Thread: error 0x000003eb when trying to install a local printer
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Old 05-06-2008   #4 (permalink)
pmellon
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Re: error 0x000003eb when trying to install a local printer
On May 6, 7:10 pm, pmellon <pdmel...@xxxxxx> wrote:
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> On May 6, 2:54 pm, "Cari \(MS-MVP\)" <newsgro...@xxxxxx>
> wrote:
>
>
>
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> > Try looking at the websites of both Epson and Xerox and see if they have
> > driver packages for your version of Vista.
>
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> > Normally one installs the SOFTWARE first, then connects the printer. It
> > sounds like your PC might be in a bit of a mess by now so...
>
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> > See:http://www.coribright.com/windows/Article_One.htm
>
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> > Don't miss out on Step 4.
> > --
> > Cari (MS-MVP) Printing & Imagingwww.coribright.com/windows
>
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> > <pdmel...@xxxxxx> wrote in message
>
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> >news:8d4fc464-bc01-4f46-83f1-b557ffcdf374@xxxxxx
>
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> > >I suddenly can't print from my Windows Vista Ultimate (SP1) computer.
> > > When I first tried to print, I got the following error: "Before you
> > > can
> > > print, you need to select a printer. If you need to install a
> > > printer,
> > > either double-click the Add Printer icon or click the Find Printer...
> > > button located on the General tab of this dialog.
>
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> > > When I try to add a printer, I get through all the steps until I
> > > click
> > > Finish. Then I get the error "Unable to install printer. Operation
> > > could
> > > not be completed (error 0x000003eb).
>
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> > > I've experienced the same problem with both printers. One is a Xerox
> > > laser printer, the other is an Epson ink jet. Both are local and
> > > neither
> > > is shared. One is parallel, the other is USB.
>
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> > > The research and troubleshooting I've done lead me to believe it's a
> > > UAC
> > > problem. When trying to install a printer I do not get a UAC prompt.
> > > When I open a printer properties dialog box, driver printer
> > > management
> > > options are grayed out and I do not get a UAC prompt. I've tried from
> > > both administrative and non-administrative accounts. I've disabled
> > > UAC,
> > > rebooted, tried again, re-enabled UAC, rebooted, and tried again
> > > without
> > > any luck. I've tried additional print drivers from Windows with the
> > > same
> > > results. The Microsoft XPS Document Writer printer object also fails
> > > with the same initial problem. I've also tested my printers on
> > > another
> > > computer to confirm they are functioning.
>
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> > > Any suggestions?
>
> Thanks for the response, but I can't install ANY print drivers that
> shipped with windows. Even the Microsoft XPS Document Writer acts the
> same as physical printers.
The problem is solved for now. After unsuccessfully trying everything
else that made sense, I uninstalled SP1. Everything went back to
normal as soon as I did.