a problem with a dell photo printer 720

Steve,

Are you using Dell Series 1 ink cartridges?

First run Delete Print Jobs to remove any stuck print job in the queue.

Disconnect the printer.

Download and run the patch(printer cleanup utility) until it prompts you to restart your computer.

Restart your computer. Make sure the printer is removed. Manual Printer Driver Removal

Download the Vista 32-bit drivers for Windows 7 32-bit or the Vista 64-bit drivers for Windows 7 64-bit. Install the Vista drivers in the Vista Compatibility mode You'll get a message, the printer is not connected. Connect the printer at this time(powered on).

Links to the patch/drivers can be found at...

Dell 720 Color Inkjet Printer owners thread (W7)

Remember virus programs and firewalls will block communications.

Rick

I am running Dell trial ink cartridges.  And the software drivers are set for them

Quote  "Are you using Dell Series 1 ink cartridges?"

I just ran the following bellow.  No change.   There was no change the 3 times before that I did this routine.

First run Delete Print Jobs to remove any stuck print job in the queue.

Disconnect the printer.

Download and run the patch(printer cleanup utility) until it prompts you to restart your computer.

Restart your computer. Make sure the printer is removed. Manual Printer Driver Removal

Download the Vista 32-bit drivers for Windows 7 32-bit or the Vista 64-bit drivers for Windows 7 64-bit. Install the Vista drivers in the Vista Compatibility mode You'll get a message, the printer is not connected. Connect the printer at this time(powered on).

reble,

If I'm correct, this printer is an older model. The trial cartridges may no longer work.

Dell Series 1 ink cartridges have a sensor in them that cannot be reset. Article on refilling Dell ink cartridges.

Dell Series 1 ink cartridges can be purchased at Staples, Walmart or Dell's Website.

It's possible to get a Dell Series 1 ink cartridge with a bad sensor. I would that these back to the place of purchase for a replacement or a refund.

Rick

Rick

This printer was a great steal.  I got the printer still in it's box unopened.  The manual, cd and warranty card still in it's original wrappings,  the ink cartridges were still in the original packages unopened from Goodwill for $10.00

I think I know what the problem is.  You said  "Dell Series 1 ink cartridges have a sensor in them ".     I think when I reinstalled the printer software and drivers I set the ink cartridges as new cartridges.  I am going to try reinstalling the software and drivers  but set the ink cartridges for trial used cartridges.

I just tried installing the printer on a difrent laptop,  also with os win7 32 bit,  the printer works fine on that laptop.  I am down to the point of just wipe the partition clean on the C drive agen and reinstall everything clean.

reble,

The easiest methos s Restoring Your Computer´s Software to the Factory Settings

Manual method and more involved is How To Restore or Reinstall Microsoft® Windows® on a Dell™ Computer

Very IMPORTANT to install the desktop/notebook system utility and the chipset drivers first or the rest of the drivers will fail to install. How to Download and Install Drivers in the Correct Order

Rick

Rick this isn't a Dell laptop I am using.  It is a Gateway model MD2614U

reble,

When you installed Windows, did you install the chipset drivers first? Chipset drivers first. It doesn't matter the manufacturer of the computer.

Rick

No I didn't install the chip set.  I never had to do it in the past.   Why install the chip set?  That is already installed by default

reble,

You have an issue with your usb port(s) or a bad usb cable. Fix that issue, you'll be able to install the printer. Usually the chipset drivers install the items attached to the system.

Rick

After I did a hard drive wipe and a new fresh reinstall of Win7 I though I had the problem licked.   I installed the Vista drivers (direct d/l,  not from the cd that came with the printer).    I got as far' as printing the alignment page.  But then it won't print ether test pages or any documents. See the screen capture bellow.

I click on print a test page and get   "test page failed to print

I finely figured out what is holding the printer up from working.    There is a directory in the windows registry with a bunch of strings in it that are directly connected to the Dell 720 printer.  I found it when I was purging the registry of anything to do with the printer.  I found that this directory will not delete in the normal way   (click on the directory then hit del then enter).   The directory will not del even in safe mode.  I think this directory is hanging up the printer because it can't be del from a previous attempt to install the printer drivers.   The next question is how to delete the directory without having to do an other hard drive wipe and reinstall win7 clean.   I have tryed restoring to an earlyer point.  It didn't work

reble,

Malwarebytes has a removal tool that may work. I really don't get into registry tools as they cause more harm than good.

Rick

I finely got this Dell 720 printer 100% working.

I would like to pass some info on about this Dell 720 printer.  I finely figured out why it wouldn't get past printing the alignment page.  The print head wasn't aligning correctly.  The way this printer is setup if the (A) alignment row is even 1 number off it won't print. Also this is the 1st time I had a printer ask what type of ink  cartridges were installed.  That has happened before.  I set a proj aside because I am stumped.  Then hit it agen a few months later with a new idea and fix it.

Steve