HP has always been good to me
At times my printer goes brain dead as well. I power off and power up the printer and then it works. I use a Brother 420CN Printer, Scanner & Fax. It’s been with me 5 years.
Revert to Win XP or upgrade to Linux the ultimate Windows service pack ( Hat tip to whomever’s tagline that is)
I’ve had an HP C4280 All-in-One for about 3 years with zero problems...
I got a wireless BrotherLC61 series and I love it. I’ve never had a wireless printer before and I love how it goes to sleep and wakes up to print. I guess I’m easily amused. lol It is also a scanner, copier, and fax machine.
I’ve had an HP printer/copier/scanner for several years, used with two different computers (Windows Me and Windows XP) with no problems. Specifically, it’s an HP PSC 1610 All-In-One. I’m sure that specific model is no longer made, but I’ve seen extremely similar ones in stores in the recent past. And don’t rule out Craiglist as a source of low-cost used electronics (assuming the seller is willing to demonstrate it works before you buy, and has the original software disc if applicable).
Here’s one very similar to mine:
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/ele/1401242595.html
Of course, Vista may be the problem. My experience with a Vista laptop was enough to convince me NEVER to buy a computer with Vista on it again. So when I decided to retire my Windows Me desktop, I got a great deal on a refurbished XP-loaded HP Pavilion on eBay.
http://www.newegg.com/Store/Category.aspx?Category=33&name=Printers-Scanners
My Dell 2004-2006
I have to turn off my Norton Personal Fire wall in order for my Dell printer that came with my Dell computer to work. If not, I get the same message, about not being able to communicate etc.