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General discussion

Why won?t my printers work with my new 64-bit Vista machine?

Apr 2, 2010 8:07AM PDT
Question:

Why won?t my printers work with my new 64-bit Vista machine?


I've got a new HP Pavilion loaded with Windows Vista. It is a 64-bit system, and I can't use either my Epson CX4600 or my Dell AIO 940 printers. I am computer illiterate, but one of my buddies told me that I really screwed up buying this one. He says that none of my equipment can be used with the 64-bit HP and that I will have to get all new stuff when and if it ever becomes available. Do you have any suggestions as to how I can get my current scanner/printers to work with this computer? Again I must reiterate that I am not computer smart and am just a 68-year-old retiree on a fixed income.

Thanks for any suggestions you can give me.

--Submitted by Paul H. of Cornelius, OR

Here are some featured member answers to get you started, but
please read all the advice and suggestions that our
members have contributed to this question.

It's probably in need of drivers... by Wolfie2k5
http://forums.cnet.com/5208-12546_102-0.html?messageID=3280278#3280278

Pretty simple. Install the drivers --Submitted by BigGuns149
http://forums.cnet.com/5208-12546_102-0.html?messageID=3280596#3280596

64 bit problem --Submitted by Steven Limbrick
http://forums.cnet.com/5208-12546_102-0.html?messageID=3280804#3280804

New computer problems --Submitted by waytron
http://forums.cnet.com/5208-12546_102-0.html?messageID=3284186#3284186

Printer drivers For Epson CX4600 and Dell AIO 940--Submitted by MichaelFoust
http://forums.cnet.com/5208-12546_102-0.html?messageID=3280089#3280089

Thank you to all who contributed!

If you have an answer for Paul, click the reply link below and submit it. Please be as detailed as possible when providing a solution or recommendation. Thanks!

Discussion is locked

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I get my old EpsonR300 to work right through all my systems
Apr 21, 2010 12:01AM PDT

I was at a stage not like yours 2years ago and i found this way of getting my printer to work even on Vist64bit/XP 32bit/Vist32bit Sytems.

Go to Control Panel. Choose printer. Then choose Add Printer.

ChooseAdd a local printer. Click on Create a new port. The default in the drop down box is Local Port. Do not change that. Click Next.

A dialogue box will appear asking for you to enter a port name. Type in the \\computer name\printer name ie. My computer's name is basement and the printer name is EpsonSty so I typed in \\basement\epsonsty

Yahoo! It worked. Go figure! I guess Microsoft thinks printers on a intranet are local.

This is from a web site i know its on sharing the printer outside but use the add local printer and then install with the epson drivers you will find.

The web link is here to:

http://social.technet.microsoft.com/forums/en-US/itprovistaprinting/thread/8c3c3d97-9d85-4ab0-9fc8-4b7aba202fb2/

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Insert Driver .INF & .SYS in c:\Windows\system32\Drivers
Apr 27, 2010 2:38AM PDT

OK,
I have the same problem, HP Website tells me Vista 64 has native drivers and HP won't cough up squat. Vista 64 OEM disk did not have the drivers.... Not without a clean install.
I believe it started as a registry problem, but persists.

Locate the printer CD that came with the printer.

I copied the *.inf files into c:\Windows\System32 directory
and the *.SYS files into Windows\System32\Drivers directory
These are the 32 bit drivers from HP, but you won't get these from the website.

And guess what...,. the printer loaded.

The manufacturers want you to buy new.... Of course!!!
I wish I could scrap all the dorfs with the Geek Squad answers..."Go to the Manufacturer" sputum. They are so WORTHLESS.

- Bob the Builder

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Wonder if this comment would my situation.
Sep 26, 2010 1:18PM PDT

Hello, I read your post about the above mentioned post about you having success loading a printer driver in vista 64 bit. I have an older compaq printer that originally was working with win XP, but new puter has win7 64 bit and HP says there are no drivers available for this printer to work with win7. Would this comment of yours "insert Driver .INF & .SYS files in c:\\Windows\system32\Drivers" work iyopun my situation, or this entirely different than yours. I thought I would ask you before copying these files as there are lots of files in both and may take some time to do only to have them not work. Thank you for your comment and any help would be much appreciated. Don R.