Plug and Play Printer Detected Every Time Windows 95 Starts (138050)

IMPORTANT: This article contains information about editing the registry. Before you edit the registry, you should first make a backup copy of the registry files (System.dat and User.dat). Both are hidden files in the Windows folder.

SYMPTOMS

When you start Windows 95, the following message may be displayed

   New Hardware Found

   <device>

   Windows has found new hardware and is installing the software for it

where <device> is a Plug and Play device. If the device is a Plug and Play printer, this message may appear each time you start Windows 95, even though the printer is already installed.

This problem is known to occur with the following Plug and Play printers:

Hewlett-Packard 4L
Hewlett-Packard DeskJet 660C
Epson Stylus Color Iis
Canon BJC-4000

CAUSE

This problem can occur if the following registry key becomes damaged:

   Hkey_Local_Machine\Enum\Lptenum

RESOLUTION

NOTE: For information about how to edit the registry, view the Changing Keys And Values online Help topic in Registry Editor (Regedit.exe). Note that you should make a backup copy of the registry files (System.dat and User.dat) before you edit the registry.

WARNING: Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall Windows 95. Microsoft cannot guarantee that problems resulting from the incorrect use of Registry Editor can be solved. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

Remove the registry key listed above and then restart your computer. When Windows 95 starts, it will detect the printer and install support for it. Once the printer is installed, it will no longer be detected each time you start Windows 95.

MORE INFORMATION

When a Plug and Play printer is detected and installed, Windows 95 add the key listed above to the registry. When this key is present, Windows 95 does not attempt to detect Plug and Play printers. If the key becomes damaged, the printer may be detected each time you start Windows 95.