Solved Windows 7 No Printer Driver Ricoh AC204

[superandy4210]

I recently upgraded to windows 7 home 64bit and tried to install my printer and my computer couldn't locate a driver and the supplied disk wouldn't work. The printer is a Ricoh AC204. I contacted Ricoh directly and was informed that there is no driver for windows 7 64 bit or windows 7 at all for that matter. Customer service informed me that since the printer is old they will not be making a driver that is windows 7 compatible. I read about a workaround using an old machine with windows xp as a dedicated printer server and that if I printed to it through the network I wouldn't need a driver for my windows 7 machine. I see pleanty of old machines around for free or cheap so it sounded like a good solution. My question is will this actually work and if so I was wondering if anyone could shead a little light on specifically how to accomplish this. If this is not a good solution I was wondering if anyone had any other ideas how I could use this printer with my windows 7 system.

 

[TVeblen]

Going here: AC204 download page I see that there is a Vista 64 bit driver. You can try to install this driver in 'Compatibility Mode' : http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/316-compatibility-mode.html.

You should perform a System Restore to a point before you tried installing the printer just to start on a clean slate.

Then, as is most cases, keep the printer disconnected from the system, install the driver package in compatibility mode, then connect the printer when instructed.
Ricoh's installation may be different. You could see if they have a guide online.

 

[superandy4210]

Thanks for the response. The installation worked in compatibility mode and all of the functions of the printer are working perfectly.

 

[TVeblen]

Glad to hear it. Congrats!

 

[curliegreen]

Trying to do the same thing but no luck. Could you give me a little more step by step, maybe I'm missing something.

Thanks,
Getting a new computer sucks. I'm not sure who to be mad at MS or Ricoh.

 

[TVeblen]

Hello curliegreen. Welcome to the forum.

Did you download the latest driver for XP or Vista, right click on the downloaded file, and then Run in Compatibility mode as described here: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/316-compatibility-mode.html ?

It is the hardware manufacturer's responsibility to provide their customers with drivers for the current operating systems.

Thing is, they would rather you buy a new printer than spend the time so you won't have to.

 

[curliegreen]

Got the Ricoh working, not sure what I was doing wrong or how I fixed it. Now working on a Canon scanner, same problem. Weird one was I hooked up a Zip 100 usb and it worked all by itself. Same thing with a usb floppy drive I bought.

 

[TVeblen]

It's always a good idea to know what you are doing.
Usually a good idea to know what you have done.
Life gets complicated when you don't follow these rules.

 

[curliegreen]

I used to know what I was doing with XP, this 7 thing is a little different. I had my son in law try over the weekend. He is a Clarkson educated software engineer for General Dynamics. He couldn't get the Canon scanner to work either. Will keep at it but maybe the scanner is just to old.