Installing printer crashes pc

Driver errors, says MS

from WinCustomize Forums
I recently had to do a fresh install of XP because my other hd died. I'm using SP2, fully updated. I went and tried to install my printer (Lexmark something or other) and had to download the drivers from the net because the disc was broken. I tried going into the control panel > printers > add printer > the wizard thing would come up, I'd hit next...and boom. The pc would reboot, and once booted a message would come up saying that windows has recovered from a serious error, sent in the report and IE popped up saying it was due to driver errors.

So I decided to buy another printer (an Epson stylus CX4600 3-in-1 for the hell of it), got it setup, power plugged in, usb not plugged in (as instructed), popped in the install software disc, it was running doing its thing and I look over and the pc has once again spontaneously rebooted. Booted up and got the same error message as before. I have NO idea what's going on...I'm using a pretty much fresh install (about a month old or so) on a legal, validated, updated version of XP SP2 and the thing just will not work. I tried booting from the XP disc to do a repair (as suggested from the MS error page), pressed R at the options screen to do the repair, it asked which installation to log onto, I pressed 1 and enter for the c:/windows installation, put in my admin password, and all that came up was the c:/windows dos-style thing, pressing enter did nothing and there were no further instructions. I have no idea how to work this repair stuff, I've never done it before.

I'd greatly appreciate any insight/explanations/solutions as to why this is happening. I never had this much trouble on a not-so-legal version and yet this bought-and-paid-for one is giving me problems out the wazoo.
24,880 views 6 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
"I never had this much trouble on a not-so-legal version "....Hmmm!....anyway, before you try to repair windows. Look into the following: First off, the first driver you downloaded, was it from a reputable site? (the manufacturers site is always the best) Could you have picked up a virus? Maybe a virus scan is in order. Next, If the error report is telling you that the problem is a driver error, then maybe there is a conflict. Try un-installing all printer drivers, reboot, then let windows new hardware wizard pick up on your new printer. Follow the wizards instructions and point it to your printer disc, then you should be able to install the new drivers. Reboot then try the printer. If your system continues to spontaniuously re-boot, then I would seriously consider a virus. Good luck.
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Also, one other thing to consider is SP2. I had the darndest time setting up printer sharing over a network with SP2. I finally got it figured out, but the problem wasSP2 because all was working well before SP2. Check the printers manufacturers website for any info/drivers/installation instructions pertaining to SP2.......spontaneous rebooting though....still sounds suspicious.
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Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Bebi, Crissy has a good point..instead of installing the Printer from the CD, try allowing Windows to detect it and install drivers..XP may have the drivers you need for the Printer already..

I really dont think you have to worry about a Virus though, XP can be a pain in the butt concerning improper drivers and I have seen more than one system act accordingly, so on that I would have to disagree.

Go ahead and uninstall anything that may have been installed concerning the printer, hook it all up and boot up, Windows should detect it and go through the routine of installing the drivers for it..

Good Luck!'
Zero.
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Yes the drivers for the lexmark I got from the lexmark site. Come to think of it, I was still on sp1 on the installation on the old hd that died, so that could be it but this is really quite lame if I can't install ANY printer on sp2.

I'm running norton systemworks 2003 and it has a scheduled virus check every friday, there's been no reports of any virus since I've had xp installed. On the MS error page, it said that the spontaneous rebooting was a symptom of the driver problems and so on.
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Bebi, I dont know if you have checked, but also, your Printer may not have come with updated drivers..even though it's new from the store the drivers can be outdated..take a look and see what the driver versions are, then check the site Link for updated drivers.
Hopefully thats it.

Zero.
Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Thanks for the help so far, unfortunately I can't try anything with it at the moment because I need to get a new usb cable, the one I have now is too short. >.< My uncle might be coming up sometime this week to play with it since pc's seem to hate me so I'll let him goof around to see if he can get it working. My mom was asking around with the tech support people at her work what might be the problem...one of them mentioned my motherboard (it's pretty much new as well). o_O