HP (Hewlett-Packard) 6800 User Manual

HP Deskjet 6800 series printer

1 HP Deskjet 6800 series printer

To find an answer to a question, click the appropriate topic below:

• Notices

• Special features

• Getting started

• Connecting to the printer

• Printing photos from a digital camera

• Printing photos from a computer

• Printing other documents

• Printing tips

• Printer software

• Maintenance

• Troubleshooting

• Optional accessories

• Specifications

• Supplies

HP Deskjet 6800 series printer

2 Special features

Congratulations! You have purchased an HP Deskjet printer that is equipped with several exciting features:

• Built-in networking capabilities: Connect to either a wired or a wireless network without using an external print server.

• Ink-backup mode: Ink-backup mode lets you continue printing with one print cartridge when the other print cartridge has run out of ink.

• Print Cancel button: Cancel print jobs at the touch of a button.

• Print multiple pages on a single sheet of paper: Use the printer software to print up to 16 pages on a single sheet of paper.

• Borderless printing: Use the entire page surface when printing photos and cards by using the borderless printing feature.

• Digital photo printing: Use the enhanced digital photo printing capabilities.

• Six-ink upgradeable printing: Enhance photo printing with a photo print

cartridge.

• Direct camera printing: Use the PictBridge port on the front of the printer to print photographs directly from a digital camera.

• Optional Automatic Two-Sided Printing Accessory: Purchase a Automatic Two-

Sided Printing Accessory to print two-sided documents automatically.

• Optional Auto Two-Sided Print Accessory with Small Paper Tray: Purchase a Optional Auto Two-Sided Print Accessory with Small Paper Tray to print two- sided documents automatically and load small media from the back of the printer.

• Optional 250-Sheet Plain Paper Tray Accessory: Purchase an optional 250-

Sheet Plain Paper Tray Accessory and expand the printer's paper-handling

capability.

HP Deskjet 6800 series printer

3 Getting started

For an overview of the printer features, see the printer features page.

Click the appropriate topic below for a description of a printer feature:

• Buttons and lights

• Print Cartridge Status lights

• Paper trays

• Photo/envelope feeder

• Print cartridges

• Ink-backup mode

• Automatic Paper Type Sensor

• PictBridge port

For a description of the optional accessories, see the optional accessories page.

3.1 Printer features

The HP printer has several features to make printing easier and more efficient.

1. Buttons and lights

HP Deskjet 6800 series printer

2. Paper trays

3. Photo/envelope feeder

4. PictBridge port

1. Print cartridges

2. Automatic Paper-Type Sensor (not illustrated)

3. Ink-backup mode (not illustrated)

1. Rear USB port

2. Wired Ethernet port

Optional accessories

HP Deskjet 6800 series printer

Automatic Two-Sided Printing Accessory (optional)

250-Sheet Plain Paper Tray Accessory (optional)

Auto Two-Sided Print Accessory with Small Paper Tray (optional)

3.2 Buttons and lights

Use the printer buttons to turn the printer on and off, cancel a print job, and restart a job. The printer lights give you visual cues about the status of the printer.

1. Power button and light

2. Print Cancel button

3. Resume button and light

4. Report Page button

5. Wireless Status light and Signal Strength indicator

6. Print Cartridge Status lights

7. Network icon

For a description of the following buttons and lights, click the appropriate option:

• Report Page button

• Network icon

HP Deskjet 6800 series printer

• Wireless Status light and Signal Strength indicator

• Print Cartridge Status lights

Power button and light

The Power button turns the printer on and off. It might take a few seconds for the printer to turn on after you press the Power button.

The Power light flashes when the printer is processing.

Caution: Always use the Power button to turn the printer on and off. Using a power strip, surge protector, or a wall-mounted switch to turn the printer on and off can cause printer failure.

Print Cancel button

Pressing the Print Cancel button cancels the current print job.

Resume button and light

The Resume light flashes when an action is required, such as loading paper or clearing a paper jam. When the problem is solved, press the Resume button to continue printing.

3.3 Print Cartridge Status lights

The Print Cartridge Status lights indicate the status of the print cartridges.

Status of the Print Cartridge Status lights Status of the print cartridges

On and solid Low on ink

Flashing Service required

1. Print Cartridge Status lights

HP Deskjet 6800 series printer

1. The left status light represents the tri-color print cartridge.

2. The right status light represents the print cartridge that is installed in the compartment on the right side of the print cartridge cradle. That print cartridge can be the black print cartridge, the photo print cartridge, or the gray photo print cartridge.

3.4 Paper trays

The printer has two paper trays:

• In tray

• Out tray

In tray

The In tray holds paper or other media to be printed.

1. In tray

Slide the paper guides firmly against the edges of the media on which you are printing.

HP Deskjet 6800 series printer

1. Paper-width guide

2. Paper-length guide

Out tray

Printed pages are deposited in the Out tray.

1. Out tray

2. Photo/envelope feeder

Use the photo/envelope feeder to print single envelopes, small photos, and cards.

Raise the Out tray to load paper.

To prevent paper from falling out of the Out tray, pull out the Out-tray extension, and then unfold the Out-tray extension stop.

HP Deskjet 6800 series printer

1. Out-tray extension

2. Out-tray extension stop

Do not unfold the Out-tray extension stop when printing on legal paper.

After the print job is complete, fold the Out-tray extension stop, and then push the Out-tray extension into the Out tray.

3.5 Photo/envelope feeder

Use the photo/envelope feeder to print the following documents:

• Envelopes

• Photos

• Postcards

1. Photo/envelope feeder

HP Deskjet 6800 series printer

Envelopes

Follow these steps to use the photo/envelope feeder for single envelopes:

1. Insert the envelope with the side to be printed on facing down and the flap to the left.

2. Push the envelope into the printer as far as it will go without bending.

3. Print the envelope.

Photos

Follow these steps to use the photo/envelope feeder to print a single photo:

1. Insert the photo paper into the photo/envelope feeder with the side to be printed on facing down.

2. Gently push the photo paper into the photo/envelope feeder as far as it will go without bending.

3. Slide the photo/envelope feeder forward as far as it will comfortably go.

Note: If the photo paper touches the back of the paper tray, you have pushed

the feeder in as far as it needs to go.

HP Deskjet 6800 series printer

4. Print the photo.

Postcards

Follow these steps to use the photo/envelope feeder to print a single postcard:

1. Insert the postcard into the photo/envelope feeder with the side to be printed on facing down.

2. Gently push the postcard into the photo/envelope feeder as far as it will go without bending.

3. Slide the photo/envelope feeder forward as far as it will go.

4. Print the postcard.

HP Deskjet 6800 series printer

3.6 Print cartridges

Four print cartridges are available for use with the printer.

1. Black

2. Tri-color

3. Photo

4. Gray photo

Note: The availability of print cartridges varies by country/region.

Using print cartridges

Everyday printing

Use the black and tri-color print cartridges for everyday print jobs.

Quality color photos

For more vibrant colors when printing color photographs or other special documents, remove the black print cartridge and use a photo print cartridge in combination with the tri-color print cartridge.

Quality black and white photos

For outstanding black and white photographs, remove the black print cartridge and use a gray photo print cartridge in combination with the tri-color print cartridge.

Replacing print cartridges

When buying print cartridges, look for the print cartridge selection number.

You can find the selection number in three places:

• Selection number label: Look at the label on the print cartridge that you are replacing.

HP Deskjet 6800 series printer

1. Selection number label

• Printer documentation: For a list of print cartridge selection numbers, see the reference guide that came with the printer.

• Print Cartridge Ordering Information dialog box: For a list of print cartridge selection numbers, open the printer Toolbox, click the Estimated Ink Level tab, and then click the Print Cartridge Ordering Information button.

If a print cartridge runs out of ink, the printer can operate in the ink-backup mode.

For information about installing a print cartridge, see the print cartridge installation page.

3.7 Ink-backup mode

In the ink-backup mode, the printer operates by using only one print cartridge. The ink back-up mode is initiated when a print cartridge is removed from the print cartridge cradle.

To remove a print cartridge, see the print cartridge installation page.

Ink-backup mode output

Printing in ink-backup mode slows the printer and affects the quality of printed documents.

Installed print cartridge Result

Black print cartridge. Colors are printed as grayscale.

Tri-color print cartridge. Colors print but black is grayed and is not a true black.

Photo print cartridge. Colors are printed as grayscale.

Gray photo print cartridge. Colors are printed as grayscale.

HP Deskjet 6800 series printer

Note: It is recommended that you do not use the photo print cartridge or the gray

photo print cartridge for ink-backup mode.

Exiting ink-backup mode

Install two print cartridges in the printer to exit the ink-backup mode.

To install a print cartridge, see the print cartridge installation page.

3.8 Automatic Paper-Type Sensor

The Automatic Paper-Type Sensor automatically selects the appropriate print settings for the media that is being printed on, particularly HP media.

When the Automatic Paper-Type Sensor is engaged, the printer scans the first page of a document with a red optical sensor light to determine the best paper-type setting. After the printer determines the paper-type setting, the page is printed.

Do not place the printer in direct sunlight. Direct sunlight can interfere with the Automatic Paper-Type Sensor.

To use the Automatic Paper-Type Sensor, see the paper-type selection page.

Note: The Automatic Paper-Type Sensor is not available for documents that are

printed from the 250-Sheet Plain Paper Tray Accessory or the Auto Two-

Sided Print Accessory with Small Paper Tray.

HP Deskjet 6800 series printer

4 Connecting to the printer

• Connecting a digital camera

• USB

• Wireless networking

• Wired networking

4.1 USB

The printer connects to the computer with a Universal Serial Bus (USB) cable. The computer must be running Windows 98 or later to use a USB cable.

For instructions on connecting the printer with a USB cable, see the reference guide or setup poster that came with the printer.

4.2 Wireless networking

For setup information, click one of the following options:

• Wireless network basics

• Wireless security

• Installing the printer on a wireless network

For a description of the printer's wireless feature, click one of the following options:

• Wireless Status light and Signal Strength indicator

• Report Page button

• Network icon

• Wireless radio

• HP Report page

• Embedded Web server (EWS)

Other information:

HP Deskjet 6800 series printer

• Resetting the printer to the factory defaults

• Troubleshooting

• Glossary

4.2.1 Wireless networking basics

The printer's built-in wireless communications feature allows you to connect the printer directly to an 802.11g or 802.11b Wi-Fi wireless network without the aid of an external print server.

To install the printer on a wireless network, follow the wireless installation

instructions.

Wi-Fi

802.11g and 802.11b

Wi-Fi is a wireless communications technology that allows you to connect computers and other devices (such as printers) to each other and the Internet without the use of wires. The printer is compatible with two types of Wi-Fi technology:

802.11g and 802.11b.

Both 802.11g and 802.11b operate by radio transmission in the 2.4 gigahertz per second (GHz) frequency band. 802.11g devices communicate at a maximum speed of 54 megabits per second (Mb/s). 802.11b devices communicate at a maximum speed of 11 Mb/s.

In infrastructure mode, the printer operates in either 802.11g or 802.11b mode, depending on the wireless network. In ad hoc mode, the printer defaults to 802.11b mode.

802.11a

802.11a is an emerging wireless networking technology that operates in the 5 GHz frequency band and offers communication speeds similar to those of 802.11g. The printer cannot communicate with 802.11a devices over a wireless connection.

If you have an 802.11a wireless network, you must use an Ethernet cable to connect the printer to the network's Wireless Access Point (WAP) in order to achieve a processing speed comparable to that of the 802.11a network.

To connect the printer to an Ethernet network, follow the Ethernet network

installation instructions.

Adapters and access points

Adapters

While some devices, such as the printer, have built-in Wi-Fi capability, other devices need an adapter to become Wi-Fi-enabled.

HP Deskjet 6800 series printer

Examples of common adapters include:

PCMCIA card that plugs into the PCMCIA slot in a laptop.

ISA or PCI card that can be used with a desktop computer.

USB adapter that connects to the USB port on a desktop or laptop computer.

Other types of adapters are available. All adapters come with configuration software that allows you to configure the adapter for your wireless network.

Access points

Infrastructure networks are a common variety of wireless network. An infrastructure

network requires the use of a Wireless Access Point (WAP).

A WAP acts as a central hub for a wireless network or as a router connecting the wireless network to another network (such as the Internet or an Ethernet network). Devices on the network communicate through the WAP.

HP Deskjet 6800 series printer

Reducing interference in a wireless network

The following tips will help reduce the chances for interference in a wireless network:

• Keep the wireless devices away from large metal objects, such as filing cabinets, and other electromagnetic devices, such as microwaves and cordless telephones, as these objects can disrupt radio signals.

• Keep the wireless devices away from large masonry structures and other building structures as these objects can absorb radio waves and lower signal strength.

• For an infrastructure network, position the WAP in a central location in line of sight with the wireless devices on the network.

• Keep all wireless devices on the network within range of one another.

Wireless network examples

To see some examples of wireless networks, see the wireless network examples

page.

Communication modes

There are two types of communication modes for wireless devices:

• Infrastructure mode

• Ad hoc mode

Infrastructure mode

When the printer is set to the infrastructure communication mode, the printer communicates with other devices on the network, whether the devices are wired or wireless, through a Wireless Access Point (WAP). WAPs commonly act as

routers or gateways on small networks.

HP Deskjet 6800 series printer

In infrastructure mode, the printer automatically detects whether the wireless network uses 802.11b or 802.11g.

Ad hoc mode

When the printer is set to the ad hoc communication mode, the printer communicates directly with other wireless devices on the network without the use of a WAP.

The ad hoc communication mode defaults to 802.11b. Follow these steps to use

802.11g in ad hoc mode:

1. Open the printer's embedded Web server (EWS).

2. Click the Networking tab.

3. Under Connection, click Wireless (802.11).

4. Click the Advanced tab.

5. Under Compatibility, clear the In an ad hoc network use 802.11b behavior check box.

6. Click Apply, and then close the EWS.

Wireless network settings

Devices (such as computers and printers) on a wireless network must share the following settings:

Network name (SSID)

A network name, or Service Set Identifier (SSID), identifies a particular wireless network. In order to operate on a network, a device must know the network's network name.

HP Deskjet 6800 series printer

For an in-depth explanation of network names, see the network names page.

Wireless profiles

A wireless profile is a set of network settings unique to a given wireless network. A wireless device might have wireless profiles for several wireless networks. In order to use the printer, the computer must be set to the profile for the printer's wireless network.

For example, a laptop that is used both at work and at home, might have one profile for a wireless network at work and another profile for a wireless network at home.

The printer does not support multiple profiles.

For an in-depth explanation of wireless profiles, see the wireless profiles page.

Wireless security

Devices on a wireless network must share the same security settings.

For a description of the wireless security options available for the printer, see the

wireless security page.

Printing

Computers on the network send print jobs directly to the printer, which prints them in the order received.

The printer can accept print jobs sent simultaneously from four users.

For example, if five users each send a print job to the printer at the same time, the printer accepts four of the print jobs and rejects the fifth. The user who sent the fifth print job should wait a few minutes and then resend the print job.

4.2.2 Wireless network examples

There are three common configurations for wireless networks:

• Ad hoc

• Infrastructure

• Mixed wired and wireless

Ad hoc networks

An ad hoc network is a type of wireless network in which devices directly communicate with each other rather than through a Wireless Access Point (WAP).

For example, a simple ad hoc wireless network might consist of a laptop and a printer communicating directly with one another.

HP Deskjet 6800 series printer

Ad hoc networks are typically small and simple. Performance on these types of networks can degrade if more than six devices are on the network.

Infrastructure networks

On an infrastructure network, devices, such as computers and printers, communicate through a Wireless Access Point (WAP). WAPs commonly act as

routers or gateways on small networks.

For example, a simple infrastructure wireless network might consist of a laptop and a printer communicating through a WAP.

Mixed wired and wireless networks

Wireless devices often exist on a largely wired network.

In this case, a WAP is connected to the main network by an Ethernet cable plugged into the WAP's WAN port. The WAP acts as the go-between for the wired devices and the wireless devices. The wired devices communicate with the WAP over the Ethernet cable, while the wireless devices communicate with the WAP over radio waves.

HP Deskjet 6800 series printer

For example, a mixed wired and wireless network may consist of the following:

• Several desktop computers

• A WAP connected to an Ethernet network

• A printer connected wirelessly to the WAP

In order to use the printer, a desktop PC sends a print job over the Ethernet cable to the WAP. The WAP then wirelessly transmits the print job to the printer.

4.2.3 Wireless profiles

A wireless profile is a set of network settings unique to a given wireless network.

Many wireless devices have configuration utilities that allows the device to have wireless profiles for several wireless networks. In order to use the printer, the computer must be set to the profile for the printer's wireless network.

Note: Not all wireless devices support multiple profiles.

The printer only supports one wireless profile.

Example

A person uses the same wireless-enabled laptop at work and at home. They have one wireless network at work, and another wireless network at home.

Each network has a unique set of wireless settings. The person creates the following wireless profiles on the laptop:

• at_work: Contains the network settings for the office wireless network

• at_home: Contains the network settings for the home wireless network

HP Deskjet 6800 series printer

Wireless network location Profile

Office

at_work

• Network name: office

• Communication mode: infrastructure

• Security: WPA

• Authentication: WPA/PSK

Home

at_home

• Network name: home

• Communication mode: ad hoc

• Security: WEP

• Authentication: Open System

When the laptop is being used at work, the person must set the wireless profile to at_work in order to connect to the office network.

Conversely, the laptop must be set to the at_home wireless profile when the person is at home and wants to connect the laptop to the home network.

4.2.4 Network name (SSID)

A network name, or “Service Set Identifier (SSID)”, identifies a particular wireless network. In order to operate on a network, a device must know the network's network name.

A wireless network only has one network name.

A given location, such as an office, may have several wireless networks, each with a different network name. Wireless devices use network names to identify overlapping wireless networks.

HP Deskjet 6800 series printer

Example

The printer is in an office with two wireless infrastructure networks. Each network has a Wireless Access Point (WAP).

Note: In this example, both wireless networks have the same security settings.

1. Network name equals “network_1”

2. Network name equals “network_2”

The network name for one wireless network is network_1. The network name for the other wireless network is network_2.

The printer receives signals from both networks, network_1 and network_2.

The printer is configured for network_1

The printer's network name (SSID) setting has been configured for network_1. The printer can only communicate to network_1. In other words, the printer can only accept print jobs from network_1.

The printer communicates with network_1.

The laptop is configured for network_2

The laptop's network name (SSID) settings have been configured for network_2. The laptop is unable to communicate with the printer and cannot send print jobs to the printer.

HP Deskjet 6800 series printer

The laptop cannot communicate with the printer.

The laptop is reconfigured for network_1

The laptop's network name (SSID) settings have been reconfigured for network_1. The laptop is able to communicate with the printer and is ready to send print jobs to network_1.

The laptop and the printer can communicate.

4.2.5 Wireless security

The printer can be configured for several wireless security options depending on the type of wireless network of which the printer is part.

Infrastructure networks

• WPA

HP Deskjet 6800 series printer

• WEP

• Open system

Ad hoc networks (wireless direct-connect)

• WEP

• Open system

Wireless security basics

For more information about wireless security, see the authentication and encryption

page.

4.2.6 Authentication and encryption

Wireless security is a complex and developing topic. This page gives a brief overview of the basics involved in making a wireless network secure.

In the simplest terms, wireless security involves two strategies: authentication and encryption.

A wireless security method, such as WEP or WPA, involves varying levels of authentication and encryption.

Authentication

Definition

Authentication verifies the identity of a user or device before granting access to a network, making it more difficult for unauthorized users to access network resources.

In order to be authenticated and allowed to use a network, a device must supply a known password to other devices on the network. If the device cannot supply the correct password, then it will not be able to use other devices on the network.

Types of authentication

The printer supports three types of authentication. Each type of authentication has its benefits and limitations.

Authentication type Description Benefits Limitations

Devices on a

Open System

network identify themselves with the network name (SSID) only.

Least complicated strategy.

Provides little protection against unauthorized users.

HP Deskjet 6800 series printer

Authentication type Description Benefits Limitations

Shared Key

WPA/PSK

Devices use a shared master secret to identify themselves as authorized members of the network.

Devices use a single pre-shared key (PSK) to identify themselves as authorized members of the network and to generate an encryption key.

Convenient to use in conjunction with WEP, since a WEP key can serve as the shared authentication key.

The pre-shared key and the encryption keys are not identical.

Allows smaller networks to use WPA without the need for an authorization server.

All devices must have the key.

The shared key does not change automatically.

All devices must have the key.

Encryption

Definition

Encryption involves using a password to encode data sent over a wireless network in order to make the data unintelligible to eavesdroppers. Only devices that know the password can decode the data.

Types of encryption

The printer supports four types of encryption. Each type of encryption has its benefits and limitations.

Encryption type Description Benefits Limitations

Open System

Devices on a network do not encrypt data.

Least complicated strategy.

Provides no protection against eavesdroppers.

HP Deskjet 6800 series printer

Encryption type Description Benefits Limitations

All devices must have the key.

WEP encryption

AES

TKIP

Devices on a network share a password, called a WEP key to encode and decode data.

Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) is a U.S. government sponsored encryption method that uses a complex algorithm called Rijndael.

AES uses encryption keys to encode data. AES automatically changes the encryption keys after a certain time interval, thus making the wireless network less vulnerable to eavesdropping.

Temporal Key Integrity Protocol (TKIP) uses encryption keys to encode data. TKIP automatically changes the encryption keys after a certain time interval, thus making the wireless network less vulnerable to eavesdropping.

Simplest strategy that provides encryption.

Since the encryption key changes automatically, the data is more difficult for eavesdroppers to decode.

The WEP key does not change automatically.

WEP encryption provides less security than both AES or TKIP.

All devices must have the key.

HP Deskjet 6800 series printer

4.2.7 Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA)

Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) provides security by doing the following:

• Encrypting data sent over radio waves from one wireless device to another wireless device

• Controlling access to network resources through authentication protocols

Only devices that share the same WPA settings as the printer will be able to communicate with the printer.

For example, if the printer's network uses WPA, only devices that have the same WPA settings as the printer will be able to use the printer.

WPA provides better security than WEP.

WPA is a network feature

WPA is an optional wireless network feature. Not all wireless networks use WPA.

Configure the printer for WPA only if the printer's network uses WPA. The printer's WPA settings must match the network's settings.

If the printer's network does not use WPA, then do not configure the printer to use WPA.

If you do not know if your network uses WPA, consult the configuration utility for your computer's NIC card or your network's Wireless Access Point (WAP).

Encryption

WPA uses encryption keys to encode data.

The printer supports two types of WPA encryption: TKIP and AES.

For more information about TKIP and AES, see the authentication and encryption

page.

Configuring the printer to use WPA

Follow these steps to configure the printer to use WPA:

1. Open the printer's embedded Web server (EWS).

2. Click the Networking tab.

3. Under Connections, click Wireless (802.11).

4. On the Wireless Setup tab, click the Start Wizard button, and then follow the onscreen instructions

5. After configuring the printer, close the EWS.

HP Deskjet 6800 series printer

4.2.8 Wired equivalent privacy (WEP)

Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) provides security by encrypting data sent over radio waves from one wireless device to another wireless device.

WEP can also provide security through authentication. For more information about authentication and encryption, see the authentication and encryption page.

WEP encodes the data sent across the network making the data unintelligible to eavesdroppers. Only devices that share the same WEP settings as the printer will be able to communicate with the printer.

For example, if the printer's network uses WEP, only devices that have the same WEP settings as the printer will be able to use the printer.

WEP is a network feature

WEP is an optional wireless network feature. Not all wireless networks use WEP.

Configure the printer for WEP only if the printer's network uses WEP. The printer's WEP settings must match the network's settings. If your network has WEP, you must use an Ethernet cable to connect the printer to the network in order to install the printer software.

If the printer's network does not use WEP, then do not configure the printer to use WEP.

If you do not know if your network uses WEP, consult the configuration utility for your computer's NIC card or your network's Wireless Access Point (WAP).

WEP keys

Devices on a WEP-enabled network use WEP keys to encode data.

WEP keys can also be used for authentication.

After creating a set of WEP keys, record and store the keys in a secure location. You may not be able to retrieve the WEP keys if you lose them.

Caution: If you lose the WEP keys, you will not be able to add a new device to your network without reconfiguring the WEP settings for every device on the network.

A WEP-enabled network might use multiple WEP keys. Each WEP key is assigned a key number (such as Key 2). Each device on the network must recognize all the network's WEP keys and the key number assigned to each WEP key.

Configuring the printer to use WEP

Follow these steps to configure the printer to use WEP:

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