962 Vista Driver Released

Question

Just downloaded it as well.. No luck either .  The printer control panel is recognizing the printer and giving valid ink level returns, the scanner works, the printer doesn't though.  It says communication error, refers you to the help file and gives the kind of help you get on the phone from dell in india!  'unplug the usb and plug it back in',...etc....best one, Reboot the computer.  Guess what, 4 installs and uninstalls and still not working!  Any ideas would be appreciated.... Message Edited by helocop on 03-21-2007 09:02 PM

TENDEM · Answer

Mine installed without any issues as far as I know. i printed a page - no prob.

Kerzon · Answer

Exact same problem here. Word for word. hopefuuly Dell can figure this out or someone can.

TENDEM · Answer

Here are my steps that worked for me (don't know if I did anything different):   1) Hoocked up the printer to the PC (printer turned off) 2) Ran the installation 3) Set up told me to turn the printer on 4) Installation completed (test page printed) 5) I then opened a word doc and tried to print, received an error you described earlier 6) Unplugged the USB printer, plugged it back in. Clicked print page - page printed.   I don't know if I will encounted any issues if i restart my PC, or in the future tasks - but so far no problems.

helocop · Answer

I'll try to run it again with the printer off.  Maybe that will work.  Thanks.

helocop · Answer

Multiple installs and same error as you "communication error". I as well have windows firewall and Norton Disabled . I have tried many different ways, printer off on install, rebooting, unplugging USB and reconnecting. It's just not taking the install. Also, scanner does work but printer doesn't. Always the "communication error". You got me. Any help DELL?

Message Edited by helocop on 03-22-2007 10:31 PM

RamHawk · Answer

Even if I have my printer 'off', as soon as I connect the USB plug, the system tries to install the drivers.  I've tried to install the new Vista drivers several times and even rebooted after each time.  My XPS-410 was just purchased in Jan/Feb so I still have a basic OEM Vista install.  I did however upgrade to Ultimate to get on my home network's domain.   Anyway, I wonder if the initial install of non-Vista drivers has botched something up.  When I go to install the Vista drivers, it asks if I want to update or install new drivers.  I always choose install new.  Now I have gone through the 'uninstall' and no difference.   I was able to scan something and it worked fine but when I try to print a test page, I get a 'communications error.' and it want's to go through some lame troubleshooting.   Hey, aren't you happy we got Vista drivers before April?!?  Woohoo!  - Just kidding.  :smileyhappy:   -RamHawk Nashville, TN

RamHawk · Answer

Oh, and let me add that I have the Windows Firewall and the McAfee Firewall DISABLED so that is not an issue.

RamHawk · Answer

OK, I think I got it figured out and working.  It took several reboots and some file deletions.   1.  Uninstall or delete any 962 printers already installed. 2.  I unplugged the printer and kept it unplugged (or just boot up without the printer connected). 3.  Rebooted. 4.  When computer came back up, I went to c:\windows\system32\spool\drivers\w32x86 directory. I deleted EVERYTHING but kept the directory.     Even though I have other 'printers' installed like the Fax and XPS document imaging thing and even Adobe Acrobat PDF creator.  Everything was deleted. 5.  Rebooted again. 6.  Installed the Vista 32 drivers from the downloaded EXE file.  This automatically extracted to c:\drivers\printer\962 or somewhere like that.  I let it auto-run the setup. 7.  Followed all prompts and chose local install (not network). 8.  When it prompted to connect the printer, I did so.  Windows constantly pops up windows stating that drivers were not installed properly.  Just ignored those. 9.  Setup continued and finished.  Then it started another setup process.  I assume this one was the scanner or fax. 10.  Finally it gave me a test print screen and I hit print and it worked. 11.  Rebooted and opened MS Word and printed a test file.  Worked fine.   When I opened MS Word, Adobe Acrobat re-installed its PDF creator.  All my other 'printers' are back.   I think one of my problems before was that I was choosing the 'network printer' install even though this is the host computer for the printer.  If I had other Vista computers that would connect to this one, I would have chosen this install method.  I guess it was just too late at night to figure that one out.  :smileyhappy:

Kerzon · Answer

THANK YOU RamHawk. I 'm too tired to even try getting it networked with my xp machine right so if you have any luck please post. Thanks again. Kerzon

RamHawk · Answer

Seems that I can't get the printer to work on a simple workgroup.  Printer is installed on Vista machine with firewall disabled.  Printer is shared properly.  When I install the software on an XP mchine, it can't find the computer / printer.  I've tried all settings possible.   You know, it just shouldn't be this hard to get a printer installed and networked.  I think this will be my last Dell printer.  The ease of use, support, drivers, etc. just isn't there.   At least I got my printer to print on my Vista machine.... only 2 months after I bought my computer.

rhods74094 · Answer

Hey.. I was having the same problems... and deleted everything that you said from the folder and this thing finally works... I spend all day 12 hrs yesterday with 4 diffrent people from dell and not a single person helped me.. I finally found this and did it and it worked.. Thank you I can print again.. One note though vista kept telling me I didnt have permmison to delete all the files.. just go in and try to get ride of as much as you can.. If you dont it will be a waste of your time... If you get all of these files out you will hear the sweet sound of printing.... Hopfully dell will come up with a fix for this.... if nto someone on dell tech support should be made aware of this..

RamHawk · Answer

I was having trouble getting rid of the files too.  I examined them and could tell that they were indeed the 962 drivers.  It finally let me get rid of them once I had uninstalled the printer, unplugged the printer, and rebooted.  It kept a lock on the files until the reboot happened.  I even rebooted an extra time just to make sure.  :)  It seems that the rebooting is the key both before and after the install and uninstall processes.  That makes sense.   Maybe I will tackle the network sharing.  I have a feeling it is Vista not allowing other network computers to talk to it.  So this may not be a Dell issue.... but I won't say that just yet.

rhods74094 · Answer

Its funny, I called to tell Dell tech support about the fix, and I tried to talk to them over the computer and I get ' Ok, where sorry you are having a problem with your system'... thats it.. I expected something like 'ok we will pass this along to the reps or go to this website and submit the selotion...... Guess I am asking to much

Mavtech · Answer

These directions worked for me:

1. From device manager uninstall and delete the driver. Instructions in an earlier post how to do this.

2. Uninstall the 962 software from the program group.

3. Disconnect printer (Instructions to do this in step 2)

4. Reboot.

5. Browse to C:\Windows\System32\Spool\Drivers\w32x86 and delete everything contained in this folder.

6. Start the installation of the Vista drivers from latest Dell download and reconnect when directed.

bjaber · Answer

Has anyone got the 962 printer isntalled and working via a network installation?   I've installed the wireless print adapter for the 962 on another XP laptop which another family member uses primarily.  I tried installing the 962 (release software package) on my Vista Ultimate RTM system, but with the same problems as you all have had.  I can 'scan' to the Vista desktop, but I can't print (all printing fails).  I can't choose 'Local install' as I'm not physically connected via USB to the printer.  I need the printer to remain on the Wireless Print Adapter for the other non-Vista systems to print to over the wireless network.   About two months ago, before the Vista drivers were out, I installed Virtual PC 2007 on Vista and installed a Windows 2000 Guest OS system and I installed the 962 (network install) on that virtual system.  So whenever I need to print anything, I'd fire up the Win2000 VM and print from there.  Not a tedious solution, but somewhat aggravating nonetheless.   I need to know if anyone has been able to get the 962 installed via 'Network Location' and NOT 'Local Installation'.

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