Missing printer in printers folder

[Chris]

I am working with a dell machine (P4 2.4, XPpro, 512Mb ram, 30GB HDD) that
is connected to a HP1000 printer locally via usb cable. The printer is
connected through a usb hub due to other removable devices also using usb
connections. The problem is the printer does not appear in the printers
folder and I can not add a printer (I press the add printers button and it
does nothing, as well as -file -add printer). The printer used to show up
fine in Word and Word Perfect until I uninstalled and re installed the
printer software. Oops. I have also tried to connect the printer directly
into the usb port of the computer without the hub and still nothing. I have
a feeling it's a Windows corruption problem but I am hoping someone else has
a different fix that does not involve re-installing Windows. Any info would
be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Chris.

 

[Bruce Sanderson]

Possibly the "Print Spooler" service is stopped. See
http://members.shaw.ca/bsanders/CleanPrinterDrivers.htm for some possible
help.

Steps 8 and 9 are instructions for starting the Print Spooler. However, if
the Print Spooler service is stopped, there is usually a reason and that is
usually because of a problem with one or more printer drivers.

 

[Chris]

I checked the spooler service and it was running. I stopped and restarted
the service and still nothing. I even tried to add a printer when the
service was stopped (sort of knowing it would not work and it didn't). I
followed the steps in the article you posted and still nothing. Any other
Ideas? (even though I know the answer)