"Printer driver was not installed. Operation could not be complete

I cannot add a printer. I get an error message at the very end that says
"Printer driver was not installed. Operation could not be completed."

OS is a fresh install of Win XP SP2 with all the latest MS updates. I've
updated the BIOS and drivers from Seanix's website based on the computers
serial number. Also installed is MS Office XP with all updates and *NO*
Publisher.

We're on a Novell network. I'm trying to add an IP networked printer. I went
through the regular steps of adding a printer via Novells IPPrint utility
without success. I've tried two different printers (Hewlett Packard LJ 8000
and Lexmark Optra T616) this way.

Thinking there might be a problem with Novells IPPrint utility, I've gone
through adding a printer the old fashioned way with the Add New Printer
Wizard:
1) "Add new Printer"
2) Local Printer, do not detect PnP Printers.
3) Add printer at TCP/IP port xx.xxx.xx.x
4) Select the driver - digitally signed for HP LJ 8000.
5) Do not share the printer, do not send a test job.

The Wizard goes through installing the driver, almost finishes, then
displays the error message "Printer driver was not installed. Operation could
not be completed."

I've tried both PCL and PS.
I've also tried a non-digitally signed printer driver (it was already in the
drivers list; I didn't add it).
I've also tried Windows Update.
I've also tried a different printer on a different TCP/IP address.
I've also tried using the Generic / Text Only driver.
All of these yielded the same results.

I've tried cleaning the printer drivers: Printers and Faxes, File, Server
Properties, Drivers tab to clear out any entries - there were none. Bruce
Sanderson's website http://members.shaw.ca/bsanders/CleanPrinterDrivers.htm

I've tried starting the spooler (net start spooler) - it was already
running. I've also tried stopping and restarting it.

Yes - I am installing these using an admin-level account and as Administrator.

Other systems on the network can add printers. I would hate to have to
reinstall WinXP because there's a third party application for which I was on
the phone with the company for two hours to conduct the install.

I will say that the IDE harddrive and IDE CD-ROM both detect as new hardware
with each boot. However, they appear in the Device Manager list as normally
functioning hardware; no red 'X's and not under the "Unsupported Devices"
section.

I know nothing about Novell networks or their proper setup. The following is
a work-around. The best source for help with Novell is probably Novell
support or a Novell forum. You might have tried or be trying both, of
course.
----------
1. Go to Microsoft's Add Printer Wizard
2. Choose Network printer
3. Click the "Stop" button to stop the wizard from scanning for network
printers.
4. Select 'The printer that I want isn't listed'
5. Select the first 'shared printer by name' box.
6. Type the following URL -
http://[print server ip address]/ipp/[printer name]
7. Select the appropriate driver.
8. Finish the installation.

The above steps will not work if the Printer Agent has a space in the name.

document
Document ID: 3288691
Creation Date: 2007-10-19 09:10:26.0
Modified Date: 2007-10-19 09:10:28.0
Novell Product: iPrint

disclaimer
The Origin of this information may be internal or external to Novell. Novell
makes all reasonable efforts to verify this information. However, the
information provided in this document is for your information only. Novell
makes no explicit or implied claims to the validity of this information.
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respective owners. Consult your product manuals for complete trademark
information.

----------

Tom
MSMVP 1998-2007
"Qwentar" <Qwentar@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:EE9AA678-607F-4390-9C78-6CEC0EAC949D@microsoft.com...
>I cannot add a printer. I get an error message at the very end that says
> "Printer driver was not installed. Operation could not be completed."
>
> OS is a fresh install of Win XP SP2 with all the latest MS updates. I've
> updated the BIOS and drivers from Seanix's website based on the computers
> serial number. Also installed is MS Office XP with all updates and *NO*
> Publisher.
>
> We're on a Novell network. I'm trying to add an IP networked printer. I
> went
> through the regular steps of adding a printer via Novells IPPrint utility
> without success. I've tried two different printers (Hewlett Packard LJ
> 8000
> and Lexmark Optra T616) this way.
>
> Thinking there might be a problem with Novells IPPrint utility, I've gone
> through adding a printer the old fashioned way with the Add New Printer
> Wizard:
> 1) "Add new Printer"
> 2) Local Printer, do not detect PnP Printers.
> 3) Add printer at TCP/IP port xx.xxx.xx.x
> 4) Select the driver - digitally signed for HP LJ 8000.
> 5) Do not share the printer, do not send a test job.
>
> The Wizard goes through installing the driver, almost finishes, then
> displays the error message "Printer driver was not installed. Operation
> could
> not be completed."
>
> I've tried both PCL and PS.
> I've also tried a non-digitally signed printer driver (it was already in
> the
> drivers list; I didn't add it).
> I've also tried Windows Update.
> I've also tried a different printer on a different TCP/IP address.
> I've also tried using the Generic / Text Only driver.
> All of these yielded the same results.
>
> I've tried cleaning the printer drivers: Printers and Faxes, File, Server
> Properties, Drivers tab to clear out any entries - there were none. Bruce
> Sanderson's website
> http://members.shaw.ca/bsanders/CleanPrinterDrivers.htm
>
> I've tried starting the spooler (net start spooler) - it was already
> running. I've also tried stopping and restarting it.
>
> Yes - I am installing these using an admin-level account and as
> Administrator.
>
> Other systems on the network can add printers. I would hate to have to
> reinstall WinXP because there's a third party application for which I was
> on
> the phone with the company for two hours to conduct the install.
>
> I will say that the IDE harddrive and IDE CD-ROM both detect as new
> hardware
> with each boot. However, they appear in the Device Manager list as
> normally
> functioning hardware; no red 'X's and not under the "Unsupported Devices"
> section.