Can't instal any printer on windows 7 64 bit

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• Tuesday, February 28, 2012 8:44 AM

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   Hi,

  To resolve this issue, follow the steps presented. You may find it easier to follow the steps if you print this article first.
  
  Important This section, method, or task contains steps that tell you how to modify the registry. However, serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly. Therefore, make sure that you follow these steps carefully. For added protection, back up the registry before you modify it. Then, you can restore the registry if a problem occurs. For more information about how to back up and restore the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

  322756  (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/322756/ ) How to back up and restore the registry in Windows

  Step 1: Start the computer in safe mode

  Start the computer in safe mode in order to remove spool files. To do this, follow these steps:

  1. Restart your computer and press the F8 key repeatedly while the computer is starting. On a computer that is configured to run multiple operating systems, press the F8 key when the Boot menu appears.
  2. Select Safe Mode when the Windows Advanced Options menu appears, and then press ENTER.
  3. If the Boot menu appears again and you are prompted to select an operating system, use the arrow keys to select the operating system, and then press ENTER.
     
     Note For more information about how to start your computer in safe mode, click Start, click Help and Support, type safe mode in the Search box, press ENTER, and then click the Start Windows in safe mode topic.

  Step 2: Delete the spool printer and driver files

  In safe mode, delete the spool printer and driver files. To do this, start Microsoft Windows Explorer, and then delete all the files and the folders in the following two folders (where C: is the drive where Windows XP is installed):

  • C:\Windows\System32\Spool\Printers
  • C:\Windows\System32\Spool\Drivers\w32x86

  Step 3: Edit the registry

  Warning Serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly by using Registry Editor or by using another method. These problems might require that you reinstall the operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that these problems can be solved. Modify the registry at your own risk.

  First, remove the Windows NT subkeys

  Remove the potentially problematic registry entries for Windows NT x86 service subkeys. These may have been installed by third-party printer setup programs and may be interfering with the print spool service. Follow these steps to keep the drivers, print spools, and registry entries that were included with Windows and to remove all other drivers, print spools, and registry entries that may be causing issues.

  1. Start Registry Editor. To do this, click Start, click Run, type regedit in the Open box, and then click OK.
  2. Locate and expand the following registry key to view the list of subkeys (subfolders):

  HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print\Environments\Windows NT x86

  In the subkey list, there should only be the following subkeys:

  • Drivers
  • Print Processors
    1. If there are any subkeys other than the subkeys that are listed in step 2, follow these steps:
       1. On the File menu, click Export.
       2. In the File Name box, type the name that you want to use for this key, such as WindowsNTx86regkey, and then click Save.
          
          You can use this backup of the

  HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print\Environments\Windows NT x86

  registry key to restore the key if you experience any issues after you complete this procedure.

  1. Delete all the subkeys other than the subkeys that are listed in step 2. To do this, right-click each subkey that is not displayed on the list, and then click Delete. Click Yes when you are prompted to confirm the deletion.

  Second, remove registry entries for the default print monitors

  Remove the potentially problematic print monitor subkeys that may be interfering with the printer that you want to use. These may have been installed by third-party printer setup programs. Follow these steps to keep the print monitors and registry entries that were included with Windows and to remove all other print monitors and registry entries that may be causing issues.

  1. Start Registry Editor if it is not already open. To do this, click Start, click Run, type regedit in the Open box, and then click OK.
  2. Locate and then expand the following registry key to view the list of subkeys:

  HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print\Monitors

  In the list of subkeys, there should only be the following subkeys for the default print monitors:

  • BJ Language Monitor
  • Local Port
  • PJL Language Monitor
  • Standard TCP/IP Port
  • USB Monitor
    1. If there are any subkeys other than the subkeys that are listed in step 2, follow these steps:
    2. On the File menu, click Export.
       1. In the File Name box, type the name that you want to use for this key, such as Monitorsx86regkey, and then click Save.
       2. You can use this backup of the

  HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print\Monitors

  registry key to restore the key if you experience any issues after you complete this procedure.

  1. Delete all the subkeys other than the subkeys that are listed in step 2. To do this, right-click each subkey that is not displayed on the list, and then click Delete. Click Yes when you are prompted to confirm the deletion.
     1. Exit Registry Editor.
     2. If a printer is attached to the computer, disconnect the printer cable from the computer, and then restart the computer.

  Step 4: Install the printer and print a test page

  Reconnect the printer cable to the computer, install the printer according to the manufacturer’s instructions, and then try to print a test page.

  Regards,

  ---

  Arthur Li

  TechNet Community Support

  

  • Marked As Answer by Arthur_LiMicrosoft Contingent Staff, Moderator Tuesday, March 06, 2012 3:01 AM
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