Here's how I finally fixed the problem…
Go to control panel and click on Performance and Maintenance.
Click on System.
Click on Hardware.
Click on Device Manager.
At the top, Click on view. . .
. . .then click on Show hidden devices.
I found the phantom printer listed here, I right-clicked on it
And deleted.
Keep the key LPTENUM - ignore the MS tech documentation - but change the permissions for key LPTENUM for "SYSTEM" to "Deny" for "Full Control" & "Read". Close REGEDIT and re-IPL.
Problem gone, however if you later require a printer attached you may need to re-visit these changes.
Replace newdev.dll with one that closes itself automatically. Deleting the dll will cause it to be recreated however.
Your OS is recognizing a printer attached to your system on boot. If you don't have a printer, then you need to remove any listed from the add/remove programs. If you do have one, then you need to install/reinstall the driver and software that was included with it at purchase. The best way to do that is insert the disc/floppy when the systems boots, then choose to search from the location the disc is in (cd drive/floppy drive), then follow the instructions given by the wizard.
go to following link to find out a workaround:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=166047
Correction: Go to this site:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;298370
You can disable the plug and play services but your system become unstable. All your multimedia are turned off, the device manager sees nothing.
I also have been suffering from this problem, this has absolutely nothing to do with drivers but a broken "Reg Key", and is identified as a "broken component" in the hardware installation wizard for XP. I can only assume that not all users are affected as many will have printers already physically attached/installed. I do not, I only use XP as my employer insists upon it, so I have no requirement for any printing whatsoever from a Windows system....... Anyway ....
The MS article describes deleting the LPTENUM key in the registry - that does not work if like me you do not have any printing. Issues with being denied deleting the key are down to the "Permissions" for the key. Allow "EVERYONE" permission to the key you can delete it. However, the next restart will simply re-add the key, and the problem will re-surface.
MS article - by the way is : http://support.microsoft.com/kb/298370
"The New Hardware Wizard may detect the printer device after every restart of the computer"
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. "
A SOLUTION !! I have a good solution. It took me a while to figure this out. First of all, find out if your driver/software has it's own removal included. I found a scrubber in my HP printer's installation file folder, even though the driver was not fully installed. It will uninstall/delete all the files that keep it re-installing. If you don't have this file, then go to "start", then "search". Locate any references to your driver/programs and delete them all. Be sure not to delete any other similar named files if possible. This should stop hardware wizard as well.
The purpose of a driver on any computer (not just Dell brand computers) is to serve as a communicator between your computer's operating system and computer hardware. For example, when you install a printer (hardware) the driver helps you to inform your operating system that the printer is there so it can be used.
Windows 7 is software because you install it on the computer. Hardware is physical and you can touch it with your fingers. EG printer. A printer is hardware because you can touch it.
A printer is hardware. Software is the generic name for any computer program.
Most computers will 'auto-detect' a printer when it's plugged into a USB port. Windows software includes drivers for most printers, and will install the correct driver for the printer it detects. If it doesn't find a relevant driver - it will ask for an installation disk.
How to install several printers on your machine
The screen - or a printer.
Install the printer on one of the computers. Then do the printer install wizard on the other computers, and choose a network printer, and browse to the computer with the printer installed and select that printer, and have the main computer automatically install drivers on the other computers. Configure outlook express however you want. Google it for detailed instructions.
Any USB printer will be easy to install and use on your Dell computer.
The first step to install a printer on your computer is knowing your printer’s manufacturer and model. There should be a small metal tag on the back of your printer with the identifying details you’ll need; you can also look in your printer’s manual. You should know which computer operating system (OS) you’re using on your computer. You cross-reference your OS with the printer model to search on the Internet to find the manufacturer’s website. Look in the website’s subsection on drivers to find the newest one for your OS. Download the driver to your computer; the file should go into a folder named Drivers. Now it’s time to install your printer. If you have a Install disk or CD, put it in your computer’s drive. The Install program should start up right away; if not, look for a file named Install or Setup on the disk, and run it. Follow the instructions on the screen, which should end with a request for you to restart your computer -- do so. When your computer is back on, try printing a test page (if the instructions have not already told you to do so). The test page should show different-sized fonts and graphics -- if a color printer, a rainbow of color should also be printed. If you have no manual, no disk, or no instructions on how to install your printer on your computer, first, use the Internet to find and install a printer driver for your printer model. Then, plug one end of the USB cable provided with your printer to your computer, and the other end to your printer. Also, plug in the power cord for your printer, but do not turn on your printer. Plugging in the USB cable should start a ’Add New Hardware’ Wizard, or something similar, on your computer. Follow the instructions, which should help you to select the driver, whether on the Web or already on your computer. Turn on your printer. Your computer should then sense the presence of your printer and finish the install. Print a test page. You’re done!
All printers generate print, as printing is why we use a printer! Basically, data, with format instructions are sent to a printer from a computer, or similar device, and a printer translates the data and prints the results on paper. Apart from the hardware (printer, computer), software and printer drivers make the hardware work properly.
syncing
just go to the printer driver right click on it, select the properties in that go sharing tab on the top side in that select share this printer & apply it after that go to the any computer on the same network in that go to the printer tab in that add printer option select the network printer option in that select browse the printer & select that printer it get install on your computer OR go to run tab on any same network computer just put \\IPAdd. of the computer on which printer is get installed then press ok after there is a tab where printer option is there just select that printer & right click on it and select Connect the printer is get install on your computer OR go to the my network places select the computer on which printer is installed open it select that printer & right click on it and select Connect the printer is get install on your computer