Vista laptop can't use a Dell AIO 942 printer which is hosted on a Dell XP desktop on my home network

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NShortland,

Since my advice didn't help, then I would suggest that you try going here(Just remember to red the letters in red). They have many people that are very good at getting these things working.

Best I can do.

Rick

Yes, I have Vista 32.  I have already succesfully installed the 942 locally on my Vista laptop via USB and all functions work (i.e. print, scan & copy).   The  printer's "home" on my network is a USB connection to a Dimension 5000 running XP Pro.   We have two other Dell laptops in the family - both running XP Pro.  They can print flawlessly to the 942 on the Dimension - both on the wired network or via our Dlink Draft-N wi/fi.  

The only machine with a problem is my new Inspiron 1545 which runs Vista 32 Home Premium.   I have spent a couple of weeks now trying all the combinations recommended in these forums.  In particular, the conversation between Dell's Gina Q and Mozzis from June 2007.  It is exactly the same problem, and I have done everything Gina advised in those postings.  Mozzis gave up in the end without getting a solution, and parted with a rather unflattering post concerning Dell's inability to resolve his problem.

Here I am, just about 2 years later, hitting the same brick wall and there still doesn't seem to be a solution.  Have Dell Support recreated this problem in their labs?  Surely they have.  My guess is that a new Vista-aware driver for XP is required, so that when you connect to the network printer it downloads a valid driver to the Vista machine.  Is it a question of cost - developing a driver for old hardware on an old O/S?    If so, it would be a costly mistake for Dell not to write it, as a lot of people have these printers and have inevitably ended up with hybrid XP/Vista networks over the last couple of years.   The forum posts indicate that it is a problem with other Dell printers also.   I have to say, that having been an all-Dell household for many years, If I am now forced by this problem to change my printer - Dell will not be on my list of possibles.

I'm a bit of a optimist though, so I'm still hoping that Dell can give me a solution that works.  I haven't given up on them yet - but my patience is running out.

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Muto, I'm sorry if I offended you - it was not intentional, I assure you.  I am just extremely frustrated by this problem, and I am annoyed (with Dell) that the issue was  mentioned in the forum at least two years ago - and they have not yet been able to supply a solution.  I have joined the forum for help, and am grateful for any contribution you can provide.

I'm glad you tracked down the previous post - I should have included a link to it in my post.  Anyway, my point was, it is exactly the same issue that I am having, and it dates from June 2007.

My earlier grumpy post (devoid of pleasantries :emotion-10:) needs some explanation.  I had already downloaded and sucessfully installed the Vista-32 software with the printer connected locally via USB.  Print, scan and copy all worked.   I then moved the printer back to the Dimension desktop running XP Pro.   Next, I added a new Local printer and set up a new local port pointing to the Dimension - i.e. \\desktop5000\printer942.   When I then print to this printer it goes into the local queue on my Vista laptop, but never gets as far as the printer queue on the XP machine.  I have also tried printing with both McAfee firewalls turned off - still didn't work.

I have a call booked with Dell Support tomorrow, but I'm not very hopeful of a sucessful outcome.

regards,

Nick.

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