Windows 7 + 540s + V305 = FAILURE

r100cool,

Disconnect all printers. Uninstall the V305 printers. Make sure the printer drivers are removed. Manual Printer Driver Removal

Restart your computer.

For the V305, try installing the Vista 64-bit drivers in the compatibility mode.

Right click on the setup.exe file, left click properties, left click compatibility. Change the compatibility to Vista. Then install the proper drivers. You'll be prompted when to connect the 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***

Rick

I did as you suggested.  Removed all printers, uninstalled all printers, removed all drivers, restarted the computer.  I even set the setup.exe file on the disc to run in Vista SP1 compat. mode.  I always get the same error.  I am at my wits end and am sick of wasting time on this issue.  This is really ridiculous considering this printer was forcibly bundled with the PC and has obvious problems. 

  Any other suggestions?

*I fixed the "Communication Not Available" error on my PC.*

Finally got the V305 working after much irritation.  If this will potentially help anyone else who upgrades to Windows 7 here is what I did, assuming you're running Windows 7 and the printer is installed but not working correctly:

*First turn off your printer and disconnect the USB cable going to the PC.*

*Do NOT use/install the Dell driver R237071 if you haven't already.  This seemed to actually cause or at least contribute to the initial problem.*

1.  Win7 Start Button-> Control Panel -> Under Hardware and Sound click "View Devices and Printers"

2.  Left click the printer, or any other printer.  Click "Print Server Properties" near the top of the window.  Click the "Drivers" tab at the top of the window.  Now, select each V305 driver that has been installed and click "Remove" and then "Delete".  It may say some file could not be deleted but ignore this.

3.  Now, right click the offending printer, left click "Remove Device". 

4.  Go to Control Panel -> Under "Programs" click "Uninstall a Program".  Uninstall anything related to the Dell V305.

5.  Restart the PC.

6.  Log back on, and when everything has booted, plug the USB cable back into the PC and turn the printer on.

7.  Windows 7 Update will attempt to download all appropriate drivers.  In my case, it failed to find two drivers/updates for the V305.

*8.  Now here is the KEY part: Click the Win7 Start Button -> type "update" into the bar.  Click "Windows Update".

       The screen may indicate that "Windows is up to date" but ignore this.  Click "Check for updates" on the left of the window.

       Now it seems Windows 7 will mysteriously somehow locate and install the two V305 updates which previously failed. 

9.  Once the updates have finished installing, reboot your PC.

10.  Now try to print something........hopefully you're now home free!

  Installing something as simple as a printer shouldn't cause this kind of headache.  I hope this helps some other poor soul avoid the wasted hours I've spent.  It may also save a few V305s from being thrown out the window which I seriously considered.

I am definitely going to give this a try!  This is the first thread I found that actually addressed the exact problem that I was having. 

I really hope this works for me too or there will be one freshly pulverized V305 in my dumpster tonight.

Thank you very much for posting this!!!!  Your instructions worked perfectly!

Now I can use my printer for tasks such as.....oh, I don't know.....printing......and not just for keeping papers in place while the fan is on!

Just upgraded to Windows 7 and my v305 has stopped working too. Says something about left cartridge needs replacing despite everything working ok before I upgraded.  Instead of enjoying Windows 7 I too have spent an hour trying to sort this mess out.  Too tired to try to sort it out now, but will certainly try tomorrow.  Similar thing happened to me when I bought my current computer with vista on it and ended up having to buy a new printer despite the fact the old one was in perfect nick.  Really annoying me this now and of the solution above does not work, Dell will have lost another customer for good. It should be this hard work.

:emotion-12:

I managed to figure out a solution to the problem I was having with  the no communication available message. It turns out that the driver Dell is using for Windows 7 is the same in Vista. This normally wouldn't be a problem, except that Windows 7 changed its security software up a bit, and requires an administrator to make changes to anything on the computer. I was sick of not being able to print, and then thought of something. I ran both the install file for the driver in as an administrator, AND the program I wished to print from as an administrator. Voila, it worked, and I am able to print again. Dell really does need to update the driver for windows 7 though, with so many people having problems.

Hi hoped this would work but still having problems. My laptop can see the printer but refuse to print still getting 'communication.....' error. Tried connecting another laptop to printer and it all works ok. Connected my laptop to another printer and works fine. Can anyone give me anymore advise please.

Not being able to use my Dell V305 was driving me crazy after I had been using it just fine before upgrading to Windows 7. I have been getting the .net framework error that everyone has already mentioned as well.

I used the instructions above about using Vista compatibility mode after removing the software that had failed the other two times I downloaded it. The file I downloaded was R237071 and it autoran after unzipping. It took me hours trying numerous fixes for that "Can't communicate" error. I really appreciate the help I received here!

Knight13,

Microsoft .NET Framework Version 2.0 Error After Upgrading to Windows 7

To install the printer, try this...

V305 & V305w All-In-One Printer owners thread (W7)

Other members did get this to work with Windows 7.

Rick

You are a complete homework and sanity saver. I couldn't get the darn thing to work for anything and my middle schooler couldn't print any of his homework. These instructions were right on the money, easy to follow and it completely fixed my problem. I thank you eternally for keeping me from throwing this printer under my van and running it over. That wouldn't have solved the printing problem but I sure would have felt better. Too bad you can't work your magic on the Dell phone support problem.... I'd almost give my right kidney to get an agent in under 32 minutes that speaks passable English.

:emotion-5:

Thanks you for this very complete answer! It solved my problem beautifully and I was not even using a Dell printer.

Excellent help, worked to a T.  After 3 hrs. it only took 5 minutes.  Thank you very much!

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

Take care,

Rick