Vista - Problem accessing printer pref menu

Hi,

i have plug in my HP laserJet 1010 into my laptop's usb port. I have even download the HP vistax64 driver for this particular printer. But the problem arise when i want to set printing preference for this printer. There will be an error and windows explorer will restart itself. But the problem is the printer can print out my document but do not allow me setup the print. Is it due to the vistax64 driver issue? Is there a workaround like installing the driver for Vista x86 instead? will there be any issue?

To add on to my above problem,
I get this error "Thunking Spooler APIS from 32 to 64 bit process has stopped working" , when i tried to click on properties of the printer. Any idea what it mean? Sorry, i am very new to vistax64. Thanks

Hi There.

Do the following:

1. Update the lastest printer driver.
2. Microsoft Hotfix You experience problems when you try to print a document in a 32-bit program on a computer that is running a 64-bit version of Windows Vista

Try enabling the following:
Click > Start > Control panel > Internet Options > Advanced Tab > Security
section.
Select the following three options:
1. Allow active content fro CDs to run on My Computer*
2. Allow active content to run files on My Computer*
3. Allow software to run or install even if the signature is invalid.

Thanks, Glenn

Hi Glenn,

thanks for your reply. I tried step 1 and 2. but vista says that the hotfix does not apply to my system. so no hope. Next i tried to enable the items you suggested, but still cannot access to the printing preference.

Start>control panel>printer> right click on my hp1010HB > click on printing preference, and windows explorer got error and restarts.

This is bad.

Have you updated to the latest service pack? This might resolve the issue.

Hi Glenn,

i am using Vista x64 Home Premium SP1. I have install all updates through windows update. So i guess i am using the latest vista. Well, its getting annoying that i can print, but i can't set the preference of the printer. I guess its really the driver for my hp laserjet 1010 problem. Coz i can set the printing preference for windows XPS printer. Furthermore, printing pdf seems sluggish compared when using XP. hmm... so far this problem is the only one that i am facing since i moved on to using Vista x64. And i dun think HP will update the driver for this outdated printer. Its kinda sad as the printer is working fine and going strong.