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I have had a problem for a while now and can't figure it out. My main computer which has my printers installed on it now does not show any printers. However, I can see them under "View Workgroup Computers" as they are shared (network) printers. My problem is that I cannot install any printers nor can I see any in the Printers and Faxes. I can print and they show up under printers to select from programs but because I can't see them, I am having trouble updating programs like Adobe. Adobe fails making a reference to the printers.
I checked the print spooler under Services and it is running. The dependencies are also running.
I have stopped and restarted it but the "Printer and Faxes" screen is still blank. I have no viruses and have scanned for them with Norton, Trend Micro, and even ran Hijackthis. I tried using a Windows print spooler cleaner but that barfed and would not work.
I also tried creating a new user and gave that user Admin Rights/Permissions and the printers still can't be seen.
I tried to add printers via the Microsoft Windows Network and I was told that I did not have administraive priv. to do it. This makes no sens since I am the admin. on my local computer and no settings have changed to cause this type of error message.
Any suggestions?
Brendan
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I have already scanned my computer and there was nothing found. I read the microsoft article regarding the "LexBce Server" in the Services but that entry is not even a service that is listed. I don't have any other Registry entries. I am trying to avoid scrubbing my printers via the registry and starting again, but maybe that is the road I have to take.
I had hoped for some details to narrow it down. I'm not alluding that malware is on the machine I'm writing that it's a common damage left behind (removing malware does not undo it's deeds) and I've seen it when owners tinker with the stock default accounts.
Your reply didn't offer new clues so I'll have to wait for more or ponder what I have to work with.
Bob
What clues do you need? The links that I was given to follow did not resolve anything although they might help most. I have heard that Lexmark causes problems but most responses are to simply restart the spooler. The one link lead me to the LexBce Server service which I do not have running nor is it listed on the Services tab.
I was hoping that there would be something other than deleting registry keys because I then have to reinstall the printers and go to each networked computer and re-install them. Kind of a pain.
Sorry, no quick fix so far. Hopefully you can share any ideas why you think it's went missing. Account changes, spyware scans, registry fix programs (this list may never end) but any event or clue could help.
Bob
I unplugged my printers, usb cable, power from wall, and all, and then restarted my machine with them uninstalled. I then plugged them back in and they appeared. So far, no problem. I have heard that the Lexmark is the problem child here but don't know.
Brendan
I get the same problem. Printes fall off printer folder but still work under individual programs i.e. Word/Excel but can't print direct from e-mail or IE. Not related to one computer. Only fix found yet is to re-install windows which might last few days and then same thing happens.
Microsoft don't want to know about the problem. Hope someone does.
I have the same problem... that two installed and somewhat usable printers are missing from the Printers and Faxes window on one (of two) of my XP machines. The "Add Printer" icon is the only item in the window and that doesn't respond either.
They show up on the other PC which is on the same wired LAN. I did add Kaspersky Internet Security recently, and maybe that's a contributer. When I try to print from an Internet Explorer window, I get a msg stating, "An error occurred during this operation".
Anyone have any ideas?
jjinsofla@hotmail.com
From computer (1), I could still print from my Microsoft Office products, but other printing was prohibited. A non-functional ?add printer? icon was the sole occupant of my "printers and faxes" window.
I searched the internet for solutions, seeing that others shared this problem as well with no effective solutions. Reimaging (the OS) seemed the only answer; lots of software, big job, there had to be a better solution.
Looking at my computer properties, I noticed that I had not yet installed SP3 on my XP OS as I didn?t trust it when it was first released. I downloaded and installed the service pack, rebooted & opened the "printers and faxes" window to see the problem resolved. All the missing printers and fax items appeared and are so far, fully functional.
I know I'm reviving an old thread here but I stumbled across this thread while having the exact same issue. For anyone else with a similar problem I may have the solution.
It turned out to be a missing dll from the system32 directory. printui.dll to be exact.
I replaced the missing file with one from another computer (both XP SP3) and everything worked fine. Did not even require a reboot.
Rob A.
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