Printers appear in Device Manager not PRINTER folder

[RJL]

Thanks to Hewlett-Packard's so-called "tech" so-called "support," my
computer is now left unable to install any printer.

When I "add printer" from the PRINTERS folder, and the wizard does some
file copying, but the newly added printer does not appear in the
PRINTERS folder, but rather in the device manager (under a line for
"printers", as though it was some new hardware device). Same happens
when I try to install that insufferable HP 1220 printer from the CD-Rom.

The HP so-called tech who got me into this situation -- my computer was
working just fine before he started
uninstalling-reinstalling-uninstalling-reinstalling -- now says
"reinstall Windows" -- the usual techies'-last-gasp when they've run out
of flowchart. I'd really, really, really, prefer not to have to
reconfigure my entire computer (extensively personalized toobars,
preferences, desktop and customization of all sorts) . . . all on
account of an inferior printer and software.

It appears that somewhere Win98 must be telling the ADD PRINTERS wizard
to disply the resulting icons in Device Manger, instead of the printer's
folder. Perhaps a registry line? Or a specific file(s) which can be
retrieved from the .cabs?

Does anyone have a clue?

GSCheyenne

P.S. I'm posting copies of this message on the "printing," "registry,"
"setup" and "general" boards, in the hope that someone who can help will
see it.

Many thanks.

 

[Lawrence Tse]

You can think about disconnecting the printer cable, go to device manager,
select "Show hidden device option", and delete all the related printer
device. Then you can try installing the printer driver again WITHOUT your
printer plug in yet, and only plugin the printer when you are asked to.
That may sometimes help.

 

[RJL]

Thanks for replying.


I did disconnect the printer cable.
Went to device manager.
I didn't see anything for "show hidden device option" but the "Printers"
device line was visible and I deleted all the printers under it, and the
device line then disappeared.

Unfortunately, when I tried to install another printer from the "Add
printers" wizard in the printers folder, it only regenerated the
printers line in the device manager. That wizard doesn't not even ask
for what port to install the printer on.

I also removed the LPT1 (ECP) port. But Device Manager soon reinstalled
it itself.

Is there any place in the registry where the Add Printers wizard is
being misdirected to the device manager rather than the printers folder?

Or can I reinstall the printer wizard from win98 -- without a total
recovery and loss of all everything?


Thanks for your help.

RJL

 

[Bob I]

Try posting your problem in a Windows 98 newsgroup. The solutions
offered here would apply to windows 2000.