Win XP Pro : Can't add printers (operation could not be completed)

[Matti Salonen]

I have an odd problem with printers:

1. All my printers (defined, using XP built-in drivers) vanished from
the Printer Control panel

2. Tried adding new printers, and I got the error message:

"Print spooler service is not running.
The operation could not be completed."

3. I started Print Spooler (net start spooler), although it was already
set to Automatic start. It started ok and didn't stop. Event log was
clear of errors

4. I tried to "Add Printer" wizard in Printer Control panel again:

"Operation could not be completed"

5. I proceeded to clear the registry of existing printer drivers as
detailed here:

http://members.shaw.ca/bsanders/CleanPrinterDrivers.htm

6. Rebooted and tried again. Same problem (see 2-4).

7. Emptied the System32\spool drivers\w32x86\3 subdir. reboot. Trie
again. Same problem

8. Ran Cleanspl.exe from WinXP/2003 Resource Kit tools. Reboot tried
again. same problem.

9. Ran sfc /scannow. Rebooted. Same problem.

I'm running fairly recently (3 weeks ago) clean (no
viri/trojans/malware/rootkits) Win XP Pro sp2 + all updates.

I can't add any new printers.

I'm baffled.

I haven't had any HP printers installed. Only local TCP_IP port to a LAN
NAT IP address using a Windows XP built-in Borther PCL printer driver.

Any ideas as how to fix this issue?

I really need printing and would rather not re-install the whole XP
(again).

 

[chillzatl]

Try going to c:\windows\inf and deleted the printupg.PNF file.