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General discussion

The Vista printer nightmare

Mar 16, 2007 11:42PM PDT

I'm not computer-wise, but I'm not an idiot either. I replaced a Windows 98 computer with a new Lenovo 3000J machine. According to the the machine instructions, Epson, and Microsoft, this machine had all the software needed to run my Epson Color Stylus 440 printer. I followed all the directions. The computer said that my printer had been installed and was my default printer. But, when I tried to print anything, including a test page, nothing happened. I contacted IBM and was told that the printer was not compatible. I asked for a supervisor and he walked me through and the printer worked fine after that, for about a week. Then, it stopped again. I called IBM and was told by several tech people and two supervisors that the fault was in the Vista system and they couldn't help. I contacted Epson and they said that Lenovo has all the software needed for my printer. Then I contacted Microsoft. They were worthless. They said that, since IBM had purchased the system, it was their problem, but, for $60, they would give me help. Nice of them! I even put the machine back to factory defaults, but the printer still won't print. When I try, it indicates "printing", then "error". Now, I have an all but useless system. I'm sorry that I didn't keep my old Windows 98 system. Can anyone help? There must be an answer, because it did work.

Discussion is locked

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Try here...
Mar 17, 2007 9:03AM PDT

Epson UK Support for your model. Information from the download link (right) seerms to indicate that the drivers may already be with the OS, but maybe not. Microsoft is correct - you get support from the manufacturerer of the computer who installed the OEM Vista, and it may have left out the drivers for the printer.

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Printer problem
Mar 17, 2007 9:28PM PDT

I would agree, except for two items: notice my last line. An IBM supervisor, whose name, unfortunately, I didn't get, made the printer work perfectly for over a week, and, the computer in indicates that the printer was successfully installed as my default printer. I wish that I could remember what had me do, but I can't, and the normal procedure doesn't work.