Blank "printers and faxes" folder

[Frank D. Carey]

I have a desktop with XP professional installed. Some
time ago, the "Printers and Faxes" folder began showing
none of my hardware or virtual printers installed -
completely blank. All the printers still work, and show
up on the application print dialog, but are absent from
the system folder. Also, the Add Printer wizard will not
start from the Printers and faxes folder. Printers that
are installed by other software still install & function,
but do not show up in that system folder.
I have already been thru a second-level tech session
(more than one) with MS tech support without success.
Neither a repair install nor a "Scannow" helps, and I've
checked all drives for a virus. They are clean.
Recently, my notebook (running XP Home) started doing
the same thing. I've removed several suspect programs,
and even used system restore. No dice.
Does anyone know how to get XP to scan for printers and
populate the "Printers and Faxes" folder?

 

[Cari \(MS-MVP\)]

Have you tried starting the print spooler

From the command prompt, type

net start spooler

(and remember to hit enter!)

Cari
www.coribright.com

 

[Frank Carey]

yes - no dice. thanks for answering

-----Original Message-----
Have you tried starting the print spooler

From the command prompt, type

net start spooler

(and remember to hit enter!)

Cari
www.coribright.com




.

 

[James Crumpley]

I have experienced this problem for the last two weeks.
The online (e-mail) tech finaly made a suggestion that
worked as follows:

(omit the " marks when typing.)
1. Insert Windows XP CD into CD-ROM drive
2. Click "Start", click "Run", type "cmd", click "Okay"
3. Type "sfc/scannow"
4. Press "Enter"
5. After process completes, restart computer

In my case the printers were back after this process.