[SOLVED] Add Printer Problem

AuburnTech

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I am scratching my head on this one, does anyone have any input that could help? The OS is Windows XP 32bit. I have a client who's computer quit printing this morning. The printers show up in the printers and faxes control panel and the spooler service is running. I have tried restarting the spooler service many times with no success. Also, when I try to add a new printer it just gives me an "Operation could not be completed" error. Pretty much any information I have found on this relates to the spooler service but it will restart and run with no issues. I have also tried a system restore to 2 days ago but I am still getting the same error when trying to add a printer. Any ideas would be helpful. Thanks!!
 
No event logs regarding spooler or printers. There are two events that recur for the FAX but not when the error is thrown, they just seem to occur every 30min-1hr. Pasted below.

Event Type: Warning
Event Source: Microsoft Fax
Event Category: Initialization/Termination
Event ID: 32068
Date: 7/9/2014
Time: 10:55:24 AM
User: N/A
Computer: KIP_SCAN
Description:
The outgoing routing rule is not valid because it cannot find a valid device. The outgoing faxes that use this rule will not be routed. Verify that the targeted device or devices (if routed to a group of devices) is connected and installed correctly, and turned on. If routed to a group, verify that the group is configured correctly. Country/region code: '*' Area code: '*'

For more information, see Help and Support Center at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.



Event Type: Warning
Event Source: Microsoft Fax
Event Category: Initialization/Termination
Event ID: 32026
Date: 7/9/2014
Time: 10:55:24 AM
User: N/A
Computer: KIP_SCAN
Description:
Fax Service failed to initialize any assigned fax devices (virtual or TAPI). No faxes can be sent or received until a fax device is installed.

For more information, see Help and Support Center at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.


They do not use a fax service or machine attached to the computer so this might be irrelevant but I know the spooler and fax services work together so it could create a conflict. I disabled the fax service all together and it still throws the error of "Operation could not be completed" when trying to add a printer.
 
All the printers are network printers connected via IP address. The problem occurs for all printers. You can view the preferences and click "Print Test Page" but it returns a "Test page failed to print..." error immediately. If you right click and select "Add Printer" it immediately throws the "Operation could not be completed" error. If I stop the spooler service, the printers all disappear as they should, and they reappear when I start the service. I feel like this might be coming down to an XP repair or full OS reload. I cannot find much information on this outside of restarting the spooler service. Other information I find has to do with drivers causing a printer install problem, but that is when finalized the "Add Printer" setup, so I do not think it is a driver issue. If anyone has any ideas please let me know. Thanks!
 
When you deleted the printers did you go in and completely remove all references, etc. Such as the actual spooler files which if I remember correctly are in c:\windows\system32\spooler. Also manually go into the Programs folder to make sure there are no left over folders. I have also gone in searched the reg and deleted all references. If these are USB printers have you deleted the USB ports and rebooted to have them reloaded. Have you checked DM to see if there are any hidden device entries?
 
I am going to try deleting all the spooler folder instances and checking some reg entries after business hours this evening when I can take some time and work on the machine. I am hoping this will give me a solution!
 
Well, I removed all the registry entries and spooler files and the problem remains. I am really stumped :(
 
FIXED!! Finally had a pop up for flashplayerinstaller.exe having an issue with mscms.dll not being found. The file was missing from system32. I copied the file from the windows\servicepackfiles directory to the system32 directory and now the problem is resolved!
 
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