Error Message: "Error 10 - Unable to add printer" When Installing HP Printer Driver for 660C or 670C (228020)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Server
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional
This article was previously published under Q228020

SYMPTOMS

When you install the printer driver for an Hewlett-Packard 660C or 670C printer on a computer running Windows 2000, the following error message may be displayed:
Error 10 - Unable to add printer
Incompatibilities with HP printer drivers are visible both during a clean installation on a computer running Windows 2000 and during an upgrade from Windows NT 4.0. These incompatabilities include:
  • The printer not getting installed correctly.
  • The server or spooler stops responding (hangs) when you view the printer's Properties or Preferences.
  • The printer does not print jobs or processes print jobs incorrectly.

CAUSE

This problem occurs because many HP printer drivers are incompatible with Windows 2000.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem, use Microsoft's inbox drivers.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in Microsoft Windows 2000.

MORE INFORMATION

The first column of the following table lists HPs non-Win2000 compliant printers and the second column shows the equivalent Microsoft driver. The names in the second column match exactly what the user sees in the Add Printer Wizard. The non-Windows2000 compliant printers are blocked from installing to Windows 2000 both when the printer is installed locally (directly attached to the computer), and through a point and print scenario (network printing). A message is displayed indicating to the user such a block has taken place. In cases where the printers are already present in Windows NT 4.0, they are replaced transparently by Microsoft's inbox drivers and a message is logged in %Windir%\Setuperr.log.
  • The mapping table can also be seen in %Windir%\Inf\Printupg.inf
  • Post Beta 3, a date has been added to indicate that only drivers "before" that date are blocked/replaced. This is to ensure that new drivers from the OEM that are compatible with Windows 2000 are not affected.
Printer NameCorresponding Microsoft Driver
HP 2000C PrinterHP 2000C
HP DeskJet 890C SeriesHP DeskJet 890C
HP DeskJet 895C Series PrinterHP DeskJet 895Cxi
HP DeskJet 880C SeriesHP DeskJet 880C
HP DeskJet 870 SeriesHP DeskJet 870C
HP DeskJet 850 SeriesHP DeskJet 850C
HP DeskJet 820C Series PrinterHP DeskJet 820Cxi
HP DeskJet 820C Series v8.5HP DeskJet 820Cxi
HP DeskJet 720C SeriesHP DeskJet 720C
HP DeskJet 720C Series v10.3HP DeskJet 720C
HP DeskJet 710C SeriesHP DeskJet 710C
HP DeskJet 690C Series PrinterHP DeskJet 690C
HP DeskJet 690C Series v11.0HP DeskJet 690C
HP DeskJet 695C Series PrinterHP DeskJet 695C
HP DeskJet 690C Series v11.0HP DeskJet 695C
HP DeskJet 680C Series PrinterHP DeskJet 680C
HP DeskJet 680C Series v11.0HP DeskJet 680C
HP DeskJet 670C Series v11.0HP DeskJet 670C
HP DeskJet 660CHP DeskJet 660C
HP DeskJet 660C v11.0HP DeskJet 660C
HP DeskJet 1000C PrinterHP DeskJet 1000C
HP DeskJet 1100C PrinterHP DeskJet 1100C
HP DeskJet 1120C PrinterHP DeskJet 1120C
HP 2500C Series PrinterHP 2500C
HP LaserJet 6P/6MP - EnhancedHP LaserJet 6P
HP LaserJet 5/5M - EnhancedHP LaserJet 5
HP C LaserJet 4500-HPHP Color LaserJet 4500
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:10/29/2003
Keywords:kbbug kbnofix KB228020
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