Spool.exe Annoyance

Hi,
I'm perplexed. Are you sitting down to read this diatribe? It all started the other day when I was cleaning some programs out using the Uninstall command and I came across a Lexmark program still on my computer. Well, I had got rid of that troublesome piece of you know what and scaled down to a new HP Deskjet 2050 All In One. That new printer was working fine until I Uninstalled the Lexmark. Now all I get is a Runtime Library alert that the spoolsv.exe has requested to terminate the application. At first I thought it might have been a virus and did some research but all seems to be fine in my Windows\System32 folder. I tried to Uninstall the HP program to no avail. I just can't because of the Runtime alert. I've researched the internet and have tried absolute everything. I still had the Lexmark driver disc and tried to reload it thinking that it might solve the problem. Of course it didn't see the printer so I couldn't do that. I can't install or fix from the HP installation disc nor the drivers online at the HP site. Nothing. Just that really annoying Runtime alert. I've gone into to the Service to make sure the Printer spool is started (sometimes it is not so I do) but nada. I'm even getting this ridiculous 'Hardware Found' alert right after I clear the Runtime alert and it can't find anything. So - right now, my 'Programs and Features' is showing that the HP Printer software is installed (although I don't know how) but no printer is showing up. Even when I use 'Add Printer' that doesn't work. I am at my absolute wits end.
The only thing I haven't tried is to edit the Registry because I do see a Lexmark sitting there under HKey_Local_Machine/System/CurrentControlSet/Print. But I am scared silly to get in there and try to remove it.
I've tried a System Restore but that didn't work either. Really, I've tried everything the net and your own forums and support groups suggest. I've downloaded and tried all your 'fixit' programs but they come up with no suggestions.

Here's my system:

HP a1660n
2G 2.3GHz
Vista Home Premium Service Pack 2

Please Help!!

Welcome
Sorry that you are having problems. I found this article about your problem and it gives a solution.
I,however am not endorsing the remedy, I have no idea of the consequence. I merely present for your consideration and for you to make the final decision
That being said, I truly hope that either this or some other solution solves your problem.
I wish your a very Happy Holiday Season


C++ Runtime Library Runtime Error In Vista - Fix Now!

Thanks Richard. Sounds good but I've got a couple of registry cleaners and they haven't picked up anything. I'll try running them again. Thanks again.

Once this is fixed stop with the reigistry cleaners, trust me on this one.
http://www.sevenforums.com/performa...uggestions-proper-maintenance.html#post764471

Ok. I ran Norton Utilities and Advanced Registry Doctor and I still see the Lexmark folder in the registry. Tried to Uninstall the HP printer to get a fresh start and the same frikkin thing happens. How can I safely try editing the Lexmark in Registry and hopefully this is the root of the problem? Can I just delete the folder now and reboot?

I do not want to suggest anything regarding registry unless I am certain and in this case I am not.
If you are so inclined you can make a system restore point in addition to backing up the registry and then make the changes that make you comfortable.
I hope that you understand, I would feel very uncomfortable giving you advice about the registry unless I was certain.

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/212412-registry-backup-restore.html