Continued Printer Problems

I've tried everything I know to do - at least three or four times over the course of three or four days.

It used to be that we could simply click "Print" (from wherever), and the printer would Power-on, and simply print.

Now, nothing. No matter what I seem to do - nothing. I'm 100% lost now, and really more disillusioned with technology than ever before. My understanding all along, has been that it was "supposed" to improve quality of life ... make things better. This proves more and more as time goes by, to NOT be the case.

I am CERTAIN that this PC has "issues" in so much as I have threads in the Software Forum that have gone unanswered, despite numerous attempts to get clarification/resolution on some of these issues.

I don't know where else to turn, or what else to do, besides toss this printer out the 2nd-floor window in front of me - and begin saying good-bye to all of this oversold and over-priced technology.

 

I can't guess at what you have tried already. If your operating system supports Plug-and-Play, have you tried uninstalling the printer completely, unplugging it from your machine, then plugging it in and letting your machine detect it?

What have you tried so far to get it to work?

 

Yes ma'am, thanks. I have "tried" that (several times), though not sure if I ever got the exact process, that is apparently necessarily called for, correct? By that I mean "procedure" (Step 1, step 2, step 3, etc.)

I've tried performing the process thoroughly and completely (by running ccleaner, and Defragging after uninstall/before reinstall), and I've tried it the simple way (simply re-running the CD that came with the printer, and following directions/instructions exactly as written/displayed/read). I've done several System Restores (and an UN-restore), back to dates when the printer was working as it is supposed to (about a week ago, now, at this point) - to no avail.

It's a Dell PC and a Dell (AIO) Printer. I don't get it, I just don't get it. I can only "suspect" that it has "something" (?) to do with the "Safely Remove Hardware" icon (?) that has been present on this PC for sometime (and which I was never able to get rid of through queries in the Software Forum). It has "disappeared" during certain parts of the process of trying to get this printer going again, but it is back now, and just seems to be sitting there, mocking me. (*SIDE-NOTE* The "Hardware" that it seems to want to "Remove" is a "USB Mass Storage Device" - also listed underneath that heading as "Dell USB Mass Storage USB Device" & "Generic Volume [E:]". Is a printer considered a "Mass Storage Device?)

There also seems to be an "issue" (?) in Device Manager (which I have also tried to resolve, unsuccessfully, in the Software Forum) with something called the "PCI Simple Communications Controller". It has a yellow "!" over top of a yellow "?", and is listed under "Other Devices" (which also has a yellow "?".

So. Maybe if I just knew the exact procedure of steps (as well as knowing how to make this Safely Remove Hardware icon, and the yellow exclamation point and yellow question marks disappear), maybe then I could get this printer to work as it has (on most occasions) in the past?

PS - I am pretty sure my machine supports Plug and Play (I thought all commercial machines did?). Anyway, when I try that, it "Recommends" that I use the CD that came with the printer - so that is what I have done.

 

What I was trying to say here > "I've done several System Restores (and an UN-restore), back to dates when the printer was working as it is supposed to (about a week ago, now, at this point) - to no avail."

was: the printer was working fine a week ago, when it just "seemed" to "mysteriously" quit.

The new (& "improved"??) Edit and Log-out features here @ MG's really hinder my ability to communicate a coherent reply.

 

I hate it when that happens. rolleyes Happens to me too. I can feel the frustration in your message. My printer goes walkabout on me from time to time and it drives me nuts.

What else was going on with your machine at the time? Did you install any other hardware? Did you do any updates, MS or otherwise?

Have you tried getting updated printer drivers from the Dell website rather than using the CD (I bet you have)?

 

Thanks, but actually I haven't tried updating drivers from Dell (the printer is only about six months old, and I cringe thinking about going to a site such as Dell in that I don't recall ever having much success downloading updated drivers - though apparently that seems to be my last resort, eh?). I will go to Dell now to see if there is anything there ...

Nothing else that I can recall that was going-on with the machine at the time - though I am FOREVER attempting to do things do be more secure and squeeze any additional speed out of the machine.

 

If the Dell printer is only 6 months old, why not calling Dell technical support? It should have a warranty on it.

 

Let me tell you about my experience with the "Safely Remove Hardware" icon. This is a little item that appears whenever you plug something into your machine that can be unplugged, and makes sense to be unplugged, while the machine is still running. For example, if you have a "jump drive" (flash drive, thumb drive, whatever) that you plug into a USB port, the "Safely Remove Hardware" icon will pop up to give you a way to remove the drive without messing up anything in its memory. If you have something like a USB mouse, that tends not to trigger that icon because, well, why would you be unplugging your mouse while you're working on the machine.

Now, here's the deal. Printers used to be attached to computers by means of a printer port (LPT1) via a specialized connector. SOME printers nowadays, for example, the one that gives me trouble from time to time, are attached to your computer by means of a USB drive. So yes, a printer CAN be the type of hardware that triggers that "Safely Remove Hardware" message, even though you're less likely to want to unplug your printer while you're working on your machine (like your mouse) than you are likely to want to unplug your printer.

Also, what is the E: drive on your machine? Is it like your CD-DVD ROM player or something? If so, the "Safely Remove Hardware" is just "seeing" the drive. I once accidentally (but temporarily) stopped my DVD player by using "Safely Remove Hardware" (the machine detected it again on the next reboot).

So the long and short of it is that "Safely Remove Hardware" may have some RELATION to your problem, it's really a useful function in its place and I don't think it IS your problem. Now I have to think on the other parts of this some more.

Although this may be a sign that something else is afoot with your machine, from information available to me I suspect that the PCI Simple Communications Controller has to do with a modem installed on your machine. Is your printer an all-in-one with a modem? If not, the issue with this driver may be unrelated to the fact that your printer doesn't work.

 

Hmmmmmmm. Thanks.

I used to think I knew what a "modem" was/is - but no longer (?)

It's seems sort of like your description of a "Flash Drive" (AKA: "jump", "thumb", "etc." - I believe that's also referred to as a "portable", and a "Stick"??). This is becoming (IMHO) a HUGE problem these days. Everything, it seems, has numerous and multiple "names", hence: cOn*FuSiOn .

The Printer is an "All-in-One" - but "with" a modem? I haven't got a clue. How would one know - please?

And thanks for all of your help by the way ...

 

A stick drive is the same thing as flash drive or a USB drive. They are frequently about the size of a pack of gum, but have grown smaller. A big one used to be 256MB but I have seen 32 GB flash drives. I think of a "portable" as being something that looks more like a pack of cards (i.e. it's a little bigger) and probably several hundred gigabytes. It still connects via USB port, but usually has a cord rather than sticking out of the side of the machine.

A modem is the thing that, if you are faxing, makes that shrieking noise, and if you are connecting to the Internet via dial-up, makes that kind of bing-boing noise. Some modems can do both, depending on what you are trying to do, and are called data/fax modems. It is just a piece of hardware that changes the format of information and passes it on. Most machines still come with modems inside them even though dial-up Internet access is much less common than it was back in the day.

If you have an all-in-one printer, it has the capacity to send and receive faxes, so it *might* (this is where I am on shaky ground in my statements) need a modem to function, or have a built-in modem whose driver has gone sideways on you (a highly technical computing term). What is the exact model number of your Dell printer? For example, I am looking at a Hewlett-Packard printer right now that is called a Laser Jet 1022n. You have a Dell _____?

 

Great point, though there are two reasons that I can't do that just yet.

In the "old days" I would have done just that (and may end-up having to resort to it still?). But now-a-days it seems as if pulling teeth with any sort of tech-support help.

I'd spend 15 or 20 minutes just being "thanked" (over and over again) by someone who barely speaks the same language that I do - and that 15-20 minutes is just to "identify" myself and the equipment I have, to "prove" that I have it legally, I suppose.

Then there's the whole attempt at describing the problem(s).

Lastly, and I suppose of main importance, I have some physical problems resultant in cervical-spine surgery that make it very difficult (painful) to hold a phone to my ear (either ear) for more than a few minutes at a time. I'd sooner try to crawl through the phone line and draw a picture for the poor soul in India or Pakistan or wherever he/she might be ...

 

Yes thanks. I have a "Dell Photo All-In-One Printer 926"

 

Ah. Your machine does not have a built in fax modem. (Now, since you asked, the way I determined this was by Googling the words "dell printer 926 specifications" [not in quotes] and read the specifications page that I found).

The CNet review of your printer (they didn't like it, by the way :cool) says:

Now, if you have been reinstalling the bundled software over the last week trying to get your printer going again, it is *possible* that you have installed Fax Solutions software that is somehow messing with your modem.

When you go into Add/Remove Programs in your Control Panel to see what programs are installed, what Dell programs do you see listed that seem to have anything to do with printers and faxes?

 

Yes - I can't quite articulate it, but there does seem to be a problem with "Fax" and/or some other bundled software with this thing.

Let me look in Add/remove again. Been in there a couple times with this situation, but I'll write-down everything "Dell" just be sure.

Be right back ...................

 

Yep. Dell PC Fax is there, along with Dell Photo AIO Printer 926, and Dell Resource CD (the last one which I think has to do with the PC itself - not the printer).

I have tried "losing" the Fax thing, but it comes back even though I am selective with the bundled stuff?

 

What is your operating system? And what service release?

 

xp home - sp3

 

Well, I parsed my way through the Dell support website, which I somewhat hate, and it looks like there's a firmware upgrade for a wireless printer adapter, and software dated 1/26/2007 and 4/18/2007 for the 926. Are these later than the date of your driver? You go into Device Manager and right-click on the printer icon to see the driver information.

 

Very interesting. This printer was shipped directly to us by/from Dell, on "5/23/08". However, when I look at the driver (in Device Mgr), it is dated "8/21/06". But then mine is not "wireless". So that probably makes a difference, eh?

 

You got the original CD. Manufacturers don't always update the software burned to the CD that ships with the machine. Too much work for them. :confused

I wouldn't bother with the firmware file, if your machine does not have wireless functionality, but you might consider trying the later updated driver. Your driver appears to predate the service release of your operating system, so they might not be playing nicely together (another technical computing term). If you try a new driver make SURE you use the XP one....

 

ok, thank you, but just to be sure, you mean update via the PC here itself, and skip the (Dell) website? Sorry, I don't know what "Firmware" is/means (though I probably do, just know it by another "name", possibly?).

Thank again,
Glenn ...

 

No, no! What I actually had in mind for you to try was getting the updated driver for your printer directly from the Dell website. Ignore the firmware and try the driver with the later date.

Firmware definition. "Firmware" used to mean a program that was, for example, embedded in your hardware, for example in a silicon chip in a printer, or a cellular phone, or something like that. Back in the day you would "flash" update it (which "flash" is a different kind of "flash" from a "flash drive," I know, it's confusing). I don't know if the vehicles used to store firmware are still the same as silicon chips, but for our purposes I'm not sure it matters.

I am very cautious about using information from Wikipedia, but in this case I think their explanation is as good as any:

I still don't know if we're getting you any closer to having your printer fixed.

 

Yes, ok, thank you.

I think we are "closer", and I think you were on to something with the "Dell PC FAX" - "thing". I have long been on a quest to REMOVE everything from the PC that I don't use (as the machine is becoming a bit "dated", and only has a 20-gig Hard Drive). And the Fax thing is not used, but I sensed even before you mentioned it, that-that might be at least a part of the problem here.

I will see if the update from Dell's site will "take", and if it does any good.

Thanks for all your help, and I'll post back with any results.
PS - OH, do you think I need the Patch/Upgrade listed there as well (dated "9/7/2007") please? Yikes. Now I see that there is an "Application" download, as well as a "Driver" download listed(??)

 

You know, another thing that has been lurking at the back of my mind...

Don't Dell Machines have their own computer management/diagnostic application that comes pre-installed? If you haven't uninstalled this, you might try running those diagnostics on your machine.

ETA: The "patch/upgrade" is the firmware for the wireless adapter IIRC. Ignore it.

The "application" is probably an updated version of the software that you have already installed, so fear not.

 

I think so. My mind is so DEAD to this all right now from ALL day trying to figure it out, that I simply have to take a break from it. Otherwise, I really am quite prone to chucking it out the window, as I initially mentioned. So, I'm gonna take maybe an hour and just VEG.

Thank you very much, I'll look into the "diagnostics" thing in a bit

 

Watch out for passersby if you do chuck the beast out the window. :-D

 

Will do, but little chance of that as I am sequestered pretty far out here in the mountains ... maybe a passing opossum, but that'd be about it.

Last question (at least for now), and I'm sorry, but still not clear if it's the "Application" or "Driver" Update that I want?

Thanks.

 

You certainly want the "Driver." As long as you're already there, you might as well be hanged for a sheep as for a lamb, as my father might have said, so why not at least download the application? You don't have to install it, you can just delete it.

Possums, eh? I spent a year living in Lewisburg, WV (near White Sulphur Springs), quite remote and very near your fair state, long ago.

Bonne chance.

 

I can give you a couple of suggestions to try before chucking the beast.
I take it that the printer is connected to the computer with a usb cable.
I only have a little experience, with epson printers.
Supposedly printers should be connected via cable that is no longer than 6 feet.
I blew that off as crap and did it my way and it worked anyway; but every once in awhile the printer just stopped working. I ended up COMPLETEY uninstalling all the software for that particular printer and reinstalling it after I had hooked it up to the computer according to what the manual specs said.
All I can tell you is:
completely disconnect the printer from the computer AND your electrical outlet.
Let it sit for a few minutes.
Connect a printer cable or usb cable to the printer. (no longer than 6 feet)
Remove all software related to that printer from your computer.
Turn off your computer and reboot after a few minutes.
Reinstall your printer ACCORDING to the INSTRUCTIONS and see if it works now.
I know that you have said you've done this (so have I in the past) but the key part was the cable length. I don't know why, but my epson always comes back to life; then I move it back to where I want it (10 or 12 feet away)
you can give it try, what the heck

 

Thank you CO. I've heard that about 'cable length' (technically-speaking, I believe it actually applies to all things electrical), however I am only using the standard USB cable that came with the machine (it appears to be approximately 5, to no-more-than 6 feet, in length).

I really have little choice but to try your suggestion, and I realize that it just may work (stranger things have happened).

I think about half of my reason for starting this thread was to point-out (RANT, vent, etc.) how absolutely-ridiculously "sensitive" all this technology is getting. I understand about "compatibility" and issues of "conflict" with various hardware and software. But SHEESH!!! I'm working with two DELL products here ... I can ONLY imagine, that it is a natural and reasonable assumption (I would think???) that if one purchases a "GM" accessory (for instance) FOR their GM product DIRECTLY FROM GM, that it WOULD WORK - rather seamlessly ... ?

Not the case with "technology" I suppose. Just another sign of the times I reckon.

Thanks again, I'll be sure to post-back with any results ...

 

Thanks again.

WSS/Lewisburg eh? That's about as far into WV (from VA) as I am into VA from WV (I'm about 10 miles east and 20 miles south of WV ... I know, it's confusing, just a matter of me being located in a "point" where WV is actually to the west and to the north of us here ...). Though it looks like I'm about an hour-and-45 minutes NNE (or ENE??) of Lewisburg WV (fairly straight shot S to N from there to here ... or N to S from here to there - lol).

Anyway, I am going to try oldandconfusedagain's suggestion first, before I download anything. I'm just plain flat-out afraid to download ANYTHING at this point, whether it's direct from Dell or not ...

I'll post-back - and thanks again for all your help ...

 

Well it didn't work (shocker, huh).

I got no further on the install than the EULA before the "Safely Remove Hardware" popped-up, with a balloon stating some stupid :crap to the effect: "PROBLEM" - the hardware might not have installed correctly...yadayadayadablahblahblah - JUNK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OVERSOLD-OVER-"WORSHIPED"-OVER-PRICED J-U-N-K!

 

Hmm. Maybe uninstall the drivers with Revo Uninstaller?

 

Ok, thanks. I may try the unistaller you mentioned, though again, I'm petrified to download much of anything at present (Oh, I looked-over the updates/downloads from Dell's site, and two of them were for Vista (which I don't have on this PC, this one has XP - and the third - the "Application" download, was the "Initial" release of two years ago, I think - so I've passed on them all - at least for now).

I've now gotten a "different" Safely Remove Hardware icon (it looks different, and not sure how to describe it?), and I've used it, or am in the process of using it (trying it) now.

Also, this was the reply from Dell to an email I sent:

Thank you for contacting Dell Technical Support. My name is Rajat and my rep ID is 176464. Please do not worry. I assure you that I will do my best to provide you quality service.

I appreciate your effort in contacting through the E-mail. I understand the situation and your concern. I assure you that I am here to assist you and I will try my best to assist you resolve the issue as soon as possible.

Please notice that while troubleshooting through e-mails I will provide with few steps at a time and would request you to please revert back with results of those steps. Please understand that email troubleshooting may require multiple contacts. I would appreciate your understanding and hope you would give me the chance to work on this matter.

I really apologize for all the inconvenience that you have gone through. I appreciate your co-operation and patience.

Please check if the printer is powered on and in power save mode.

Let us go ahead and take the printer to the factory settings and that should take care of the issue. Restoring the printer to factory default settings will erase any data added into printer memory, such as fax phone numbers.

Make sure the printer is on.
From the control panel, use the Arrow buttons to scroll to MAINTENANCE, and then press the Select button .
Use the Arrow buttons to scroll to Set Defaults, and then press the Select button .
Use the Arrow buttons to scroll to Use Factory, and then press the Select button .

Settings are reset to factory defaults.

Once again I appreciate your efforts in contacting us and I assure you that we take full responsibility in resolving the issue for you.

Hopefully this process should solve the problem you are facing. Thank you for sharing your experience with us. In case the issue is still not resolved, I would be more than happy to assist you again.

We immensely value our relationship and consider it a privilege to serve you. We value you as a customer and your satisfaction is our highest priority.

The case number for this issue is 6........

It didn't "take" (work) - so I'll be sure to contact them back - as they requested - if I still cannot fix it here.

thanks as always ...

 

Hm. Wouldn't have thought of setting the machine to factory defaults. They may have other tidbits of info that work. You really would think a Dell printer would be compatible with a Dell computer.

BTW I'm sure I saw updated XP drivers on the site. There were Vista drivers also, but I'm sure I saw Dell drivers...

 

Ok, thank you. I'll check back at the Dell site for XP driver-updates in a bit. Having a li'l physical issue at the moment that I need to deal with (with me, not the machine).

Thank you again,
Glenn ...

 

I don't know. I am lost. This is the latest from "Rajat" @ DELL:

I would like to inform you that the printer goes into sleep mode or power save mode after 10 minutes of idle time. Could you please elaborate and explain the statement made by you "PRINTER WILL NOT TURN-ON AUTOMATICALLY AS PER USUAL WHEN WE CLICK
"PRINT" ON OUR PC." ?

Please mention the procedure followed by the printer before the issue began. I apologize that this issue is taking longer than the required time to resolve it. However, please be assured that I am working on the resolution.

Please confirm if we see power LED or LED next to the power blinking after sometime.

Once again I appreciate your efforts in contacting us and I assure you that we take full responsibility in resolving the issue for you.


Over the course of almost two weeks now, with days spent (LITERALLY) searching, and systematically (as systematically as I know how) going through this PC one thing at a time, I simply have not been able to figure-it-out. But I can tell you this much; there is an entry (two entries actually - two seconds apart from each other) in my Firewall (3rd-party = "Online Armor") History, on/about the date that I can best figure was the last time that this printer WORKED (and again, I am getting a "Communication Unavailable" error when I try to Print ANYTHING).

The entries are in relation to Firefox 3 (which I have ALMOST come to accept as my browser - FOR THE MOMENT ANYWAY), and the entries read (in RED):

History
Type - Date/Time - Action
"Mozilla Firefox Warning - 01/07/09 09:16:14 - BLOCKED"
"Mozilla Firefox Warning - 01/07/09 09:16:12 - BLOCKED"

Is it possible that FF3 is blocking my printer from working? Please??

 

Anything is possible....let me look upthread and remind myself what functions are included with the software you have with the printer. ETA: Is it possible that the printer thinks, from the signals you are sending, that it is trying to *fax*, not to *print*, and this attempted fax transmission over the Internet is what your firewall is blocking??

Stupid question...have you gone into your firewall and given your printer's software permission to do anything it wants? I don't use Online Armor so I wouldn't be able to give you the exact steps on how to do so.

 

Yes ma'am (on the Firewall permissions) and thank you. As best I can decipher (from the usual tech-gibberish), all that is connected with the printer is "allowed" in the firewall ...

 

Doggone it!

When you hit "print" does anything ever light up on the printer?

 

No ma'am. Nothing lights-up.

When I attempt to "Print" (from the File drop-down, or wherever), the screen gives me the prompts for "Preferences"/etc., and then after a pause, I get the "Communication Unavailable" error message box, with the usual checklist of things to check for (Power, cables, firewall, etc.).

Normally, the printer would power-up first (on it's own) when I click "Print", and then I could/would set my prefs, etc.

PS - interesting note. After multiple uninstalls/re-installs, now when I plug the printer back into the PC, I immediately get the "Safely REMOVE Hardware" icon?? That icon has been troublesome in the past - but shouldn't I get the "New Hardware Found" balloon? .......................

 

Hmmm. The printer isn't hearing what the 'puter is saying.

The "Safely Remove Hardware" icon seems much more benign to me than to you.

Tell me this (this is so hard by remote control!). When you go into Control Panel and click on Printers and Faxes, what do you see? Is your printer listed? Does it have a check mark listing it as the default printer?

 

Re: "Crisis" Defused ....

Ok, this is the part where I have to be humble, thank you, and admit that MY problem had nothing to do with Dell, and certainly nothing to do with your help here.

It is (WAS) a program I have installed (Startup Control Panel) that was blocking my printer.

"Lev", here at MG's offered to help me with the program, but I was (AM) too-danged stubborn and HARD-headed to have accepted the offer (actually I just hadn't made time to "get to it").

So my li'l mini-crisis, hissy-fit, and general three year-old tantrum has come to an end ... for now at least.

Thank you again (very much) - and sorry to have put you out - it was my bad - entirely.
Glenn
PS - just to answer your last question here, yes, this printer was/is set as the "Default" printer (obvious now, I suppose). The SRH icon is still present, so I'll just have to live with that (at least for awhile until I figure it out - or not). Thanks again.

 

Re: "Crisis" Defused ....

So your printer is working again? I am really glad to hear that, and glad that at least I didn't make matters any worse with your computer ("First, do no harm..." )

FJM