jsfowler,

 

Let's start simple first. What is the make and model of your computer and we know you're using XP?

 

 

Rick

jsfowler,

 

I reread your post.

 

How are you connecting the printer to your computer(s)? I see you mentioned a Vista machine, also.

 

 

Rick

Hi,

My PC is an old Dell Dimension 4550. It is connected to the Dell A968 printer via a USB cable. The software on my PC allows me to scan, however, when I click "copy" to send the scan back to the printer, it only goes to 50% and stops. It won't continue to the printer.

My laptop is a Dell Inspiron 1720, which has vista.

I have Windows live OneCare, which allows the printer to be on my network, which was set up a Netgear router.

I've tried turning off the firewall, still can't print. One thing I noticed, is at the taskbar, bottom right - there is a "Safely remove hardware" icon. The computer is seeing the USB/printer as a USB mass storage. When I open "My computer", I see both a F:removable disk, and Dell 968 printer. When I right click the printer, my printer actually comes out of sleep mode. When I try to click "properties", I get a message "opening communication", but it stalls. There is no option to print, only scan, on the right click menu.

Thanks for your help!

jsfowler,

 

Let's make sure the printer is installed properly, first.

 

 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. 

 

Un-install your printer.

 

Restart your computer.

 

Download the proper drivers.

 

XP Drivers

 

Vista 32-bit Drivers

 

64-bit Drivers 

<ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>

 

All other drivers

 

Install the proper drivers, you'll be pronpted when to connect the printer(powered on) Please use a 6ft or smaller USB Cable.

 

 

For wireless...

I recommend using these  Recommended Wireless Router Settings to get everything to communicate correctly. I have DHCP enabled on my wireless router. I assigned my printer an ip address at the high end of my ip address. (Example: my printer ip address is 192.168.1.149) All the other computer get assigned an ip address automatically. 

 

 

How Do I Connect a Dell™ Wireless Printer to a Wireless Network

 

Choose your printer. Beneath your printer, select your operating system. You'll be redirected to another page. Then click on show all steps. It will walk you through the installation process.

 

 

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.

 

Also try reading...

 

Update list of applications to send scans to

 

 

Rick

Jodi,

 

GREAT JOB! :emotion-21: Glad my advice helped. You did all the hard work.

 

Take care,

 

Rick

THANK YOU...THANK YOU...THANK YOU!!  ITS WORKING!!  I REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR TIME AND YOUR HELP.

JODI

Rick,

Mind if I ask you one more question? Do I need to install the printer driver on my laptop/vista, in order to use this printer on my network?

Thanks!

jsfowler,

 

Sorry, stepped out for dinner. Download the proper drivers to the laptop, then double click on the drivers. It might jusr sit there. Look for the setup.exe file, right click on it, then left click run as administrator. The you'll see options, choose network and choose the proper selection.

 

Before you do this, are you going to use the wireless functions in the printer or use it on a host computer? If on a host computer, make sure to set it up the printer for sharing and watch out for all firewalls and security suites.

 

Sharing a printer through a wireless network

 

 

Rick