed my b&w cartridge on the C4180 about a month ago and all was great, until about a week or so ago. It has to be some sort of communication (obviously) somewhere. I use Kaspersky and it allows HP. Besides, as I said, this problem only arose a week-ish ago and I've had my printers for 7 months. If anyone can help, I'd appreciate it. My only other choices are going on without knowing ink levels, or sending it back for repair, since HP won't replace it. Thank you.*
Paca
Paca
Just to cover the bases, I will ask the "dumb question"...you have installed the full set of HP software and drivers, correct? Just the driver alone will not give the information on the ink levels, I believe. I believe HP uses another piece of software typically for tracking that kind of information. At that is how my current HP ink jet works...it has a program called "HP Deskjet 9600 Series Toolbox" loaded in the system tray. I am assuming you have been through this path, but want to double check just to be on the safe side.
#3
coastie65
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Posted 16 December 2007 - 05:20 PM
Hi paca, Welcome to the forum. I have a HP C5180 photosmart All-In-One printer and if I am correct, the C4180 is also a photosmart printer, if so why are you using the A516 as the HP does a fantastic job with pictures using photo paper. That having been said, have you tried uninstalling and reinstalling the software that came with the printer? Have you been getting the software updates ? It sounds as if your printer is working but you don't get the ink level window that pops up when you print. Again, I would suggest that you unistall the software that came with the printer and reinstall it. and get any updates. I don't know how many Ink cartridges are in the C4180, there are 6 total in the C5180, one black and 5 color of the 02 type cartridge. I don't believe it is a contact problem. I could be that the ink level monitor was turned off somehow, so it doesn't come up when you print. Click start then HP Solution center then settings then print settings then printer tool box then estimated ink level. You should be able to check your ink levels. I also found out that you use two cartridges, one black and one color, different than the C5180. You should have the HP solution center in there after installing the software that came with the printer. coastie65
#4
Adama
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Posted 16 December 2007 - 05:32 PM
Hi, paca. Yeah, I was having the same problem with my HP Photosmart All-in-one C4180. I know that sometimes when you go to HP they give you the run around and who knows what else.
I just chose to ignore it, so for several weeks I had the same message "unable to establish connection" and no matter what I did, it would not show the ink level. So, I just used my printer until I started running out ink. You can tell because your prints starter getting lighter and lighter. That's how I knew when to go and purchase more ink.
Mine has 2 cartridges, 1 black and 1 for colors. When I installed the new set of inks, the message was gone and now I have my ink levels once again. Who knew?!
I just chose to ignore it, so for several weeks I had the same message "unable to establish connection" and no matter what I did, it would not show the ink level. So, I just used my printer until I started running out ink. You can tell because your prints starter getting lighter and lighter. That's how I knew when to go and purchase more ink.
Mine has 2 cartridges, 1 black and 1 for colors. When I installed the new set of inks, the message was gone and now I have my ink levels once again. Who knew?!
#5
paca
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Posted 16 December 2007 - 05:39 PM
Hi Coastie65. Thanks for trying. I uninstalled and re-installed both printers before my 6 hours with the HP rep. That didn't work, which is why I phoned them. I use the C4180 for most of my everyday printing, and the A516 for 4x6 photos. The C4180 has 1 colour and 1 b&w cartridge. The A516 has 1 colour cartridge. I went to HP on-line help and HP scanned my 'puter and told me that I didn't need any driver updates. I'm not aware of any "ink level" monitor. If there is, then why wouldn't HP tell me? Thanks again, and if you have any more ideas, I'd appreciate. The part that stumps me more is that I know that there's an answer out there, but I don't have it. And it's probably something dumb/small/ like a click of something or other. It's finding it that's behooves me. Paca
#6
coastie65
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Posted 16 December 2007 - 05:45 PM
Hi paca, like I said you can check the ink levels through the HP Solutions center. If it is not in your start menu, go to programs ( I would set a short cut to desk top) and follow the instructions I gave you in the other post. coastie65
#7
paca
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Posted 16 December 2007 - 05:58 PM
Hey smax013. Thanks for the reply. I don't know of any way to install any drivers that may be missing. When I put the software disk into the drive, I can't explore the disk through 'My Computer'. When the disk goes in, I get 4 options.
Install more software. install a device, uninstall and exit. I click on <install more software>, it tells me to either <install> or <update>. I click on <install> and it reinstalls the software and tells me I don't need to update, and everything works. I click on <update> and guess what? None needed. From my desktop, or taksbar, I then open my HP Solution Center. I go to <settings>, then <print settings>, then <printer settings> which leads me to alignment, shortcuts and features that don't help. Or from <printer settings> then to <printer toolbox> where the ink level indicator is located. All that tells me, still, is that "the computer is unable to establish 2-way communication with this device". THAT'S IT!!!!!!!. No help whatsover of any kind. It only tells me that it doesn't work, but offers no solution. GRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's like taking your car to the mechanic and he says..."it won't work...see ya".. I appreciate whatever else you have to offer, as it's so frustrating. I mean, it's not a biggie, just an inconvenience when something is supposed to work and it doesn't and the company has no viable solution but to repair. So if that's my only option, then at their expense, I package it up and send it UPS to get repaired, leaving me without a printer for a week. Thanks smax013. laters man. Paca
Install more software. install a device, uninstall and exit. I click on <install more software>, it tells me to either <install> or <update>. I click on <install> and it reinstalls the software and tells me I don't need to update, and everything works. I click on <update> and guess what? None needed. From my desktop, or taksbar, I then open my HP Solution Center. I go to <settings>, then <print settings>, then <printer settings> which leads me to alignment, shortcuts and features that don't help. Or from <printer settings> then to <printer toolbox> where the ink level indicator is located. All that tells me, still, is that "the computer is unable to establish 2-way communication with this device". THAT'S IT!!!!!!!. No help whatsover of any kind. It only tells me that it doesn't work, but offers no solution. GRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's like taking your car to the mechanic and he says..."it won't work...see ya".. I appreciate whatever else you have to offer, as it's so frustrating. I mean, it's not a biggie, just an inconvenience when something is supposed to work and it doesn't and the company has no viable solution but to repair. So if that's my only option, then at their expense, I package it up and send it UPS to get repaired, leaving me without a printer for a week. Thanks smax013. laters man. Paca
#8
Adama
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Posted 16 December 2007 - 06:03 PM
That's exactly what happened to me! I tried all those steps that you talk about, several times, until I just gave up!
But I wasn't willing to part with my printer so I just IGNORED it until I got my new cartridges. Now the ink levels windows is back on and working perfectly ok again.
But I wasn't willing to part with my printer so I just IGNORED it until I got my new cartridges. Now the ink levels windows is back on and working perfectly ok again.
#9
coastie65
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Posted 16 December 2007 - 06:06 PM
Hi paca, according to adama ( he has the same printer) he got the same message and he kept printing until he ran out of ink. When he replaced both cartridges the message was gone and everything seems to be fine. coastie65
#10
coastie65
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Posted 16 December 2007 - 06:09 PM
Hi adama, Yeah, thats what I just told him. It's a little strange but whatever works. I mean you guys only got two cartridges to buy in those C4180s, I got six in this C5180. :p coastie65
#12
paca
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Posted 16 December 2007 - 06:15 PM
Hi Coastie. Sorry no can do. No matter if I got through the Solution Center from the desktop or taskbar, or go through the start menu, it still shows the same and won't show ink levels. I just got something from "Adama" who had the exact same problem. Dig this one. He used it until the ink started fading, then installed new cartridges, then it worked. If no one has a solution, I'll try that later. Thanks and keep trying, I appreciate it. Paca
#17
Adama
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Posted 05 January 2008 - 08:42 PM
Hi Frog, and welcome to PCWorld. I have to ask you: Is your question about software or about the HP Photosmart All-in-one printer C4180?
If it is about software, please post your question in its own thread. In the future, please do not latch on to someone else's question, it is better that you start your own discussion of your problem, so that we can better help you.
I'm not familiar with Win. ME, nor 2000, XP, etc. However, if your question is about the above printer, then you might want to contact the HP people for the appropriate driver updates for your printer.
Message was edited by: Adama
If it is about software, please post your question in its own thread. In the future, please do not latch on to someone else's question, it is better that you start your own discussion of your problem, so that we can better help you.
I'm not familiar with Win. ME, nor 2000, XP, etc. However, if your question is about the above printer, then you might want to contact the HP people for the appropriate driver updates for your printer.
Message was edited by: Adama
#18
paca
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Posted 06 January 2008 - 07:57 AM
Hey Adama. Today is January 5th and for what it's worth, my prob is still not resolved, and I thought I'd fill u in, cos u were very nice in trying 2 help me, & I thought you might be wondering whappened. (even if u weren't wondering..haha). I'm acquiescing to the ways of the dark side and, like Darth Vader, giving up. I talked again to the HP ppl. and this 1 girl had a potential answer. She told me 2 download the 7.01 version from their site (my disc is ver.7.0) and uninstall the A516 photo printer & the C4180, then re-install with their newer version. OM freakin' G, it takes a fargin week anna half to uninstall and reinstall, but I did it and ya'know what? 1 guess....yeppers..nada. My printer wouldn't even work so I had 2 do it all over again...sheeeeesh..ne who, to wrap up this puppy of a tale, both printers are working again, but without a visual on the ink levels...HAHAHA....SURPRISE?...nope. So I'm now heeding your sound advice and not foozing with it ne more..I'll just go with it cos it's working really well..and when the printing commences to do the light printing, then I'll replace the cartridges and keep on keepin' on. And hey, who knows? 1 day they might show ink levels again.
Thnx 4 letting me bend ur ear and thnx 4 ur help/assistance. I appreciate the time u spent helping me. be good..tc...l8rz . Paca
Thnx 4 letting me bend ur ear and thnx 4 ur help/assistance. I appreciate the time u spent helping me. be good..tc...l8rz . Paca
#19
rgreen4
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Posted 06 January 2008 - 12:16 PM
For what it's worth. the ink level sensors are actually in the ink cartridge. I have a 1 1/2 year old HP PSC 8250 which is a very nice printer and uses 6 HP02 ink cartridges (just like Coastie's C5180 and my newer C6180). When I installed the printer from the CD on my older HP Desktop, it also installed HP's FX toolbox that showed the ink level for each cartridge when I printed. Then I upgraded my newer desktop to Vista, and the download drivers for the 8250 don't include an updated version of FX toolbox.
I got along just fine, again, replacing the cartridge when a color started to fade. Besides, if you replace your cartridges when the sensor tells you to, you throw away good ink.
I got along just fine, again, replacing the cartridge when a color started to fade. Besides, if you replace your cartridges when the sensor tells you to, you throw away good ink.
#20
coastie65
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Posted 06 January 2008 - 01:19 PM
Hi rgreen, I usually push the envelope on my cartridges. I will print until it will no longer print in color then I'll change the cartridge. I also discovered another little quirk, if you turn the printer off before installing the cartridge and then turn it back on after installation, it will not show as a full cartridge, only about 75% and to my knowledge you can't reverse it. There might be a way, by reinstalling the cartridge like it was supposed to be ( leaving the printer turned on). coastie65
