Anyone else with this?

I am extremely disappointed, as this unit had all of the specs I was looking for (including rare 8.5″ x 14″ flatbed scanner). Additionally, I’m also experiencing some issues with the print quality for photos; in looking at the photos I’ve printed, holding them in the light, you can see what appears to be “layers” of ink within the photo (on both HP & Kodak photo paper)…almost like it’s embossed on there. I tried several times, even changing settings & then printing the same pic with same settings on my HP PhotoSmart 7960 (which is ~5 years old) & the photo quality from my old PhotoSmart is SO much better than the OJ Pro 8500! Did I just get a defective printer or are both of these issues consistent with this model?

Did Consumer Reports & CNET get it wrong?!? I researched long & hard before committing to this unit. Initially, the only similar evaluation of this product mentioning this high-pitched noise problem was a review (among many good ones) on Amazon, so I thought it was an anomaly; since I’ve experienced this problem & typed in a more specific search of this particular problem with this particular model, I’ve found others. But due to the overwhelmingly favorable response & also the good reviews by Consumer Reports & CNET, I picked it over the Photosmart Premium b/c of the less-expensive ink & the scanner size.

I cannot see myself keeping this printer in its current state; it would be less of an issue if the noise was only emitted when it was “on” & operating, but since the sound is also present in the “standby mode” it is unbearable & I cannot keep it in my office/guest room & expect anyone to be able to sleep in there at night, let alone me work in there on a daily basis.

Unfortunately (for me), the Web retailer I purchased from has informed me that if I return it, I’m going to get charged a 15% re-stocking fee + s/h charges (both ways), so I’m going to end up paying ~$60+ & still have no printer & now have to try to figure out an alternate solution.

I don’t get it…I’ve had great luck with HP products for the last 15 years (several PCs, printers & scanners…some are still working & have lasted nearly 7 years….my LaserJet 1000 is a workhorse, but alas, is now obsolete in HP’s eyes, as is my ScanJet 4960C), since apparently Vista on my new HP laptop (and soon Windows 7), is not compatible with these older HP products; so, now after shelling out $1100 for a new laptop, I now have to also upgrade my printers & scanner as well as b/c HP has decided to not update the drivers for these products (even though they still work great). I wish I had stayed with XP, but my HP desktop PC just died on me, so I had no choice but to upgrade.

FYI – I also just tried to send an e-mail to the e-mail address supplied by “Daniel” in the above post & it just bounced back to me as “undeliverable”.

I had to return it and Amazon and HP were very helpful in replacing it. It was just a pain packing-it-up and returning it etc.

I just received the replacement unit and set it up – incredibly it too has the same noise! I can’t believe it. It is not quite as bad as the first unit but there is no way I can keep it. With all of the set-up, packing and shipping costs back to Amazon I will have lost any savings buying on-line and don’t think I will take a chance again on the same unit – shame because it looks like a good machine.

Anybody any recommendations on a better alternative?

Thanks and hope this post helps others.

Regarding your Wireless Pro 8500

I have been a long-time customer of HP.=A0 My last printer was an Officejet 7300 and I had it for over 4 years. Great machine! The only reason I gave in to get a new one was because the PC interface software is doesn’t work with my current laptop that has Vista. That in itself was very upsetting to me because I have a perfectly functional (very practical) all-in-one and I cannot use it as I need to– and so I’m forced to spend another $230.

HP website states that the 7300 is compatible with Vista and/or “Vista ready”. I have downloaded every patch there is possible and have only gotten more confused and the functions have made no improvement. Their website and software patches/downloads have done nothing to resolve the problem. Furthermore I was told I needed to PAY to get help from tech support for my 7300! To charge me (their customer) to talk to tech support for my (old) machine to work out the software problem is insulting.

I still gave in and purchased a HP because I banked on the fact that it most likely will be a reliable machine.

So, you can see why I’m so disappointed.

Here are the problems with the machine:

1. I have heard the “high pitch” noise others have mentioned, but it’s not that loud. However, it shouldn’t do that.

2. I hear a different noise that sounds like a quieter version of my rain gutter outside my bedroom window when it’s raining. It’s like something is tapping on something else. This is when the machine is idle. It isn’t very loud but it’s noticeable when the room is quiet.

3. The document feeder is a BIG PROBLEM.

a. I cannot fax more than 3 pages at a time without it missing pages! This is really inconvenient and makes faxing any document more than 2 pages a nightmare and really time consuming. There are pages missing in between and I have no idea which ones, so first I have to enumerate each page somewhere for reference. Then I have to call the other person and ask them which pages they have or have not received.

b. Scanning: When I scan a multiple page document via the document feeder,only some of the pages get scanned. It’s really frustrating and I have to go through the painstaking process of darkening (increasing resolution)
on all the pages so that I can simply see which pages are missing.Then I have to nce =
I’ve discovered that, I can scan (add) the other missing pages. It’s a really long and hard process. It’s not supposed to be like this. Later, I have to use a different software to change the order of the documents that I have added in — to be able to put them into proper sequence.

My 7300 only had a problem with the auto document feeder once– and I cleaned the rollers=
and then NO problem. This however, is a new machine– No excuse!

4. Picture quality is terrible. I printed a few photos and there are vertical lines/streaks on the photo and the top is much darker than the bottom of the photo. It is very terrible quality. My 7300 printed GREAT photos even though it’s older!

In summary, I’m not if this is a lemon unit? I haven’t seen complaints of all of these other issues from other users (except for the high pitch sound) which is the least of my problems with this unit.

I am very sorely disappointed with HP because I bought this unit when I had to have lots of work to do and needed a reliable machine. This machine proved to be an utter failure.

So, first chance I get, I’m returning it.

I’m wondering if the HP Photo printing all-in-one have is any better…

I was hoping for speed and accuracy with great office all-in-one software interface to help me get my work done efficiently. Instead, it wasted my time and money.

Perhaps it’s time for me to try a Brother or some other reliable brands.

I just wrote you an email Daniel, hoping for a positive reply, soon.

regards
mike

I’m Daniel and I work in product marketing and closely with the technical team at HP. I’m sorry to hear you’re having problems with your printer. We are aware of the issue regarding a high pitched noise and are currently working on a solution. In the meantime, all printers affected with this problem can be replaced via the contact centre which can be reached via ipg_support@hp.com. Drop us a note with your contact details and one of our technical team will get in touch.

Hope this helps,
Daniel

I went to several large box retail outlets in my area, and those machines also had the high pitch noise. Similar complaints were on Amazon, Computer Shopper, the HP website, and other places, but not CNET. Google 8500 high pitch noise and 8500 high frequency noise and you should find them.

I also saw a comment to my post on Amazon which I think was you. I occasionally check back on this printer and am really surprised how few have complained about this issue given how annoying it was to me and that I found the same problem in 3 other printers of the same model.
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In answer:
Thanks for your comment Simon – weird eMail, who do you work for?

Firstly, this is the ONLY place on the internet that I have commented on the 8500 – so I haven’t a clue where your Amazon comment comes from.

Secondly, is this a continual high pitch noise, or a beeping? Mine occasionally makes a beeping noise in standby mode: very occasionally.

I have asked Edelmans for a contact at HP fto report such issues to, but at present they have not come back: will post when they do so.

Comment: Shelli – I’ve got more electrical equipment in my home office than most, hence it has its own feed from the electrical distribution board to cope. The 8500 is the quietest thing in there, far far less noise than the old dj145 I had – it even turns itself off, hence power saving and therefore its silent. As a chartered engineer, with airline tested higher hearing range than most, it sounds like HP Tech Support could have an option. If the problem is in your home, then moving sockets won’t work due to harmonics: I know when a low-energy light bulb is due to go, as my fully filtered topline hifi amp starts reacting. There were five of us on this test, and with most having a tech background/work, none of us experience what you are describing. Have the 8500 replaced, and see what happens – if its still there, then call in an electrical engineer ASAP