Installing a driver on Windows XP

First, what model Dell PC? 

 

That file error sounds like it's an "old" scanner and the drivers are not specifically for XP.  You must have Windows XP specific drivers.   However, I have seen systems that originally had an older OS on it and then it was "upgraded" to XP (upgraded over an existing older operating system, not a clean install) and some older hardware will work on the upgraded system and not on a new XP system (or an XP system that had a clean XP install - hard drive reformatted and everything new installed).

Thank you for your reply.

 

My PC is a Dell Dimension 3000.

 

The scanner is an old scanner and the drivers are in fact not specifically designed for XP (designed long before XP existed!). There does not seem to be upgraded versions of the driver for this scanner.

 

The only difference that I know of -but there may other hidden differences- is that the XP I have on the Dell is an OEM version installed by Dell, whereas the XP I have on the Thinkpad is a non-OEM version that I bought and installed myself to replace a Windows 2000. And, as I mentionned, I have been able to install on the Thinkpad from the same CDRom that is refused on the Dell. Mystery, or more likely something I have overlooked.

Windows XP must have Windows XP specific drivers and I seriously doubt that you will ever get it to work on the Dell, and not because it's a Dell but because it has a "native" Windows XP installed.  There is no difference between the OEM Versions that Dell installs, or any PC vendor installs and the Retail version.  Dell does add a check on their CD's to make sure it's being installed on a Dell motherboard (BIOS) but that is the ONLY difference.  I've heard "old wives tales" about the OEM Versions being crippled or has items missing, etc from the Operating Systems but there is no truth to that. 

 

When Windows XP first came out, there were a lot of cries from users with older hardware that wouldn't work on XP. Many bought new fancy Windows XP PC's (all brands not just Dell) only to find out the "old reliable" printer and/or scanner was not XP compatible.   In respect to Scanners that is one area where there were major changes in requirements.

 

Why it works on the other PC? probably as I suspect, it was "upgraded" with Windows XP.  If you took that same PC and did a complete clean install (reformat the hard drive and reinstall everything) you will run into the same problem you have with the Dell.

 

I worked with a lot of IBM equipment until I retired, including mainframes, PS/2 PC's, communications terminals, etc. 

I agree with Fireberd, you probably won't get it to work without an actual XP driver for the scanner.  The only thing I can think of that might work would be if there is a Windows 2000 driver as a number of Win2K drivers actually work in XP.  A number of them don't, however, so it is not a sure fix.

Thank you, Fireberd and DELL Larry R.

 

I am not extremely pleased to have to go through the process of getting a new scanner just because IBM wont upgrade their software and Microsoft wont accept earlier code... But what to do? Grin and bear it..

 

Best

The problem is not just the software.  Some scanners and printers hardware are not XP compliant either.  As I mentioned, when XP came out there were a lot of cries about peripherals not working with XP and the ones that would not work (did not have drivers) were because of hardware issues.

I understand the impossibilities. Thanks for your help (and patience!).