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

 

 

Now go to drivers and downloads/select product/printers/select your printer. Download drivers and firmware.

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

Then install the firmware.

Scanning

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

Scanning wirelessly, use the scan buttons on the printer.

I tried this and it wouldn't work.  I really don't want to go from USB.  Any other ideas?  Lots of people having this same problem.

Thanks.

Usually, after you install any of the Dell printers, the Dell All-In-One Center will do the initial scan for programs to send scans to. If has worked for me many times. You ran the patch, restarted the computer and installed the latest Drivers. Do NOT use the disk.

 

XP Drivers

 

Vista 32-bit Drivers

 

You also installed the latest firmware for the A960, correct?

 

 

Rick,

I have Windows XP not Vista.  Does this matter with the patch?  If not, I will try again.

Thank you.

Gigi

The patch is more like a cleaner. It will remove the printer. Yes, you can run it on a XP Machine. If you don't feel safe running it, then since you have XP, make sure the printer is completely removed from your computer. Look at start, all programs, Dell Printer and make sure your printer is un-installed. Also check the control panel.

 

Restart your computer(very important) 

 

The install the XP drivers from the link above. You'll be prompted when to connect the printer.

 

Here's what the patch reads...

 

This package includes a Vista Cleanup Assistant to remove older Dell printer software from your computer that may not be compatible with Windows Vista after upgrade. This is because some of the older Dell Printer software features may not work properly which was previously installed in Microsoft Windows XP/2K.

Rick,

I have done everything you suggested and once the printer is installed again with the drivers, firmware, I still get the same thing.  "Preparing Dell All-In-One Center for first use.  Searching for scanning applications.  Please wait."  You could wait for days and nothing else will happen.  I don't know what the problem is but I don't think it can be fixed.  I think I can go around all this to scan but I will not have the capability to edit anything.  I get a completely different screen from what I got before.  Thanks for all your help.

Gigi

Did you ever go to Windows Updates and get the recommended updates. net.framework would be on possibility. I have a fully updated computer. I took all the recommended updates.

 

Also do you have the latest Java?

I have the latest Java, windows updates, and I have NET.framework 1.1 and NET.framework Hotfix (KB928366).  When I try and download other NET.framework, I get a message that says that this computer does not meet requirements to install software.  I have a Dell Dimension 4550 with 2.34GHz, 768 MB RAM, running Windows XP.  My computer recently crashed and I have had to reload everything and have had all kinds of problems.  My system probably needs more memory and I can only install another 256MB.  So I may be looking at buying a new computer. I'm getting pretty frustrated.  I really appreciate everything you are doing to try and help.

Gigi

That explains a lot. When you install everything again, did you go here or use the drivers disk and install the drivers in this order?

 

Desktop System Software or Notebook System Software
Chipset or SMBus driver
Processor Driver (if applicable)
Video
Audio (sound)
Input Drivers (keyboard/mouse)
Modem
Network Card

I installed most everything from disc.  I have no clue in what order.  I am somewhat computer challenged when it comes to that sort of thing.  I had to download some drivers.  Had a problem with the multimedia and ethernet controllers.  Finally got that fixed.  Reloaded Windows XP, lost Money 2006, computer wouldn't let me use my backup disc because it supposedly was password protected.  I tried my password and it wouldn't recognize it as the correct password.  Just a mess!  I didn't know that the discs had to be installed in a certain order, so do I need to start over?

Gigi

Not quite sure. You can first try installing the drivers from drivers and downloads in the order above. It may correct itself. If NOT, there is a hidden partition on your computer. I fouget how to start it. I think you press ctrl and F11 at the same time you see the Dell screen. Only press it once. It should re-install everything that came with the computer, unless it was changed.