Printer found and I don't have a printer.

  • Thread starter Thread starter Steve
  • Start date Start date
S

Steve

Every time I start the computer or hardware wizard. It
tells me that a printer has been found. I don't have a
printer hooked to this computer. How can I stop this from
popping up?
 
I am having the same problem. I deleted LPTENUM as per
Knowledge Base article #298370. When I re-started,
Hardware Wizard still detected a printer and LPTENUM was
back!
 
Hi Mike,

See if this helps:

1. When the Found New Hardware Wizard starts at startup of the computer,
click <next>.

2. When it asks you for the HP disk, (the next thing that will require a
response from you probably), click <ok>. However, do NOT insert the disk
into your CD-ROM drive.

3. On the next screen that comes up, there will be a button that is already
highlighted telling the wizard where to find the printer driver (which is
what it is looking for). This button will be pointing it at "other media,
CD-ROM,etc.

The trick is to DESELECT this button. At that point, the button for your C:
drive will become active and you can select the C: drive. It will also
probably be prompting you with the location for the already installed HP
printer driver that is somewhere on your C: drive. (If not, you need to
click browse and locate the driver).

4. After you have deselected the CDROM and selected the C: drive, click
<ok> (or <next>) The Wizard then makes a second copy of your printer driver
(and, by the way, creates a second "installed printer" in your Control
Panel/Printers). And then, the wizard finally completes and tells you that
you have successfully installed the new hardware.

5. On subsequent startup, the Wizard should then NOT run.
 
Need help finding this driver. What file extension will it
have? Can you give me any clues what folder it may be in?
The computer doeesn't want to accept searching entire C
drive.
 
Here is more info on this problem and what I have already
tried:Every start up the Found New Hardware Wizard says it
has detected a printer, even if I disconnect the printer.
My printer connects to a USB slot on the front of the
computer. The computer is a Shuttle Spacewalker model
FV24. I have previously installed this driver from the CD
and the printer does print. Someone told me there must be
a printer card installed. If that is true I sure cannot
find it. This computer has only one PCI slot and in that
slot is a dial-up modem card. I deleted LPTENUM as it says
to do in MSKB.
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q298/3/70.
asp
After I restarted the computer it again detected a new
printer and LPTENUM was back in the registry. Then I
followed the directions as S. Sengupta said to do. I tried
to complete the Found New Hardware Wizard. The wizard
says it cannot install this hardware. I then restarted the
computer and again it found a new printer. This time I
inserted the printer CD to try to complete the wizard. The
wizard says it cannot install this hardware.
 
Mike said:
Here is more info on this problem and what I have already
tried:Every start up the Found New Hardware Wizard says it
has detected a printer, even if I disconnect the printer.
My printer connects to a USB slot on the front of the
computer. The computer is a Shuttle Spacewalker model
FV24. I have previously installed this driver from the CD
and the printer does print. Someone told me there must be
a printer card installed. If that is true I sure cannot
find it. This computer has only one PCI slot and in that
slot is a dial-up modem card. I deleted LPTENUM as it says
to do in MSKB.
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q298/3/70.
asp
After I restarted the computer it again detected a new
printer and LPTENUM was back in the registry. Then I
followed the directions as S. Sengupta said to do. I tried
to complete the Found New Hardware Wizard. The wizard
says it cannot install this hardware. I then restarted the
computer and again it found a new printer. This time I
inserted the printer CD to try to complete the wizard. The
wizard says it cannot install this hardware.

What is the printer make and model? Do you have any other USB devices
connected and if so are they working correctly?

You don't need a "printer card" and whoever told you that is mistaken.

Steve
 
Lexmark Z25. This printer is not the problem,it prints
without a problem. The problem existed from day 1, long
before this printer was added. Only other USb device is
Logitech Webcam which also works fine.
 
From where did you install the driver? If you used the "generic" Z22-33
driver Windows has included that may be your problem. Try downloading
the driver for XP from Lexmark and use that one instead.

Also, just in case you don't know, most USB devices need to have the
driver/software installed first, then connect the device. Windows sees
the new device and finds the installed driver for it.

Steve
 
Printer Installation Software that came with the printer.
Now I should let you know I bought this computer used and
don't know what it's history is.
 
Go into the BIOS and disable the LPT1 port. Sounds like Windows is
seeing it and incorectly identifying it as a printer.
 
I disabled LPT1 & the Parallel port in BIOS, and in the
Device Manager, then uninstalled the drivers for both
ports. IT STILL FINDS A PRINTER!!!
 
It is time to put this thread to an end. After all the
attempts to resolve this problem, tonight the hard drive
died. Won't even boot from a boot disc. I removed the dead
hard drive and put in another one I had (with Win 95 on
it). Computer started up and ran fine. I want to thank
everyone who tried to help me with this problem.
 
I disabled LPT1 & the Parallel port in BIOS, and in the
Device Manager, then uninstalled the drivers for both
ports. IT STILL FINDS A PRINTER!!!

That is weird.

Does it list it in Device manager when it finds it?

If so then go into Device manager and double click it to call up its
properties. Then simply disable it on the properties page.

This should stop XP from trying to install it again.

You will show a disabled item in the device manager list but at least
XP won't insist on trying to keep installing it.
 
Maybe you have another utility like a microphone or external product hooked into the printer port.
 
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