Tech help needed

[conservativesister]

I have an old XP computer that I need to keep running and something updated and I've lost all printer drivers My error message is: Operation could not be completed. The print spooler service is not running.

I've tried system restore and it doesn't fix it. I've tried to download drivers and spooler.

Any suggestions........and I'm not getting rid of this computer there are things I can do on XP that I can't begin to figure out how to do on Windows 7 which is on the rest of my computers.

[conservativesister]

Thank you for any help.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Do you know what a clean install is?

If you have an XP disk and the driver disks, that would seem to be your best option at this point.

[Doogle]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7H19HvKNLnE

[gattaca]

This might help.
http://www.ehow.com/how_4711246_fix-printer-spooler.html

[ShadowAce]

[PAR35]

Delete the printer driver. Reboot the computer without the printer connected, and then connect the printer and re-boot again. It may come up with a generic driver that will work for that printer.

If not, do you have the original disk that came with the printer to re-install the drivers from there?

[Scutter]

I agree with the suggestion for a clean install. The thing most people don’t realize is that hard disks have errors, and when they get old enough, the data on them gets corrupted. Eventually some operating system file gets corrupted, and things stop working. In later versions of Windows, Microsoft introduced a feature that keeps a backup copy of operating system files, and a utility, System File Checker (sfc.exe), that can detect and correct corrupted OS files. But because you are on XP, that isn’t an option.

So back up everything important and do the clean install.

[Enlightened1]

If you can’t install the drivers, then it may have been corrupted.

You are probably going to have to uninstall, clean out all of traces, and reinstall your printer. Then download the drivers.

Good luck!

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

I agree with the suggestion for a clean install.

Side question on that subject;

Is it possible to do a 'repair' install of XP so that it simply updates OS files, etc. and does not wipe the drive so that all personal data and installed programs are gone?

I've done it once before and it got rid of all non-Windows data.

I have searched and seen about a 50-50 mix of those who say it is non-invasive versus those who say otherwise.

I have a PC that says "WinXP can't start because of corrupted or missing C:\windows\system32\config".

I've tried running the Recovery Console from XP disk and chkdsk and Windows does start but after shutdown, the next boot does not run Windows. Only the same error message. I'm thinking a re-install of WinXP would fix it...but not at the expense of all my installed programs.

[al baby]

Save pics files and what not then do a clean install it will work like new don this more times than I care to admit

[E. Pluribus Unum]

If you have stuff you don’t want to lose, you should have it backed up anyway. I wouldn’t take the risk.

[dfwgator]

[conservativesister]

on & off many times, system restore, downloading drivers.........
so now am deleting all printer drivers.

[sneakers]

I’m glad you posted this thread. I have an old XP that I’d like to get up and running as well.

[ImJustAnotherOkie]

Like what can you not do?

[rarestia]

The spooler service is stopped. Go to Start > Run > type ‘services.msc’

Scroll down the list and find “Print Spooler.” It’s likely not started. Right-click and go to “Start.” Does it start and stay started? If not, it’s a driver issue. If it starts, stays started, and you can print, you’re good to go. If you can’t print, it’s likely driver related.

I hope you have a copy of the driver software for that printer. You will not find a single manufacturer offering XP drivers. XP is inherently unsafe, and you are exposing yourself to myriad vulnerabilities that are exploited daily.

If you absolutely MUST have an XP machine, do not do ANYTHING on it with your personal information. No sensitive information, pictures, bank information... NOTHING. There are active exploits available everywhere on the web. It only takes bad guys finding your machine on a network, and you will be compromised.

[Dan(9698)]

There is a product called PCMatic that does wonders for
all windows systems. From WIN98 forward.

It will reinstall and update drivers and a whole lot more.

[minnesota_bound]

Non-destructive reinstall of Windows XP
https://www.winhelp.us/non-destructive-reinstall-of-windows-xp.html

Clean Install - There are also more articles to read about repairing
http://pcsupport.about.com/od/operatingsystems/ss/instxpclean1.htm

Delete registry entries to remove other instances of the printer.

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Printers\Connections

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SYSTEM > CurrentControlSet > Control > Print > Providers > LanMan Print Services > Servers > Printers

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print\Printers

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print\Monitors

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print\Environments\ Windows NT x86\ Drivers\Version-2”

[minnesota_bound]