dell photo 944 driver incompatibility

Hi ravishingred,

You may use the drivers from the link : http://dell.to/TeEl51 

The above link has drivers for Windows Vista 32 bit and 64 bit. Please select the one as per the version of Windows 7 you installed on the system. Please install the drivers in compatibility mode. Below are the steps:

• Right Click the driver installation file and select Properties -- > Compatibility Tab.
   
• Select Windows 7 from the list in the following image.
  
  
• Click Apply -- > OK.
  
  
• Right Click the file and select the Run As Administrator option to install.
  
  
• Follow the prompts on screen.

Try the drivers in compatibility mode and please share the findings.

Hi Saharsh,

Thank you for the fast reply. I already tried downloading this driver. I tried again anyway. First I removed any recent downloads, refreshed, and rebooted. Then I began with the instructions you gave from scratch. After precisely following your steps I tested two of the printer's functions: printing and scanning. When I tried printing an already-saved Word document, a save-as window appears and is titled "PDF Complete Document Creation Options". So printing did not work. Then I tried scanning a document I had written on print-paper and the scanning function works fine. However, I haven't isolated whether scanning works simply because I plugged in the printer and USB cable, or because of the driver that you recommended I install (or both, for that matter). When I plug in the USB after installing the driver update, a window immediately appears titled "Driver Software Installation". This window shows that it is conducting a search for drivers and confirming their compatibility with check marks or X's. Here is a rough idea of what that window looks like with the results after searching drivers:

Driver Software Installation

          USB Composite Drive...   (check)

          Dell Photo AIO Printer...    (check)

          USB Printing Support...     (check)

          USB Input Device  ...          (check)

          USB Mass Storage Device...  (check)

          Dell USB Mass Storage USB Device...  (check)

          Dell Photo AIO Printer 944...       X  Driver not found  <---------     (here is the issue)

Again, I have not isolated whether the scanner works because of the driver, or if it works just because I plugged the printer in. But with or without this particular driver, it definitely doesn't print. If I choose to run a different driver in compatibility mode, the question is do I remove the driver I just installed beforehand and then proceed to install a different driver??

Last thing: This link is to a video that I used to try and fix the printer before seeking out your advice. I followed these steps in order: .

ravishingred,

 

Stuck print job(s) in the queue will cause problems, even if the printer is installed then reinstalled.

 

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 944 All-In-One Printer owners thread (W7)

 

Remember virus programs and firewalls will block communications.

 

 

Rick

Thanks, Rick. I uninstalled java, dotnet.exe, and the incorrect driver I had previously installed (it was for the fax only). I made sure the usb printer cable was unplugged first, of course, then removed the printer manually.  THen I rebooted and reinstalled latest java, dotnet, and the vista driver, set compatibility mode to vista SP2 and it worked. I appreciate the posts. Keep it  up.

I have another troubleshooting issue. I know this is the printer forum but it might somehow be related. I recently setup a home network with two desktops, a laptop, and of course the dreaded printer. My dad uses one of the desktops each night and he was yelling in a fit that he couldnt connect to the internet. So I go down to explore the issue. After letting teh troubleshooting wizard run its course and checking the adapters, I find out that somehow the ip address was completely different on my dad's desktop pc. First octet was like 256. I changed to static IP that it was configured to prior and voila! he could connect again. But my question is, WHY?? Why did the ip change? Sidenote: my dad did mention that the computer was shut off and that he never shut it off. Perhaps when he turned it on it was technically rebooting and the Ip changed in relation to all the new downloads and adding the prnter?? I will obviously look into this more so I can easily identify this problem in the future, but while Im already on this forum I thought Id ask... Thanks again!!!

ravishingred

ravishingred,

 

The desktops are they attached to wireless router using the ethernet cable?

 

It can also depend on the operating system. XP for some reason will loose the conection, no matter of the settings.

 

A windows update, especially if they're set on automatic, may have tried restarting the computer.

 

A power flicker, usually during an electrical storm or power outage may have also caused probelsm with the wireless router and the ISP modem/router and the wireless router(if any) would need shutdown for 30 seconds, then restarted.

 

I use these Recommended Wireless Router Settings I use channel 11. I would make a new SSID to make connecting easier. I do NOT use Mac address filtering.

 

I also use these tweaks on all my systems. Under network adapters, you can even do this for the ethernet network controller.

Start, control panel, device manager.

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

Go to each USB Root Hub and right click on it, left click properties, left click power management. Uncheck the box, allow computer to turn off this device to save power.

Restart your computer.

--------------------------------------

Start, control panel, device manager. Click on Network and then right click on your wireless adapter, left click properties, power management. Uncheck the box, allow computer to turn off this device to save power.

Start, control panel,network and sharing center, click on your connection, properties

Look for TCP/IPv4 and TCP/IPv6 and click on properties for each. Have your settings match mine...

 

Go to the power options, and changed the Wireless Adapter Setting, from Maximum Power Setting to Maximum Performance.

 

 

Rick

Thanks Rick. Here is additional info I have to offer: I'm told there was an outage (dad had to reset all the clocks), my desktop is connected via ethernet, whereas my dad's is wifi. Last piece of pertinent info: both desktops run Windows 7 and so does my laptop.

Also, I created a homegroup, and before troubleshooting the wifi connection I removed my dad's desktop from the homegroup to see if that was part of the problem. Pretty sure it wasnt. Now I have issues reconnecting his PC to the homegroup. I realize it's likely because I had to assign a static ip to his PC after realizing that was why he could not connect in the first place. The router probably can't identify his pc as having been connected to any homegroup.

I will try to implement your advice. As far as router configuration, we have FIOS so I have never configured a router before. I wanted to get a new one so that I could do this but when talking to verizon they mentioned replacing their router would not allow tthe widgets, menus, and on-demand features that verizon offers. Basically what I'm saying is I don't think I have access to my router's settings, but I will call them to confirm. I know when I access the DNS server via my web browser it won't let me input a user and pw.

ravishingred,

 

Verizon may have the settings very close.

 

Power outages and power flickers, this should get him back online without any real issues.

 

Power off your ISP modem/router and your wireless router(if any) for 30 seconds. Then power on the ISP modem/router. Wait 15 seconds, then power on the wireless router(if any)

Restart the computer and try to connect.

What happens?

 

 

Rick

Rick,

Sorry I wasnt clear before. I actually already solved the connection issue. I changed change the ip address. My question really was why the ip address had changed. But I guess it was the outage. Thanks for your insights. 

ravishingred,

 

If you have the printer setup for DHCP, the ip address will change. I have a static ip address for my printer.

 

 

Rick