Try looking at the websites of both Epson and Xerox and see if they have
driver packages for your version of Vista.
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...
See:
http://www.coribright.com/windows/Article_One.htm
Don't miss out on Step 4.
--
Cari (MS-MVP) Printing & Imaging
www.coribright.com/windows
<pdmellon@xxxxxx> wrote in message
news:8d4fc464-bc01-4f46-83f1-b557ffcdf374@xxxxxx
>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.
>
> 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).
>
> 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.
>
> 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.
>
> Any suggestions?