Problem printing to my Dell 1815dn Network Printer

Question

I run a small business out of my home and have a home network setup.  Everything is connected through our wireless DSL router, and our Dell 1815dn printer is networked.  We just recently ordered 2 new laptops that have Vista on them.  So, I opened the Control Panel, opened the printers, and then added a new network printer.  I downloaded the drivers and installed them, and it told me that the printer was installed and even allowed me to print a test page (wirelessly from the laptop).  However, now whenever I try to print anything, the document just sits in the print tray, but won't actually print to the printer.  If I click on File, Print, and then click 'Find Printer', it pulls up my network, but won't show the networked printer.  However, if I click on Start, Network, the printer shows up in the Network folder.  Why won't it let me print to the printer?  What am I doing wrong?

MRF4700 · Answer

So, I'm not quite clear. You presently cannot print from any computers in your network, or just the 2 new laptops? You did load the printer software on both the laptops?

Spray25 · Answer

You are not doing anything wrong. I cannot get the vista install program to make the 1815 work at all. If I manually install the printer drivers, then I get the problem you are describing intermitenly. Dell so far seems to be ignoring the issue.

br090180 · Answer

MRF4700,   I am able to print to the printer from the 3 computers that are attached to the network by Cat5 cabling.  But, the two laptops that are wireless, I am unable to print from.  Yes, I did install the printer drivers, by adding a new network printer, and choosing what printer I had and downloading them.  I don't know what is wrong--right after you install the printer it prints fine.  But, if you wait a day or two, then the two laptops won't print to the printer anymore.  I am probably going to have to call Dell on this and see if they can see what is wrong.   Thanks for responding!

br090180 · Answer

Spray25,   I am sorry to hear that.  My 2 laptops will print right after you install the drivers, but if you wait a while or a day or two later, and then try to print, it won't print.  Have you called Dell about this issue yet?  If so, what have they said??  I am going to try to call them this week about this issue--I will let you know what they say.  I have to have these working as I run a business and it is essential that I be able to print!   Thanks for responding, and I hope you are able to get your printer working.   Thanks!

darklight_tr · Answer

This is the exact problem that I am experiencing at home.

I am using Windows Vista Ultimate x64, and I am printing via IP to a 1815dn. I am using the latest driver (1.23) and firmware (1.03.03.08). I also have the tcpmon.ini patch installed.

The problem occurs when my computer is already running and I want to print something. I first turn on the printer, wait for it to be ready and then print. The job just sits in the queue. The only way I can get it to print is to restart the Print Spooler service, right click on the document in the queue and select Restart. After I do that I am able to print just fine.

This behavior never occurred with Windows XP. I have several XP computers and they don't exhibit this problem if I try to replicate it using the steps listed above.

It appears there is a bug somewhere in the Vista driver.

Message Edited by darklight_tr on 05-15-2007 01:01 PM

Networking, Internet, & Bluetooth

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