"Can't Open Add Printer" (Win Pro 64-Bit)

[anoolio]

I just installed this clean, via retail version. All seesm to be going okay except that everytime I try to add a printer, it tells me:

>>Windows can't open Add Printer. The local print spooler service is not running. Please restart the spooler or restart the machine.<<

And many attempts to do this via the services menu seems to go okay but when I try to add printer again = same result; also after making the change via services menu and then restarting = same result;

Can someone pls HELP!!!??
Thank you.

(Windows 7 Professional; 64-bit installation)

 

[anoolio]

I just installed this clean, via retail version. All seesm to be going okay except that everytime I try to add a printer, it tells me:

>>Windows can't open Add Printer. The local print spooler service is not running. Please restart the spooler or restart the machine.<<

And many attempts to do this via the services menu seems to go okay but when I try to add printer again = same result; also after making the change via services menu and then restarting = same result;

Can someone pls HELP!!!??
Thank you.

(Windows 7 Professional; 64-bit installation)

PLS NOTE-- this is a bootcamp install in MAC... probably makes a huge difference as to the genesis of this problem... anyway if anyone can suggest a fix, PLEASE HELP!

 

[draceena]

When you check your Services, is the Print Spooler Service showing Started and Automatic? Also check the following:

What services Print Spooler needs to function properly:

• HTTP
• Remote Procedure Call (RPC)
  • DCOM Server Process Launcher
  • RPC Endpoint mapper

 

[anoolio]

When you check your Services, is the Print Spooler Service showing Started and Automatic? Also check the following:


What services Print Spooler needs to function properly:

• HTTP
• Remote Procedure Call (RPC)
  • DCOM Server Process Launcher
  • RPC Endpoint mapper

Thanks @draceena-- on your questions:
1) print spooler under 'services' shows Automatic, but not yet started. Every time I start it, but still same error, and I cannot add printer.
2) HTTP-- ? Not sure what you meant by this question., but there is no item for HTTP under my 'services' menu.
3) RPC-- Started/Automatic
4) DCOM Server Process Launcher-- Started/Automatic
5) RPC Endpoint mapper-- Started/Automatic.

So the only thing that's unclear/missing is the HTTP part... what do you think?

 

[davehc]

Try and disable your anti virus temporarily. Then , in Services, restart the spooler and try again.
If this works, post you anti virus program for suggestions.

 

[draceena]

Sorry for including the HTTP part, that was not supposed to show. Otherwise since all your other services are correct, the Anti-Virus route would be the next best possible solution.

I also found the following at another forum, be aware this is suggesting you edit your registry and you should always do a backup before making any changes:

Open Regedit, goto:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print\Environments\Windows NT x86\Drivers\Version-3

Remove the print driver from there.

Also goto:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print\Printers

And remove the printer from that list.
restart the print spooler and the spooler should start behaving

 

[anoolio]

@Dave-- tried the antivir deactivation (KIS 2010), turned it off; restarted the spooler; and still same error.

@draceena-- I'll try the reg edits now... just doing a fresh back up first.

My thoughts on this, given its only a problem on my bootcamp (mac osx/snow leopard) copy of Win-7 professional (my desktop, a dell running another copy of the same Win-7 professional 64-bit has absolutely no issues) that its a bootcamp/Mac problem. I've posted on Apple's support site, but nothing yet... will try the reg-edit fix anyway to see how we go... not sure when Apple will start supporting bootcamp for 64-bit/Win-7.................................

Thanks again.

 

[anoolio]

yep, @draceena-- tried the regedit, and still same error... frustrating!!

may have to wait for apple to write a fix to their bootcamp drivers... they've promised one by year-end ( http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3920), so hopefully won't have to wait too long.

thanks for trying though, I appreciate all the advice.