XP add new hardware loops continously with new printer

[Mooncalf]

I was recently given a laptop, Toshiba 1905 S301, and when I plug in my Lexmark Z31 printer it will go through the add new hardware process but at the end say something could not be completed due to not finding a file it was expecting and to click finish.

The thing is that it functions perfectly yet the add new hardware just keeps going in a loop. It finds new the printer, installs the files it needs, says there was an error finding a file it was expecting without mentioning what, and to click finish. It will not allow me to skip or cancel as they are grayed out and it just repeats. The only way I can get it to stop is to delete the printer.

I've tried installing using drivers they have online, the drivers from the cd, from manually adding the printer but everytime, though it works fine, whenever I turn the printer on or reboot it will repeat the add new hardware loop.

The only thing I can think off is that it is missing some file (s) from the OS install that Toshiba does but they only give a restore cd and I don't know what file might be missing as it doesn't say anyway.

I've also tried a Lexmark 3200 that I had with the same results.

 

[arsbanned]

Yeah, I found the same thing with a Lexmark Z43 on a client's computer. My instructions were (after cleaning up multipe driver instances) to not hotplug the printer. I set up the driver, then make the machine is powered off before connecting the printer. Start the computer and you should be all set. PITA though. Beinb USB you'd think it could be hotplugged.

 

[Mooncalf]

Both the 3200 and Z31 are parallel only.

Today I borrowed a Lexmark Z13 that is USB only and got it to work. Wasn't as flawless as it should be as the add new hardware box came up and I installed from the install cd. When complete the box said it could not be completed due to not being able to find a file, again not saying what file. It also brought up a PNP error 2 though again everything functions perfectly. Upon reboot the add new hardware box again appeared but this time said it failed and went away once and for all.

So is there anyway that I can use either the 3200 or Z31 and somehow force the add new hardware screen to go away once and for all? Both of them work perfectly its just the add new hardware box will not go away no matter what (well short of uninstalling the printer).

I have a bunch of ink for them so I'm don't want to scrap them and buy yet another one.

 

[Mooncalf]

Anyone happen to know of a way to just get the add new hardware not to look for a specific device?

I'm hoping I can just change a 0 to a 1 in the registry or something as the printer works I just need to get the thing to go away. When I installed the Z13 printer I borrowed the add new hardware box came up but at the end offered a checkbox saying something like "don't look for this device again". It didn't work, though unchecking it did for some odd reason, and that was that.

 

[MrChad]

Have you tried installing the software first, then plugging in the printer? AFAIK this is how most USB printer installs should go.

 

[Mooncalf]

Both of the printers I have, Lexmark Z31 and 3200, are parallel only. The software that they came with don't have XP drivers on them cause they came out before XP.

Lexmark offers XP drivers on their site for them which I tried, though I believe they are the same ones as XP offers except not signed.

I believe I installed those drivers before plugging in the printer but to be honest I have tried so many different things to get either of those two to work that I can't recall for certain.

Perhaps I will go through it all again to make sure I go to add printer and choose the XP drivers and then power off and connect it. If there is a chance that will get the add new hardware dialog to go away and I didn't already do it the other times I tried then I will do that next.

 

[MrChad]

Originally posted by: Mooncalf
Both the 3200 and Z31 are parallel only.

Oops, missed that.

 

[Mooncalf]

Is there a chance that if I didn't install the printer before connecting it last time and do so the next that that will get the add new hardware dialog to go away like is advised for USB printers?

If so, then I am strongly hoping that that is the one thing I didn't do last time as it would make me very happy to get one of those to work (or specifically just get the dialog to go away since they both work fine outside of that).

 

[arsbanned]

I would start over. Remove all instances of any Lexmark srivera and all other Lexmark software. Install the downloaded XP driver from Lexmark -with the printer connected to the parallel port. Confirm good operation.
Before starting each time, make sure your printer is connected to the laptop.
IF that doesn't do it, ya got me.

 

[Mooncalf]

Couple of questions about that.

I have deleted all printers that show and removed the entry from the printer server properties. Also deleted any remaining files under system32/spool/ without touching original folders that are part of XP. What other instances should I look for or is that enough?

Install the downloaded XP driver from Lexmark -with the printer connected to the parallel port. Confirm good operation.

That's what I did the first time for certain. As soon as it boots the add new hardware dialog starts and goes right into installing the drivers. It then finishes and brings up the error box saying it couldn't find a file it was looking for (though it prints fine) and click finish to close. Click finish and the process repeats indefinitely.

If I'm quick I can click the cancel box when it is transfering the driver files which still brings up the error box saying click finish and again, repeat.

The only way to stop that is to delete the printer it just added in the printer and fax settings (control panel).

I've also tried the software from the cd, the web site, manually adding the XP printer drivers and always in common is whenever I reboot the add hardware loop starts. I can click finish for an hour straight and it will not stop.

The only thing I am not certain of is whether or not I tried any/all of the XP drivers manully adding printer, the cd drivers, the web site drivers before actually connecting the printer. I think I tried that also but it blurs into one at this point so I will try that tonight.

Regardless, I appreciate you both offering your time and input.

 

[arsbanned]

I would try to discover exactly what file the install is looking for as that may be the key to this whole mystery.
No prob helping, that's why we're here, right?

 

[Mooncalf]

Yeah, well it saying can't locate file it was expecting doesn't exactly inspire much hope in finding it.

I looked around to see any that stood out but it lists 18 dependents and all 18 are present. Other than looking for those I wouldn't have a clue what it is talking about.

The printers work perfect so I can't imagine what it is looking for and whatever it is can't be anything important. Now to just get the damn new hardware dialog to understand this.

 

[Mooncalf]

I never did get it to work but was told that one can buy a parallel to usb cable. Out of the three printers I tried to get working only the usb one was successful.

Is there any harm in trying to hook up the parallel only printer using the usb to parallel cable? Thinking perhaps whatever file it is looking for and can't find, or whatever is causing that loop, will go away if connected via usb.

 

[sv650dave]

disable the port.

Try disabling LPT 1 (assuming that is how it assinged your parallel port). Also try not to cancel out of an install. Sometimes the OS will know it didnt install correctly or find the right drivers and it will "finish" the install with the device disabled and maybe not see the port again.

Something to consider, I was bring up a fresh install of win 2k server today. It saw our HP printer and the printer was OFF, no lie, it was off and the OS still saw it and installed it and in fact so did all the XP machines on the network! So that printer wasnt nearly as OFF as I thought. I unplugged it and that stopped the OS from installing it before I was ready for it (I wanted to use earlier drivers than win 2k wanted to).

 

[Mooncalf]

Disable the port and then install it on a different port? Or disable it, then install the printer, and then enable the port again?

 

[sv650dave]

Please DO NOT try the following unless you are willing to possibly make things worse. This an educated GUESS!!! and I have no idea how safe it is!!!


Unplug the printer.

I would remove any instance of the printer, just delete them from the start/printers window. Then uninstall/delete the printer port/LPT1 (you need to make sure that is the right one) Usually if you only have one parallel device and its a printer it will be installed on LPT 1. LPT 1 just shows up magically because your mb has a parallel port.

After I had the printer deleted, and the port deleted/uninstalled I would make one last trip to the add/remove programs and make sure the drivers / software for the printer doesnt show there, if it does, uninstall it there too. Then I would go to start/programs and make sure the printer software isnt listed there.

Then I would go back to the device manager up at the top is "action" click on it and select scan for hardware changes. Let it install the LPT port. Once the port is there you might have to reboot if it doesnt reboot anyway. Dont plug the printer back in yet! See if your system comes back up and doesn start the printer loop. If you dont get the found new hardware then shut down normally, all the way off. When you boot back up enter the bios and see what the parallel port is set to. If it is set to ECP or EPP change it to Normal or Standard (remember this cause you might have to switch it back). While you are there see if there are any references to LPT 1 in the bios, make sure the setting make sense if there are any. Save and exit the bios. Boot into the OS and then shut down again. Plug the printer back in and boot up. If you dont get the found new hardware right away, sit there for a few minutes and wait to see if it is going to pop up. If it doesnt go into the device manager and scan for hardware changes and make sure LPT1 is there. You want windows to find the printer and to succesfully install it. Thats your goal. So if it finds it, do whatever you can to have it "finish" even if its telling you it couldnt find the right driver.

If that doesnt get the printer installed right you can do the same sequence but dont "encourage" windows to find the printer if doesnt automatically. Instead you would run the install software for the driver and see if it works that way. Or use the add a printer button and choose have disk.

It sounds to me like the info that the printer sends to the OS is bad and is confusing the PNP set up. Good Luck! Text