Cannot print through wireless network using win xp and new vista

Question

I purchased a new laptop with win vista and a wireless router.  I am trying to print to my 'host' a Dell 4700 with Dell AIO 942 printer.  I have installed all the newest updates: lastest print drivers, installed software for vista (for Dell AIO), Java updates, Win updates for both xp and vista.  I have been at this for 2 weeks, searching HUNDREDS of websites for any info.  I even reinstalled wireless router.  I tried connecting through host and installing a local printer.  NOTHING HAS WORKED!!!! I recently purchased a new Dell AOI (the first one stopped using black ink and then started working purfectly(after we received the new printer)).  I'm thinking of returning it.  This a.m. I think I found a clue.  I see there is a 'WebEX document loader' listed.    There is an exclamation point over the printer shown in the startup menu.  This would probably indicate some sort of conflict.  I did not add this printer.  As near as I can tell, it came from the Dell update.  NOW I AM OUT OF IDEAS.  PLEASE HELP!!!

PudgyOne · Answer

naw1995,

When I read your post, First do NOT allow Microsoft to update the printer drivers. It will give you the wrong drivers and/or install the drivers incorrectly causing problems. Microsoft=Windows Updates ONLY! Follow the instructions below and you should be able to get everything working. I would run the patch on both computer, it like a print driver cleaner for the 942 printer. It may say Vista but works on XP machines also.

I have looked and could NOT find any Vista 64-bit drivers, if your Vista is 64-bit. The Vista 32-bit drivers are listed below.

Please make sure that all computers have .net Framework installed(Windows Update Custom) 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

All other drivers

I recommend that you use these Recommended Wireless Router Settings. It makes the connection work best, especially if using a wireless adapter or print server.

Install the proper drivers, choose network and follow the instructions. If this doesn't work also read...

Sharing a printer through a wireless network

Rick

naw1995 · Answer

PLEASE HELP!!!!!  THINGS HAVE GONE FROM BAD TO SO, SO MUCH WORSE!!!  I did everything you suggested, to the T.  Now my machine is trashed and the only way I can repair is to do a restore.  My daughter has a National Science contest project to do and this is my host machine.  I now get memory error 0xc0000142 and cannot boot.  I deleted the linksys advisor software because that is what appeared to be the problem.  I restarted and then logged off the machine twice to be sure i had a clean boot.  I then followed all the processes on the xp machine (the cleaner, reload drivers,etc.).  I could print as local and my daughter did her homework.  I did the changes to the vista which, i must say, were a bit confusing.  i ran the cleaner and then installed the vista driver.  NO GOOD.  i went back to the xp and found i couldn't even logout for the night.  PLEASE HELP ASAP.  WE HAVE A PROJECT TO DO!!!!  i ran diags and i'm not finding any problems.  this was the only install i did.  IT SEEMS AS THOUGH THE DRIVERS ARE BAD.

PudgyOne · Answer

naw1995,

These were basic printer driver installation instructions and should not have affected your computer the way you mentioned. I tried to Google your error message and have found these results. I don't know which of these apply to your error message. I am a bit confused when you say you got all the XP updates and the Vista Updates, are these on the same machine? You need .net framework and Java for many applications.

Try using system restore and go back to before you installed these items and everything should go back to the way it was. If you continue to get these error messages, please make a post in the Microsoft OS Forum, where more qualified member read theses posts.

Rick

naw1995 · Answer

Please forgive me if this is a REALLY stupid question but here goes.  Do I need to install both the xp and the vista drivers in the process?  I got my system stable again.  Believe the problem was that Dell in startup load was not there.

PudgyOne · Answer

naw1995,

Your 942 printer. I need to do this because most people put the printer in the subject and I can reference it from the subject line.

You are going to connect the printer to a host computer, correct? If so, install the drivers to that computer. You'll be prompted whe to connect the printer(powered on)

Be able to print from the host

Enable File and Print sharing on the host

Set the printers properties to be shared

On the other computer, install the proper drivers, chooose network, choose my printer is connected to another computer and follow the instructions. If that doesn't work, then try this.

Go to Control Panel. Choose printer. Then choose Add Printer.

Choose Add a local printer. Click on Create a new port. The default in the drop down box is Local Port. Do not change that. Click Next.

A dialogue box will appear asking for you to enter a port name.

Type in the \\computername\printername or \\ipaddress\printername

Rick

naw1995 · Answer

Hello again. I have a few more questions i.e. the 942 AIO. I have tried so many things over the last 2 and a half weeks. Let me review the setup. The "host" is my Dell 4700(win xp sr3) with AIO 942 attached. This has a cable modem and wireless router attached. I am trying to connect through a laptop running Vista (32 bit). Files sharing and internet working fine. All updates you spoke of have been made. I have run the cleaner each time i try something new. Presently, I ran the cleaner again and installed the xp driver (firewalls and virus turned off). I downloaded the vista driver but have not run it yet. the printer prints and scans from host with xp driver. I selected to install it to share on network. I changed the printer properties to share and gave it a name. Now I want to add the vista driver to the xp as instructed in your last post. On the bottom of the printer properties window you can add additional print drivers. Here are my choices:

Alpha Win NT 4.0

IA64 Win XP

Intel Win 2000 or XP (selected)

Intel Win 95, 98 and ME

Intel Win NT 4.0 or 2000

x64 Win XP

I won't go any further until I hear from you. PLEASE HELP

PudgyOne · Answer

naw1995,   Maybe this will clear thing up for you. Step by step directions are there in case you missed a step. It should clear things up for you.   File and Printer Sharing in Windows Vista     Rick

Printers

Cannot print through wireless network using win xp and new vista

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