Install 924 AIO on 64-bit Vista

leh0201,

Please follow the instructions below and then tell me what happens.

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. Run the patch, a MUST on Vista machines, until it prompts you to restart your computer.

Restart your computer.

Download the proper drivers.

XP Drivers

Vista 32-bit Drivers

Vista 64-bit Drivers.

All other drivers

Install the proper drivers.(ONLY install the drivers you need) You'll be prompted when to connect your printer(powered on)

***To install drivers, sometimes the file unzips and does nothing. You have to look for the setup.exe file, right click on it, then left click run as administrator***

As for scanning, if you have the disk that came with the printer, then insert the Printer disk and stop it from running. Go to My Computer and double click on it. Look for the drive with the Dell disk in it. Right click on it, left click explore. Look for the OCR Folder. In the OCR Folder, there is an Abbyy Folder. right click on setup.exe, that's in the Abbyy Folder and left click run as administrator. This will install the OCR program.

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.

Rick

leh0201,

If you never connected the printer, then you don't need to run the patch. I provided you with the Vista 64-bit drivers. You should be able to install it with no problems.

If you plan to scan a picture, you do NOT need the OCR program. If you plan to scan a document to Work or similar program where you can edit it later, then you need to install the Abbyy Fine Reader from the disk. I installed it from my 964 printer, which is very old, and the OCR program, I installed and registered it with Abbyy. It updated and works with Vista 64-bit system.

Do you need a Fax program?

Rick

These seem to be the standard instructions for all 924 installation problems. I just want to emphasize that my situation is a little different, as I explained in my post. I have never attempted to install this printer on my Studio laptop. So I'm a little confused about the need to run a patch that would "completely remove the printer from [my] computer." Does the patch do other things as well?

And then, in the paragraph that begins "As for scanning," the printer pre-dates Vista. If I try to use the disk that came with it to install the OCR program on a laptop running Vista, is that going to be a problem?

No, I don't need a fax program, thanks. I never use that feature. I don't use the scanner much either, but it would be nice it if worked.

I'll take one step at a time and first try to get the print function to work. It may be the weekend before I try this, though; I'll let you know what happens.

Thanks for your help.

leh0201,

Just reply back here, I get email notifications from this board and will answer in the order I get them. I works late nights, so sometimes I'm on at strange times.

Rick

I had no problems installing the printer--hurray! It just took a little longer than I expected so I haven't had time yet to test the scanner. Thanks so much for your help.

leh0201,

GREAT JOB! :emotion-21: Thanks for posting back. Glad you got it working.

Take care,

Rick

OK, moving on to the scanning issue...

I was able to scan a photo into Paint with no problem.

Next I followed your instructions for installing the ABBYY reader. (The version on my old printer disk is ABBYY FineReader 6.0 Sprint Plus, specifically 6.0.1395.) I had no problem installing it and got a "successful installation" message when it was done.

But...I'm still having an issue. I opened the Dell AIO Center and clicked Preview. The AIO began to scan the document (a simple document with only text, no pictures) and paused almost immediately with an error (something about Communications Module being stopped? I tried to get a screen shot of it but I seem to have lost it). It then tried to continue scanning and the document appeared chunk by chunk in the Preview window but very slowly.

I finally used the Task Manager to end it and tried again. Immediately I got the same old message I used to get on my XP system---"Scan was not successful. Make sure the AIO is turned on. Plug in the cable. Restart the computer." I didn't do any of these things, because I'm pretty sure those aren't the issue.

Any ideas?

leh0201,

Go to start, all programs, Abbyy Fine Reader. Open it. you should be prompted with an agreement. Then register it and answer about the printer. You should get completed sucessfully. Then you can update it. Should be able to scan.

Then try...

Update list of applications to send scans to

Rick

Update: The problem seems to be in the communication between the Dell AIO Center and Windows. I was able to start the ABBYY FineReader itself and scan my document beautifully. After an adjustment to the dpi, the resulting Word document is a beautiful copy of the original!

I don't know that this exactly *solves* my problem (I still can't scan text documents from the AIO Center) but it does give me an acceptable alternative.

OK, I registered the product and it recognized my Dell 924 AIO printer. I am still able to scan and save to Word beautifully.

When I click Help > Check for updates it takes me to the ABBYY website and offers me only these choices for updates, neither of which is free: PDF IN Add-On Module and Upgrade to 9.0 Professional Edition. So what updates are you referring to when you say "Then you can update it"?

(Haven't had time yet to try your last step--Update list of applications to send scans to)

leh0201,

Updating the list of applications to scan to, you add Word and then you can use the Dell All-In-One Center to scan to Word.

Also try these tweaks, this will prevent Windows from turning off the power so the communications will always be there.

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.

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.

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

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

Rick

Fantastic! It finally works! After months of errors, it scans and saves to Word right from the Dell AIO Center. Thank you so much!

I do want to mention, though, that the instructions in the "Update the applications to scan to" link are a little off. If you like, I can go back through the steps and write up exactly what each step says (I'm a technical writer by profession :emotion-1: ). But at least it works!

leh0201,

If you'd like, you have the ability to edit the Wiki. I'm all ears when it comes to helping others, so feel free, just click on the edit button and edit it to meet the correct information.

Update list of applications to send scans to

I must admit, I'm a terrible speller and sometimes cannot use(spell) the correct words I want to use.

Thank you for fixing the Wiki, in advance. :emotion-21:

Rick

The spelling was fine :-) but it took a few more clicks to get to the settings I needed. If I get a chance, I will update the wiki.

Just out of curiosity, if my problem was the inability to scan a text document to Word, why did it fix the problem to add AcroRd32 and pdf to my list of applications?!