AIO Software won't communicate with printer

Budda,

First, let's make sure your computer has the latest Windows Updates, especially .net framework, needed to run many applications and the latest Java.

Disconnect your printer. Download and run this patch to completely remove the printer from your computer. Restart your computer.

Download the proper drivers.

XP Drivers

Vista 32-bit Drivers

64-bit Drivers

All other drivers

Go to device manager(right click my computer, left click properties, left click hardware, left click device manager)

Go to the USB Controller section and click the + sign.

Starting at the bottom, USB Root Hubs, and working your way to the top, USB Universal Controllers, un-install everything in that section.

Restart your computer. Windows will find everything again and correct the problem one. Please be patient. The new hardware wizard may work 3-5 minutes before it's done.

Install the proper drivers, you'll be prompted when to connect your printer.

When finished, install the latest firmware for the 966 printer.

You may also need to read this,  

How Do I Connect a Dell™ Wireless Printer to a Wireless Network

Choose your printer. Beneath your printer, select your operating system. You'll be redirected to another page. Then click on show all steps. It will walk you through the installation process.

Rick

Rick,

Thanx for the reply.  I followed all the steps you outlined, but the Dell software still flatly refuses to accept the fact that the printer is connected.  I know it is connected, because as soon as the install process reaches the point where it asks for the connection, I plug in the USB cable, Windows gives me the new hardware alert tone, and the printer appears in Device Manager with the yellow caution symbol and a note that there is no driver installed.

In the process of following the steps and uninstalling the USB hubs, I have also lost my CA-200 card reader, and Windows is "finding" it every time I reboot and trying to install it.  Downloading and reinstalling the software for this device accomplishes nothing, and Windows says the driver cannot be found.  Since I never use the blasted thing anyway, this isn't more than an annoyance.  I'd still like to have it working, however.

The printer is another matter, since I really need it and if Windows detects it as new hardware, I can't see why the driver software insists it's not connected.

Any further ideas will be much appreciated.

Thanx,

Buddha

Buddha,

You need to disconnect the printer, run that patch, restart the computer when the patch prompts you to do so. Since you have a desktop, I suspect you have an issue with one of the USB ports. I usually have a procedure to help with the USB Ports but since you have a desktop, you need the mouse and keyboard to work, so you may want to ask for help with re-installing the USB ports on a desktop.

After the USB Ports are re-installed, then if you install the printer, you'll be prompted when to connect the printer(powered on) Please use a 4ft or smaller USB Cable.

Rick

Rick,

Thanx for your time and attempts to assist me.  Unfortunately, uninstalling the USB ports has made matters worse.  Now, not only does the printer still not function, but my card reader has gone haywire as well.  Since I've never used it, I'm not sure what the devil the card reader does, but now whenever I reboot, Windows reports it as "Found Hardware", and attempts to install it. 

Windows reports it can't find the driver, and downloading the driver from Dell and reinstalling it doesn't help.  Clicking on any of the options in the Windows found hardware dialog results in both my mouse and keyboard locking up, and the only way I can get either to work is to boot my system from the Vista Rescue CD I fortunately burned and doing a startup repair.

This printer has never been totally reliable since I replaced my XP system with this newer Vista one, despite all the claims by Dell that Vista drivers were available, but it's never gotten this bad.

It appears that the only solution I have is to replace the printer with an Epson that truly is Vista compatible, and hoping for the best on the card reader.

I have to say that while the people in this forum seem to be truly interested in helping users out, Dell has lost me as a customer for the forseeable future.  This is the 3RD system I've bought from Dell, but it is definitely the last.

Thanx,

Buddha

Rick,

lol. i've had the same issue.  amazing how dell never gives a solution that works.  calling them is a complete waste of time. warranties are a waste of time. they have lost my business forever.