Posted on 02/14/2013 2:44:14 PM PST by topher
Basically, the original CD for this printer was lost.
Webpages say to use some software that you have to load SCOM/SCE to use.
We can get to this printer on the network (IP Address) and we have successfully set this up to one computer on the network.
The story on the CDROM was that someone else used this printer at this University and probably discarded the CDROM.
I have had no success with Dell Support sites.
And the printer is old enough to be out of warranty.
There is the following: Dell Printer Management Pack for (versions 4.1 and 5.0)
The problem with this software is that it requires Microsoft SCOM or Microsoft SCE to run.
The original CDROM would be so much easier to use.
I hope someone out there might be able to give me some suggestions on this problem.
Seems like SCOM and SCE are overkill for just setting up a Network Printer. And Dell is not winning much support from folks at this University with this problem.
Printers are so cheap now that the smart thing to do is probably scrap that one and buy a new one.
If you have successfully set this up on one machine on the network, the problem is not with the printer. The problem is with the OS or possibly just needs the drivers installed. If this is Windows, try going into the printer devices and add the printer. If it is on Windows 7, you can ask to search for it by IP address. Then, once found, Windows should install the drivers and it ought to work. Also check the sharing properties on the machine. It may be blocking what it sends to the network.
If Microsoft says it cannot find the drivers, see if there are some at the printer’s website that can be downloaded through the internet.
Example of that is:
TRENDnet Model TE100-P1U 1 port server
If you Google ‘disc for Dell 1815dn printer’ you will find the driver downloads and also a forum for that specific printer. Hopefully you will get help there.
If the computer is the same platform, it is possible to use printbrm to backup and restore the printer. This can even work over the network. Printbrm comes built in with windows 7
My Minolta laser would not upgrade when I went from XP to Win7-64 bit. There was a workaround driver for the 32-bit version, but not for the 64-bit.
Luckily, I had a newer Xerox color laser and it worked fine with Win7. In fact, when I ‘networked’ my Win7 laptop with my desktop, the laptop also recognized (wirelessly) the Xerox printer.
==
Printers are relatively cheap. I have seen specials on b/w lasers for $50 and color lasers for just over $100.
I wrote a powershell script that allows me to back up and restore printers over the network. It works well for migration from an old computer to a new one, but to get it to migrate from 32bit to 64bit took some real script-jitsu. You have to first make sure the 64bit drivers are on the new computer, then you can load the printers directly into WMI.
If you can successfully configure the printer for static IP, Subnet and Gateway, there is no reason you can’t print to this printer unless the drivers are unavailable or it requires a software utility. Dell printers are overwhelmingly based on Lexmark engines and I’m not aware of any Lexmarks that fit that bill.
To assist you need to provide more info.
I can help if you’re determined to make that multifunction print.
This page
http://www.dell.com/support/drivers/us/en/04/Product/dell-1815dn
contains all you need to download drivers to enable printing; that’s all you need if it’s just Win7.
See below for more information. TRENDnet also has a Printer Server for Multi-Function printers that allows one to take the USB connection and put the printer the network.
We are using the latest firmware (loaded into the printer) and drivers for Windows 7.
The one computer that was working on the network stopped as soon as the USB Connection between it and the computer was unplugged.
TRENDnet also has a Multi-Function Printer Server for going from USB to the network.
You would have to run a CDROM on each computer to "share" the printer through the TRENDnet printer server.
The cost is only about $40 to $60 [depending on vendor].
We still have 3 printer cartridges for that printer, so we might as well use them.
It will give us two printers and another scanner in this lab if we go that route.
Ok. I’ll bite:
As I still don’t see enough information to help, I only have the following suggestion:
1. Go to Printers/Devices & Add a Printer.
2. Select ‘Add a local printer’
3. If the IP address of your printer is in the ‘existing port list’, select it. Otherwise create a ‘new port’ with the IP of that assigned to your printer.
4. At the ‘Install the printer driver’ screen select ‘Have Disk...” and browse to the folder where you extracted the files downloaded from Dell.
(Note: #4 presumes you are adept at downloading/extracting/browsing to files and that you have the correct driver for your OS, without respect to any connectivity issues resolved & pingable to the printer. I always create a folder on the desktop for this purpose)
5. Dial down to a .inf file. If there is more than one, just pick one.
6. Finish the installation. If it doesn’t print, ping it. If it pings, do a configuration test page off the printer and confirm the IP/network settings (which must include IP, Gateway & Subnet).
I looked at the Dell files and it appears there is a .inf file for simple driver installation (without their BS application software). It ‘should’ work. This is simple stuff from my end.
I guess my reading comprehension goes down a few notches on the weekend.
I missed that you suggest the printer is USB. The model you provided is for an ‘N’, or network model, which was the basis for my network support.
Again, without more info help is impossible. Why you’re using a print server when the printer has network is beyond me, unless it is for wireless. If that is the case, you should resolve ‘wired’ connectivity/function before wireless troubleshooting. Presuming the model is correct, using a ‘crossover cable’ to connect the printer directly to your laptop/PC is one method. Be aware, however, that it is possible to install the printer USB WITHOUT the software application...only if you are adept at doing so.
One more thing: My experience with print servers is that you need to turn off DHCP at the printer when using a USB/print server combination on the network. Beyond that, without a whole lotta indirect & inefficient messaging, I suggest you dump the print server and connect directly to a wired network if possible. Wireless sucks (IMHO).
But from research on the Internet, it shows that this printer only works with the original CDROM to set up the network.
We tried setting up on network, but unless the computer has the USB also connected to that computer, it does not work (unless you use the original CDROM).
The printer is old enough to be out of service warranty.
It is just cheaper and easier to get a print server ($40-$60) than to try to go through Dell to get a CDROM or get support and put the printer back on service.
I can look up and post some of those looking for an alternative to using the CDROM. All of those posts ended up with no solution UNLESS YOU GET THE ORIGINAL CDROM.
Sorry I can’t help. With the availability of the .inf file in the Dell download, if you can input an IP into the printer there is NO REASON you can’t print on the network WITHOUT the CDrom unless there’s something I’m missing here. Good luck.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.