It sounds like we have the same problem. I am running Vista Ultimate on an HP system that I purchased new in early 2007 and have spent countless hours in remote connections with a Dell tech without resolution. I had one tech that managed to get the wireless printing and wireless scanning stable for a 24 hour period and then it went back to its old ways. I too get printer communication messages from Vista and the wireless printing capability from the printer isn't working. I get messages on the printer screen telling me that it can't download the scan applications from my computer.

If your problem has been resolved since, I would like to hear from you. I did manage to get the printer working and stable on 2 XP systems.

Did the Dell tech have you install the printer this way? If using DSL, EVERYTHING MUST have a DSL filter, phone, answering machine, faese. etc. The only thing that DOESN'T get a DSL filter is the DSL modem/router, itself. Also cordless phones 2.4gh work on the same frequencies as the wireless router and can and will disconnect you causing communication problems.

How are you connected to the printer? wired of wireless?

If wired, disconnect your printer. Go to start/programs/Dell printers and un-install your printer.

Restart your computer.

Now go to drivers and downloads/select product/printers/select your printer. Download drivers, Utilities, firmware and Patches. From what I see, the patch is to remove the printer.

Install your printer drivers. You'll be prompted when to connect it.

Then install the firmware.

If wireless, fix your network first.

Update the firmware in your wireless router. Manufacturer's website, make & Model needed.

Broadcast SSID(You may want to change this to make it easier to connect)

Use WPA security

Mixed b and g mode(n if available)

Use channels 1, 6 or 11. Most devices work better on these channels.

After router is done, now setup your wireless print server/printer.

If wireless printer server is used, Plug USB cable into computer and print server. Insert the print server disk. Choose Network, then choose print server and follow the instructions. If the disk does not work for Vista, you may have to go to drivers and downloads and download the 3300 drivers and install from that program.

Now setup the printer.

Now go to drivers and downloads/select product/printers/select your printer. Download drivers, Utilities, firmware and Patches. From what I see, the patch is to remove the printer.

Install your printer drivers. Choose Network. Follow instructions.

Everything should now work.

I am using the printer wirelessly. The tech perfromed all of the steps you had mentioned and I have the latest drivers from Dell's website. I've been trying to contact the same Dell tech that managed to resolve the issue even though it was just temporary.

It seems to be a firewall or other communication issue in that the printer cannot access my computer. If I connect thru a usb, I don't have an issue, but then I'm defeating the prupose of using a wireless device.

The last Dell tech told me I should re-install my operating system, but I would like to know that someone has been successful using the wireless scanning and printing capabilities of the 966 using Vista, before I do that. I can connect for wireless printing, but then the connection gets dropped shortly after the job is printed.

Finally, I am on cable using a Linksys N wireless router and my phone is a 5.8gh.

Scanning

If scanning using USB, open the Dell All-In-One Center, click on scanninf and copying and scan from there.

If scanning using wireless, then use the scan button on the printer.

Information you requested can be found at the links below.

http://www.dellcommunity.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=A940&thread.id=27548

http://www.dellcommunity.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=A940&thread.id=18956

http://www.dellcommunity.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=A940&thread.id=26583

I have a Dell Photo AIO 964 Printer hooked up to a 3300 Wireless printer Adapter and have no problem printing or scanning wirelessly. I updated the firmware in the wireless router, Broadcast SSID, Use WPA security, mixed b and g mode and I am using channel 11. Mose devices work better on 1, 6 or l11.

Good Luck,

Thanks for the links, but I didn't find any useful information there. Also, I know that wireles scanning has to be initiated from the 966.

I noticed that your operating system is XP. I have 2 other laptops running XP that I was able to operate wirelessly and perform all functions of the 966 connecting through the 3300 wireless adapter. However, the system I am having trouble with is running Vista. Even sfter checking firewall exceptions it doesn't seem to allow the 966 to communicate with my laptop. The laptop can communicate with the 966 but loses the connection after a short period of time.

Do you have any experieice using the wireless capapbilities of the 966 with the Vista operating system?

It seems that there are others that are experiencing difficulties accessing wireless capabilities running Vista. It was suggested by Dell that I re-install my operating system, but I'll only do that as a last resort and if I receive confirmation that someone has had success running Vista with the 966. As all of my other functions and programs are operating correctly, I am very reluctant to perform a re-install of my operating system.

If you don't mind, try performing the scan function from the printer the next time your daughter's friend is over and let me know if it worked?

I'll be away from Mar 27-31st, so I won't reply during that time.

Thanks for your help!

Jeff

Hi Jeff,

Yes this printer is a pain in the backside and Dell have no idea how to help you out with it. I had a tech called Bill from this forum help me out (thanks once again Bill) and he did do a good job helping me troubleshoot my problems but in the end, I fixed the problem myself. Are you running the worst Ant-Virus program ever known to man namely McAfee?

If you are, then that will be your problem. I had used McAfee in the past and hated it...it caused no end of problems on another machine I had about 5 years ago. I switched to Norton and all my problems went away. Anyway, back to this issue.....if you are using McAfee, do this:

Open McAfee

Select - Internet And Network 

Click - Configure

Click - Firewall Protection - Advanced

Select - Sytem Services

Tick - Windows File Sharing (NETBIOS) Ports ??? - ???

Now I will clarify, that this worked for me and I am by no means an IT expert and I cannot guarantee that this will work. Let me know how you go and there might be a few other things you can try and that I did. I can wirelessly print no worries but I still cannot scan wirelessly...have only tried twice though and haven't bothered trying to fix it. I will in the next few days though as I actually need to scan soemthing for once.

Hope this helps.