Add Printer Wizard Error When Adding Multiple Printer Drivers (158753)
The information in this article applies to:
- Microsoft Windows NT Advanced Server 3.1
- Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 3.1
- Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 3.5
- Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 3.51
- Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0
- Microsoft Windows NT Server 3.1
- Microsoft Windows NT Server 3.5
- Microsoft Windows NT Server 3.51
- Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0
This article was previously published under Q158753 SYMPTOMS
When you add a new printer by clicking the Start button, pointing to
Settings, clicking Printers, double-clicking Add Printer and choose
simultaneously several alternate printer drivers to install from different
versions and/or platforms of Windows NT, one or both of the following
errors appear:
Printer Driver for Windows NT <version> <platform> could not be
installed. An unexpected error occurred.
-or-
Operation could not be completed. The printer driver is unknown.
Adding the printer fails, no printer is added, although some files may be
copied into the appropriate directory under the spool\drivers directory.
NOTE: This problem does not occur if you add alternate printer drivers for
an installed printer.
CAUSE
You inserted the compact disc from Windows NT version 3.x instead of
Windows NT 4.0 because Windows NT 4.0 fails to specify that you insert the
Windows NT version 4.0 CD.
RESOLUTION
Run the Add Printer Wizard again and insert the Windows NT 4.0 CD when a
message prompts you to insert a CD without specifying the version of
Windows NT.
The install wizard installs all drivers selected in the order that they
appear in the list box, adding the 4.0 driver first. Therefore, if the
wizard prompts you the first time or prompts you without specifying the
version to insert a CD, insert the Windows NT 4.0 CD. When you are prompted
for a specific version, insert the CD of that version.
MORE INFORMATION
When you copy the drivers for the 3.5x and 3.1 versions, the install
program requests those CDs by name and version.
When you insert the CD of a previous version and if the printer driver
name is the same as in the new version but Windows NT is looking for the
version 4.0 driver, Windows NT attempts to install the older driver as the
4.0 version driver. The install may succeed to some degree, actually
copying some files and even prompting for the other CDs, but will
eventually fail.
Modification Type: | Major | Last Reviewed: | 3/15/2004 |
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Keywords: | kbprint KB158753 |
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