The New Hardware Wizard may detect the printer device after every restart of the computer (298370)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
  • Microsoft Windows XP Professional
  • Microsoft Windows XP 64-Bit Edition
  • Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition
  • Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC Edition
This article was previously published under Q298370
Important This article contains information about modifying the registry. Before you modify the registry, make sure to back it up and make sure that you understand how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For information about how to back up, restore, and edit the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry

SYMPTOMS

Whenever you restart your computer, the Found New Hardware Wizard may detect your previously installed printer, even though it is not a newly installed printer.

CAUSE

This problem may occur if one of the following conditions is true:
  • The printer driver does not use Plug and Play for its installation.
  • The following registry key has become damaged:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Enum\LPTENUM

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, complete all the steps in the New Hardware Wizard, even though the wizard cannot detect a new printer.

RESOLUTION

Warning If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

To resolve this problem, contact the manufacturer of your printer for an updated driver or specific instructions about how to complete the Found New Hardware Wizard for your particular printer.

For example, visit the following HP Web site for information about HP printers:

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/siteHome?lc=en&cc=us&dlc=en

To use Registry Editor to remove the damaged registry key, follow these steps:
  1. Log on to your computer by using an administrator account.
  2. Click Start, and then click Run.
  3. In the Open box, type regedit, and then click OK.
  4. Locate and click the following registry key:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Enum\LPTENUM

  5. Right-click the registry key, and then click Delete.
  6. Under Confirm Key Delete, click Yes.
  7. Close Registry Editor, and then restart your computer.
When Windows XP restarts, it will detect the printer and install support for it. After the printer is installed, it will no longer be detected each time you start Windows XP.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a bug in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.

MORE INFORMATION

The third-party products that this article discusses are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding the performance or reliability of these products.

Microsoft provides third-party contact information to help you find technical support. This contact information may change without notice. Microsoft does not guarantee the accuracy of this third-party contact information.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:6/10/2005
Keywords:kbenv kbHardware kbprb KB298370
©2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.