Windows 7: Printer problems

Since I upgraded to Windows 7 a couple weeks ago, I have been unable to print. I have tried to remove the old driver for my Dell 720 printer. When I try to add the new printer driver, nothing happens. The "Add a printer" box shows that it is "Installing printer" but they never end. Also I can't close the box or bring up task manager to force it.

When I try to print from IE, I get this message:
An error has occurred in the script on this page:
Line: 2032
Char: 1
Error: Unspecified error
Code: 0
URL: res://ieframe.dll/preview.js
Do you want to continue running scripts on this page? Yes No

When I try to print a Word document, I get:
Windows cannot print due to a problem with the current printer setup.

If anybody knows how to resolve this, I would be terribly grateful. I am no wiz with computers so you may need to break it down for me. Thanks!

Go to devices and printers. Right click on the problem printer, click on uninstall. Now shut down your computer, not a restart shut it down. Boot up. Now go to the website that has the drivers. Go through the install procedure. Follow it closely, it will indicate whether your printer should be connected. If you follow the instructions and you picked the right driver. 64 bit v 32 bit, printer model, OS, you should be printing by now.

I ask that you let us know what happens.

Thanks, Rich. I followed your instructions-removing the old drivers, shutting down, booting up, and installing the Dell printer driver. As I was downloading the new driver, I came upon this discouraging site (Dell - Support) which says my Dell 720 printer is not compatible with Windows 7.
Nonetheless, I installed the driver and have a new issue. I no longer get the messages I mentioned before. Now, either nothing happens or a message tells me that the computer cannot communicate with the printer. I have checked the cables and ports and nothing has worked.
Thanks again for your help!

As I type this, I really hope that you come back to this site. I went to dell, you can download a driver that works with XP and you can download in compatibility mode. If you do come back, just post. I or someone else will tell you how.

Hello Richc46.
I'm having exactly the same problem as joelirish
Would you be good enough to give me the details of the "fix" ?
Thanks and regards,Nelly.

Nelly,

I would very happy to help you, maybe joelirish will see it too.

I had HP laser printer 1018. The site said that they had drivers compatible for Win 7. So I installed my windows 7 and then went for the driver, because I needed my printer to print up a boarding pass for a flight. Well, I go to download and the site says, coming soon. So I needed a work around and here it is.

Get rid of all traces of your printer, old drivers etc, from your computer. Go to the website that has the drivers to download. Here is the first trick, do not click run. Click save and save to your documents folder or someplace else of your choice. Then go to the location where you saved the driver and right click on it. You may or may not have a choice, but chose compatibity mode, when the opportunity arrives, you can choose xp or vista. Then download using the normal procedures. Usually you do not turn on your printer until told to do so, but you will find that out when you make the attempt to get the driver.
Either way get back, let me know what happened.
Good luck and enjoy

Thanks for the additional information. I took your advice about download the XP version after removing old drivers. I still have the "cannot communicate message" followed by this:
Script: C:\Dell720\dlbcEN.vbs
Line: 11
Char: 1
Error: Permission denied
Code: 800A0046
Source: Microsoft VBScript runtime error
However, I also ready your advice for Nelly, so I am going to try that process tonight. I will let you know how it goes! Thanks again!

Your best bet may be the WIndows Update drivers.

Microsoft Update Catalog

(I hope this is the right model.)

Hello All,
No luck for me I'm afraid.
I went to the Dell website and found my driver (and patch ) and the only option it would give was to download.
It would not let me download without using Dell's download manager and then the manager reported "nothing to download" even though the two items were on the list.

Was the driver you found the correct driver? It was a driver for Window 7? If so,try it this way. Go to control panel and uninstal,l if your printer shows. Then turn off your computer, boot up. Now, go to devices and printers and got to add new printer.

I do not understand, I use the same OS that you have and I was able to download a driver that was not even for Win 7, it was for Vista and it works.

Well, try again, and keep us informed, either way.