Multifunction 1815dn - Help; Won't Install Scan Functions

After hours more with tech support (and no initial knowledge by the support person), I was told there was a Vista beta software download and was emailed it.  Although it sometimes allows scans, it often fails, it does not preserve the save directory, it does not preserve associations with basic apps; it's completely inadequate.

 

How can Dell say this product is a Vista compatible one?  HUGELY disappointing. There are numerous posts on this Community site and not a single word from a Dell mod.

 

 

Contrary to every single representation on Dell's website at least as to several days ago (December, 2007), the multifunction black and white laser printer copier scanner 1815dn does NOT allow scanning functions over network in a Vista operating system.  If you spend enough time with tech support, someone there at Dell will know this and finally acknowledge this to you.

 

You will find other threads in these forums on this topic (where months ago Dell reps stopped responding to inquiries about this).

 

For the life of me I don't understand how an ordinarily good vendor can continue to sell the 1815dn with NO reservation, footnote, disclaimer and say it is Vista compatible and offers connection over ethernet and scans to network.  (There is a footnote that the particular application - PaperPort - is not Vista compatible -- and of course, that's not true either; there is a release that is, at this point in time.  But this software inadequacy is far different than a footnote saying "Network scan functionality is not supported in Vista".) 

 

Dell will finally tell you admit this is the case and email a crude "beta" "temporary solution" you can try at your own risk that is completely underwhelming and buggy.

 

This is like selling a travel steamer iron and advertising it works on foreign voltage, and later conceding the steamer function only works in domestic voltage!

 

No matter WHEN you learn this, I believe you will find that a vendor cannot sell a product which falls short of doing what was expressly promised; this is a basic failure and you have the moral and right under many legal precepts to ask for the return of your money when you learn of the product's failing.  Hopefully, Dell will be responsive to you in the return/substitution/adjustment -- if scan functionality over network is important to you in your home or office which is running with Vista. 

 

In my case, ultimately, Dell made things right by me, which is appreciated.  But it took many hours of my time and finding a way to move beyond US phone return & resolutions support which was hostile and unresponsive in the extreme.  I hope this post may help others understand this unfortunate situation.

It's worked for me for a long, long time with Vista.  I've had no problems scanning from the 1815dn to my Vista PC.

 

One important issue, that used to crop up with the older 1600n, is that if you have more than one network adapter (wireless, bluetooth, VPN, remote access, etc), the placement of the adapter you are using should be FIRST in the list.  A lot of times, your wired or wireless adapter is third or fourth in the binding order list, and Netscan does not see your adapter.

 

To double-check, just go into Manage Network Connections, and hit the ALT key so the normal Windows menu appears, then choose Advanced from the Tools menu.  There, you see you can reorder your adapters.  Put the adapter you use (either wired or wireless, at the top of the list and see if that works).

 

I had a problem with an XP computer this week that would not connect (it would see the scanner, but give UNKNOWN ERROR when attempting to configure it).  I tried all the normal stuff.  Ultimately, the latest 1815dn FIRMWARE fixed it.  It immediately configured and worked after applying the firmware update.

 

Good luck.

 

Lancorp,

 

Changing the network card priority according to your instructions immediately fixed my Vista Ulitmate PC.  I reinstalled the latest drivers and I still received the "Unknown Error" as always.  I went in and changed the network card order (another network card was listed first).  As soon as I put my primary network card at the top of the list Netscan detected my Dell 1815dn.  This is the first time it has worked!  I only wish you had posted these instructions months ago!  Thank you so much.  I only have about 30 minutes of use under my belt after following your instructions but I hope that it will keep working.  Now, I can finally upgrade my wife to Windows Vista.  I was holding off until I could get my Vista PC working with the 1815dn.  I absolutely love this printer but I hated that Dell never provided reliable drivers that work with Vista and Netscan.  Gosh I wish the tech support personell knew how to fix this problem.  I have previously spent hours talking with them on this issue.  What a waste of time!!!!