XP PRO Not Retaining Default Printer

[allanc]

One of my clients has a small network of 2 XP PRO sp3 computers.
There is also a networked Kyocera multi-function printer, copier, etc.
One of the computers cannot retain this printer or any other printer as the default.
As a matter of fact, MS Word displays a message similar to there are no printers configured at all.
The other computer can access the printer without an issue.
I researched the issue and found the instructions below (in italics) which resolve the problem until the computer is rebooted.
All assistance is appreciated.


Open registry editor and locate the path

“HKEY_CURRENT_USER/ SOFTWARE/ MICROSOFT/ WINDOWS NT/ CURRENT VERSION/ WINDOWS

On the right pane Change entry for Device that has winspool,Ne00;
Delete whatever printer there is in the entry and just leave winspool,Ne00.
Close the registry editor and restart the windows explorer.

 

[cyabro]

I've had this problem a couple of times when an old printer is not deleted correctly and it was the default printer.
The icon disappears from the list of printers but it is still hiding in the system.

To fix it I just opened up the Server Properties from the File menu in Printers then go to the Drivers tab and delete any drivers for printers that aren't needed anymore.

 

[allanc]

I've had this problem a couple of times when an old printer is not deleted correctly and it was the default printer.
The icon disappears from the list of printers but it is still hiding in the system.

To fix it I just opened up the Server Properties from the File menu in Printers then go to the Drivers tab and delete any drivers for printers that aren't needed anymore.

So, you don't think that it is related to a permissions problem in the registry?

 

[cyabro]

No, from memory I tried that fix too and it didn't work.

 

[allanc]

No, from memory I tried that fix too and it didn't work.

Well, the customer said that she could not choose a default printer when she left for the day and she powered off her computer.
I went to her office the next day, powered on her computer and the default computer was set correctly all on its own.
I then deleted the extra printer drivers, powered off/on her computer about 6 times and the default printer has been selected properly 100% of the time.