Checkpoint: Unhide Hidden Devices in the Device Manager, view the problem
devices and remove them manually from there.
This problem can occur when the printer driver is initially installed. The
printer installation program from the manufacturer does not enable the New
Hardware Wizard to finish its detection of the newly installed printer.
To work around this problem, enable the New Hardware Wizard to finish, even
though the wizard cannot detect a new printer.
New Hardware Wizard Detects Printer Device After Every Restart
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q298/3/70.asp
This workaround is for an HP Printer, use accordingly:
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.
--
All the Best,
Kelly (MS-MVP/DTS&XP)
Taskbar Repair Tool Plus!
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/taskbarplus!.htm