Problem adding network printer

Nuffen · Jun 16, 2011

I cannot add a network printer to my Vista computer.
Using “Add Printer” in the Control Panel and clicking on “Next” after highlighting “Adding a network, wireless or Bluetooth printer”, a list of available network printers opens up, including the one I wish to install (Dell 1350cnw Color Printer). Selecting it and clicking “Next” a new window opens with a progress bar and a note saying “Connecting to Dell 1350cnw Color Printer”. I can see it is trying to connect, but after a while it stops with the following message:
“Windows cannot connect to the printer. Operation could not be completed
(error 0x000000c1)”
On this Vista machine, the printer appears as a network printer attached to a Windows 7 computer. The printer has also been installed successfully on an XP computer in my home network
“Novice Computer Solution” offers a free download of a program to solve the problem, but I don’t feel sure if that would be safe to use? Does anyone know about this program or have any other suggestion for solving the problem?

MilesAhead · Jun 16, 2011

Is it actually hooked up to a Windows7 machine using a windows7 driver? I noticed my Epson printer did not like to be hooked to Windows7 and only liked to be connected to the Vista machine(they made no W7 driver for it. It printed locally fine but would not publish the driver over the network if hooked to W7.)

You might have better luck posting on the forum of the machine that actually has the printer, if it is hooked to W7.

In any case I found the driver download page if that's any help:

Drivers & Downloads

Patonb · Jun 16, 2011

My HP had to initially be networked by a hard connection.

Maybe yours does to.

The Howling Wolves · Jun 16, 2011

Go into printers and delete it.
Then Shut down computer and unplug printer and disconnect usb from printer to computer.
Re boot and then once computer is up and logged in then plug printer in.
In Windows Seven and I think even Vista will find and install your printer.
This method worked for me when I had Vista and when I upgraded to Windows Seven.
Post back if more help is needed and if this method worked for you.
Dennis

Nuffen · Jun 16, 2011

Thanks for the suggestions. The printer is actually hooked up to a new HP Pavilion computer with Windows 7 and was apparently installed successfully on my home network. I have come to this conclusion because it is seen by two other computers on my home network, including the Vista on which I am trying to install it. On the other, an XP computer, it was also installed as a network printer without problems.
When trying to install the printer on the Vista, the name of the printer pops up as one of two printers on the network, but fails to connect to it. Googeling the error message 0x000000c1 several articles mentioned that this was caused by an error in the computer's registry and one solution would be to restore the operating system to an earlier time. The problem with that is I have no early reset point. Unless there is a program on the market that can repair registry errors, I see no other solution than to restore the programs that came with the computer from backup CDs

The Howling Wolves · Jun 16, 2011

Back up now and save all your pictures and documents on a thumb drive.
They are dirt cheap at you favorite box store like Office Depot, Staples, Best Buy or Frey's.
Hope you have all the other software programs you installed.
Best of luck.

Before doing a restore I would check with a reputable XP forum to help you with that error problem.

MilesAhead · Jun 16, 2011

Before I'd go back to square one, I'd make a restore point, then try one of the bad driver cleaners. Unless it totally makes your system unbootable, you should be able to get back to where you are now at least. If you are just about ready to go back to out of the box, then you only have avoiding that to gain and not much to lose.

One caveat.. I'd make sure the Rescue/Restore/Install CD/DVD boots before depending on it.

Nuffen · Jun 16, 2011

OK, I will check around to see if an easier solution than restoring is to be found. As the DSL modem and network router is attached to the Vista computer, restoring will mean reinstalling the network in addition to the progams and data. Considering the work and risks involved, I may decide to live without access to the Dell Color Laser printer on the Vista.

Nuffen · Jun 16, 2011

Making a restore point and trying a registry cleanup/repair program is a good idea and will be tried. Thanks!

Slammer · Jun 16, 2011

Nuffen said:
“Novice Computer Solution” offers a free download of a program to solve the problem, but I don’t feel sure if that would be safe to use? Does anyone know about this program or have any other suggestion for solving the problem?

Post a link to that page, I'll check it out for you. As long as that restore point suggestion is up, it probably wouldn't hurt to make a restore point and then try that software (unless they stick a really nasty virus in it; but it's unlikely that it'd do that much damage if you have a half-decent anti virus installed) And in case my judgement isn't enough, I've got my McAfee Site Adviser that should tell me if it's a clean site or not. But post the link and I'll take a look for you!

Nuffen · Jun 17, 2011

Here is the link: How To Fix 0x000000C1 Error?

Slammer · Jun 17, 2011

Looks like it's a clean site. You should be ok downloading and running it, there's a good chance it will fix you right up. But make sure you have an AntiVirus installed before doing that just to be safe. And create a Restore Point as we mentioned earlier to be extra safe. Let us know how it goes!

MilesAhead · Jun 17, 2011

The other consideration is, how far is the printer from the Vista machine? Some printers like Vista better than W7 just because it's been around longer. As I mentioned my Epson won't serve up the printer driver from W7 but it gives me no hassles including being able to see the remaining ink levels on W7 if it's actually hooked to the Vista machine. But that's probably because they never made a W7 driver for it. It's in the firmware so there's no driver download for it. But that's my problem, not this one.

Nuffen · Jun 17, 2011

I downloaded and ran the "ErrorEnd" registry program. It scanned the registry and reported more than 2,000 errors, several hundred of which were labeled "High" or "Medium" risk. There was a button for "Repair". When I clicked on it a blank Internet Explorer screen opened with the message "Internet Explorer has stopped working" and a separate message "Click here to purchase key". I tried to purchase a key, but was unable to do so, probably because the IE had stopped working. I have no idea what the key would cost. What I learned from this experience is that my Vista computer does have a registry problem, and I now will be looking for a program to fix it.

MilesAhead · Jun 17, 2011

I would recommend ERUNT
to back up your registry. Not as drastic as using a restore point. But you can do a restore point also.

For registry problems I would use the one in CCleaner

It offers to back up before cleaning the registry. Doesn't hurt to have 2 or 3 backups.

I take it there's no possibility to hook the printer directly to the Vista machine and try networking from the other direction?

Slammer · Jun 18, 2011

Ya I would highly recommend NOT paying anything for a registry cleaner/repair program. There are good free ones that will do basically the exact same thing like MilesAhead's link. I actually use Auslogics BoostSpeed, but I got it for free from giveawayoftheday.com. If some program wants your money, you can almost always find a free version that will do the same thing. Cnet.com actually has great reviews for all sorts of programs for everything. Check their site anytime you consider downloading or purchasing a program. Just search the product name in google and add "cnet review" to the end of your search! They usually have a recommendation at the bottom of the review for a better program that will do the same thing. It's great.

Problem adding network printer

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