Communication Problem with Dell 944

"I've only recently experienced this problem and the printer just won't print anything - it asks me to unplug and re-boot and what have you, but there is no problem with the cables. I can scan from the printer to my PC so it's communicating to some respect. I uninstalled the existing drivers and downloaded and re-installed from the Dell web page, but still encounter this message. Anybody any ideas? They will gratefully be accepted. Thanks in advance," PS I logged this problem back in July and the assistance provided didn't clear the issue - I have this multi-purpose printer sitting now, where I can scan, copy, but can't print to. Frustrating to say the least. If anyone has experienced this issue I'd be very glad to hear how it was resolved. Many thanks,

Often the simple possibilities are overlooked. Since "printing" is the nature of the problem, be sure that you have this specific Printer selected as the Default Printer and that the accurate name of the Printer is selected in the view box at the top of your Print - Options panel in the various applications you may wish to print from. We can explore/research more, but let us know that you have confirmed the above simple issue. Best Regards

Thank you for replying Doug. I understand totally what you mean … please be assured this has already been checked out. Thanks again,

By virtue of your initial description and steps that you've taken, it is clear that you are taking a sensible and methodical approach. The next elementary step that could provide a great deal of information, would be to install the printer onto another machine. If installation and performance is successful, then the current driver and software installation, or some feature of your present OS is interfering with print performance. If installation and performance is not successful, then there may be a mechanical problem with the printer features of this peripheral. Have you also tried to substitute Ink cartridges? Best Regards

Morning from Sunny Scotland, Installing onto an other machine is difficult logistically, as I don't have another machine to hand. As far as replacing cartridges is concerned, I'm not sure if you know, but replacement cartridges don't work on this printer and it would cost me in excess of £50 for 2 new cartridges. I'm at the stage where I'm thinking that the best bet is to replace the printer Doug - I was just hoping that someone had encountered this situation before and could maybe help. Googling the problem didn't help either, as the so-called remedies didn't resolve the issue. Thanks for your reply.

Hi Declan, As you rightly say, the ink is often dearer than the printer… Its possible to get a brand new printer (all in one) for £30 or so and as a result most folks just get a new one. However it is often possible to get the old ones going again but it can be time comsuming and generally there are no quick fixes, just a lot of steps to go through to try and isolate the problem. Its always your call on how you want to proceed, but if you are wiilling to spend the time either Doug or me or one of the other Techs will be pleased to help you as best we can… If you want us to try and fix the printer then new cartridges may well be required, so their could be an investment required from you both in time and also hard cash (for new cartridges) If you want to go down the repair route, please advise the following: 1 Make and model number of computer and operating system and level of service pack 2 Make and model number of the All in one printer 3 Amount of ink left in the cartridges……an estimate will do based on when you last successfully printed anything. 4 Can you do a copy print successfully ? (without using the computer) 5 Please replace the USB cable between the printer and computer with a known working good one and make sure the printer is powered on 6 next Open notepad 7 type in "Declans printer test" 8 hold Ctrl and tap the p key 9 make sure that the exact name of the printer is shown in the white box (if its not then use the down arrow at the end of the box to select it) and then try to print 10 Let us know what happens and if you are able to locate the name of your printer in this way. Regards paws

Hi, I took a couple of screenshots explaining os, serv packs and make & model etc, but was told this form of file wasn't allowed - not having a lot of luck right now.

Anyway,

1 Make and model number of computer and operating system and level of service pack - Dell Dimension DM051, Windows XP Version 2002, SP3
2 Make and model number of the All in one printer - Dell Photo AIO Printer 944, CPDNPA003
3 Amount of ink left in the cartridges……an estimate will do based on when you last successfully printed anything. - Black 80%, Colour 40%
4 Can you do a copy print successfully ? (without using the computer) - yes, can Clean cartridges, Align cartridges and print a test page - all working fine.
5 Please replace the USB cable between the printer and computer with a known working good one and make sure the printer is powered on
6 next Open notepad
7 type in "Declans printer test"
8 hold Ctrl and tap the p key
9 make sure that the exact name of the printer is shown in the white box (if its not then use the down arrow at the end of the box to select it) and then try to print
10 Let us know what happens and if you are able to locate the name of your printer in this way. - I am met with the following message:-
Communication not available
The printer cannot communicate with the computer
Try these solutions:
- Disconnect and reconnect the printer's power cable.
- Disconnect and reconnect the USB cable.
- Restart your computer.

I have tried all of the above and find it quite frustrating that the printer communicates with the computer when scanning documents and saving to the PC.

I think I've answered all the questions - if not, please let me know.
Thanks,

Hi Declan. I will be leaving for my hols shortly so will post a fair bit now for you to do!
Normally I take one step at a time and deliver the required information in "bite sized chunks" but needs must etc….

1 Click Start
2 Click Programs or All Programs
3 look for Dell Printers Dell Photo AIO Printer 944. If the Dell Photo AIO Printer 944 does not appear in the list of programs, the printer software is not installed.
4 Next remove the USB cable from your printer and your computer.
5 Reconnect the USB cable to your printer and your computer.
6 Turn off the printer. Unplug the printer power cable from the electrical outlet. wait 3 minutes ( by the clock)
7 Reconnect the printer power cable into the electrical outlet and turn on the printer.
8 now restart your computer. Wait 5 minutes (again by the clock please)
Now try to print open notepad type some words and then hold Crtl and press p
are you able to connect to the printer?
please report back if you can now print. if not, then:
9 disconnect the USB cable from your printer and computer and then
10Click on Start
11 Right click on "My Computer"
12 Click on Properties
13 Click on the hardware tab
14 Click on device manager
15 Scroll down to USB devices
16 expand them by clicking on the +
17 examine each entry and see if there is an entry for anything with "unidentified" in its name, if so right click on the unidentified entry and select "uninstall"
18 accept any warnings
19 when its done (should be fairly instant)
20 Click on Start
21 Click on control Panel
22 Click on Printers and faxes
23 Look for the Dell printer…. if found right click it and delete it. also delete any other printers that you had previously installed but no longer use.
24 Next from Control panel
25 Click on Add and Remove Programs
26 Find your Dell printer and any other Dell printers that may be there or any other printers that you no longer use and select "Uninstall"
27 Accept any warnings and perform the uninstalls.
28 When the uninstalls have been completed YOU MUST close down your computer (a full shuit down not a sleep hibernate standby etc)
29 With a shut down system, wait 30 seconds with a blank black screen……
Important this is your final chance to check that you followed the instructions to disconnect the USB cable from your printer and computer and that it remains disconnected…if by any chance you forgot then you will need to start again from the beginning!
30 with the USB cable still disconnected restart your computer.
31 Wait 5 minutes (by the clock) now with your printer powered on BUT with USB cable still disconnected insert your Printer Driver disc and reinstall your softwware
32 NOTE DO NOT connect the USB cable until the software tells you to ( make sure its connected then to both the printer and the computer.)….. watch your screen like a hawk …..the printer should be recognised and the software installed…….you should be able to see this happening..if it doesn't then wait at least 10 minutes to see if it will be recognised, if still no sign of recognition try a different USB socket on your computer (your USB socket may be duff) post back if you cant get it to recognise your printer.
There are a few extra steps we can offer so post back when you have finshed these steps, but if these extra steps dont work then it looks like a hardware problem in your printer and its probably never going to work…and you must reconcile yourself to having a copier and a scanner but not a printer! If when you post back I am away dont worry,as one of the other techs here will be happy to advise the extra steps (Revo uninstaller + Dell software scrubber utility + disc clean up+reboot+ reinstall of printer driver.)

Regards
paws)

Hi, sorry for not replying sooner, Everything was going fine until instruction 31) - I do not have any system disk, the PC came with all software installed. I carried on anyway, and on re-booting switched on the printer, waited, then connected the USB. Dell offered some encouragement for 5 minutes or say by loading files and a few other instructions, but as soon as I tried to print a test page I encountered that message again, "Communication not available". Thank you,