What OS does your new laptop have? In this case, the version matters. Do you have the 32-bit or 64-bit version of the OS? (I assume you have Windows with a Dell, then click Start > Control Panel > System and Security > System to get the OS and version. A 64- bit OS will have an x64 after the version.)
Nikon does not support the 64-bit OS's.
The files below are for the USB or parallel port Nikon Scanners.
If you have Windows 98SE - XP, download the driver from
http://support.nikonusa.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/16452 . Scroll down to the I Agree button. Then download the update to version 4.02 from here:
http://support.nikonusa.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/16453 . Install the files in order. (Download and run; double click on the file in the Download manager or on the desktop (or folder where the program was saved).)
If you have Windows Vista, download the software from
http://support.nikonusa.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/14463 . Again scroll to the I Agree button. You will need to accept the changes to the computer when the UAC pops up (or under).
See below for Windows 7.
Most manuals are available in a PDF format. To get the latest version of Adobe Reader, go to
http://www.adobe.com . Click on the link to download Adobe Reader. (It's on the right hand side of the page below the Special sales offers. Alternatively, go to
http://www.adobe.com/go/EN_US-H-GET-READER (in the US). The current version is Adobe Reader X (10.0.1). There is a download and install option. You may need to give an ActiveX permission to start the download with IE. With Vista or Windows 7, you will need to accept the installation making changes to your hard drive (possibly twice) in the UAC.
If you have Windows 7 32-bit, the Vista file may work on your computer. You
need to use the compatibility mode. After downloading the file, right
click on the installer. Then choose Properties and then the
Compatibility tab. Turn on Run program as Compatible with the
appropriate OS. Then right click again on the installer and choose Run
as Administrator. Then check if the program itself is running in the
compatibility mode by right clicking again and choosing Properties.
However, Nikon says they do not support any version of Windows 7 even in
the compatibility mode. If it doesn't work, see the 64-bit workaround below.
If you have a 64-bit OS, you need to use a workaround. This means you use a computer (virtual, dual-boot, or true second machine) with an older version of Windows installed. If you have Win7 Pro or Ultimate, you can create a virtual XP computer for free. Download and install Virtual PC and XP mode from Microsoft. Install them in order. Then install the XP software from the above site in the virtual computer and it will work. (Other virtual computer programs are Parallels and VMWare.) All of the other options will require a licensed version of the older Windows OS. Please note that the virtual computer can't share files directly with the main computer. You'll need to save files to external or removable media (optical media or flash drive, for example) to share them. Additionally your printer can only be installed on the real or the virtual computer at any given time. You will be asked to uninstall if you try to install it to the virtual computer when it is installed on the real machine.
I hope this helps.
Cindy Wells