New Hardware found - Specified Port is Unknown [installing HP printer]

I'm new, but I found the site through a message that I typed into Google search. Specified port is unknown.

I've been trying to load a new HP printer. Everytime I do, I get a message that states the Specified Port in Unknown. Like the other person with the problem I had issues with the spooler not being enabled, it removed all previous printers I had installed and now won't let me install the software at all.

I have installed the printer on another machine and it seems to work fine. My USB ports work with my camera's, storage devices, mouse and keyboards. Everything except printers. I even tried loading a different printer on and got the same message.

I talked with the HP people and they seem to think it's in my .dll files. In fact they believe that my files may be corrupt and want to purge my hard drive and start over.

Before I take that step, I'd like to know if anyone has found a problem to this issue.

I'm working in Windows XP Professional - Service Pack 3 on the computer I'm currently using.

Any help would be appreciated!

 

Hi and welcome to the BBS,

First, I would suggest you go to Device Manager and look under the heading Universal Serial Bus Controllers. Look for a listing with the term "Enhanced ". If you cannot see one, either the USB 2.0 drivers are not installed or your system only has USB 1. If you don't see "Enhanced" (and the system has USB 2.0 controllers), you can try uninstalling all the listings under that heading with the term "Controller ", they will be automatically reinstalled when you reboot. Otherwise, you will need to find updated drivers from the motherboard manufacturer's website, they may be bundled with the chipset drivers.

Disconnect the printer. Go to Control Panel -> Add or Remove Programs and uninstall the printer (program). Also check carefully for any previous printer software and uninstall those as well. If it is a "3 in 1 ", you may also need to look for any separate scanner programs.

You said other printers have gone from the Printers folder, but check again after the uninstalls. I would delete them (although they should be easy to reinstall later if you still use them).

Restart the computer, do a quick double-check, then start the installation from the printer's CD. It will tell you when to connect the printer to the USB port (otherwise the installer may set it to an LPT port and LPT ports are being phased out, that may be why it is getting "jammed ").

If it is still giving trouble, I was pretty certain I saw a specific printer program "uninstaller" at the HP website
www.hp.com/support
do a search for "uninstaller" there.

Unless it is a problem with the USB controller drivers, I think you will need to do a complete uninstall and reinstall of everything related to the printer (and even uninstalling in Safe Mode might be good option).

"Purge the Hard Drive" , yep, I suppose that might fix it, sheesh!

Matt