XP keeps finding new hardware

Everytime i boot up, XP finds "new hardware ", except that it is my printer, which i have reinstalled thrice, now i just cancel the pop-up wizard for the installation, i had even tried to let it run the install on it's own, figuring that might fix this issue.... no avail, it still finds the printer as new hardware. The printer works fine, even if i cancel the install process.
any ideas why or how to solve this?

Thanks

 

Hello chaosrn,

What does Device Manager show? Any warning flags? Under Printer properties > general tab, is this device "working properly "?

The only thing that comes to mind is to uninstall the printer and let XP find again.

Regards - Charles

 

i think i see a problem

Greetings,
okay, if i go to my computer, click properties, go to device manager, there is no printer listed, (is this because i don't have the printer turned on when i boot up?)
but if i go to control panel, click on printers, it is there and set as default

 

Hi chaosrn,

okay, if i go to my computer, click properties, go to device manager, there is no printer listed, (is this because i don't have the printer turned on when i boot up?)

Ok, boot up with the printer turned on and see if that will get it into DM.

Is the printer connected via USB? If so, you may have to reinstall the USB hub controllers.

Regards - Charles

 

Anything odd in the event viewer? Maybe post the application and system logs for us?

 

Chaos,

If your printer is off when you bootup, there is no way that Windoze could see it as new hardware. You typically do not see a printer, except for the printer port LPT, listed in DM. I would look for yellow Exclamation Points of Question Marks to identify what Windows keeps seeing as new hardware. Do you have any of those?

George

 

I had a similar problem on a computer I was repairing for a friend. It turned out that he had disabled a necessary service and the install couldn't complete properly to the extent that Windows would recognize that the printer was installed.

Take a look at the default settings for the particular system in question and change as needed.

Default XP services settings.

As I recall, it was one of the first four services listed and had to do with Software recognition. Perhaps Application Layer Gateway or Application Management but check all to be sure. Many woes are due to setting the services for "power User" and not knowing the full effects that it may have later.

 

Hi chaosrn,

Following up on surferdude2's lead: is the Print Spooler service enabled?

Regards - Charles

 

???? Specific printer bug issue????

What's the printer, make and model?

 

more info

Chaz: yes spooer service is enabled
Goddez: epson stylus colour 880, USB

 

Nope no known problems for this printer that I could find beyond not installing it per Epson instructions. Apparently you cannot install this using or via windows install wizard and if it pops up during an install you are suppose to cancel it as you have done. What you may not have done is install it using the steps and in the proper order required by Epson and the install disk. Some device installs are more fussy than others and this may be the case in with this printer.

What steps did you use to install the bugger? I believe the instructions required the:
1]Computer to be off for the hookup.
2]The printer to be off on the bootup (stressed that this is most important).
3]Using the disk install the drivers and wait for the install disk to tell you to turn on the printer.
4]Continue to follow the directions.
5]Once installed, reboot and, again using the cd, proceed to install the software.

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If in doubt uninstall and remove any sign of usb printer via device manager and reinstall per Epson directions. As Charelevar suggested earlier the usb controllers. Uninstall any software or Epson related thing via control panels software add/remove icon. Remove printer if it is in the "Printer and Fax" icon via control panel. A restore point prior to the install could/should be considered, if viable and you desire to do so. <Just thought I'd throw that in, I don't think it's absolutely neccessary but others may think so. Take two aspirin and beat your printer and computer with a nerf bat. This will make you feel better.... Now install the printer per Epson instructions, verbatim. If you have already installed this using Epson protocal and I have typed this out when it was not needed... see the little picture of myself?...smack me a couple of times. This may also make you feel better.

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What can I say... I have, on occasion, flown by the seat of pants and not read or followed directions for proper device installs and have not had a problem or glitch, but once in a while, you can and do, run across a bugger that requires a certain protocol or procedure be done following the directions exactly.

 

goddez1 has it right. I use Epson printer and it MUST be installed exactly as they say. You have to get rid off all mentions of Epson and unplug the USB before installing the software. The install will tell you when to plug it in.

I had the same problems because of my seat-of-the-pants installation and the front panel plugins for memory sticks kept bugging me until I did it by-the-book.

 

I am glad to read the I am not alone in having this problem.

If you think installing the printer on just one PC is bad TRY doing it on three Networked machines. 1 XP and 2 98SE. Especailly if the Printer is SHARED.

I agree to the words " By the book "

We ( I ) could get away ( most of the time ) with " Hurry up and get it done " idea. But not with XP.

Another thing I have found better to do is;

WATCH AND READ the screens carefully as they go by. At times there will be a clue in them somewhere.

That may be part of the problem. The system is looking for more than one printer. If ALL TRACES of the other printers were not removed probems will still occur.

Lets says ( as you did ) you installed the printer more than once. Now you run the uninstall. ONLY 1 out of 3 will be uninstalled. And may leave the system looking for the other two.

Another problem that may arise is that the 2nd or more reinstall MAY NOT go into the same folder.

I had that problem when I ( supposedly ) removed my USB HP5550 and installed the HP5580 on the LAN ( plugged into the Router ). I finally gave up and repowered the 5550 so now I have two printer on this XP machine. And untill I reset the 5550 to NOT BE shared the two 98SE machines were looking for it everytime they were booted.

I can't say for sure but I think you may need to run search for and DELETE ALL folders on the HD pretaining to the Printer. Then run REGSEEKER to clean up the Regisrty.

But BEFORE YOU DO THIS. Make sure you have a recent Restore point. And know how to use System Restore.

And last but not least. Some uninstalls DO NOT remove everything. Again, especially if it has been installed more than once.

BillyBob

 

This can happen ( and has to me ) if during the re-install the screen comes up asking if you wish to install into an existing folder AND YOU SAY NO.

And again. If you run the uninstall ONLY the latest one may be uninstalled.

BillyBob

 

I can't edit my post so I have to add or correct here that:
In step two, I meant that the usb connection should not be made until the install disk popup tells you to. The printer, in fact may be on and probably is because some prior printer setup may be required but, once again, the usb connection should not be made untill instructed to do so.

How ya' doing on this??? Any progress at all???

 

USB Printers

As with BROTHER multi function printers using a USB port, you will likely have to download a WHQL certified driver for USB from the manufacturers website. Once these drivers have been "unpacked" to a folder of your choosing, you will need to point to that folder when the Hardware Wizard requests a source ( Click "Search for the best driver in these locations" radio button; check box adjacent to "include this location in the search" ; Browse to the folder you unpacked the driver(s) ). Windows XP will now establish the "new" hardware as found and not prompt you again on successive boot-ups.